Ararat (5137m) summit hike
There are 14 places in the group.
This hike takes us to the highest peak of the Turkish and Armenian highlands, the dormant volcano Ararat (Turkish: ស្រានក Mount Ararat) out!
The hike is structured in such a way as to provide a more comfortable acclimatization plan for Ararat - we will do a two-day acclimatization hike before we go to the foot of Ararat. This increases the likelihood that the hike will be affordable and enjoyable for anyone in good physical shape. Even if it is your first mountain hike!
So before starting the Ararat summit hike, we take two extra days to hike to the Nemrut crater and admire the views of the crater lake (2948m). The next day, we hike to the top of Mount Süphan (4058m), which allows us to get even more used to the altitude before we actually head towards Ararat. Although Ararat is not a technically difficult peak, the altitude there is still decent, and in order to prepare well for the summit day and enjoy it more, it makes sense to invest a little more in acclimatization.
If we don't use the spare day on the Ararat mountain hike, we will also have one day left to enjoy culture. We will look over the UNESCO World Heritage Site of Işak Pasha Palace, which is located in a prominent position and offers views of the surrounding fields. We will also investigate the possible imprint of Noah's Ark, which has given rise to many legends. And what is a trip to the mountains and Turkey if you don't get washed clean in a hammam? We will also have time for that.
The hike is planned for mid-July, when the weather is already stable and the snow has melted from the winter, which predicts us the most pleasant peak weather possible and not too long a part of walking with cats. Walking with cats is essentially the only “technical” skill needed for this mountain hike – otherwise, good physical shape is enough. Ararat is one of the easiest 5000m mountains and is therefore also well suited for a first mountain hike.
Overview - short & sweet
Goal: climb to the top of Ararat (5137m)
Dates: 09-17.07.2027
Activity: mountain hiking
Adventure guide: Sergei Kleidov
Technical difficulty level: 1/5 (easy mountain hike with minimal special equipment)
Physical difficulty: 2/5 (moderate effort, suitable for people with an active lifestyle)
Group size: min 9, max 14 (including 1 locomotive)
Trip price for early bird registration (until 30.01.2027) — 1390€
Standard Registration (01.02-31.03.2027) — 1529€
Last minute travel price (from 01.04.2027) — 1668€
Please note: For community members 5-10% discount applies. Read more and check your discount community members page.
Travel cost
Price includes - the entire mountain and cultural program
Entire trip organization and on-site guidance by an experienced Ararat tour guide
Local guide services in the mountains and on the cultural day
Local transportation in Turkey from domestic airport arrival to departure
All overnight stays throughout the trip (hotels, campsites)
All mountain taxes
Using horses to carry luggage on Ararat
Cats for Ararat Summit Day
All breakfasts, lunches and dinners in the mountains and breakfasts and the last final dinner in the city
Stylish Elamus+ sports shirt for each participant
Group pharmacy
Elamus+ mountaineering preparation package worth €350:
access to online mountaineering webinars;
A sample training plan and workbook for mountain hikers
pre-trip briefing (1 hour video call);
winter mountaineering training before the trip*;
summer mountaineering training before the trip*.
*Held once a year — participation depends on the time of registration. Trainings take place in Estonia.
Price does not include - flights, personal belongings and optional activities
Flight tickets. To reach the starting point of the hike, you will first need to fly to Istanbul, and from there you will probably take a domestic flight to Van Airport. The return flight will probably be from Ağrı Airport to Istanbul and from there to Tallinn. We will put together the exact flight plan together, once the group has gathered.
Insurance (travel insurance and mandatory sports insurance suitable for mountain hiking)
Personal hiking equipment
Meals on city days, except breakfast and final dinner, which are included in the price. See the tour schedule for details.
Tips for on-site helpers (optional)
Unscheduled excursions, transportation, etc. (or if you want to do something extra)
Registering for the tour
Before registering, please read travel conditions. To secure your place on the trip, a deposit (20%) must be paid within 3 business days of receiving the confirmation and invoice by email; if there are less than 30 days left until the trip, the total cost (100%) must be paid. Read more: frequently asked questions ja package tour information sheet.
Schedule and activities
The goal of this hike is to climb to the highest peak of Ararat and enjoy the views from over 5000m. Although there is no hard climbing to be expected, as this is more of a hike up a mountain, the altitude is enough to make it feel good.
In order to ensure that our main goal is met with the greatest possible probability, we have chosen a good time for the hike - July - and will also do a two-day pre-acclimatization hike to acclimatize to the altitude. This should help ensure a more enjoyable summit hike and lead us more confidently to our main goal!
In addition to the mountains, we will also visit local cultural sites, enjoy the atmosphere of a small town, get to know the food culture, and of course, visit a traditional hammam where all the mountain dust will be scrubbed off!
DAY 1 – Arrival and getting settled
Arrival at Van airport by domestic flight in Turkey, transfer takes us to the Adilcevaz hotel. In the evening we have the opportunity to explore the city, which gives a nice insight into the life of a small Turkish town located somewhere.
The price includes accommodation at the Hotel Adilcevaz.
DAY 2 - HEADING TO THE MOUNTAINS
After breakfast we drive to the foot of the Nemrut crater and start our day hike. Today's hike is 3-5 hours, we walk to the top of the crater, enjoy the views, get used to the thinner air. We enjoy the views from an altitude of 2948m.
We then move to the base camp of Mount Süphan (2650m), where we will stay in camp.
The price includes breakfast, lunch and dinner. Overnight stay in tents.
