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Ararat

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ksena26. 07. 2014 16:38:08
Ararat, with 5165 m, is the highest peak of Turkey and for Armenians, who cannot get over its loss at all, the holy mountain. The volcanic cone, which has not been active for more than 150 years, is covered with eternal snow and lies 16 km from the Iranian and 32 km from the Armenian border. Its lower neighbor Little Ararat is 3896 m high and lies SE of the main Ararat peak.
We climbed it on 23.7.2014, but before that we acclimatized thoroughly, so the ascent to the summit was not a problem.
We flew from Ljubljana via Ankara to the city of Van, which lies on the lake of the same name, then by vans to the town of Dogubayazit.
We started the ascent in Eli Vilage at height 2200 m and first day did 1000 m height to first camp Yesil Yayala, second day we climbed to height 4200 m and descended again to 3200 m, where we slept a second time. Third day we moved and slept at 4200. That day a hailstorm caught us, the unfriendly day continued into starry night and washed, sunny next day. A bit after one at night we headed to the Ararat summit. At 5000 m it dawned and at that height we also equipped ourselves with crampons. Snow starts around 4300 m, the path itself runs between rocks and snow.
We ascended in ideal conditions. From the top the view opened to Armenia and Iran. To the camp at 4200 we returned at 8.00. Right time, because the peak started wrapping in clouds and fog. Same day we did long descent almost 3000 m to Eli Vilage.
Nice tour, which according to our local guide's story, attracts more and more mountaineers and ski tourers.
Ararat City and Lake Van - view from the plane.1
Ararat First closer look at the mountain.2
Ararat 3
Ararat Camp at 3200m.4
Ararat Little Ararat.5
Ararat Sunset at 3200m.6
Ararat Bife on the path :)7
Ararat view of the camp at 3200m from the path at 4200m8
Ararat after the storm with hail9
Ararat night hike to the summit10
Ararat dawn is breaking11
Ararat 12
Ararat summit13
Ararat 14
Ararat sunny shortly before 5 o'clock15
Ararat summit16
Ararat 17
Ararat view into the valley18
Ararat 19
(+16)like
nacka.18. 04. 2015 13:59:27
Ksena, hello.

I admired Ararat only from the valley, while traveling through northern Mesopotamia. I assume that the landscape and Ararat itself captivated you.

From the Iranian side I didn't see it, we were too far away. I hope to see it next year, when we plan a trip with my husband through western Iran. If I do, I will attach a photo.

Nice greetings and safe steps,
Nacka
Turkish Kurdistan, Ararat peeking out from the clouds behind1
(+2)like
svpopotnik28. 09. 2015 14:44:54
Hi. 5 of us colleagues are thinking of going to Ararat next summer and I'm interested in how you got in touch with the local organizers. Maybe if you have some contact from your guide, so we can get in touch with her.

Thanks and best regards. nasmeh
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nejcf17. 09. 2022 10:30:12
This summer my mom and I joined the Izimanija agency and conquered Turkey's highest peak Ararat. We chose this feat to mark all our hiking years and celebrate my finished matura. At the same time I was curious how altitude would affect me at 5000 meters, since I have much higher mountains planned. Ararat is technically very easy and thus a suitable goal.

From Ljubljana via Istanbul we flew to Igdir and drove to Dogubayazit at over 1600 meters. Next morning we drove on a really bad road past Cevirme village and started hiking at the end of the road. The path to camp 1 at 3200 m was fairly flat and grassy, but quite long. We overtook a huge Iranian group too.

After a poorly slept night came acclimatization day to camp 2 (4200 m) and descent back. Mostly we ascended in countless switchbacks on scree terrain. Often we had to step aside for horses and mules delivering gear, food or whatever to camp. After a short rest we headed back down.

Next morning we had to do those 1000 height meters again. We reached camp 2 around midday and after lunch rested in tents for a while. All afternoon and evening a merciless strong wind blew, which greatly hindered successful "that long" needs on the rocky edge above camp. From the edge I saw every 5 min some rockfall rumbling from under the summit into the nearby gully. Dinner was around 17:30, after six we all slowly went to sleep.

At night we started shortly after one and quickly reached the long rocky slope above camp 2. It reminded me a lot of Grintovec's roof, just steeper and uglier terrain. After less than 3 hours dawn broke, view opened to Ararat's shadow and camp 2 far below. Then we reached the ridgelet and around 5000 m to snow. Here a really strong wind started blowing, greatly hindering putting on crampons. On snow we all got renewed drive and in half an hour stood on Ararat's summit. Wind blew so strong we couldn't stand fully upright at times. We descended the same way past camp 2 all to camp 1, saving only the last bit for next day.

It was truly an exceptional week that words can't even approximate. We were also lucky to get a super group and guide we clicked with from the start.
In the center of Dogubayazit with Ararat in the background1
View from the starting point, looks much closer than it is2
Loading of horses and mules3
Horse amid vast plains4
After good 4 hours of walking at camp 15
One of the horse evasions on acclimatization to camp 26
Camp 2, the last part of the path dragged on and on7
A curiosity half an hour from camp 18
Break at about 3800m during ascent to camp 29
This dog accompanied us on the last part of the path10
Towards the east Little Ararat appeared11
Rocky edge or WC above the camp, on the other side unfortunately lots of waste12
View steeply upwards to the summit, from where huge material flew into the gully right down13
Late afternoon view from camp 2 far towards the valley14
Lights of Dogubayazit at night before start15
As it began to dawn we could admire Ararat's shadow16
Long and steep ascent on rocky terrain17
At about 5000m, there in strong icy wind we put on crampons18
Summit snow, behind somewhere right down in haze Armenian Erevan19
The two of us on the successfully ascended summit20
Remains of some animal on the descent path21
Larger lizard along the path, lots of them in the initial part22
One last view of Ararat from the hotel room, the next days weather up there was much worse23
(+14)like
zokipoki17. 09. 2022 12:30:21
Congratulations!
(+2)like
GITA17. 09. 2022 13:12:43
Congratulations to both for the ascent, and to you Nejc thanks also for the nice and interesting "photo report"!nasmeh
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ločanka17. 09. 2022 15:41:38
Super, super! I also like that you went with momnasmeh. I miss such descriptions of experiences from higher mountains! Otherwise Turks have appropriated Ararat yeah, no wonder it's still the highest mountain for Armenians too.
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miranm17. 09. 2022 16:36:15
Bravo, congratulations and nice description of your Ararat ascent experience.
My wife and I were the other group to whom the ascent also fully succeeded and the conquest of this magnificent mountain.
Fire brigade on the top of Ararat.1
(+9)like
nejcf18. 09. 2022 13:27:33
Thanks everyone for the response!nasmeh Yes, altitudes really have their charm, especially in somewhat different parts of the world. For next year I have new goals planned, if time allows. Miran, I think I remember you from our meeting at Brdo pri Lukovici.
(+2)like
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