Ski Touring on Ararat, 7 Days

The southern route on Ararat begins after the drive from Igdir by way of Dogubayazit to the village of Eli at about 2200 m. From here the group climbs to a tented camp at 3200 m, makes an acclimatisation outing to 4200 m and comes back down to sleep lower. That sequence gives the body time to adapt before the ascent to 5137 m.

The spring route is run as a high-altitude ski tour. On snow-covered sections participants climb on skins, use ski crampons and descend on skis. Higher up, the state of the slope may require a changeover to mountaineering crampons and an ice axe. Skis therefore do not replace mountaineering preparation, and a full descent from the summit is not a promised part of the trip.

Ararat has a comparatively direct profile on the southern route, but the altitude, life under canvas, the early start and the long summit day all demand good physical condition. Participants must check the compatibility of skis, bindings, skins, ski crampons, boots and mountaineering crampons in advance, and must be able to control their speed confidently off prepared pistes.

Group and personal equipment up to 20 kg per participant is carried by horses. That eases the trek to camp, but it does not remove the need for a personal rucksack with clothing, water, food and the compulsory emergency kit. On the mountain part the group lives in tents and must be prepared for limited comforts.

The state of the snow on Ararat changes as spring goes on. Each day the guide sets the start time, the way the group moves, the permissible line of ascent and the point at which the descent begins. If conditions do not allow the climb or the skiing to continue safely, the decision to turn back is taken regardless of the group’s plans.

Ski-touring skis, boots, bindings, skins and ski crampons are not available for hire, so each participant brings their own compatible ski set.

Day 1. Arrival in Igdir and meeting the team. A Mountain Guide representative meets participants at Igdir airport and arranges the transfer to the hotel. After checking in, the group meets the guide, goes over the southern route on Ararat and checks each participant’s ski-touring, avalanche and mountaineering kit. It is important to find any incompatibility between boots, bindings, ski crampons and mountaineering crampons before going up on the mountain. Dinner and a briefing in the evening. Night in a hotel. Arrival by way of Van is possible, but that transfer is paid separately.

Day 2. Trek from the village of Eli to the camp at 3200 m. After breakfast the group drives to the village of Eli at about 2200 m. The trek to the first tented camp starts here. How the group moves depends on the lower edge of the snow: participants use skis wherever the snow cover allows them to travel on skins. The trek takes roughly five hours and is the first stage of acclimatisation. Horses carry the agreed load within the terms of the trip. Night in tents at 3200 m.

Day 3. Acclimatisation outing to 4200 m. The group climbs above the camp without the aim of reaching the summit. The outing helps the body adapt to altitude and allows the use of skins and ski crampons, and the changeover to mountaineering crampons, to be checked. The way of moving and the high point of the day are set by the guide according to the snow, the wind and the state of the participants. After a rest and something to eat, the group descends back to 3200 m. Night in tents.

Day 4. Second acclimatisation day and preparation for the summit. In spring the high camp is not moved, so the group stays at 3200 m. Depending on how everyone feels and on conditions, there is either a short training outing or the day is used for recovery. The guide confirms the start time, shares out the group equipment and checks the avalanche kit, skis, bindings, crampons and ice axes once more. After dinner, an early night. Night in tents.

Day 5. Summit attempt on Ararat, 5137 m. An early start. Participants climb on skis for as long as the snow and the gradient allow, and on hard firn or ice they change to mountaineering crampons and an ice axe at the guide’s decision. Reaching the summit and an unbroken ski descent from it are not guaranteed. The turnaround point and the point at which the ski descent begins are set by the guide. After the attempt the group returns to the camp at 3200 m. Night in tents.

Day 6. Reserve day or descent from the mountain. This day is provided in case of unfavourable weather. If the summit attempt took place the day before, the group strikes camp, descends to the village of Eli and transfers to the hotel. In the evening the current trip provides for dinner with a local family. If the reserve is used for a second attempt, the group returns to camp the same day after the outing, strikes it, descends to the village of Eli and transfers to the hotel. Night in a hotel.

Day 7. End of the trip. After breakfast, a transfer to Igdir airport is arranged. Participants flying out by way of Van pay for a separate transfer. The departure time is agreed with the flights and with the actual end of the mountain part of the trip.

• Mountain Guide’s guides: a lead guide throughout the trip and assistant guides on summit day; no more than four participants to one guide
• Hotel accommodation in Dogubayazit in twin or triple rooms, for the number of nights set out in the itinerary
• Tented accommodation on the mountain part of the route
• Transfers Igdir – Ararat – Igdir according to the itinerary
• Three meals a day throughout the trip, with dinner on the first day and breakfast on the last
• The necessary permits and registrations for the route
• Group equipment: tents, ropes, ice screws, radios, navigation and a group first-aid kit
• Horses to carry group and personal loads up to 20 kg per participant

• International and domestic flights
• The transfer by way of Van
• Personal ski-touring, avalanche and mountaineering equipment
• Medical insurance and the costs of search and rescue, transport and evacuation
• The visa and other entry documents where these are required by the participant’s nationality
• Single occupancy
• Personal expenses, drinks, communications and additional services
• Costs arising from change to the itinerary beyond the included scope of services

The Ararat ski tour can be arranged for a private group of adults on agreed dates, subject to a guiding team, the permits and suitable snow conditions. The format suits groups of friends, climbing clubs and corporate groups of comparable ability.

