The highest mountain peak in Turkey Ararat is an array of volcanic origin, which is a component of the Armenian highland. It is sixteen kilometers from the Iranian border, and 32 kilometers from the Armenian border. This volcano includes two extinct volcanic cones. One of them is higher than the other, therefore they are called respectively the Big and Small Ararat. Mount Ararat in Turkey in height reaches 5165 meters, which makes it the highest in the country.
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The structure of the mountain massif
The area where Mount Ararat is located is very picturesque. At the foot of the peaks the slopes were covered with dense green forests, and the tops are covered with snow caps, enveloped in clouds. Peaks of the peaks are separated by 11 kilometers from each other, and the distance between them is called the Sardar-Bulak saddle. Both the Large and Small Ararat are composed of basalt, dated by the Cenozoic period. Most of the slopes are lifeless, as lava flows have been eroded. The array includes more than three dozen glaciers, the largest of which stretches for two kilometers.
Scientists suggest that the volcano Ararat was active five thousand years ago. This is evidenced by artifacts dating from the Bronze Age. The last time Ararat was active in 1840. This led to a strong earthquake, which caused the destruction of the monastery of St. James and the village of Arguri. It is for this reason that there are no settlements on the terrain where Mount Ararat is located.
If the Europeans call this stratovolcano Ararat, the locals use other names: Masis, Agrydag, Kukhi-Nukh, Jabal al-Kharet, Agri.
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Mysterious Ararat
Despite the fact that the locals consider all attempts by scientists and tourists to climb Ararat unacceptable to God, in 1829 Grand Ararat was conquered by Johann Friedrich Parrot. A year earlier, the peak belonging to the Persians had become the property of the Russian Empire. To climb the scientists had to long seek the permission of the authorities. Today, when Ararat left Turkey, everyone is entitled to this right. It is enough to buy a special visa.
Why do mountain peaks of Ararat attract tourists? Probably, the matter is that these extinct volcanoes not only look stunningly picturesque, but are also mentioned in the Bible. There are good reasons to assert that it was to these mountains that the ark of Noah came after the Ecumenical Flood. And let the scientists have long found out that this legend is the fruit of the traditions of the people of ancient Mesopotamia, the ardor and interest of tourists to the Ararat mountains do not run low.
For the inhabitants of Armenia , on whose emblem Ararat is depicted, these mountain peaks are holy places. Despite the fact that in 1921 the Bolshevik Ararat was transferred by the Russian Empire to the possession of Turkey, the Armenians still believe that the mountain is their property. And this despite the fact that the mountain range legally belonged to the lands of the Armenian SSR for slightly less than a year (from November 1920 to 1921).
If you want to see the mountain with your own eyes, you will first need to get to Turkey and then book an excursion at any travel agency. The starting point is the town of Dogubayazit, located directly at the foot of the mountain massif. The standard tour lasts for five days. Guests are lodged in camping, stone small houses, where there is a minimum set of services (toilet, shower). The cost of such an excursion is about 500 dollars. Guests who make high demands on the level of comfort are offered accommodation in Dogubaisita hotels. Fans of absolute solitude with nature can settle in tents, which are provided at points of hire of tourist equipment.
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