Explore Lake Van and the southeast
Ararat is a serious mountain (two Italians died in a blizzard descending the peak in August 2006) and you will need proper equipment, including an ice axe and crampons. The main climbing season is June to September.
Treks are normally of three to four days’ duration, and are supported up to Camp 2 by mules. The starting point is Eli (2150m), some 10km north of Doğubeyazıt, from where it’s a half-day walk to Camp 1 (3200m). Camp 2, at 4200m, is a strenuous six-hour march higher. From Camp 2, a 1am start is needed to reach the summit (five hours) before cloud cover becomes too thick. At around 4900m the stones give way to permanent snowpack and then glacier. The views on a clear day are stupendous, compensating for the hard slog of the ascent. Most groups head straight back to Eli from the summit, and return to Doğubeyazit the same day.
