Mount Ararat Hiking: Top Outdoor Adventures Awaiting You
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Discover the incredible natural beauty and rich cultural history of Turkey’s iconic Mount Ararat!
Rising to 5,137 meters in elevation, Mount Ararat is the highest peak in Turkey and makes for a challenging but rewarding hiking adventure. Getting to the top and back takes four days and provides some of the best views of this scenic part of the world! “Compare and book a certified guide for your Mount Ararat Hiking trip with Explore-Share.com: 1500+ guides, 70+ countries and more than 8000 different programs to choose from. Take a pick from our Mount Ararat Hiking selection. The mountains are calling!
Top hiking trips | Turkey
FAQs: Hiking in Turkey
What should I know about Hiking Mount Ararat?
Rising to 5,137 meters, Mount Ararat is a dormant compound volcano in the very east of Turkey. In addition to its main peak, the mountain has a minor summit, Little Ararat (3,896 m).
Trekking to the top generally takes four to five days and requires a high level of physical fitness. A permit is also required to climb the mountain. Your guide will almost always be the one to acquire the permit for you, but it does take a couple of months to process them.
Depending on the conditions, only hiking is required to get the top. In certain conditions, you may need crampons. Elevation is the main issue, which is why most trips hike high and sleep low all the way up.
Why should I choose Mount Ararat for my Hiking adventure?
Stunning scenery
From the dry and arid highlands around Mount Ararat to the stunning panoramic views from its summit, any hiking trip to the top of this mighty peak is full of gorgeous scenery and incredible views. The stark landscape serves as quite a contrast to other mountain ranges, but provides it with a unique – almost otherworldly – beauty.
Come for the culture
Climbing up to the top of Mount Ararat is not only an incredibly scenic journey, but a culturally fascinating one as well. The peak is an iconic symbol of neighboring Armenia (in which Mount Arat was located until 1915) and features on its coat of arms. It is also widely said to be the final resting place of Noah’s Ark. Keep all this in mind as you head up to the summit of a mountain that was first climbed hundreds of years ago.
Plenty to explore
Since Mount Ararat is well off the beaten path, it is the perfect place to explore. Take 10 days or more to get the know the region. Visit the shores of Lake Van, pass by the Muradiye Waterfalls and climb nearby Mount Artos, from the summit of which you will get all kinds of incredible views. Spend evenings in the nearby towns and villages, enjoying local cuisine and drink too.
What can I expect from the weather during my Hiking trip in Mount Ararat?
During the summer, the average daily temperatures on and around Mount Ararat range from the mid-20s at the base to below freezing up at the summit. Pack accordingly. Additionally, rain is rare during the summer months.
How can I get to Mount Ararat?
Heading to Iğdır Şehit Bülent Aydın Airport (IGD), in Iğdır is a common starting point for trips to Mt Ararat. The airport can be reached directly from Istanbul and Ankara. Guides will generally meet you at the airport.
Which language is predominantly spoken in the Mount Ararat region?
Turkish
What's the country code for the Mount Ararat region?
+90
What currency is accepted around Mount Ararat?
Turkish lira (TRY)
When is the best time to travel to Mount Ararat for Hiking?
July to September
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