Journey to Vayots Dzor province

The journey to Vayots Dzor province will reveal to you the real Armenia. It will take you to the world of deep gorges, bloody red sheer cliffs, ancient caves dating back to 4200 years BC. And the wine… wine flows here like water. Vayots Dzor province is known for its wine made from an endemic black grape variety, which grows only in this region. 

During these two days spent in Vayots Dzor province of Armenia you will manage to visit a medieval fortress, ancient monasteries, which are located high in the mountains and admire an immaculate beauty of Armenian nature.  

Day 1: An Alpine Fortress on the Edge of the Cliff

Smbataberd is one of the best preserved fortresses of Armenia. It was built in V century. It is surrounded by steep rocks from 3 sides and has strong walls with semicircular towers with the height of 8-10 meters and the width of 3-4 meters. There are many stories and legends about this fortress. The stories are connected to one of the greatest kings of Armenia. During the entire period Smbataberd was captured only once – and only because of a cunning plan: the horses were fed with salt and let out to pasture around the fortress. Thirsty animals began to look for water and found pipeline so the enemy cut off the water supply to the fortress and forced the defenders to surrender.

After exploring the fortress we will visit the medieval monastery complex Tsaghats Kar, near Smbataberd fortress. The complex consists of three parts – the church of St. Nshan, St. Karapet and St. Astvatsatsin. The bas-reliefs on the walls of the church of St. Karapet display emblems of princely families of Syunik (IX-XI centuries).

Overnight in Vayots Dzor.

Details of the day:

• Location – Vayots Dzor province
• Distance from Yerevan – 180 km
• Length of the route – 12 km
• Difficulty level – moderate
• The best hiking period –  all seasons

Day 2: Along the Slopes of Teksar Mountains

In the morning we’ll start with a hike from narrow gorges up to the monastery, located on the slopes of Teksar mountains. The remains of the Armenian military leader and political thinker Garegin Nzhdeh were secretly buried in the yard of Spitakavor Monastery. Annually on June 17 Armenians across the world conduct a pilgrimage to the monastery’s graveyard.

The whole Vayots Dzor will be seen from a bird’s eye view during this hiking tour.

In the evening we will return to Yerevan.

Details of the day:

• Location – Vayots Dzor province
• Distance from Yerevan – 180 km
• Length of the route – 15 km
• Difficulty level – moderate
• The best hiking period –  all seasons

Tour Price:

Number of participants	Price per person
2 – 3	140 000֏
4 – 5	115 000֏
6 – 9	105 000֏
10 – 12	85 000֏

 

The price includes:

• the service of the guide-translator
• Transport by air-conditioned coach
• Hotel pickup and drop-off
• Accommodation
• food service during the whole tour

The price does not include:

• Rent of personal equipment
• Alcoholic beverages

Gear list:

• hiking boots
• spare shoes to change (sneakers, sandals, flip flops)
• backpack 30L – 40L
• warm clothes
• fleece jacket
• fleece hat
• gloves
• personal first aid kit
• trekking poles
• raincoat
• cap
• buff
• sunglasses
• forehead flashlight
• sunscreen
• lip balm

For the booking and all questions, please contact us.

The book “The Mountainous Island” is a great present for both your hiking friend who is interested in the mountains of Armenia, and for yourself. All of the mountains described in the book were climbed by ArmGeo throughout the course of his 10-year career.

For orders write us on Facebook or call 043 00 5165

For more information, click on the photo.

“The Mountainous Island” is the best representation of Armenia and might become an essential part of your book collection․ It will forever remember you of your days and treks in Armenia.

Hiking and trekking tours in Armenia