(En) Hidden trails of Armenia

(En) Arrival at the Yerevan airport. Meeting with guide and driver.
Transfer to the hotel. Accommodation.
Overnight in the hotel in Yerevan.

(En) Yerevan. Breakfast in the hotel.

Drive to village Areni. Here the most ancient winery in the world Areni-1 is located. This winery had been discovered as a result of excavations done in 2007-2008.

(En) Noravank (meaning “New Monastery” in Armenian) is a 13th century Armenian monastery, spiritual centre of Orbelyan princes’ dynasty. The monastery is best known for its two-storey Surp Astvatsatsin (Holy Mother of God, Burtelashen) church, which grants access to the second floor by way of a narrow stone-made staircase jutting out from the face of building.

(En) Drive to Artabuynk village and start the hike. Trail leads to Smbataberd Fortress, founded during 5th century but reestablished and heavily fortified during the 9th to 10th centuiries.The fortress received water from an underground clay pipe, leading from the monastery of Tsaghats Kar.

(En) Continue the tour by visiting Tsaghats Kar Monastery (10th century) decorated with splendid khachkars (a fascinating symbol of Armenia’s cultural and religious heritage in the form of a decorative cross-stone on the flank of the mountain. Continue the hike toward Yeghegis village which is the final destination of the day. Overnight stay in Yeghegis.

Hiking route: Artabuyn – Smbataberd – Tsaghats Kar – Yeghegis
Hiking distance: 12 km / 4 hours
Elevation: Artabuynk 1680m – Smbataberd 1970m – Tsaghats Kar 2100m – Yeghegis 1600m

(En) Yeghegis. Breakfast in the hotel.

After breakfast, return to your Armenian tour with a drive to Syunik province. Reaching to the Khot village, start the hike to the old villages of the Tatev area. Old Khot village (“The Armenian Machu Picchu”) is beautifully set on the bottom and slopes of the mystic Vorotan Gorge. It is one of the settlements abandoned in the middle of the last century. Here you will find Mrgadzori Khach church (“Cross of the fruit ravine”), built by a beauty who ran away from the Sheikh-Abbas harem, as the legend says. Continue the hike to the Old Shinuhayr and Old Halidzor villages and finish in Halidzor village. Drive to Goris for overnight stay.

Hiking route: Khot village – Old Khot – Old Shinuhayr – Old Halidzor – Halidzor
Hiking distance: 12.5 km / 5 hours
Elevation: Khot 1550 m – Old Khot 1160 m – Old Shinuhayr 1260 m – Old Halidzor 1160 m – Halidzor 1350 m

(En) Goris. Breakfast in the hotel.

In the morning visit 9th century Tatev monastic complex located on a large basalt plateau near the village of the same name in Zangezur. Taking Tatever cableway (included in the Guinness World records as the world’s “longest non-stop double track cable car”) you will admire a wonderful and unique view of the mountains, gorges and a beautiful landscape of the Syunik region.

(En) Start your hike to Devil’s bridge located on the bottom of the Vorotan River gorge. On the way you will have a chance to see the Great Hermitage of Tatev (Tatevi Mets Anapat), founded by monks in 1608-1613. Hermitage ofTatev is visible from the cabin windows on the third longest section of Wings of Tatev cableway., Devil’s bridge is the final point of our hike, where you can have a bath in the warm mineral pools. Transfer back to Goris for overnight.

Hiking route: Tatev village – Tatevi Mets Anapat – Devil’s bridge
Hiking distance: 6 km / 3 hours
Elevation: Tatev village 1550 m – Tatevi Mets Anapat / Devil’s bridge 1000m

(En) Goris. Breakfast in the hotel.

For the next day of your tour drive 30 minutes and arrive in a fantastic cave village, with a picturesque view to the ruins of the old village, churches, tombs, nature, springs and a new bridge that spans the gorge. Khndzoresk is an ideal place for hiking. At the end of the 19th century. Old Khndzoresk was the largest village in Eastern Armenia. Explore every corner of these man-made dwellings. Continue the tour with a visit to Zorats Karer archeological site.

(En) Drive through the Vardanyats Pass (2410m) and visit Orbelian’s Caravanserai built in 1332 by Prince Chesar Orbelian. It is used to be an important trade point on the famous Silk Road, accommodating weary travelers and their animals as they crossed from or into the Vayots Dzor mountains.

