Noah's Ark site
Noah's Ark site
3.5
About
As the name suggests, it is believed that this boat-shaped site is the location of the ruins of Noah's Ark. Geologists, however, argue that it's simply a natural limonite formation. See and decide for yourself, from a viewing area that is about 1.8 miles away from the site. Get there by hiking through eastern Turkiye’s arid plateaus, while taking in the breathtaking views of the surrounding valleys—you might even spot some sheep grazing. Whether you're a believer or not, the site makes for a great stop on your way to visit Mount Ararat or the 18th-century Ishak Pasha Palace. – Tripadvisor
Duration: < 1 hour
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Most Recent: Reviews ordered by most recent publish date in descending order.
Detailed Reviews: Reviews ordered by recency and descriptiveness of user-identified themes such as waiting time, length of visit, general tips, and location information.
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3.5
31 reviews
Excellent
9
Very good
6
Average
11
Poor
4
Terrible
1
Bronwyn G
Townsville, Australia43 contributions
Oct 2023 • Solo
After reading the reviews of this site on here I was pleasantly surprised when I arrived at the visitor centre as it was open and had information in there to support the belief that this is the resting place of Noah's Ark. Thanks to the fact that my wonderful guide, Sefer, knew the man who looks after the visitor centre we were able to walk down from the centre to the actual site itself. Luck also had it that while we were checking out the site of Noah's Ark several mini buses from a university turned up to the visitor centre and I was soon talking to professors from the university about the conference on this site that they had just come from.......what a boon.
It was certainly very interesting and it seemed very plausible to me that this is indeed the resting place of Noah's Ark, if not then it's quite a co-incidence that the dimensions of this geological formation are the same as those given in the bible for the size of the Ark.
Sefer was very knowledgeable about the site and the area in general and spoke English well enough that we were able to converse on the way out to the site and back.
I found him very friendly, courteous and honest and would definitely recommend engaging his services if you wish to go out to this site or even to Ishak Pasha Palace or other places of interest around Dogubeyazit.
The best way to contact Sefer is via WhatsApp on +90 545 610 46 40
Oh btw.......the other reviews here are correct in that the scenery was magnificent and the fact that you are only a few kilometers from the Turkey/Iran border was also of interest to me
It was certainly very interesting and it seemed very plausible to me that this is indeed the resting place of Noah's Ark, if not then it's quite a co-incidence that the dimensions of this geological formation are the same as those given in the bible for the size of the Ark.
Sefer was very knowledgeable about the site and the area in general and spoke English well enough that we were able to converse on the way out to the site and back.
I found him very friendly, courteous and honest and would definitely recommend engaging his services if you wish to go out to this site or even to Ishak Pasha Palace or other places of interest around Dogubeyazit.
The best way to contact Sefer is via WhatsApp on +90 545 610 46 40
Oh btw.......the other reviews here are correct in that the scenery was magnificent and the fact that you are only a few kilometers from the Turkey/Iran border was also of interest to me
Written November 13, 2023
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
wisnu315
Karangasem, Indonesia1,047 contributions
Oct 2020 • Couples
Honestly, not impressive but if you have nothing to do or spare time then not too bad. Since you can only look from distance approx. 600 m, you can imagine that the rock formation as Noah Ark. Actually, the scenery on the way is more interesting.
Written October 4, 2020
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
Daniel L
Los Angeles, CA2 contributions
Apr 2019 • Family
Some of these reviews are mind boggling. Im what the hell are people expecting to see? A fully made Ark after thousands of years? Anyway, it was amazing and breathtaking to see the actual remains and outlines of the Ark that has been in story's for generations of human life. I'll cherish this memory.
Written August 6, 2019
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
Christ R
7 contributions
Apr 2023
Awesome and mind blowing view of Noah's Ark. Sefer the number one tour guide of Noah's Ark and the 'Village of Eight' where the drove stones are located let alone Noah's house! ...for more info contact Sefer 905456104640 (located in Turkey near Noah's Ark)
Written May 7, 2023
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
lledds
Anchorage, AK351 contributions
Sept 2013 • Friends
If you are in Dogubeyazit, this is a must-see right up there with Mt. Ararat. After all, isn't the Biblical story of Noah and the Ark known by most everyone?
