Ararat Blitz, 5137 m — 3-Day Climb for Acclimatised Participants

Ararat is the highest summit in Turkey and a stratovolcanic massif of the Armenian Highlands. Greater Ararat is 5137 m high. The mountain is known as the place where, according to the biblical tradition, Noah’s Ark came to rest.

The classic way up Ararat requires no difficult rock climbing, but the blitz format turns a technically accessible route into a serious high-altitude task. Between the camp at 3340 m and the summit there is almost 1800 m to gain, and then the same distance to descend back to that camp. The main effort falls on a single long day, and there is almost no time for adaptation or recovery.

In the ordinary seven-day trip participants first sleep at 3340 m, make an acclimatisation excursion to 4200 m, return lower down and only then move to the high camp. The blitz has none of those stages. On the very first day after the flight the group climbs to camp, and the following night it sets off for the summit.

The trip is therefore intended for people who have recently been above 4000–5000 m and have kept that acclimatisation, or who have a confirmed high-altitude record and have agreed their participation with Mountain Guide. Isolated successes without acclimatisation are not a reason to recommend that tactic to anyone else.

The most logical strategy is to place the Ararat blitz after another summit in the same journey, or soon after it. Combining it with Elbrus, Kazbek or Damavand allows you to use the adaptation you have already gained, but it requires a separate calculation of flights, of recovery time and of each participant’s condition.

The upper part of the route crosses snow and ice. Whether crampons and an ice axe are needed is decided by the actual state of the slope, not by the calendar alone. Boots, crampons, ice axe, sleeping bag and warm layers must all be agreed before departure.

An early start helps you cross the snow section before the warmth of the day. Once the sun is on it the snow can soften and noticeably increase the effort of the descent. Strong wind, precipitation, poor visibility, a lagging pace or signs of altitude illness may all be reasons to turn around.

The guide sets the time of departure, the pace and the turnaround times. The decision to continue the climb is taken in the light of the weather, the state of the route and how everyone is feeling, and a safe return takes priority over the summit.

If your high-altitude experience is not sufficient, choose the classic trip with acclimatisation instead. Participation in either format requires mountaineering insurance covering an altitude of at least 5137 m, search and rescue and emergency evacuation.

Day 1. Arrival in Igdir and the move to the camp at 3340 m.

Participants fly independently to Igdir airport, where a member of the team meets the group. Once the baggage is collected the transfer to Ararat begins, followed by the walk up to the camp at 3340 m. The guide checks equipment, assesses how everyone is feeling and compares the high-altitude experience you declared with your actual condition. The blitz format does not create acclimatisation in a day: admission assumes recent high-altitude experience and is confirmed by Mountain Guide in advance of booking. After settling in, participants have dinner, prepare clothing, crampons, ice axe and headtorch, and try to conserve energy before the night start. Night in tents.

Day 2. Ascent of Ararat, 5137 m.

The group sets off early in the morning. The start time and the tactics are set by the guide, taking into account the weather, the state of the snow and ice, the pace and how the participants are feeling. On the upper part of the route crampons and an ice axe may be used. A participant is cleared to continue the attempt if they hold a safe pace, follow the guide’s instructions, work confidently with the agreed equipment and pass the checkpoints without signs of a dangerous deterioration. Reaching the summit is not guaranteed: at any sign of altitude illness, in unsafe weather or if the group falls behind the control times, the guide will decide to turn around. After the attempt the group descends to the camp at 3340 m, recovers and prepares to leave the mountain. Night in tents.

Day 3. Descent to the village of Eli and the end of the trip.

After breakfast the group strikes camp and descends to the village of Eli. The task of the day is to finish the route safely after the effort of summit day, so the pace of the descent is set by the guide and it matters that participants stay attentive until the walking section is over. At the vehicles the baggage is handed over to the local team, after which the group leaves for Igdir airport. The departure time is set by the schedule of the agreed flight and the margin needed for the journey and for check-in. At the airport participants check in themselves and the trip ends.

• Guiding — for a group of 4 people or more, a Mountain Guide team leader; for a group of up to 3 people, a local guide under the package option selected
• Local assistant guides on summit day — no more than 4 participants per guide
• Group transfers on the route Igdir – Ararat – Igdir
• Meals as set out in the itinerary, from dinner on the day of arrival to breakfast on the day of departure
• All the permissions and registrations required for the route
• Tents for the two nights during the mountain part
• Horses to carry the group equipment and up to 15 kg of personal baggage per participant

• International and domestic air tickets to Igdir and back
• A visa and any other entry documents for Turkey, where these are required for your nationality
• Personal climbing and trekking equipment
• Medical insurance covering a high-altitude ascent to 5137 m
• The costs of medical assistance, search and rescue and evacuation that are not covered by your insurer
• Personal expenses, including drinks, communications and shopping
• Additional costs if a participant ends the climb early or separates from the group
• Costs arising from delayed or cancelled flights, unfavourable weather or a forced change to the schedule

The Ararat Blitz can be arranged for a closed private team, a climbing club or a group of friends. The format lets you agree dates without waiting for an open group to fill, but it does not remove the requirements on experience and acclimatisation.

