Armenia Hiking Tour: THE MOUNAINS WE LOVE!

Arrival in Yerevan early in the morning.

The tours start with the visits to Matenadaran Museum, which houses a unique collection of ancient manuscripts covering such lofty topics as philosophy, law, mathematics, medicine and geography, and concluded by the Tour of the City. Followed by the visit to the Genocide Monument and Museum. Lunch/Dinner. Overnight in Yerevan.

We begin our exploration of Southern Armenia. Driving to the south we gain impressive views of the mountains, bizarre rocks and weirdly sculptured erosions add to the impressions. We start hiking to Spitakavor monastery. Walking through the village, we have an opportunity to meet and chat with locals and gain a true insight into their traditional ways of life. The trail continues through rough slopes and leads directly to Proshaberd Citadel crowning the rocky peak. Here we are rewarded for our efforts by the dramatic views of the mountains and the valley below. Picnic lunch during hiking. Dinner and overnight in Hermon Village.

We are ready to continue our adventures in Southern Armenia. We begin hiking to Smbataberd, a well-preserved medieval citadel built by King Smbat (12 km round trip). The setting of Smbataberd is perhaps the most beautiful in Armenia, with Arpi river valley at your feet. Here we have the blissful feeling of freedom from the mundane that only truly comes after a few days of travelling nature’s way – on one’s own feet. Then we hike to the isolated Tsakhats Kar Monastery. In the end of the day, we will visit Shatin observation point to see Bezoar Goats on the opposite side of the gorge. Picnic lunch during hiking. Dinner and overnight in Hermon Village.

Continue further to the South, on endlessly winding roads leaping through gorges over the mountains of Syunik. The trail is a perfect combination of natural and cultural wonders. We take the cable car (world’s longest) to the 9th century Tatev Monastery overlooking the Vorotan valley. After visiting the monastery, we start our trekking to the Tatev Big Hermitage in Vorotan valley and after we continue walking to the limestone caverns of the Devil’s bridge with natural hot baths in a gorge so narrow, that the sun hardly reaches the bottom. Drive to Khendzoresk cave town at the altitude of 1580 m on the steep slopes of Deep Gorge. Picturesque rock formations and gently inviting nature make this one of Armenia’s most popular sites. On to Goris, a cozy town with fine stone houses with arched windows and balconies on tree-lined lanes. The pace of life is slow here with little commercial or industrial activity, or even tourist kitsch, so it really feels like you stepped back in time. Dinner and overnight in Goris.

Visit the Zoraz Stones (Armenian Stonehenge). Drive to Lake Sevan via the Selim Pass to the Caravanserei (built in 1332 at 2410 m height). Followed by the visit to the Khatchkars (stone crosses) collection of Noraduz. Drive to Lake Sevan, one of the few highly located big lakes (1900 m above sea level) in the world – presenting a nice Peninsula with the beautiful IX century churches of Sevanavank, viz. St. Astvatsatsin and St. Arakelots. Lunch in Chekalovka at the lake side. Dinner and overnight in Dilijan/Sevan.

Drive to Parz (Crystal) Lake to start the hike in Dilijan National Park along stunning forest trails, cross the wildly beautiful Areguni pass and reach Goshavank Monastery where the great scholar of the 13th century Mkhitar Gosh is buried. Lookout for morning birds that are particularly active at this time, explore the enchanting nature of the park as we take a gentle walk on well-defined forest trails. For those with more energy to burn we offer a short but absolutely fantastic walk to Lake Gosh above Goshavank. End the day with a drive to Dilijan, a small town that captures the spirit of rural Armenia and check in at our hotel. Evening visit to newly-opened Old Dilijan complex on historic Shamambertan street. Lunch during the hiking. Dinner and overnight in Yerevan.

Mt. Aragats, the highest peak of Lesser Caucasus is a popular target for mountaineers. The mountain has sub-alpine and alpine zones as well as four peaks and one of the biggest craters in the world, created by a volcano eruption in the distant past. The route up to Mt. Aragats is virtually uninhabited and has gently sloping hills with occasional shepherds and beekeepers, many wildflowers and great views. Hiking is especially spectacular in spring when the entire mountain is literally covered with poppies and mountain flowers. The most accessible peak of Aragats is the south peak, starting from Kari Lich (Stone Lake), we will take this 3-hour hike to the summit on a steady slope (3,879 M). More challenging is the trek to the western summit (4,080 M) with spectacular views to Mount Ararat. Lunch during the hiking. Dinner and overnight in Yerevan.

Depending on weather conditions the sequence of routes may be changed or totally removed.

Lunch breaks will be held in field conditions by pre-prepared food packages.

Guides always have first aid kit and radio-connectivity.

All security norms have been taken into account, according to which the main part of the trail is accessible for off-road vehicles and in case of any necessity it is possible to arrange evacuation of participants.

Participants should have their own hiking boot and stick, hat, sunscreen, glasses and jacket.

Season: April-October.