Suphan, 4058 m & Ararat, 5137 m

1. Gün
Airport pickup in Van, followed by a transfer to the hotel.

Day 2
After breakfast, we begin our journey to the base camp for Mount Suphan, located at an altitude of 2,400 meters. The drive along the shores of one of Turkey’s largest lakes will take approximately four hours. Along the way, we will enjoy views of the mountains surrounding the lake, observe locals spending their leisure time on the beaches, and pass through towns bustling with markets and bazaars. We will stop for Turkish coffee and a taste of traditional sweets; a visit to eastern Turkey simply wouldn’t be complete without sampling delicious baklava or tulumba!

Upon reaching our destination, we will set up our tents and go for an acclimatization walk. This will give us our first glimpse of Lake Van from a new perspective and allow us to view the route we plan to tackle the following day.

3. Gün
Today, we set out to summit the first of our planned peaks: Mount Suphan (4,058 m). The ascent begins at night, as we have a vertical gain of 1,600 meters to cover. Local Kurds view the massif as consisting of three distinct peaks, and we structure our trek accordingly, as the terrain changes significantly across each section.

We start in meadows, which—as we gain altitude—give way to sand and rock. We will witness the sunrise during this section, which is the longest part of the climb. Amidst beautiful shades of pink and orange, we will see the lights of the city of Van still glowing on the far side of the lake—and perhaps, with a bit of luck, Mount Ararat!

The second part of the trek involves a steep, rocky ascent with an elevation gain of about 200 meters. The pace is slow, yet we gain altitude quickly.

The final section is the easiest and shortest. We will pass through rock gates into the crater, offering views of numerous peaks—including the one that is our ultimate goal. After summiting and putting in all that effort, juicy watermelons, melons, and snacks will be waiting for us back at camp. Ahead of us lies a three-hour journey to Doğubeyazıt and a dip in the salty waters of Lake Van!
 
4. Gün
After breakfast, we set off towards Mount Ararat to begin the trek to Camp 1, located at an altitude of 3,300 meters. The climate here is truly desert-like, offering a magnificent view of the landscape shaped over the ages by the activity of nearby volcanoes. Amidst the sun-scorched vegetation, sheep graze throughout the summer, guarded by *Karabaş*—Anatolian shepherd dogs. Colorful hoopoes and clever ravens dart about in the air around them. We will also catch our first glimpse of Kurdish homes, where people lead simple, traditional lives.

Upon reaching the starting point at 2,500 meters, we will carry only small backpacks with essentials for the trekking; horses will transport our heavy luggage. On the way to the camp, we will have a unique opportunity to view the entire route that lies ahead—the path leading through subsequent camps to the summit, which is capped with ice all year round.

After arriving at the camp, we will have plenty of time to relax and rest, as the hike takes approximately 3–4 hours. We can look forward to singing and dancing accompanied by Kurdish music and a picturesque sunset.

5. Gün
It is time to move from Camp 1 to Camp 2. Once again, horses will transport the heavy luggage, allowing us to hike to Camp 2 carrying only backpacks. After the three-hour trek, we will begin packing the gear needed for the summit push, while our cook prepares a delicious meal. Nutritious lentil soup and chicken in tomato sauce taste exquisite—and the fact that they were prepared at such an altitude makes the culinary experience even more memorable!

6. Gün
Ararat! We set off after breakfast, having restocked our water and tea supplies. The ascent to the summit takes up to five hours. Today, we face the toughest part of the entire expedition. The route is demanding and quite steep right from the start. We have about 500 meters of challenging terrain to cover before the going gets a bit easier.

Sunrise will treat us to spectacular views, revealing Little Ararat and the incredible shadow cast by Greater Ararat. The summit itself comes into view at an altitude of around 4,700 meters—a sight that always provides an extra boost of motivation and strength as we push toward our goal. A glacier persists on Ararat year-round; upon reaching it, we will put on our crampons. From there, it is only a 30–40 minute climb to the summit, which offers panoramic views of Iran, Armenia, Mount Aragats, and Tendürek—the second most sacred mountain for the Kurds after Ararat.

Once we have savored the triumph of reaching the summit, we will descend to Camp 2 to rest and have a meal before continuing down to Camp 1. That is where the first celebration of our success will take place!

Day 7
We return to an altitude of 2,500 meters and head to our hotel in Doğubayazıt. After a brief rest, we will visit the 17th-century Ishak Pasha Palace, the city’s landmark attraction. We will tour the palace mosque as well as the chambers where the Pasha and his harem resided. All this is set amidst beautiful ornamentation and masterful carvings depicting the animals of Noah’s Ark—a blend of Ottoman, Persian, and Seljuk styles.

Just above the palace lies the tomb of the most famous Kurdish poet, Ahmad Xani. He is the author of the Kurdish “Romeo and Juliet,” and the small, charming shrine where he rests serves as a pilgrimage site for the local community. Children run about nearby, adults prepare food on grills, and older Kurds sing of their longing for a state they never possessed. Here, everyday laughter mingles with nostalgia for the past.

After such experiences, shopping awaits! No one leaves Doğubayazıt without tea, coffee, or pink pistachios. To cap off a long day beautifully, those interested can enjoy a Turkish bath massage or savor Turkish shisha accompanied by a glass of tea. There is something for everyone!

Day 8
It is time to bid farewell to Mount Ararat, though our expedition is not over yet. We will travel to Van, stopping along the way at the Muradiye Waterfalls. This is another truly “local” spot, rarely visited by tourists. Residents of Muradiye come here to spend their free time enjoying coffee or picnicking with their children. The waterfalls themselves are striking, set amidst a desert-like landscape. Standing about 10 meters tall, they can be admired from both above and below. At a nearby restaurant, accompanied by the sound of rushing water, we can enjoy roasted eggplant, lamb, or delicious fish. To conclude the journey, we will visit the historic Van Fortress, a UNESCO World Heritage site. From the summit, there is a magnificent view of Lake Van—the very lake that symbolically welcomed us at the start of our expedition and now bids us “see you again.”

Day 9
Transfer to the airport. Return home.

*A scanned copy of the passport page containing your photo.
A permit for Mount Ararat (Turkey) is mandatory; to ensure there are no issues on the day of your ascent, you must send us a photocopy of your passport.
The Mount Ararat permit is mandatory; simply send us a photocopy of your passport, and we will handle everything else.
The price for the Mount Ararat expedition depends on the number of participants; please contact us for pricing regarding confirmed group departures.

Included:
Airport–hotel–airport transfers (Agri, Igdir, or Van)
2 nights’ accommodation with breakfast at a hotel in Dogubayazit and 2 nights in Van hotel
Accommodation in tents during the ascent of Mount Ararat (2 people per tent)
Mules to transport your gear bags
All meals and drinks on the mountain (hot and cold food and beverages)
Mules for equipment transport (up to 20 kg per person)
A dedicated cook for the group on the mountain
All local transportation in the Mount Ararat area
Cultural tour in Dogubayazit
Spanish-speaking local guide (from the moment of arrival in Agri or Van)
Tents
Mount Ararat permits
Sleeping mats for use during the trek on Mount Ararat
Mount Ararat climbing certificate

Not included:
International flights and airport taxes
Soft drinks, alcohol, and personal expenses
Lunch and dinner in the city of Dogubayazit
Single room supplement: 30 EUR
Mountain accident insurance (we recommend a policy from a mountaineering federation that provides international coverage)
Travel assistance and personal insurance (can be arranged upon request)
Tips, permit fee (50 EUR per person)