Plan your trip · Guide
Turkey
What to know before you climb Mount Ararat: getting there, visa, the climbing permit, money and health.
01 · The basics
Before you go
The climb starts in Doğubayazıt, the town at the foot of Ararat, in eastern Turkey.
| At a glance | |
|---|---|
| Getting there | International flight to Istanbul, domestic flight to Van, then by road, along Lake Van, to Doğubayazıt. |
| Visa | Some nationalities don’t need a visa for stays of up to 90 days within any 180-day period. Check the requirements for yours. |
| Climbing permit | Climbing Ararat requires a special permit and a mandatory guide. We take care of both. |
| Currency | Turkish lira. Euros and US dollars are widely used, and international cards work at ATMs. |
| Weather | In summer, hot in Doğubayazıt. At high camp and on the summit, cold and windy, below freezing in the early hours. |
| Plugs | Type F (and also C), 230 V. If yours are a different type, bring an adapter. |
02 · The trip
Mount Ararat
Mount Ararat
Best time: June to September.
Turkey’s highest mountain, at 5,137 m. It’s a non-technical climb for fit hikers, although on summit day you use crampons and an ice axe on the snow near the top.
All dates are in the departure calendar.
03 · Health and insurance
Health, altitude and insurance
- Altitude: our trips are designed to give you proper acclimatisation. Safety comes first, and with altitude we don’t take chances. If you have any questions, just ask us. More in altitude sickness and acclimatisation
- Insurance: it’s mandatory. It must cover the activity you’ll be doing, based on the maximum altitude and whether technical gear is involved, as well as helicopter rescue and evacuation and repatriation. Before departure you’ll also sign a waiver
- Vaccines: requirements depend on the country you’re travelling from. Check the latest on your country’s official health website or with a travel health clinic, or ask us
- Physical preparation: you don’t need to be an athlete, but arriving prepared means you’ll enjoy the trip much more. If you need it, we can help with a training and nutrition plan tailored to you. See how it works
Questions?
Got a question?
If you’re thinking about Ararat and have questions about the climb or how to prepare, write to us and we’ll reply by email.
See upcoming departures →