A group of Muscovites led by journalist Alexander Khachiyan and prominent Russian mountaineer Vladimir Shatayev is departing for Turkey Friday, Aug 2, to climb the biblical Mount Ararat.

They will also visit the Holy Cross (Sourp Khach) Church in Akhtamar island, tour through Ani, Kars and Van, making stops at Urartu fortress and ancient churches.

“Ararat is a sacred mountain and while ascending it you have the time to think about spiritual values,” says Khachiyan, who has already climbed Ararat for two times. “The most important quality is not being trained physically but be ready spiritually. Whether you are a master of sports or a teenager, you should be strong-willed.”

Before departure, the group, which consists of 10 people, including one woman, was blessed by Armenian Church of the Holy Resurrection in Moscow.

“It’s a totally new impression for me,” group member Alexey Tolokonin-Sarkissov told a PanARMENIAN.Net reporter. “When I was offered to join the adventure, I agreed without hesitation.”

Getting permission to climb Ararat is not a hard process any longer. “It was rather difficult back in 2008 but now the procedure has been considerably eased,” Khachiyan says.

The guides are Kurds.