Mount Ararat National Park

Mount Ararat Overview

Mount Ararat National Park, known in Turkish as Ağrı Dağı Milli Parkı, is located in eastern Turkey within the Iğdır and Ağrı provinces, near the borders with Armenia and Iran.

Covering an expansive area of approximately 132 square miles (342 square kilometers), the park encompasses Turkey’s highest peak, Mount Ararat (Ağrı Dağı), which soars to an elevation of 16,854 feet (5,137 meters). This massive, dormant stratovolcano dominates the landscape with its snow-capped summit, steep slopes, and glacier-filled ridges. To the southeast lies Little Ararat (Küçük Ağrı Dağı), a secondary peak that rises to 12,782 feet (3,896 meters).

The terrain within the park ranges from high alpine meadows and rugged volcanic rock fields to steep valleys and subalpine grasslands, offering one of the most striking and dramatic landscapes in the country. Vegetation is sparse at higher elevations but becomes more diverse and abundant in lower areas, where wildflowers, grasses, and patches of juniper and alpine shrubs flourish.

The park’s varied elevations and isolated terrain support a range of wildlife, some of which are specially adapted to its extreme environment. Mammals such as brown bears, wild goats, lynxes, wolves, and red foxes inhabit the more remote and forested valleys.

The upper elevations offer refuge to species like the bezoar ibex, while the lower plains and foothills are frequented by hares and hedgehogs. The region is also a haven for birdlife, particularly birds of prey. Golden eagles, lammergeiers (bearded vultures), and peregrine falcons are often seen gliding along the cliffs and ridgelines. Migratory birds pass through the area in spring and autumn, taking advantage of the high-altitude resting grounds.

One of the park’s most famous and culturally significant features is the association of Mount Ararat with the legend of Noah’s Ark, believed by many traditions to have come to rest on its slopes after the great flood. This connection draws not only nature lovers but also those with religious and historical interests.

Though no archaeological evidence has confirmed the story, the symbolic power of the mountain contributes to its mystique and appeal. The sheer scale and solitary presence of Mount Ararat make it a natural monument in its own right.

Visitors to Mount Ararat National Park primarily engage through climbing and mountaineering. The ascent of Mount Ararat is a major draw for experienced climbers, requiring proper permits, guides, and acclimatization due to its high altitude and challenging conditions.

In addition to climbing, the park offers opportunities for hiking, birdwatching, photography, and cultural exploration in nearby villages. Summer is the main season for activities, as snow and ice make much of the park inaccessible in winter. The surrounding plains and lower slopes provide excellent spots for guided walks and eco-tourism initiatives.

Conservation efforts in the park are focused on protecting its fragile alpine ecosystems and rare species from the pressures of tourism and illegal hunting. Border proximity and geopolitical sensitivities also pose unique challenges to management and monitoring.

However, recent collaborations between local authorities, conservationists, and mountaineering groups have led to increased awareness and protective measures. Controlled access, guided climbs, and education programs have contributed to preserving the park’s ecological and cultural heritage while allowing safe, low-impact visitor engagement.

Park Map

Mount Ararat National Park Highlights

Wildlife

Mount Ararat National Park, located in eastern Turkey’s Ağrı Province, encompasses the country’s highest peak—Mount Ararat (Ağrı Dağı)—and its surrounding volcanic highlands. Towering at over 5,100 meters, this remote and extreme environment of alpine tundra, rocky outcrops, and glacial slopes supports a rare collection of hardy, mountain-adapted mammals and reptiles that thrive in one of Turkey’s most dramatic and unforgiving landscapes.

Wild Goat (Bezoar Ibex)
An iconic species of the park, wild goats are expert climbers often seen on the steep, rocky slopes of Ararat. Males have long, curved horns and travel in small herds, grazing on sparse alpine vegetation.

Grey Wolf
Wolves roam the lower and mid-altitude ranges of the mountain, hunting wild goats, hares, and small mammals. Elusive and powerful, they play a key role as apex predators in this high-altitude ecosystem.

