Armenia – The Journey Upward / 9 days

Once Tonino Guerra said that Armenia is a journey upward.  It is a journey through Armenia, which later becomes essays and travel notes.

What do we understand by saying “a journey to Armenia”? Walking in Yerevan? Or seeing Ararat? Or exploring Khachkars? Trying national food? Communicating with local people? Spending the night in a village house? Climbing mountains? Feeling the nature?

The answer is very simple: all the above mentioned and something more. We are offering for you to discover Armenia through hiking. Our trips are accompanied by stories about the history and visiting the landmarks. Every time you reach a medieval fortress or an ancient church, you are travelling through time and space. Touching the stones, you touch the history of ancient Armenia.  And the overnights in a rustic atmosphere will help you to understand modern Armenia, to see it from within and feel the whole colorite.

For booking as well as for all questions, please contact us.

+ the second guide for groups with more than 8 people

 

Travel dates: 

20 – 28 June 2024

11 – 19 July 2024

13 – 21 September 2024

Day 1: Yerevan

Meet the group at the airport and transfer to the hotel. The participants introduce themselves to each other and then we will go to a city tour.  During the walking tour we’ll explore the city architecture, and see the landmarks, which are the hallmark of Armenia.

Day 2 / On the Road to South Armenia

In the morning of the second day we will move to South Armenia. On our way we will see a well known and significant temple – Khor Virap. The temple is built on a deep pit, where in the 4th century Gregory the Illuminator was imprisoned for almost 15 years. We’ll go down to that place and try to feel the spirits of the past. From Khor Virap there’s a good view of Mount Ararat.

Next we will have a stop in Areni, to try the famous wines of Vayots Dzor.

An Alpine Fortress on the Edge of the Cliff

Chronologically walking in the history we appear in the 5th century, when Smbataberd was built, which is one of the best preserved fortresses of Armenia now. 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. From here we can clearly see Mount Teksar. After exploring  the fortress we will continue our trip to a village, which once was a fortified medieval town.

Details of the day:

• Location – Vayots Dzor province
• Driving – 180 km
• Relative altitude – 250 m
• Length of the route – 12 km
• Difficulty level – medium
• The best hiking period –  all seasons
• Overnight stay – Vayots Dzor

Day 3 / 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 the Teksar mountains. The whole Vayots Dzor will be seen from a bird’s eye view during this trip. Passing the ridge, we’ll go down by a different road, where the bus will be waiting for us.

Details of the day:

• Location – Vayots Dzor province
• Driving – 180 km
• Relative altitude – 600 m
• Length of the route – 18 km
• Difficulty level – medium
• The best hiking period – all seasons
• Overnight stay – Vayots Dzor

Day 4 / Phantoms of Vorotan Gorge

After the breakfast we will move to Syunik region and on our way we’ll visit the famous Zorats Karer (Carahunge). Until now scientists couldn’t figure out what for was Carahunge built. We’ll continue our way and descend to Vorotan Gorge, where we will see several abandoned villages with huge houses carved out of the rock. After witnessing all these you can easily believe that people once lived in the caves, and imagine how hard it was to live in such conditions.

And again we’ll travel through time and move to a Village Khndzoresk. Old Khndzoresk – a village spread over about 3 km on the slopes of the deep gorge, was one of the most populous villages of Syunik region. In the 20 century the settlement was moved to the top of the cliff. One can reach Old Khndzoresk only by the long rocking suspension bridge, passing over a deep gorge. The bridge itself is a landmark and attracts not only tourist, but the local people as well.

Details of the day:

• Location – Syunik province
• Driving – 120 km
• Relative altitude – 400 m
• Length of the route – 10 km
• Difficulty level – medium
• The best hiking period – all seasons
• Overnight stay – Goris

Day 5 / Tatevi Mets Anapat & Devil’s Bridge

In the morning we will visit the famous Tatev monastery, which is one of the must-see places of Armenia. 

From the monastery we’ll walk down to Vorotan gorge and after a short hike we will reach the monastery Tatevi Mets Anapat (Great Hermitage of Tatev). From here we will continue our way to the Devil’s Bridge. Devil’s Bridge is the only bridge made by the nature itself. There are stalactite formations and natural “baths” of mineral water. If the weather would be hot, you can swim in those natural baths. 