Before confirming the trip we assess each participant’s ski touring experience, their technique for controlled descent off-piste, their fitness and their previous experience at altitude. A family format is possible for adult relatives who meet these requirements. The trip is not intended for children or for beginner skiers.

A private group can agree the dates, the hotel standard, additional excursions, a dedicated guide and transport via Van. Changes must not shorten the acclimatisation, remove the reserve day or compromise the safety of the route. Get in touch for a quote.

To join the Ararat ski tour you need to prepare:

• A passport valid for the period of the trip
• Tickets to the start of the trip and back
• A visa and any other documents required to enter Türkiye on your nationality
• Medical insurance valid in Türkiye and covering ski touring, off-piste skiing and mountaineering to at least 5200 m, search and rescue, transport and medical evacuation

Check the entry requirements before you buy non-refundable tickets. We recommend keeping digital copies of your passport, insurance, tickets and visa documents on your phone and in cloud storage, separately from the originals.

The Ararat ski tour runs in the snow season, but the snow line, the quality of the cover and the state of the upper mountain vary from date to date. The calendar does not guarantee that the whole route can be skied.

In spring the snow on the lower slopes can soften quickly through the day, while higher up there may be hard névé, ice, strong wind and poor visibility. The start time and how the group moves are therefore chosen according to the conditions on the day, not to a scenario promised in advance.

Your guide may change the training outing, move the summit attempt within the trip, leave the skis lower down, switch participants to mountaineering crampons or turn the group back. Safety takes priority over the summit and over an unbroken descent on skis.

On the first and last days participants stay in a hotel in Doğubayazıt, in twin or triple rooms. On the mountain section the nights are spent in a tented camp at about 3200 m.

The price includes the meals set out in the itinerary: dinner on the day of arrival, three meals a day on the route and breakfast on the day of departure. Dinner after the mountain section is taken with a local family, if the trip runs to the standard plan.

Food allergies, medical restrictions and a vegetarian or other special diet must be reported in advance. Whether a separate menu is possible depends on what food is available and is confirmed before the trip.

The hotel has the usual facilities. On the mountain, life is under canvas: participants sleep in their own sleeping bags, keep their equipment stowed compactly and help keep the camp in order.

At altitude, do not count on a shower, mains electricity, a reliable mobile signal or internet. Charge your main devices before going up the mountain; a power bank and spare batteries for your head torch are recommended.

In camp the priorities are sleep, food, keeping your kit dry and having your equipment ready for an early start. There is little scope for drying things, so pack clothing and equipment in dry bags.

High-altitude ski touring on Ararat calls for a compatible set of ski touring, avalanche, mountaineering and camping equipment. Avalanche equipment can be reserved in advance from Rock and Rent. Touring skis, boots, bindings, skins and ski crampons are not available for hire.

Documents

• Passport
• Tickets
• Insurance policy
• A visa and any other entry documents, where these are required

Ski-touring and avalanche kit

• Touring skis or a splitboard with bindings that have a walk mode
• Skins, trimmed to your own skis or splitboard
• Ski crampons compatible with your bindings
• Warm touring boots compatible with your bindings and with mountaineering crampons
• Adjustable ski poles with winter baskets
• Avalanche transceiver and a spare set of batteries
• Avalanche probe at least 240 cm long
• Avalanche shovel
• Ski or climbing helmet
• A 30-50 litre rucksack with a ski carry system

Mountaineering and overnight equipment

• Mountaineering crampons compatible with ski-touring boots
• Classic ice axe
• Climbing harness, karabiners and personal safety line, to your guide’s list
• A sleeping bag with a comfort rating agreed for the dates of the trip
• Insulated sleeping mat
• Your own eating utensils
• Head torch and a spare set of batteries

Clothing

• Base layer, top and bottoms
• Warm mid layer
• Softshell jacket and trousers for walking
• Waterproof shell jacket with a hood
• Waterproof shell trousers that can be pulled on over your boots
• Warm down or synthetic jacket with a hood
• Thin gloves for the ascent
• Warm ski gloves and high-altitude mittens
• Warm hat, buff or balaclava
• Warm ski-touring socks
• Light footwear for town

Personal items

• Category 3-4 mountain sunglasses
• Ski goggles for wind and poor visibility
• Vacuum flask, 1 litre, without a push-button lid
• Reusable water bottle
• SPF 30-50 sun cream and lip balm with SPF
• A personal first-aid kit suited to your own medical needs
• Power bank, and waterproof packing for documents and electronics