Jeeping in Armenia & Artsakh

Arrival at the Yerevan airport. Meeting with guide and driver.
Transfer to the hotel. Accommodation.
Overnight in Silachi 3* hotel in Yerevan.

Yerevan. Breakfast at the hotel.

Heading to the North of Armenia, driving to Lake Kari on 3250m above sea level.

Continue to fortress Amberd (8th c). Amberd is one of the rare witnesses of Armenian military architecture of the Middle Ages. During the walk you can enjoy the scenery of colorful alpine meadows and mountain.

Heading to Aparan reservoir with a nice off-road driving up to Tsaghkunyats mountain range. Driving down to Hankavan, where hot spring pools are available.

Overnight in Nairi Spa Resort
Off-roading route: Aparan Reservoir – Hankavan / 35km
Total driving: 160 km

Hankavan. Breakfast at the hotel.

Starting on asphalt road about 15 km, off-road driving up to Tsaghkunyats mountain range to get to the beautiful Tsaghkunyats lake (also called Nana lake) on 2500m above sea level. Driving down to Aghveran.

Continue to Sevan Lake, the “blue-eyed beauty” of Armenia. Being one of the biggest highland freshwater lakes in the world it is 1900 m above sea level. The tour will continue along the coast of Lake Sevan to the peninsula. After rising to the peninsula, you will see the monastery of Sevanavank (IX cent.). An amazing view to the lake and surrounding beauties opens from the hill. The monastery of Sevan (Sevanavank), which stands on what was once an island of the same name, can be dated to the 9th-10th centuries. For several hundred years, as an important spiritual centre, housing many monks, it has been visited by thousands of pilgrims from all parts of Armenia.
Driving to Dilijan.
Overnight in Dilijan resort
Off-roading route: Hankavan – Tsaghkunyats Lake – Aghveran / 35 km
Total driving: 135 km

Dilijan. Breakfast at the hotel.

Heading to the Joukhtak monastery, located in Dilijan National Park. Driving to Goshavank, 12-13th-century monastery. Off-road driving on muddy roads to another beautiful lake, Gosh lake (1400m above sea level).

Continue off-roading to Khachardzan village, heading to Aghavnavank, 13th-century monastery located in Dilijan National Park. Heading to Tsapatagh village via Lake Sevan (1896m above sea level), the largest lake in Armenia and the Caucasus region.

Overnight in Avan Marak Tufenkian hotel
Off-roading route: Gosh village – Gosh lake – Khachardzan / 10 km
Total driving: 130 km

Tsapatagh. Breakfast at the hotel.

Heading to the southern part of Lake Sevan, Vardenis. Driving to Artsakh (Nagorno-Karabakh Republic) via Sotk pass. The first stop is one of the most beautiful monasteries of Artsakh: Dadivank. Next stop is the Sarsang reservoir. the largest water depository of Artsakh. After a picnic, we will head to the Gandzasar monastery, the spiritual centre of the second Armenian republic. Heading to Stepanakert for the overnight.

Overnight in FD Sofia hotel
Total driving: 235 km.

Stepanakert. Breakfast at the hotel.

After the breakfast, we will have a walk in the town, visit the main market. In the afternoon we will drive to Tigranakert, one of 4 cities built in different regions of Historical Armenia by the king Tigran Mets (Tigran the Great), in the 1st century B.C., one of which was found in Artsakh. Visiting the ruins of Tigranakert and the Museum, where the visitors can get acquainted with its history. By the broken roads we will drive to the top of the nearest hill to visit 7th-century church of Vankasar. Driving to Stepanakert via Mayraberd.

Overnight in FD Sofia Hotel
Total driving: 80 km

Stepanakert. Breakfast at the hotel.
After the breakfast in the hotel, we will drive to Mkhitarashen village, from where we have a refreshing walk down to the Hounot Canyon. On the way, we will see the ruins of medieval village and bridge. The target of the walk is the “Umbrella” waterfall. Walk back to the cars and drive to the cultural capital of Artsakh: Shushi.

The next stop is the Khndzoresk village, the biggest cave town of Armenia. In the beginning of 20th century, it had the biggest population among villages of Eastern Armenia. The overnight is planned in the town of Goris.

Overnight in Mthnadzor hotel
Walking distance: 3 km in Hounot, 3km in Khndzoresk
Total driving: 120 km

Goris. Breakfast at the hotel.

Heading to Tatev monastery. Here the group will have a chance to take the world’s longest cable car and enjoy the splendid nature of Vorotan gorge from the height of 300m. Further off-road driving to Sisian via Ltsen village, on the way, visiting Vorotnavank, a monastic complex located along a ridge overlooking Vorotan gorge, between the villages of Vaghatin and Vorotan in Syunik province.

The next stop is the Shaki waterfall with a height of 18 meters. The waterfall is located 3 km North-West of Sisian city, in gorge of the River Vorotan. According to the legend, enemies kidnapped 93 beauties from the Gegharkuni village for their commander, who had stopped in Mughan with his army. When the caravan of captives was on the spot, ladies turned to the invader with request: “The road was long and exhausting. We got dusty and dirty. Let us have a bath in the river and then only show up to your majors.” The invaders agreed. The ladies undressed and jumped into the River Vorotan. They sank and disappeared. Only blue-eyed lady, named Shake, swam across the river, trying to escape. The invaders managed to catch up with her, but on that very moment a rock appeared under her and the water, flowing above the rock, hid her under its foams. After that story, the waterfall and the village, where it is located were called Shaki.

Drive to Jermuk town for the overnight.

Overnight in Nairi Hotel
Off-roading route: Tatev – Ltsen / 22km
Total driving: 175 km

Jermuk. Breakfast at the hotel.
City tour in Jermuk, visit the Jermuk waterfall and off-roading to Jermuk Hot Springs in the mountains. After having a bath in natural springs, continue off-roading to Kechut reservoir and continue to Noravank monastery taking the highway.

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.

The last stop will be 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. Degustation of one of the best Armenian wines made from special grape called Areni.

Overnight in Silachi 3* hotel
Off-roading route: Jermuk town – Hot Springs – Kechut reservoir / 12km
Total driving: 210 km

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