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SKITOUR MT. ARTOS, MT. SÜPHAN, MT. ARARAT

Our bestseller for many years!
THE SKI TRIOLOGY: MT. ARTOS & MT. SÜPHAN & MT. ARARAT

 

The Ararat, a mythical and legendary volcano since biblical times, still radiates a tremendous fascination today. Visible from afar with its vast snowfields rises from the vast valley of the Araxes in eastern Anatolia, the center of the Armenian highlands, where the foothills of the Taurus Mountains unite with the eastern foothills of the Pontius Mountains, that mountain on which after the biblical flood the ark Noah's stranded. The Turks call it Agri dagi (Pain Mountain), the Armenian Masi, and the Persian Kûh-i Nuh. Powerfully the Ararat rises up to a height of 5.165 m, which even in midsummer snow cap seems to touch the sky. Only since 2001 is it again allowed to climb this legendary volcanic cone of igneous rock and the highest mountain of Turkey.

CHARACTERISTICS OF THE TOUR

For these tours, good body condition and good skiing skills are required. The ascents and descents are long. On average, 1,400 - 1,600 heights are to be handled, so the slopes are accordingly long. The maximum steepness of the slopes is around 30 °. The selected mountains are ideal skiing places - for enthusiastic ski mountaineers great, exotic destinations that require no special ski skills apart from the necessary physical condition.

All 3 mountains are ideal ski mountains for experienced ski-mountaineers. The Mt. Ararat mountain with its height of 5,165 m should not be underestimated, which requires good acclimatization and a tour with an overnight stay in the camp in which the conditions can be extremely cold and windy.

PROCEDURE OF THE TRIP

 

Day 1: Flight to Istanbul
Flight via Istanbul to Van. Transfer to the hotel.

 

Day 2: Ski tour Mt. Artos (3,537 m)
In the morning drive to Gevas on Lake Van and on to the last village at the foot of the mountain, 2,100 m (even lower depending on snow conditions). It takes us about 4 hours to get to the summit - the view over Lake Van is unique. Racy descent with a maximum steepness of up to 30°. Drive back to van and overnight at the hotel.

 

Day 3: Climb Mt. Baset (3,680 m)

After a 45-minute drive, we arrive at Sapakonak village and begin our ski tour to the top of the mountain. The mountain is climbed from the west and the descent is via the same route. We then continue to Adilcevaz for an overnight stay.
 

Day 4: Ski tour Mt. Süphan (4,058 m)
Early in the morning the journey continues to the snow line above the village of Kiskili. The ascent requires around 1,650 meters of altitude to be overcome in 5 hours; the last 200 meters are very steep. The Süphan is rightly one of the most rewarding ski mountains and at the same time the third highest mountain in the country. Drive to Dogubayazit, for the first time we see our main goal - Mount Ararat! Overnight stay in the hotel.

Day 5: Dogubayazit – base camp
Drive to the village of Cevirme, after the luggage has been loaded onto the horses, climb, depending on the snow conditions, to the high camp at an altitude of approx. 3,450 m. Most of the time you walk to the camp without skis, but the skis can be used. Dress it up even when you're on the go. We set up camp and spend the night in tents.

6. Day: Summit day
At around 3 a.m. it’s time to get up and have breakfast. A 6-hour climb takes us to the summit. The glacier begins at an altitude of approx. 4900 m, from now on you have to use crampons. Done, we are standing on the highest peak in Turkey, Mount Noah. When the weather and visibility are good, the view extends as far as Iran and the Caucasus, Eastern Anatolia lies at our feet! 

We enjoy our happiness at the summit and fortify ourselves with tea from the thermos flask. We can't stay there for long because there is a strong wind up here, even when the weather is very good. Descent and descent, hopefully in wonderful powder or snow, to the base camp at 2,900 m and on to Dogubeyazit.


7. Day: Dogubayazit, reserve day
Reserve day for another summit attempt, otherwise visit the Ishak Pasa Palace. In the afternoon transfer to van, overnight in the hotel orin stock. Depending on whether the reserve day on the mountain was used.

Day 8: Flight home
Transfer to the airport and return flight home via Istanbul or optional extension in Istanbul.

ACCOMMODATION

You will stay in Van and Dogubayazit in a middle-class hotel based on bed and breakfast. In the camp, you stay in 2 person tent (on request single tent against upgrade charge)

 

THE SKI TOURS

2 guided day ski tours from the hotel with degrees of the steepness of 30 ° - 35 °. 2 ski days on Mt. Ararat.

Fitness level: medium to difficult

Technical requirement: medium

SKI GUIDE

Up to 8 people one guide with English language skills. From the 9th person, another ski leader. 

PERMIT

No restrictions and no specific permits required for Mt. Artos and Mt. Süphan. We do the works for your permit to Mt. Ararat (as of 2020).

SKIING GEAR

You bring your own equipment.

TOUR DATES 2025

20.04.2025 - 27.04.2025 - Available

04.05.2025 - 11.05.2025 - Available

BOOKING DEADLINE

20 days before the travel date

 

OUR SERVICES

  • Flights from all major European airports via Istanbul to Van and back

  • All necessary land transports

  • Luggage transport to the base camp and upper camp by packhorses

  • Middle-class hotels in Van and Dogubayazit based on bed and breakfast

  • Full board in the camp on Mt. Ararat

  • Tents and camp gears

  • Cook and horseman

  • English speaking ski mountaineering guide of our company

  • Detailed equipment list

Important notice: Program might changed due to weather conditions!

INQUIRY

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