Old Khot is one of the oldest inhabited ares of Syunik. People call this place “armenian Machu Picchu”.\u00a0Hin Khot is of great interest for archaeologists due to its 2nd-1st century BC burial grounds. In one of the local cemeteries the ruins of the Red Church are situated, which was built in the 12th century.<\/p>\n
![\"Cave](\"https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/www.armgeo.am\/wp-content\/uploads\/2018\/01\/IMG_7679-1.jpg?ssl=1\" "\\"Cave")
<\/a>Cave dwellings of Syunik<\/p><\/div>\n\n
After taking a walk in the village Khot, we will continue our way through the narrow forest paths to another abandoned village – Old Shinuhayr (Father of settlements). Shinuhayr is one of the oldest villages of Syunik. However the exact age of the village is still unknown. The very last resident of the village lived here until 2017. In\u00a0 the\u00a0XII century a strong earthquake destroyed the central monastery of the village, which was built in IV-V centuries. The monastery was restored after the earthquake and is standing today in the territory of Old Shinuhayr. After we will walk along Vorotan Armenia till the village Old Halidzor. Old Halidzor is known for its old dwellings,\u00a0where the roof of the lower house serves as the floor and courtyard of the upper one. The walls of these houses are made of\u00a0 traditional white river stones. After exploreing the village we will move to the village Tatev, where we will stay for the night.<\/p>\n
Details of the day:<\/h4>\n\n- Location \u2013 Syunik province<\/li>\n
- Altitude above sea level – 1450 m<\/li>\n
- Relative altitude – 300 m<\/li>\n
- Distance from Yerevan\u00a0\u2013 260 km<\/li>\n
- Length of the route\u00a0\u2013 11 km<\/li>\n
- Difficulty level\u00a0\u2013\u00a0medium<\/li>\n
- The best hiking period\u00a0\u2013 \u00a0all seasons<\/li>\n<\/ul>\n
Day 2: Tatev monastery, Devil’s bridge and Khndzoresk<\/h3>\n
Early in the morning we will visit Tatev monastery. Tatev monastery was a great center of science and philosophy in the medieval era. The site, overlooking the the Vorotan river gorge, was originally used for pagan worship, until the first church was built there sometime between 895 and 906, dedicated to the saints Paul and Peter. It was the bishopric seat of the Syunik region and wielded considerable influence.<\/span><\/p>\n![\"Tatev](\"https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/www.armgeo.am\/wp-content\/uploads\/2018\/01\/IMG_81991.jpg?resize=1200%2C800&ssl=1\" "\\"Tatev")
<\/a>Tatev monastery<\/p><\/div>\n\n
After exploring the monastery complex we will move to the Devil’s bridge. This is a natural bridge, which is made by the nature itself. There are stalactite formations and natural \u201cbaths\u201d of mineral water. If the weather would be hot , we can swim under that natural baths.<\/span><\/p>\nWe will continue our way to the one of most visited villages of Armenia – Old Khndzoresk, which is famous for its cave dwellings and a 160-meter long suspension bridge. At the beginning of XX century the population of Old Khndzoresk was reaching 8000 people. The cave dwellings were inhabited until the late 1950s. After the Soviet officials deemed the caves unfit and uncivilized, forcing the remaining villagers to leave to the new village.<\/p>\n
![\"Khndzoresk\"](\"https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/www.armgeo.am\/wp-content\/uploads\/2018\/01\/IMG_2338.jpg?resize=1200%2C800&ssl=1\" "\\"Khndzoresk\\"")
<\/a>Khndzoresk<\/p><\/div>\n\n
So passing through the centuries, we will reach, let\u2019s say, the late medieval period and visit Noravank monastery, which the locals also call Red monastery. \u00a0The gorge where the monastery is situated is known for its steep red cliffs, towering behind the monastery. In Soviet times the championship of rock climbing passed here. Noravank is also known for its bas-relief where the image of God is.<\/p>\n
![\"Noravank](\"https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/www.armgeo.am\/wp-content\/uploads\/2016\/03\/Noravank_overview.jpg?resize=900%2C600&ssl=1\" "\\"Noravank")
<\/a>Noravank monastery<\/p><\/div>\n
In the evening we will return to Yerevan.<\/p>\n
Details of the day:<\/h4>\n\n- Location \u2013 Syunik province<\/li>\n
- Distance from Yerevan\u00a0\u2013 260 km<\/li>\n
- Difficulty level\u00a0\u2013\u00a0easy \/ excursion day<\/li>\n
- The best hiking period\u00a0\u2013 \u00a0all seasons<\/li>\n<\/ul>\n
Tour Price:<\/h4>\n
Day 2: Tatev monastery, Devil’s bridge and Khndzoresk<\/h3>\n
Early in the morning we will visit Tatev monastery. Tatev monastery was a great center of science and philosophy in the medieval era. The site, overlooking the the Vorotan river gorge, was originally used for pagan worship, until the first church was built there sometime between 895 and 906, dedicated to the saints Paul and Peter. It was the bishopric seat of the Syunik region and wielded considerable influence.<\/span><\/p>\n Tatev monastery<\/p><\/div>\n\n After exploring the monastery complex we will move to the Devil’s bridge. This is a natural bridge, which is made by the nature itself. There are stalactite formations and natural \u201cbaths\u201d of mineral water. If the weather would be hot , we can swim under that natural baths.<\/span><\/p>\n We will continue our way to the one of most visited villages of Armenia – Old Khndzoresk, which is famous for its cave dwellings and a 160-meter long suspension bridge. At the beginning of XX century the population of Old Khndzoresk was reaching 8000 people. The cave dwellings were inhabited until the late 1950s. After the Soviet officials deemed the caves unfit and uncivilized, forcing the remaining villagers to leave to the new village.<\/p>\n Khndzoresk<\/p><\/div>\n\n So passing through the centuries, we will reach, let\u2019s say, the late medieval period and visit Noravank monastery, which the locals also call Red monastery. \u00a0The gorge where the monastery is situated is known for its steep red cliffs, towering behind the monastery. In Soviet times the championship of rock climbing passed here. Noravank is also known for its bas-relief where the image of God is.<\/p>\n Noravank monastery<\/p><\/div>\n In the evening we will return to Yerevan.<\/p>\n<\/a><\/a><\/a>Details of the day:<\/h4>\n
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Tour Price:<\/h4>\n