Brown Bear
Inhabiting the lower forested valleys and subalpine meadows, brown bears forage for roots, berries, insects, and small animals during the short warm season, hibernating in caves or dens through the long, cold winter.

Red Fox
Highly adaptable, the red fox is found from the lower meadows up into high mountain valleys. It hunts rodents and birds and scavenges near snowfields and glacial edges during warmer months.

Wild Boar
Mostly present in the park’s lower elevations, wild boars dig through soil for tubers, roots, and invertebrates. They are hardy and strong, sometimes venturing into upland valleys during summer.

Caracal
This rare wild cat may be found in rocky scrubland and dry foothills, where it stealthily hunts birds and small mammals. Its powerful legs and striking ear tufts make it well-adapted to the arid highlands.

European Lynx
An elusive predator of the park’s remote slopes, the lynx moves silently through rocky outcrops and alpine scrub, preying on hares and ground-dwelling birds, especially in less-disturbed highlands.

European Hare
This high-altitude herbivore is common in alpine grasslands and lower steppe areas. It feeds on herbs and grasses and is a key prey species for raptors and carnivores.

Caucasian Viper
A venomous reptile that prefers rocky, sunlit alpine slopes, the Caucasian viper is well-camouflaged and feeds on small rodents and lizards. It becomes active during the brief summer warmth.

Levant Skink
Found on rocky scree and warm, grassy patches, this shiny lizard feeds on insects and other invertebrates. Its quick movements and heat tolerance make it well-suited to Ararat’s lower slopes.

Birds

Mount Ararat National Park is also a haven for highland bird species, especially raptors and alpine specialists adapted to the rugged, windswept peaks, cliffs, and grasslands of this immense volcanic landscape.

Lammergeier (Bearded Vulture)
Soaring above the snowfields and cliffs, this massive vulture feeds on bones dropped from heights. It is one of the park’s rarest and most awe-inspiring birds, favoring the highest reaches.

Golden Eagle
A symbol of mountain wilderness, the golden eagle hunts marmots, hares, and young goats on the slopes of Mount Ararat. It nests in remote cliff ledges and patrols vast areas from the sky.

Peregrine Falcon
This high-speed hunter nests on rocky cliffs and hunts birds in mid-air over the high meadows. It is sleek and fast, often seen performing dramatic aerial dives.

Chukar Partridge
Well-camouflaged on stony hillsides and alpine ridges, the chukar forages in small flocks for seeds and insects. Its sharp calls are a common sound in the upland pastures.

Snowfinch
A classic high-mountain species, the snowfinch nests in crevices and forages in flocks near snowfields and rocky plateaus, feeding on seeds and insects in the sparse alpine tundra.

Wallcreeper
A cliff-dwelling bird with vivid crimson wings, the wallcreeper flutters along vertical rock faces searching for insects. It is rare and highly prized by mountain birders.

Alpine Accentor
This small, streaked bird thrives in high-altitude grasslands and rocky slopes. It sings a sweet, fluttering song and nests under stones or shrubs during the short alpine summer.

Raven
Common across elevations, ravens soar above ridges and cliffs, scavenging for carrion, insects, and small vertebrates. They are intelligent and often nest in rocky outcrops or ruins.

Short-toed Snake Eagle
This large raptor hunts reptiles in the park’s lower elevations, gliding slowly over rocky slopes and valleys. It is often seen hovering before diving onto prey.

Isabelline Wheatear
A typical species of dry, open uplands, this ground-dwelling bird nests in burrows and feeds on insects. It is often seen perched on rocks or hopping through short grass.

Mount Ararat National Park is a wild, elemental place where ice, stone, and sky meet. Its ancient volcanic slopes host an extraordinary variety of resilient mammals and alpine birds, all perfectly adapted to survive in the thin air and rugged beauty of Turkey’s tallest mountain.