Driving 7-10 km east of Dogubeyazit on D-100, watch for the brown sign that says Nuh'un Gemisi/(Nuh's Ark) 5. Turn at this road sign and drive the 3 miles (5 km) up the road, turning left at the small military installation. Up the hill, you'll come to a rather tired-looking red-clay colored building with umpteen gawd-zillion stickers on the front doors. No exterior sign indicates you are here, but you are.
The darling gentleman who will come out to greet you has been proudly taking guests out back and showing them the outline of a boat-shaped relic that is claimed to be Noah's Ark. You will not be disappointed--it does look like a ship. Take a few pictures of it with and without humans in the foreground. Not to self--you will not be allowed to walk down to see it up-close-and-personal. No mind--far-away pictures suffice.
You will be shown inside the "museum" and can read photo-copied accounts in Turkish, English, French, Germany and Italian of explorers who have sought to find this relic. All very interesting--but not more interesting than the fact that the Turkish government will not allow excavation on the ark. Or the fact that there really are no souvenirs at this site other than waaaay-overpriced, poor-quality postcards (1.5 TL/$0.75 each).
Spend a good 30-45 minutes reading for information, taking pictures of the ark outside, and even getting an across-the-valley shot of Mt. Ararat. You will be glad you made this trip!
Driving 7-10 km east of Dogubeyazit on D-100, watch for the brown sign that says Nuh'un Gemisi/(Nuh's Ark) 5. Turn at this road sign and drive the 3 miles (5 km) up the road, turning left at the small military installation. Up the hill, you'll come to a rather tired-looking red-clay colored building with umpteen gawd-zillion stickers on the front doors. No exterior sign indicates you are here, but you are.
The darling gentleman who will come out to greet you has been proudly taking guests out back and showing them the outline of a boat-shaped relic that is claimed to be Noah's Ark. You will not be disappointed--it does look like a ship. Take a few pictures of it with and without humans in the foreground. Not to self--you will not be allowed to walk down to see it up-close-and-personal. No mind--far-away pictures suffice.
You will be shown inside the "museum" and can read photo-copied accounts in Turkish, English, French, Germany and Italian of explorers who have sought to find this relic. All very interesting--but not more interesting than the fact that the Turkish government will not allow excavation on the ark. Or the fact that there really are no souvenirs at this site other than waaaay-overpriced, poor-quality postcards (1.5 TL/$0.75 each).
Spend a good 30-45 minutes reading for information, taking pictures of the ark outside, and even getting an across-the-valley shot of Mt. Ararat. You will be glad you made this trip!
Written September 6, 2013
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
Jacob F
Al Khobar, Saudi Arabia11 contributions
Aug 2018
Stopped here while driving through the area: Noah's Ark has been found? Okay, why not? Let's go!
It's really nothing extremely interesting, I mean, it does look like a boat, that's for sure. It also looks like a pide.
The visitor's center is closed down. It looks a lot different now. It's been renovated but it's completely stripped on the inside.
All in all, the experience of driving in this region of Turkey, and being so close to Iran, and seeing Mt. Ararat from this location, it was well worth it. It's very easy to reach, just type in "Noah's Ark National Park" in your Google Maps Navigator and it will take you right there. Drive carefully up the hill though because the road is not in the best condition.
It's really nothing extremely interesting, I mean, it does look like a boat, that's for sure. It also looks like a pide.
The visitor's center is closed down. It looks a lot different now. It's been renovated but it's completely stripped on the inside.
All in all, the experience of driving in this region of Turkey, and being so close to Iran, and seeing Mt. Ararat from this location, it was well worth it. It's very easy to reach, just type in "Noah's Ark National Park" in your Google Maps Navigator and it will take you right there. Drive carefully up the hill though because the road is not in the best condition.
Written August 25, 2018
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
Ararat Travel Agency
6 contributions
Jan 2018 • Friends
Ararat Travel Agency in Dogubeyazit
organize trekking And expedition tour to mount ararat And around dogubeyazit
Good idea to contact whit them they spkeagin lunguge And they are from dogubeyazit
organize trekking And expedition tour to mount ararat And around dogubeyazit
Good idea to contact whit them they spkeagin lunguge And they are from dogubeyazit
Written May 24, 2018
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
J6966SDdavidb
Jeddah, Saudi Arabia16 contributions
Apr 2019
The viewing area is about 3 km away from the site, so you can see a rock formation that is ellipsoid in shape and with some imagination, you could conceive of it as a baot.
