Climbing Permit to Mount Ararat

Mount Ararat, which is located near the Iranian and Armenian border, is in a second degree military zone. Because of Ararat's location all foreign climbers who want to climb Mount Ararat need to get a climbing permission from the authorities.

The climbing permit is taken by the climber's chosen tourist agency to the appropriate authorities. The permit is completed with correspondence between the tourist agency and the Tourism Ministry, and the same information which is sent to the Ministry of Tourism is sent to the Military services. The whole procedure takes approximately two months, wherefore climbers' passport details need to be sent at least two months before the expedition date.

Permit Fee 

The permit fee per person is $50 . On completion the permit fee is transferred to Turkish Mountaineering Federation's bank account by the agency.

The permit fee needs to be paid when the initial reservation/booking is made by the climbers with the agency.

Booking:

30% of the tour price must be paid 90 days before departure (or at the time of booking) for Mt. Ararat tours. Total payment must be made no less than 30 days before the tour dates. Credit card  and cash payment is possible to our company account.

If you book less than 30 days prior to the tour, full payment will be required at the time of your booking.

Cancellation Policy

Cancellation is possible any time against payment of a cancellation fee:

 The following fees apply, if you wish to cancel a booking:

§         80 days or less before the tour dates: 20 %

§         50 days or less before the tour dates: 40 %

§         30 days or less before the tour dates: 80 %

§         Less than 20 days before the tours start:100 % total tour cost.

Insurance

All climbers are insured with Tursab Travel insurance, which starts with the beginning of expedition and covers the whole expedition period with Fez Travel.

Accommodation

In İstanbul and Van the climbers stay in three-star hotels which are located in the centres of the cities.

In Doğubeyazıt, climbers stay in a four-star hotel.

At base camp high quality tents are used.

Sightseeing

As part of the tours, we will visit the places which are described in the different programs.

However, if you are curious to see more of Turkey and it’s culture, it is possible to add extra days for sightseeing to tours including stops in İstanbul, Doğubeyazıt (Noah’s Ark Place) and in Van. Suggestions for what to see in the Van area are Van Castle, Akdamar Island and church. Popular sights to see in Istanbul are Ayasofya, Sultanahmet Mosque, Topkapı Palace, Bosphorus Tour, Grand Bazaar.

Food in Cities

In cities high quality restaurants are used. The menus have traditional Turkish cuisine and vegetarian options, as well as desserts and seasonal fruits.

Food on the Mountain

In base camp food is prepared and served by a special cook in a 'marquee'.

Main Course: Tomato/lentil/mushroom/chicken soup.

                      According to the menu one of chicken/meat/(can) fish is served with rice or macaroni. Seasonal salad.

Dessert : Baklava (which is a famous Turkish dessert) pudding and seasonal fruits.

Breakfast:: Coffee, several types of tea, milk, several types of cheese, jam, boiled egg ,omelette, chocolate, tomato,      cucumber. 

About carrying the backpacks and camp equipments

The mules transfer from Eli Village (2200 m) to Camp 1(3200 m) i.e. all the luggage and skis are carried with the mules to Camp1. From Camp1 to Camp2 porters will carry the backpacks and camp equipment. Normally, the Camp2 site is at 4170 meters in the summer time, but the weather conditions can be difficult for the porters. Because of this we are using the Kum Camp (winter camp site-3800 meters). The summit climbing with skis therefore starts from 3800 meter.

Leadership-Guiding on the mountains

Our guides have Mountain Guide certificates from the Turkish Mountaineering Federation. It is necessary to have a licensed mountain guide to climb Mount Ararat. Our guides have extensive experience on the mountains. They have led many groups and will lead you to the summit of the mountain.

Recommended personal equipments

Good mountaineering clothes i.e. jacket, pants, good gloves, crampon etc.  Sports or leather shoes for walking to Camp1. You don’t need to walk with ski boots to  Camp 1