Day 1: Flight via Istanbul to Van, transfer to the hotel. Overnight stay in Van(A).

Day 2: Akdamar Island: Drive to Gevas, lunch, then a one-hour boat trip to the island of Akdamar with the famous Armenian church from the medieval era. Shortly before sunset we visit the Van Castle (Tusba) from the Urartian period. When the weather is nice, you can enjoy a wonderful sunset over Lake Van, the largest lake in Turkey. Overnight in Van. (F/M/A)

Day 3: Ski tour Mt. Artos (3,470 m): The first ski tour takes place on one of the most beautiful ski mountains in Eastern Anatolia, the Artos, located directly on Lake Van. We drive again 45 minutes to Gevas and start right from the edge of this small town, at 1,800 m, depending on the snow conditions. The climb usually takes 4 - 5 hours (depending on how fit the group is). The climb, the effort is worth it, because the view from this 3,537 m high mountain is enormous, offering the wide Lake Van and the high mountains of eastern Anatolia is a pleasure to the eye. A racy descent awaits us and the second part of the reward is usually a firn descent along the same route. The steepest parts of the mountain are almost 40°, on average around 30°, the route length is 5.5 km. After a ski tour, a cold beer by the lake feels good. Overnight stay in Van or in Adilcevaz. (F/BL/A)

Day 4: Ski tour Mt. Süphan (4,058 m): Today the third highest mountain in Turkey is on the agenda, namely the volcano Mt. Süphan (4,058 m), which last did its last mischief about 10,000 years ago. The climb begins in the last village of Kiskili at 2,400 m and takes place over the eastern flank of the mountain. We first climb over wide, snow-covered areas to the shoulder of the mountain, 3,750 m, and imagine the thrilling descent. From here it gets steeper. The Süphan also offers a fantastic view over Lake Van, but this time from the north side of the lake. The descent is an eternally long route. The steepness does not exceed 35°, the length of the route is approx. 7 km on the ascent, depending on the snow conditions in the gullies, the descent can be over 10 km to the village of Aydinlar. We drive back to the hotel. (F/BL/A)

Day 5: Van - Dogubayazit: Today we drive to the easternmost corner of Turkey, to Dogubayazit, and here is also the holy mountain of Noah, the extinct volcano Mt. Ararat with its mighty height of 5,165 m Turkey's youngest volcano, as it was still active towards the end of the century before last. On the drive to Dogubayazit we make a stop at the Muradiye Waterfall, which carries a lot of water, especially at this time of year, and is a treat for the eyes. When we arrive at the hotel, we rest, make the final preparations and look forward to the mountain, which is on the agenda the next day. (F/BL/A)

Day 6: Dogubayazit – Base Camp: After breakfast we drive briefly into the city to introduce ourselves to the military and do the final checks. Then it's a 45-minute walk to the small settlement of Eli. Here the things are loaded onto the pack horses. We hike for about 4 - 5 hours to the base camp. The height of the base camp is variable, depending on the snow situation. This varies between 3300 m and 3500 m. After a cozy dinner, we settle down early in the tents, rest and look forward to the summit (B/L/D)

Day 7: Summit day: Early in the morning around 1 a.m. it's time to get up and look forward to the summit. We climb slowly, the air becomes thinner. At 4,900 m we step on glaciers. If the slopes are not blown, you can ski to the summit. The chance of reaching the summit on skis is 50/50. When the weather is nice, there is an incomparably beautiful view from the Mountain of Noah. We look into the countries of Iran, Armenia and further up to the Caucasus. We enjoy the descent to the base camp at a gradient of around 35°, here we enjoy a second breakfast and rest a bit. After the rest break, it's time to clear camp and continue on to the starting point. We go back to the hotel in Dogubayazit, where we can enjoy the shower and bed again. Dinner. Overnight in camp. (F,L,A)

Day 8: Reserve day: This day is a reserve day. If the weather is bad on the summit day, we use this day as a reserve day for the summit. Otherwise we descend again to the settlement of Eli and continue to Dogubayazit to the hotel. If the reserve day on the mountain is used, you will descend directly from the summit to the hotel on this day. (F, depending on F,M,A). In the afternoon, visit the legendary site of the stranding of Noah's Ark and drive to one of the most beautifully situated palace complexes, the İşak Paşa Palace, above the city, sightseeing tour. return journey; Overnight at hotel. (F/BL/A)

Day 9: Reserve day: This day is a reserve day. If the weather is bad on the summit day, we use this day as a reserve day for the summit. Otherwise we descend again to the settlement of Eli and continue to Dogubayazit to the hotel. If the reserve day on the mountain is used, you will descend directly from the summit to the hotel on this day. (F, depending on F,M,A). In the afternoon, visit the legendary site of the stranding of Noah's Ark and drive to one of the most beautifully situated palace complexes, the İşak Paşa Palace, above the city, sightseeing tour. return journey; Overnight at hotel. (F/L/A)

Day 10: Flight home: We drive to Van to the airport very early in the morning. Flight to Istanbul and on to home or optional extension in Istanbul.

(F) Meals: F = breakfast, M = lunch, A = dinner, BL = lunch (cold lunch package)