Before confirming your place, Mountain Guide asks for details of your recent climbs, your maximum altitude, the dates of your previous acclimatisation and your current fitness. The decision is taken individually, even where a group arrives together.

Dates depend on the season, permits and the availability of guides and the local team. A dedicated Russian-speaking guide from Mountain Guide is confirmed before booking. A group without current acclimatisation is offered the classic seven-day trip instead.

In a private format you can agree an extra night before or after the route and any transfers needed. Each such service, and its price, is set out in your own quote. The three-day sequence cannot be shortened any further.

Tell us the group composition, your preferred dates, the last altitude you reached and the date you came back from your previous trip.

Check your documents before you buy non-refundable tickets. Entry rules depend on your nationality and can change. Mountain Guide does not arrange visas and does not sell air tickets.

Your policy must expressly cover mountaineering, an altitude of at least 5137 m, search and rescue, and emergency evacuation. An ordinary travel policy may exclude these risks.

Documents

• A valid passport
• A visa or other entry permit for Turkey, where required
• Air tickets or e-ticket receipts to Iğdır and back
• Mountaineering medical insurance covering an altitude of at least 5137 m
• Your policy number and the insurer’s 24-hour emergency contact details
• Documents for a participant under 18, where these apply
• Digital copies of your passport, tickets and insurance
• Waterproof document wallet

The first name and surname on your tickets and insurance policy must match the spelling in your passport exactly. Carry the originals in your hand luggage.

The main season for climbing Ararat runs from June to September. Snow conditions, wind and the state of the upper slope change from date to date, so the guide confirms the final set of footwear and technical equipment.

There is usually more snow in June and on other early departures. Early in the morning it can be firm, and once it warms it softens and becomes deep. That makes the descent harder and affects how the horses can work.

In summer the lower part of the route can be dry and warm, while snow, ice, cold and strong wind remain at the summit. Crampons and an ice axe may be needed whatever the calendar date.

The Blitz has no reserve day. If the weather does not allow you to set out or to continue, the basic three-day sequence has no provision for a second attempt. That is one of the main risks of the accelerated format.

The basic three-day trip includes two nights in a tented camp at 3340 m. Group tents are included. You bring your own sleeping bag, clothing to sleep in and other personal items.

No hotel nights are listed within the confirmed three-day sequence. If your flight schedule means you need accommodation before the route starts or after it finishes, the hotel, transfer and price are confirmed separately before booking.

Meals are provided from dinner on day one to breakfast on day three. The camp diet is simple and planned for work at altitude. The exact menu depends on the food available.

Tell us about allergies, medical restrictions and dietary requirements before booking. The local team confirms whether a special diet is possible.

Both nights are spent in a tented camp. There is no shower, fixed heating or constant electricity. Toilet arrangements are those of a field camp.

You need a power bank charged in advance for your phone, watch, camera and head torch. A mobile signal may appear in places, but constant internet is not guaranteed.

There is no laundry on the route. Keep clothing, sleeping bag, documents and electronics in dry bags. Keep your spare dry set in its own bag.

Horses carry up to 15 kg of agreed personal baggage per participant, where the state of the route allows. You carry your own day pack with water, warm clothing, waterproofs and your first-aid kit.

You must not separate from the group, change the route or leave camp without telling the guide. All waste is handed to the local team and carried off the route.

You bring all of your own personal equipment. Before the trip, agree with your guide the models of footwear, the compatibility of your boots and crampons, your ice axe and your sleeping bag, taking account of the date and the current state of the route.

Documents

• Passport
• Air tickets or e-ticket receipts
• Medical insurance for mountaineering to 5137 m
• Digital copies of your documents
• Waterproof document wallet

Personal and technical equipment

• Rucksack of 30-50 litres
• Sleeping bag with a comfort rating no higher than -10 °C
• Folding trekking poles with baskets at least 70 mm across
• Crampons compatible with the boots you choose
• Classic ice axe
• Waterproof rucksack cover
• Dry bags for clothing and electronics

Crampons and an ice axe matter especially on early departures. Whether they are needed on later dates depends on the state of the route. Do not leave agreed equipment out of your baggage without the guide’s permission.

Clothing and footwear

• Mountaineering or trekking boots that will take crampons — model agreed with the guide
• Light spare footwear
• waterproof shell jacket with a hood
• waterproof shell trousers
• Fleece jacket
• Base layer, top and bottoms
• Warm down jacket with a hood
• Quick-drying trekking trousers
• Thin gloves
• Warm gloves
• Buff or bandana
• Warm hat
• Sun hat
• Warm trekking socks
• Spare underwear and socks
• Gaiters

Useful extras

• Head torch with at least 12 hours of battery life
• A spare set of batteries, or a rechargeable cell, for your torch
• Sunglasses with UV protection
• Ski goggles for wind, snow and poor visibility
• Vacuum flask, 1 litre, without a push-button lid
• Insulated bottle of 1 litre
• Windproof face mask or a warm scarf
• Sun cream
• Lip balm with sun protection
• Power bank and charging cables
• Quick-drying towel
• Personal toiletries and wet wipes
• Chemical hand warmers, optional
• A personal first-aid kit suited to your own medical needs
• Elastic bandage or a personal support brace

Before departure, read our piece on choosing equipment for high-altitude climbs and our advice on a personal first-aid kit.