10-daagse trekking over de Ararat

Armenië is een bergachtig land gelegen in de zuidelijke Kaukasus. Geografisch gezien behoort het tot Azië, maar cultureel en historisch voelt men zich meer met Europa verwant. Armenië is één van de oudste landen ter wereld en omvatte vroeger een veel groter gebied dan nu. De hoofdstad Jerevan werd gesticht in 782 voor Christus en is daarmee één van de oudste nog bestaande steden. Armenië is de eerste Christelijke natie ter wereld (sinds 301). Zowel qua natuur als qua cultuur heeft Armenië de reiziger veel te bieden. Het land herbergt talloze eeuwenoude bezienswaardigheden, maar is nog niet door het massatoerisme ontdekt. U zult naast de vele historisch interessante plekken ook uitgestrekte bossen in het noorden en rotsachtige landschappen in het zuiden kunnen bewonderen. Hier verheft de Bijbelse berg Ararat zich hoog boven het landschap. U zult kleine dorpjes bezoeken waar de tijd lijkt te hebben stilgestaan en u zult ontdekken dat de Armeense keuken met zijn vele verse producten bijzonder rijk en smakelijk is, evenals de wijnen en de fameuze brandy die hier vandaan komen. Ook voor vegetariërs is er voldoende keuze.

Mount Ararat has captivated mountaineers for decades. Home of Noah's Ark, this ancient volcano has attracted its fair share of Ark hunters, mountaineers and geologists. It provides an unusual and quite challenging walking and mountaineering objective. From our high camp, we will be trekking across the easy-angled snow slopes leading to the summit of Mt Ararat. Given good visibility, the views extend to Mount Elbrus in the Russian Caucasus and Kazbek Peak in the Georgian Caucasus. For European alpinists it is the nearest mountain in this height category. 

Day 1 Tblisi

flight to Tblisi, transfer to your hotel, time to rest.

Day 2 Tblisi

Leisure

Day 3 Kars

Arrive Kars from Tbilisi, Georgia. Kars is situated on a plateau 1750 m above sea level, near Armenia border. We have time for sightseeing and visit the main highlight of Kars: Church of the Apostles converted into a mosque (dating back to the 10th century). Kars is important as a center for trade in livestock and is noted for its cheese so we include a visit to a cheese factory and tasting of excellent Kasar cheese. We continue to Kars Castle (Kars Kalesi), also known as the Citadel sitting at the top of a rocky hill overlooking Kars. th century). Kars is important as a center for trade in livestock and is noted for its cheese so we include a visit to a cheese factory and tasting of excellent Kasar cheese. We continue to Kars Castle (Kars Kalesi), also known as the Citadel sitting at the top of a rocky hill overlooking Kars.
Overnight: Hotel in Kars, Meal plan: Breakfast

Day 4 Ani, Ancient Armenian Capital

After breakfast we drive to Ani, a fascinating medieval town once situated on the ancient Silk Road (45 kilometers east of Kars). Ani was the capital of the Armenian kingdom. Among the several churches in the town, the most important is the Cathedral. It was built on a rectangular plan in the form of a cross. The walls are decorated with tall blind arcades with pointed arches and originally there was a cupola that rested at a circular drum (now missing). Ani rivaled Baghdad, Cairo, and Constantinople in size and magnificence. Continue on to Dogubayazit and camp at a campsite at 2200 meters. We enjoy dinner at the campsite, there is the usual selection of mezes and kebabs, wine, beer, and raki as well as live Kurdish music.
Overnight: Camp, Meal plan: Breakfast, dinner

Day 5 Mount Ararat, Green Camp

After breakfast, transfer by car to the base of Mount Ararat at 2400 meters. Here a path with a slight initial grade will take us to the Green Camp at 3200 m (our 1st camp). On the way up to the Green Camp we meet nomads who live in these mountains, explore their lifestyle. The walk takes about 5 hours and the grade becomes steeper only for the last hour. Dinner at camp (weather permitting open-air), rest and good sleep to prepare for tomorrow's acclimatization trek (horses are used to carry our gear). st camp). On the way up to the Green Camp we meet nomads who live in these mountains, explore their lifestyle. The walk takes about 5 hours and the grade becomes steeper only for the last hour. Dinner at camp (weather permitting open-air), rest and good sleep to prepare for tomorrow's acclimatization trek (horses are used to carry our gear).
Overnight: Camp, Meal plan: Full board 

