Ski Tour Ararat,
Van Mountains
11 days
Let’s explore the holy mountain of Noah’s Ark, Mount Ararat, Türkiye’s highest peak 5137m and discover the stunning landscape around Van Lake, Mount Baset, Mount Artos, Mount Nemrut, and Mount Süphan.
Brief Itinerary
Day 1: Airport Pick Up
– Meet our guide at Van Airport (depending on your arrival time)
– Drive to our hotel in Van city, check in and relax (3 star hotel)
– Have a welcome dinner in our hotel
– Our guide will give a program briefing and do a final equipment checkup
– Overnight in hotel (Van)
Day 2: Ski Mount Baset (3654m)
– After breakfast, transfer by minibus to Mount Baset (1.5 hr drive)
– We will ascend the mountain for 3-4 hrs and descend
– Enjoy the view over the lake from Van castle (built by the ancient kingdom of Uratu during the 9th to 7th centuries BC
– Transfer back to Van
– Have dinner at our hotel or a local restaurant.
– Overnight in hotel (Van)
Day 3: Ski Mount Artos (3543m)
– After breakfast, transfer by minibus to Mount Artos (40min drive)
– We will ascend the mountain from 1970m to the summit at 3543m for 6 hrs, at the top you can enjoy the view of Van Lake and descend
– Transfer to Tatvan
– Have dinner at our hotel or a local restaurant.
– Overnight in hotel (Tatvan-Bitlis)
Day 4: Ski Mount Nemrut (2274m)
– After breakfast, transfer by minibus to Mount Nemrut (2 hr drive)
– We will ascend the mountain for 3 hrs to the top you can enjoy the view of Nemrut Crater Lake and descend
– Transfer to Van
– Have dinner at our hotel or a local restaurant.
– Overnight in hotel (Tatvan-Bitlis)
Day 5: Ski Mount Süphan (4058m)
– After breakfast, transfer by minibus to Mount Süphan (2 hr drive)
– We will ascend the mountain from Kiskili village at 2300m to the top at 4058m for maximum of 7hrs) which is the 3rd highest peak in Türkiye, you can enjoy the view of Mount Süphan’s Crater and descend to our minibus (2.5hr)
– Transfer to Doğubayazıt (2 hr drive)
– Have dinner at our hotel or a local restaurant.
– Overnight in hotel (Doğubayazıt)
Day 6: Rest Day and Sightseeing in Doğubayazıt
– After breakfast, we will visit Ishak Pasa Palace and explore the city of Doğubayazıt
– Have dinner at our hotel or a local restaurant.
– Overnight in hotel (Doğubayazıt)
Day 7: Transfer to Mount Ararat and Ascend to Ararat Camp (3200m)
– After breakfast, transfer by minibus to Cevirme Village at 2200m elevation.
– Transfer all baggages and skis to Ararat Camp by mules
– Begin our ascent from Cevirme village (2200m) to Ararat Camp (3200m)
– Note: the camp site location & elevation might be subjected to change due to the snow condition
– Food, drinks and refreshment will be ready for us at the camp
– Together we set up our tents and mattresses. Free time on the afternoon
– Have dinner and short briefing for tomorrow // 10PM lights out
– Overnight in Tent (Ararat Camp)
Day 8: Ski Mount Ararat (5137m)
– Have early breakfast around midnight and start ascend to the summit
– After 6-8 hrs, at the summit of Ararat 5137m, we will be mesmerized with the view beyond Türkiye, Iran, and Armenia borders (minimum -20 C at the summit)
– We ski to the camp, have some rest and refill our energy
– Have dinner and celebrate our success // 10PM lights out
– Overnight in Tent (Ararat Camp)
Day 9: Extra Day in case of bad weather
– Overnight in Tent (Ararat Camp)
Day 10: Transfer to Doğubayazıt
– After breakfast, we descend to Cevirme village (2-3 hrs) and transfer to Doğubayazıt by a minibus (Extra Day in case of bad weather)
– Check in and refresh ourselves at the hotel in Doğubayazıt.
– Visit the footprint of Noah’s Ark site.
– Celebration dinner at a local restaurant
– Overnight in hotel (Doğubayazıt)
Day 11: Transfer to Van Airport
– After breakfast, transfer to Van airport
– Say goodbye to our guide and bring wonderful memories home
Ski Tour Time: March- April-May
- All Transportation from airport to airport
- Mule services for baggages and other equipments on Mount Ararat
- All hotel accommodations with breakfast in Doğubayazıt (twin-sharing room)
- All dinners at the hotel and local restaurants.
- Professional Local Guide, Assistants, Cook, Camp Manager and Staffs
- Equipments
- Mattresses
- Tents (1 tents for 2 persons)
- Emergency Oxygen bottle and First Aid Kit
- Walkie Talkie for team communication
- All meals and drinks on the mountains
- Mount Ararat Climbing Permit (50 USD) and Entrance Fee for İshak Paşa palace
- Summit Certificates
- International and domestic flight tickets
- Turkish Visa Fee
- Meals and drinks in the cities (lunches)
- Alcoholic beverages
- Personal expenses
- SIM cards
- Turkish bath (Hamam)
- Personal Insurance (medical and evacuation)
- Tips for our guide and staffs (tips are like hugs, never expected but always appreciated)
Personal Equipments
- Sleeping bag (Comfort at -30 C)
- Touring Skis, DVA (Arva, Bips..), snow shovel and probe
- Trekking poles (1-2 optional)
- Trekking Boots (1 pairs)
- Sunglasses (100% UV protection, Cat 2-4)
- Snow Goggles (100% UV protection, Cat 2-4)
- Buff head cover / neck cover / Balaclava
- Warm Beanie
- Light & quick-dry clothes for trekking days
- Warm & Windproof clothes (Thermal/Down/Shell) for the Summit Day
- Trekking socks
- Wool socks
- Warm Gloves (1-2 pairs, gloves liner and warm & windproof gloves)
- Day Pack/Rucksack (40L-50L)
- Duffel bag (60L-80L) (for heavy belongings which will go with the mules)
- Thermos (1-2L) for the Summit Day
- Headlamp/torch with extra batteries
- Camera with extra batteries
- Powerbank
- Snacks, chocolate, energy bars of choices
- Personal medicines
summary table
11 Days
Duratıon
Türkiye
Location
Mar-Apr-May
Season
minimum of 5 members
Group Size
Van Airport
Meeting Point
Hotel, Tent
Accommodation
Important note:
To join our ski tours, you need to have a good off-piste skiing level and know about Avalanche Security (how to use DVA, Arva, Bips…).
If you don’t know about Avalanche Security, you will have to follow our instructions very carefully on the first day. Our ski guides are professionals and highly experienced in Avalanche Security.
Please, trust and listen to your ski guides because your safety is our main priority.
