Mount Ararat Expedition: Climb Turkey’s 5,165 m Giant via the Southern Ridge
Difficulty
difficult
Duration
8 days
Fitness Level
High level of aerobic fitness and prior multi-day trekking or altitude experience; be able to hike 6–10 hours with packs.
Overview
A guided eight-day climb that stages two high camps and a dawn summit push on Turkey’s highest peak. Expect glaciated slopes above 4,850 m, mule-supported camps, and wide views across borders when skies clear.
Mount Ararat Expedition: Climb Turkey’s 5,165 m Giant via the Southern Ridge
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You arrive in Dogubeyazıt at dusk and the mountain is already at work on your nerves — a broad, white cone that eats the horizon. The expedition begins with a slow unspooling: a drive from Van airport to Eli village, pack animals clattering, a ridge route that runs high above shattered gullies where the Ulker glacier sends down teeth of ice. By camp one, at roughly 3,200 m, the air is thin enough that every breath counts and the wind has the blunt personality of a place used to being climbed.
Adventure Photos
Adventure Tips
Acclimatize deliberately
Don’t rush to Camp II—use the acclimatization day to hike up, return and sleep lower; gradual ascent reduces altitude sickness risk.
Practice crampon and ice-axe use
Familiarity with basic crampon techniques and self-arrest will make the glacier section manageable; a short pre-trip clinic helps.
Bring cash and passport copies
Border-region rules and checkpoints mean you’ll need passports and small bills for local purchases or tips.
Plan for late starts and cold nights
Summit attempts begin pre-dawn; sleep systems and warm layers for 3,200–4,200 m nights are non-negotiable.
Local Insights
Wildlife
- Golden eagle
- Highland marmot
History
Ararat sits on an ancient frontier between empires; its slopes figure in Armenian tradition and Ottoman-era trade routes through eastern Anatolia.
Conservation
The high-altitude ecosystem is fragile; stick to marked routes, pack out waste and follow guide instructions to limit erosion and local disturbance.
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Adventure Hotspots in Doğubeyazıt
Frequently Asked Questions
Recommended Gear
Mountaineering boots (B2/B3)
Stiff-soled, insulated boots required for crampon fit and glacier travel.
summer specific
Crampons and ice axe
Essential for the permanent ice above ~4,850 m (operators may provide but verify ahead).
summer specific
Sleeping bag (-10°C comfort)
Cold nights at high camps demand a robust insulating bag.
High-SPF sunscreen & glacier sunglasses
High-altitude UV and reflection off snow increase sun exposure risk.
summer specific