Now that you are at Mount Ararat (Agri Dagi), we recommend that you take the time to see the following places.

ARARAT REGION:
If your time is limited and you want to take several short trips, we urge that you first visit the site of Noah’s Ark.  In 1948, the remains of the legendary Ark, which is mentioned in all the Holy books and is thought to have landed on Mount Ararat after the flood, were found on the mountain. After a visit to the Ark, you may want to stop to see the near by Meteor’s hole.

About 8 km from the district of Dogubayazit is an astonishingly beautiful building named the Ishakpasa Palace .  It is a special work of art, encompassing the architectural styles of the Ottoman, the Persian and the Selchuk civilizations.. It was built by Ishak Pasha and Colak Abdi Pasha of the Cildiroglu clan in 1685 and assumed its final form in 1784. It is a large complex built on an area of 345x150 feet.  It has 366 rooms. A mosque, quarters for governmental council, section devoted to kitchens with separate rooms for ovens and making pastries are within the palace walls as well as several baths, and stables. The facade of the buildings is cut stone, the eastern portal is heavily ornate, decorated with relieves in the style of the Selchuks.  Essentially, the palace is composed of two courtyards.  Some of the buildings in the first courtyard are damaged.  The second is enclosed and is in the form of a rectangular atrium.   At the east entrance of the atrium is the Selamlik; the haremlik is in the back of the selamlik.  It is rumored that the sultan of the times was so jealous of Ishak Pasha’s palace that he had the pasa killed..  It would be interesting to hear this interesting story from your local guide.

We recommend strongly that you visit Ani which is within the city limits of Kars .  Ani is an ancient Armenian city, and is now under government protection having been declared a historical monument.  As far as it is known the first settlers of this region were tribes that migrated from the Caucus mountains at about 350 BC. Later the Arsiks of the Oguz clan settled the region and stayed for 460 years. Still later the Bagarits of Georgian origin occupied the area.  They were followed by the Armenians who ruled from 977 to 1064 AD.  Ani became the capial city of the Armenian settlement.  The city was damaged by an earthquake during the Selcuk occupation; some interesting remains can be visited.

VAN REGION:
If  you have a bit more time, do not forget to go to Lake Van .  This is the largest lake in Turkey with a maximum width of 100 km.  The water is very blue, and is carbonated like soda water. The lake is surrounded by extinct volcanoes. Lake Van and its environs hosted one of the oldest civilizations of the world, the Urarts.  There is a castle in the center of city of Van which you must see.  Van is said to be the Paris of the east, you can find anything there, from five star international hotels to the simplest inns. 

While you are at Lake Van , you must visit the Akdamar Island.  The island is 1 km from the shore. An  Armenian church in the middle of the island has become a major international tourist attraction.  It can be reached by regular hourly motor boat service from the shore.  The island itself is quite attractive with beautiful almond trees and clean beaches Sea gulls welcome guests with a veritable concert.  The summer months are very crowded with tourists.

Another site to visit in this area is Nemrut Dagi.  It is famous for the crater lake at its summit.  This mountain was important in the formation of lake Van.  Nemrut Dagi is a simple climb; there is a road that starts at the village of Tatvan which takes you to the summit. The crater lake is 2km wide, it makes an  impressive sight with the surrounding obsidian rock formations. 

Another volcanic mountain in the Van region is Suphan Dagi.  This mountain is the second highest mountain in Turkey at 4434m or about 13,400 ft.  It is an extinct volcano and like Mt. Ararat is conical in shape.  Unlike Mt. Ararat it presents no difficulties for the average climber. The starting point for the climb is the village of Adilcevaz ,  67km northeast of Tatvan on Lake Van .  You can find simple accommodations in Tatvan as well as frequent transportation to Mount Suphan .

The climb to from Adilcevaz takes one day.  We recommend that first you take a taxi to Lake Aygir .  Once you are at Lake Aygir take the slope to the left of the lake.  It takes you to a grassy ridge. The rest of the route simply follows the ridge. As you advance, the land becomes arid and you start to see obsidian rock formations.  The ridge gently slopes away until you come to another ridge, this time a narrow, snowy one, that takes you to two lakes. Right in front of you will be a large mound of lava with several peaks.  The ridge turns left and descends to a pass, before ascending steeply to another peak. This peak may look and feel like the summit, but the highest point is on another mound. You will feel the majesty of the mountain when you arrive to the summit.

It takes 7 hours from Lake Agar to the summit; the descent follows the same route and is quicker.

BLACKSEA REGION
If you have time and if you want to walk in the greenest of forests, glens, canyons and ford wild rivers, then go north to Artvin and Rize.

The Kackars is one of the most beautiful trekking venues of the world.  You can start at Artvin-Yusufeli and climb to the summit (3937m, or about 12,000 ft) and descend to the Blacksea shore in a few days. 

The Kackar Mountains that rise up from the eastern Blacksea region afford, to the eye, a fantastic variety of rich greens. To the nature lover and trekker, it affords a variety of routes ranging from easy to almost impossible in difficulty.  Vercenik peak is about 11,800 ft and can be climbed in any season.  One of the most difficult courses in winter mountaineering is here, with two glaciers suitable for ice climbing.  There are, however, no routes suitable for rock climbing.  During the summer, the Kackars attract amateur climbers. It certainly is worth a try to walk the slopes bursting with greenery and see the clear roaring rivers, the mountain villages with delightful huts on the high plateaus. The skirts of he Kackars can be reached by car from Artvin-Yusufeli or Rize-Camlihemsin.

The eastern Black Sea region, comprised of the districts of Trabzon , Rize and Artvin, is the greenest and the most virginal region in Turkey .  It is justly famous for the Kackar Mountains which are also known as the Pontus Alps. Kackar Mountains is the largest national park in Turkey   It has glacier lakes, many peaks, high plateaus where people live simply. The mountains are famous for forest that have not seen an ax, wild rivers that afford rafting, and hot mineral water spas In addition, this relatively small region plays host to an almost all of the bird life, fauna and flora found in all of Europe. The people are hospitable making this region one of the most relaxing and healthy vacation spots, and a heaven for eco-tourism.

There a thousands of trekking routes in the Eastern Black sea region and the Kackar Mountains .  Here, we present a most popular program that includes a climb to the summit.  Please get in touch with Buklamania for many alternative routes.