Ski touring summits around Lake Van

Itinerary

• DAY 1

  Arrival Istanbul

  Meet at the Istanbul Int. airport with Demavend Travels representative and drive to the historical peninsula, known as Sultanahmet, where you spend the night at the hotel.

  Transfer time: 1 h; transfer distance: 45 - 50 km (Istanbul Int. airport to hotel in Sultanahmet/Sirkeci)

  ON: in Istanbul at the hotel

  Meals:   - / - / -

• DAY 2

  Istanbul to Van & Van castle (citadel)

  In the morning we drive to Istanbul Int. airport and fly to Van, where we spend the night at the hotel. After check in at our hotel we drive to Van castle, constructed by Urartian king Sardur, a massive stone fortification and the largest example of its kind. It overlooks the ruins of Tushpa, the ancient Urartian capital during the 9^th C, which was centred upon the steep sided bluff where the fortress now sits. The most remarkable structures around are the rock tomb of Argisti the first, outside which is a long inscription relating the events of his reign and the inscription of Xerxes the great upon a smoothed section of the rock face.

  Transfer time: 1 h; transfer distance: 45 - 50 km (Hotel in Sultanahmet/Sirkeci to Istanbul Int. airport)

  ON: in Van at the hotel

  Meals:   B / L / D

• DAY 3

  Mt. Cat 3.125m

  After breakfast we drive to the village of Yatagan where we start our first ski tour. From the village we start our ascent, follow a river bed first and continue over small hills afterwards until we reach the summit of Mt Cat. From the summit itself, when the weather is clear, we will have good views to mount Baset and mount Mevzi on our south and to the Artos Mountain to our west. Afterwards we ski down on the same way back to the village where our vehicle is waiting for us to drive us back to our hotel in van.              

  Ascent/descent: approximately 1.320m (4 - 5 h) (depends on road, weather and snow conditions)

  Transfer time: 30 min.; transfer distance: 35 km (van hotel – Yatagan village)

  ON: in Van at the hotel

  Meals:   B / L / D

• DAY 4

  Mt. Mevzi 3.280m

  After having breakfast we drive to the village of Onagil where we start our ski tour. From the northwest we follow the ridge of mount Mevzi until we reach the summit. From the summit itself we will have good views to the area and mountains around and to the Lake Van down below. Afterwards we ski down to our vehicle and drive back to van.

  Ascent/descent: approximately 1.180m (5 - 6 h) (depends on road, weather and snow conditions)

  Transfer time: 30 - 45 min; transfer distance: 45 km (van hotel – Onagil village)

  ON: in Van at the hotel

  Meals:   B / L / D

• DAY 5

  Mt. Baset 3.780m

  We leave our hotel and drive to the village of Bagriyanik, in the south of van. From the village we start or ascent to the summit, one of the highest in the area around van. From the summit we will have spectacular views to the mountains around and to the Lake Van in the distance. After enjoying the beautiful scenery we ski down to Bagriyanik village where our vehicle is waiting for us to drive back to van.

  Ascent/descent: approximately 1.400m (5 - 6 h) (depends on road, weather and snow conditions)

  Transfer time: 1 h; transfer distance: 55 km (van hotel – Bagriyanik village)

  ON: in Van at the hotel

  Meals:   B / L / D

• DAY 6

  Mt. Artos 3.537m

  After breakfast we drive to the town of Gevas where we start our ski tour. At an altitude of approximately 1.700/1.800m (depending on road & snow conditions) we start our ascent, after approximately 4 - 5 hours we will reach the summit of Mt Artos, known as one of the most famous summits in eastern Anatolia. The summit rewards us with beautiful views to Lake Van down below and the Anatolian highlands around. After enjoying this beautiful scenery we ski down on the same way back to our vehicle. In Gevas town and next to Lake Van we will have a break and taste a cup of traditional Turkish tea, known as cay. In the late afternoon we drive back to Van where we spend the night. 

  Ascent/descent: approximately 1.737m (4 - 5 h) (depends on road, weather and snow conditions)

  Transfer time: 30 - 45 min; transfer distance: 45 km (Van – Gevas/Mt Artos starting point)

  ON: in Van at the hotel

  Meals:   B / L / D

• DAY 7

  Resting day & sightseeing Akdamar Island & church - drive to Adilcevaz

  Today we drive to Adilcevaz, at the skirts of Mt Suphan, on the way in Gevas town we take the ferry to visit small island of Akdamar in Lake Van, home to the famous 10^th century Armenian holy cross cathedral. The unique importance of the church comes from the extensive array of bas-relief carving of mostly biblical scenes that adorn its external walls. Later we continue to Adilcevaz, at the skirts of Mt Suphan, where we spend the night at the hotel.

  Transfer time: 30 - 40 min.; transfer distance: 40 km (Van to Gevas)

  Transfer time: 3 h; transfer distance: 175 km (Gevas – Adilcevaz)

  Ferry to Akdamar Island: 15 - 20 min. (one way)

  ON: in Adilcevaz at the hotel

  Meals:   B / L / D

• DAY 8

  Mt. Suphan 4.058m

  Today we will have an approximately 30min. drive (depending on road conditions) to the starting point of our ski tour. With the first sunbeams we follow a riverbed which takes us up to an altitude of approximately 3.050m. After passing some small rocks we continue our climbing and reach the summit of the Mt Suphan. The sunrise and the panoramic view over Van Lake reward us for our efforts. After having picnic next to the summit we ski down to our vehicle on the same way. Afterwards we drive back to our overnight accommodation in Adilcevaz.

  Ascent/descent: approximately between 1.900 - 2.100m (5 - 6 h) (depends on road, weather and snow conditions)

  Transfer time: approximately 30 - 45 min.; (Adilcevaz hotel – starting point / depends on road conditions)

  ON: in Adilcevaz at the hotel

  Meals:   B / L / D

• DAY 9

  Adilcevaz to Van

  After breakfast we leave Adilcevaz and drive back to Van where the afternoon is at leisure to explore the city centre on your own way. Van is known as "the pearl of the east" because of the beauty of its surrounding landscapes, situated in a green, fertile oasis in the midst of a mountain area. The city has a long history, under the ancient name of Tushpa it was the capital of the Urartian kingdom in the 9th century BC and once especially famous for its jewellers' bazaar on the Silk Road and for its fine silverwork. We spend the night in Van at the hotel.

  Transfer time: 3 h; transfer distance: 180 km (Adilcevaz - Van)

  ON: in Van at the hotel

  Meals:   B / L / D

• DAY 10

  Trip concludes at Van airport

  After breakfast; transfer to Van airport where the trip concludes.

  Transfer time: 15 min.; transfer distance: 10 km (hotel in the city centre to Van airport)

  Meals:   B / - / -