Ararat in Turkey 2025

Mount Ararat is the highest peak of Turkey, located 10 miles (16 km) west of the Turco-Iranian border and in 20 miles (32 km) south of the Turco-Armenian border. This snow-capped dormant volcano happens to be the national symbol of Amenia and the legendary place where, according to the Bible, Noah's Ark was put to rest.

The peak, called Ağrı Dağı in Turkish, consists of two cones: Little Ararat with an elevation of 12,782 ft (3,896 m) and Big Ararat with an elevation of 16,854 ft (5,137 m). The first known Ararat ascent was made in 1829 by Friedrich Parrot, Khachatur Abovian, and four other climbers. Four-day trekking Ararat tours are offered by Turkish operators out of the town of Dogubayazit. The trekking season runs from June through mid-September, with July and August being the best months. There is also a small ski resort on Ararat, which operates during the winter months, which features a very impressive 6900-feet (2103-m) vertical descent.

Ararat, which has become part of Turkey in 1920 after Turkish–Armenian War, has attracted many researchers and adventurers looking for the remains of Noah's Ark, including American astronaut James Irwin. Hundreds of people from more than 20 countries claimed to have found artifacts from the Ark on Ararat. One fragment is even on display in the museum of Etchmiadzin Cathedral in Armenia. However, the scientific community did not recognize these, and no evidence of Noah's Ark's existence has been established so far.