So passing through the centuries, we will reach, let’s say, the late medieval period and visit the Noravank monastery, which the locals also call the Red monastery.  The gorge where the monastery is situated is known for its steep red cliffs, towering behind the monastery. Here in Soviet times a rock climbing championship took place. Noravank is also known for its bas-relief where the image of God is.

Details of the day:

• Location – Syunik province
• Driving – 230 km
• Relative altitude – 250 m
• Length of the route – 4 km
• Difficulty level – easy
• The best hiking period – all seasons
• Overnight stay – Yerevan

Day 6 / Climbing Aragats

 The medieval fortress Amberd is located on the slopes of Aragats. After observing the complex we will go to Kari Lake. The Alpine lake is situated at the height of 3200m, on the plateau, under the mountain peaks. And from here we will start climbing mount Aragats.

An extinct volcano Aragats is powerful with its energy and beauty. It is the highest point of modern day Armenia. It has four peaks. A huge and picturesque crater is situated between them. We are going to climb the Southern peak (3887 m).

Details of the day:

• Location – Aragatsotn province
• Driving – 120 km
• Relative altitude – 600 m
• Length of the route – 12 km
• Difficulty level – medium
• The best hiking period – July – September
• Overnight stay – Yerevan

Day 7 / Through Sevan to Tavush

Through the mountain passes we’ll go down to a real treasure, which is absolutely beyond time, to eternal and magnificent lake Sevan. The lake is on the height of 1900 meters. People call it the pearl of Armenian mountains and this metaphor reflects the whole essence of the attitude to lake Sevan.  The lake, surrounded by mountains, is changing all the time depending on the season, and reflecting the slightest change in the weather, even because of the movement of the clouds,  because of light and shadows, it may change beyond recognition. However, you should see all these with your own eyes, to understand.

Continuing the theme of lakes, we’re moving to another mountain lake lost in the forests. Starting our trip from a lake and through the mountains , surrounded by thick forests, going down to village Gosh. One of the biggest monasteries of the region is located here. This is a medieval Armenian monastery complex of the 12-13th centuries. There is a two meter high khachkar in the territory of the monastery, which is recognized as the best for the skillful work of its creator, master Poghos.

Details of the day:

• Location – Tavush province
• Driving – 110 km
• Relative altitude – 600 m
• Length of the route – 15 km
• Difficulty level – medium
• The best hiking period – all seasons
• Overnight stay – Dilijan

Day 8 / Fairy Lastiver

We will start our journey through Khachakhbyur gorge to a fairy place called Lastiver. We will see small houses constructed on the trees, waterfall, caves, where the hermits used to live. This place looks wonderful in every season.

If you want, you can try the zipline. You have no idea what zipline is? Then watch our video and find it out.

Details of the day:

• Location – Tavush province
• Driving – 190 km
• Relative altitude – 400 m
• Length of the route – 7 km
• Difficulty level – medium
• The best hiking period – all seasons
• Overnight stay – Yerevan

Day 9 / Sunny Yerevan

Before leaving we will have time to have a walk in Yerevan. There is a market known as “Vernisazh” very close to Republic Square. Here you can get souvenirs and many other things unique to Armenia.

At the end we will exchange contacts and transfer you to the airport.

 

Tour Price:

Number of participants	Price per person
2 — 3	890 000 AMD
4 — 5	585 000 AMD
6 — 9	550 000 AMD
10 — 15	480 000 AMD

The price includes:

• the service of the guide-translators
• transfer from the airport and back
• transportation within Armenia
• accommodation in 3* hotels & guesthouses
• food service during the whole tour
• Tickets for “Wings of Tatev”
• tickets and excursion for “History Museum”
• excursion & degustation in “Areni Wine Factory”

The price does not include:

• Air tickets
• Rent of personal equipments
• Alcoholic beverages
• Zipline tickets (30$)

 

For the booking and all questions, please contact us.

HIKING TOURS IN ARMENIA