Day 10 - September 13, 2023 Nemrud Dagi and drive to Dogubayazit

If you want to experience the sunrise, you have to get up early. So the alarm clock rings at 4:50 a.m. I continue to stay in my sleeping position in the sleeping bag in the back of the van. So we only have to pay the ominous entrance fee for two people. Now it's the remaining 3 km up to Götterberg (2150 m). We have to walk the last 200 m. It is bitterly cold and there is no sign of the sun yet. The wind whistles around your ears. Nemrud Dagi is the largest burial mound in the world. Circa 50 BC C. This gigantic grave monument was built for which around 200,000 m³ of rock were removed and piled up, all without dynamite. Added to this is the worship of gods and self-deification. Unfortunately, the heads of the figures have not survived the test of time on their necks. This is how they were draped in front of the figures. The sun finally comes out and sends its first warming rays. Around 30 people photograph the scenery with us, then we circle the summit and the collective descent follows. We drive a bit in the van and enjoy a long breakfast in the sun. Now it's off to the slopes. 700 km lie ahead of us today. A word about the streets. They have all been expanded to four lanes, including in the Kurdish part of Turkey, so we are making rapid progress. The closer we get to the border with Iran, the more military controls there are. Everything friendly and nice. At the end we cross a 2500 m high pass and arrive at our hotel in Dogubaydzit at 7 p.m. Here we meet Kemal, who gives us a first overview of the Ararat climb. Political topics are also touched upon. After a meal brought by the delivery service, the day comes to an end.