(En) Drive across Lake Sevan and visit Noratus Cemetry, a medieval cemetery with a large number of early khachkars (cross-stones) dating back to the 10th century. Finally, we reach Lake Sevan, the largest lake in Armenia and in the Caucasus region. It is also one of the largest fresh-water high-altitude lakes in the world. This huge mountain lake is situated at an altitude of about 1900 meters above sea level. Overnight in Sevan.

Hiking route: Old Khndzoresk village
Hiking distance: 3 km / 1.5 hours
Elevation: Khndzoresk 1200-1400m

(En) Sevan. Breakfast in the hotel.

In the morning drive to the Tavush province and visit Dilijan town. It is known as the “Armenian Switzerland” by locals. Not far from Dilijan there is a small beautiful lake called Lake Parz (Crystal lake) which is located in the Dilijan National Park at 1330 m above sea level.

(En) Begin this leg of your hiking from Parz lake to Gosh village. The trail goes through the forests and alpine fields. At the end of hike you will reach to the impressive monastic comples of Goshavank (12-13th century) which has remained in relatively good condition and also houses one of the world’s finest examples of a khachkar. It is optional to continue the hike from gosh village to the Gosh lake and back to the village. Drive to Apaga resort to have rest. Free evening. Overnight in the hotel.

Hiking route: Parz lake – Gosh village – Gosh lake (optional)
Hiking distance: 7 km / 2.5 hours + 5 km / 2 hours (gosh lake)
Elevation: Parz lake 1330 m – Gosh village 1190 m – Gosh lake 1410 m

(En) Apaga resort. Breakfast in the hotel.

The day starts with a hike to Lastiver Anapat in the gorge of the Khachaghbyur River. Lastiver is one of the most picturesque places in Armenia. Many people wonder what “Lastiver” means. The fact is that during Mongol invasions in the 13-14th centuries, locals found their shelter in this cave. The cave is located on an almost-flat slope of the canyon. In order to reach the cave people constructed a ladder which reminded them of a raft. From then on the location has been called “Lastiver” which is translated as “up the raft”. Just below the caves at the lowest point on the gorge, you will see a cascade of beautiful waterfalls. Return to Apaga Resort and drive to Haghpat village for the overnight.

Hiking route: Apaga resort – Lastiver – Apaga resort
Hiking distance: 7.5 km / 3.5 hours
Elevation: Apaga resort1370 m – Lastiver 1120 m

(En) Haghpat. Breakfast in the hotel.

Start the next day of your hike by visiting Haghpat Monastery complex (976 AD). Start the hike with another great example of Armenian architecture – Sanahin (966 AD). Both monasteries are included in the UNESCO World Heritage List and were built in the same era and both have played an important role in the spiritual and cultural life of Armenia. These two monasteries symbolize the highest blossom of Armenian Religious architecture, unique styles developed from a blending elements of Byzantine ecclesiastical architecture and the traditional vernacular architecture of the Caucasian region. The hiking route goes through a beautiful gorge, and there is a chance to see the Kayan Fortres, built in 1233 A.D. by Bishop Hovhannes, the leader of Haghpat monastery. After finishing the hike visit the 6th century Odzun Domed Baziica and continue to Byurakan village for the overnight.

Hiking route: Haghpat – Sanahin
Hiking distance: 10 km / 3.5 hours
Elevation: Haghpat 1011 m – Gorge 780 m – Sanahin 1038 m

(En) Byurakan. Breakfast in the hotel.

Drive to Lake Kari (Stone Lake) located on the slopes of Mount Aragats, mostly formed by ice and snow. Aragats (the highest mouintain in Armenia)has sub-alpine and alpine zones, as well as 4 peaks (the Northern peak is the highest., at 4090 m) and one of the biggest craters in the world, created by a volcano eruption in the distant past. Ascend to the Southern summit of the mountain (3887 m). This summit of Aragats is covered with snow until the middle of July. After finishing the hike drive to Yerevan for the last night of your trip to Armenian beauty.

Hiking route: Lake Kari – South Aragats – Lake Kari
Hiking distance: 10 km / 5 hours
Elevation: Lake Kari 3200 m – Southern Aragats 3887 m

(En) Yerevan. Breakfast in the hotel (depending on the time of departure). Transfer to the Yerevan Airport. Departure.