Day 6 Mount Ararat (4200 m)

Today's plan is to trek to our next camp at 4200m (2nd camp). From this camp, we have good views of the lesser cone of Little Mount Ararat (3896m) which rises up to the south-east, separated from its bigger neighbor by the so-called 'lava plateau'. As the day before, we will take our lunch pack and start climbing. Weather may be chilly at 4200m and we can expect temperatures between 0 and -15°C on the summit. The luggage will be taken to the camp on horseback. When we reach the camp, hot drinks and soup will be ready for us. Before dinner, our guide will teach how to use crampons, ice axe and rope. We will rest in tents till midnight. nd camp). From this camp, we have good views of the lesser cone of Little Mount Ararat (3896m) which rises up to the south-east, separated from its bigger neighbor by the so-called 'lava plateau'. As the day before, we will take our lunch pack and start climbing. Weather may be chilly at 4200m and we can expect temperatures between 0 and -15°C on the summit. The luggage will be taken to the camp on horseback. When we reach the camp, hot drinks and soup will be ready for us. Before dinner, our guide will teach how to use crampons, ice axe and rope. We will rest in tents till midnight.
Overnight: Camp, Meal plan: Full board

Day 7 Mount Ararat (summit 5165m)

We make an alpine start at around 3.00 am. and aim to set off at first light. Before the climb, we will get the latest weather report. After a few hours of climbing, we should see the huge shadow of the peak of Mount Ararat on the left. About 7-8 hours of climb and we will reach the summit of Mount Ararat. Everything seems mysterious and magical here, we can see 4 countries at once – Armenia, Azerbaijan, Iran and Turkey. After celebrating reaching of the summit and taking photographs we will be back to our previous camp (4200m) for hot soup and tea. After rest for an hour we descend to the 1st camp at 3200 m. make an alpine start at around 3.00 am. and aim to set off at first light. Before the climb, we will get the latest weather report. After a few hours of climbing, we should see the huge shadow of the peak of Mount Ararat on the left. About 7-8 hours of climb and we will reach the summit of Mount Ararat. Everything seems mysterious and magical here, we can see 4 countries at once – Armenia, Azerbaijan, Iran and Turkey. After celebrating reaching of the summit and taking photographs we will be back to our previous camp (4200m) for hot soup and tea. After rest for an hour we descend to the 1st camp at 3200 m.
Overnight: Camp, Meal plan: Full board

Day 8 Ishak Pasha Palace and Noah's Ark

Morning back to Dogubayazit, check in at hotel. This day is dedicated to cultural exploration and we start with a city tour of Dogubayazit. We visit magnificent Ishak Pasha Palace. Perched high on a cliff, this half ruined fortified palace is the stuff Arabian tales are made of. Continue to visit Noah's Ark National Park, where we can see many fossils found at the site and visit Noah's Ark Museum. Our last stop is the Meteor Crater. 60 m deep and 35 m large, the crater is the second biggest in the world. On the way to the crater, we pass by border checkpoints between Turkey and Iran.
Overnight: Hotel in Dogubayazit, Meal plan: Breakfast

Day 9 Lake Van and Akhtamar Island

Our first stop today is Mount Tendurek lava flow on the road where we will have a short break. We continue to see Muradiye waterfall and on to Lake Van to explore its numerous cultural sites: including first and foremost, the ancient citadel of the city, several fine mosques and a fantastic Armenian Church of the Holy Cross, located on Akhtamar Island. Boat trip at the lake to explore the Church.
Overnight: Hotel in Van, Meal plan: Breakfast

Day 10:

Transfer to airport, flight.

Data en prijzen op aanvraag

Inbegrepen
10 dagen accommodatie, maaltijden als aangeven in het programma, gids / chauffeur (Engelssprekend), lokale berg en ski-gidsen (Engelssprekend), alle activiteiten, alle transfers in 4WD.

Niet inbegrepen
Optionele excursies, toegang voor Ararat

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