Written February 24, 2020
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
sc3traveller
Canada/UK137 contributions
Sept 2019
We had some spare time in Dogubeyazit before climbing Mount Ararat and thought we'd check out the famous Noah Ark site.It's one of those places you visit with high expectations and when you arrive your jaw drops and you say out loud: "Is that it?" Basically, if you stand outside the back of the visitor center and look into the hills beyond you can kind of see a mound of dirt that you can convince yourself is in the shape of an ark. That's all folks.
There is no signage to show you where to look or give you an idea on how the ark shape is cut into the dirt. There isn't even any info on historical context or archaeological info about when the ark was "found". It's not possible to walk up to the site and there is nothing in the visitor centre. The inside of the centre was completely vacant, apart from a couple of post cards and cold drinks you could buy. There is a toilet but you will have to pay for it.
On the flip side it's nice to have bragging rights on saying you "saw" Noah's Ark, but there really isn't much to see.
There is no signage to show you where to look or give you an idea on how the ark shape is cut into the dirt. There isn't even any info on historical context or archaeological info about when the ark was "found". It's not possible to walk up to the site and there is nothing in the visitor centre. The inside of the centre was completely vacant, apart from a couple of post cards and cold drinks you could buy. There is a toilet but you will have to pay for it.
On the flip side it's nice to have bragging rights on saying you "saw" Noah's Ark, but there really isn't much to see.
Written October 27, 2019
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
hondo533
Melbourne, Australia130 contributions
Sept 2016 • Friends
We had spare time in Ararat so went to see this petrified Noah's Ark.
Not particularly believable, but the view of the landscape was nice.
Not particularly believable, but the view of the landscape was nice.
Written November 3, 2016
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
I would like to visit the sight. However I have seven days and trying to make Jerusalem as well. How far from the airport? Do they have a website? Is there a cost for the visit? Are there tour guides reasonably priced? A telephone number to reach the visitors center? I'm assuming they also have english speaking reps on site.
Written August 20, 2019
Well I went there form Van airport by renting a car, which was about 2 and a half hours, but Ağrı airport is about 1.5 hour. Entrance is free. Because of the covid the cafe nearby was closed. So I saw no one around. I went there by google navigation. The road was fine but with bends and ramps. Visitors centre like place was closed as I told you. So it is not easy to find someone talking English. But if you contact some touristic tours or guides online in dogubeyazit, before you go there they May accompany you.
Written October 1, 2020
vvbull
Brisbane, Australia
Hi hondo533
I may be in a position to plan a trip to Noahs Arc. Could you tell me how you got to Dogubeyazit from Istanbul if that was you route?
Thanks
Written April 16, 2018
Istanbul by air to Erzurum, then by car to Doğubeyazit and on to the site. Alternately, Istanbul to Van, then by car to the site.
Written March 10, 2020

A Tripadvisor member
Bury St. Edmunds, United Kingdom
What is the best way to get there? I’ll be in Armenia but the Border with Turkey is closed as far as I could tell.
Written January 10, 2018
Are you allowed to touch it and verify that it's petrified wood, and has iron parts in precise locations? ........... Is the " Village of Eight " part of the tour? .......... Which tour company gave this tour? ......... My wife and I are going to Jerusalem in Feb. ( 5th to the 12th ) ....... Is it possible to get info. on companies that give tours of it?
Written December 9, 2016
navigator.uk is sadly misinformed. You can, under the right circumstances, walk on the site. It is likely NOT the Ark of Noah itself, but a compression footprint in the surrounding material left by the long-since scavenged Ark. A "city" (foundations, etc.) has been identified up above this site as you approach the Iranian border, but you are very unlikely to be able to see that. Pictures of it can be found in the video series here: angel-strike. comSLASHsepdacSLASHvideo. php Ceremonial burials apparently were done in this area because of its significance (an ossuarial burial jar was found and the contents dated at the University of Georgia; see the video for details). Sorry to have posted these details some 4 years after you asked the question...
Written March 10, 2020
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