DAY 3 - Syphan (4058m) peak
We will start moving towards the peak around 01:00-02:00 in the early morning. According to all assumptions, we should reach the peak of Süphan in about 6-7 hours, because we need to climb about 1400 meters! At the peak, we will take pictures, enjoy the views and then go down to the base camp to have dinner and rest. After rest and dinner, we will start moving further down to meet the transfer cars that will take us to Doğubeyazıt for a rest.
The price includes breakfast, lunch and overnight stay at the hotel in Doğubeyazıt.
DAY 4 - direction to Ararat
Now it starts!
After an early breakfast at the hotel, we will transfer to the village of Eli (2200 m) at the foot of Mount Ararat. Here we will meet our horsemen, who will take over our luggage, food and other camping gear. We will carry a backpack with daily supplies. We will then meet the horsemen in the evening at the tent camp.
Today's hike is about 4-5 hours at a leisurely pace and at the end of the hike we reach the campsite, which is about 3200m above sea level. At the camp we have a hot meal (both lunch and dinner) and settle in. We will stay here for two nights.
Tonight is in the tent. We will try to rest so that we can start the acclimatization hike again tomorrow. We will most likely avoid any major symptoms of altitude sickness thanks to our previous trip to the top of Mount Süphan. But a slight headache is usually part of the deal.
The price includes breakfast, lunch and dinner. Overnight stay in tents.
DAY 5 - acclimatization day
Since our goal is the peak of Ararat, we will take the day easy and adjust to the altitude, or acclimatize. We will have a good breakfast and then head towards Camp 2, located at 4200m. The climb will take 4-5 hours. At 4200m we will make a short stop, rest and then descend back to our camp.
Now we can eat lunch, rest in the tents, get used to the altitude, and prepare for tomorrow's departure. In the evening, we will be served a hot meal again, prepared by our personal hiking chefs (we enjoy this "luxury", because not every hike has it😊).
The price includes breakfast, lunch and dinner. We will spend the night in a tent again.
DAY 6 - Ascent to camp 2
In the morning we pack our things so that they can reach the next camp with the horses. Then we have breakfast and set off. The journey is not quite the same as the previous day, it lasted about 4-6 hours. When we reach Camp 2 (at an altitude of 4200m), the goal is to eat and rest! The summit day (actually the summit night!) awaits us. We eat dinner earlier and then, despite the anxiety, we try to “force” ourselves to go to bed early, because the alarm will probably be around midnight.
The price includes breakfast, lunch and dinner. We will spend the evening in the tent again, but at night we will head towards the summit!
DAY 7 - peak day!
We get up early and somewhere between 1:00-2:00 in the morning we start our journey to the top of Ararat. The climb takes 5-7 hours, depending on the group's performance and weather conditions. We may need "climbing boots" for the last few hundred meters. We have them packed with us. At the top we take pictures, rejoice, enjoy the magnificent views and then this "endless descent" begins.
We will have a meal at Camp 2 and can rest in the tents for an hour or two if we wish. Then we will descend to the village of Eli, where we will be transported back to the hotel in Dogubayazıt. Running water, clean sheets and a nice meal - these are the simple dreams that need to be fulfilled after this long day.
Accommodation at a hotel in Dogubayazıt, breakfast and lunch included.
DAY 8 - spare day/culture day
Backup day. If the weather is good, we have already summited yesterday and now we will enjoy the culture and recover. If the weather is bad, today will be summit day, similar to the previous day.
If the summit is done, we can enjoy culture today. We will have breakfast at the hotel and go to see the Işak Pasha Palace, which is near Dogubayazit. The palace is one of the most important surviving buildings of the Ottoman Empire and is therefore also included in the UNESCO World Heritage List. From there we will move on to Durupinar, which, due to its ship-shaped surface, is considered by some to be the resting place of Noah's Ark. Then we will return to Dogubayazit, where those who wish can wash off their mountain sweats in the local hammam (for an additional fee). The evening will end with a festive dinner in a restaurant.
The price includes hotel accommodation, breakfast and dinner.
DAY 9 - DEPARTURE HOME
That's all, now go home happily!
NB! There may be minor changes to the schedule and planned activities - for example, due to weather and conditions or passenger requests.
Travel documents and other footnote information
The participant is responsible for the validity and orderliness of their travel documents. The following documents are required for this trip:
pass (No visa required for Turkey);
suitable for mountain hiking sports insuranceA suitable sports insurance policy must be carried and is a prerequisite for participating in the mountain hike;
travel insurance (including travel disruption, baggage, medical assistance);
Read more also Elamus Pluss OÜ travel conditions.
Don't worry, let's do it!
Is this mountain hike within my reach?
Ararat is a fairly “easy” mountain and no prior mountaineering experience is required. Previous hiking experience and active exercise in Estonia are of course beneficial, as good physical fitness is required to enjoy the hike.
But I don't have any hiking gear, who can afford to buy it?!
You'll still have to spend a little, but not much. For Ararat, you'll mainly need standard hiking clothing and simpler hiking equipment (walking poles, backpack, headlamp, etc.). The only climbing equipment you'll need is crampons, which can be rented on site if needed. You should bring a sleeping bag with you for camping - tents and mattresses are available on site.
Okay, I registered. Now what?
To make your mountain hike more enjoyable, we recommend that you participate in our preparatory events before the trip - it's also part of the fun. We organize preparatory hiking training, give advice on suitable insurance and equipment, where to rent cheap equipment, what to train for, etc. We will definitely check the collected equipment just before the start of the trip and send reminders about important things.
Read more also frequently asked questions.
