Hiking Program

We begin our exploration of Southern Armenia. Driving to the south we gain impressive views of the mountains, bizarre rocks and weirdly sculptured erosions add to the impressions. We start hiking to Spitakavor monastery. Walking through the village, we have an opportunity to meet and chat with locals and gain a true insight into their traditional ways of life. The trail continues through rough slopes and leads directly to Proshaberd Citadel crowning the rocky peak. Here we are rewarded for our efforts by the dramatic views of the mountains and the valley below. Picnic lunch during trekking. Dinner and overnight in Yeghegis village in the hotel.

Trekking distance 14 km

Altitude

Vernashen village  1529m

Spitakavor 2180 m

Proshaberd Citadel 2380 m

We are ready to continue our adventures in Southern Armenia. We begin hiking to Smbataberd, a well-preserved medieval citadel built by King Smbat (12 km round trip). The setting of Smbataberd is perhaps the most beautiful in Armenia, with Arpi river valley at your feet. Here we have the blissful feeling of freedom from the mundane that only truly comes after a few days of travelling nature’s way – on one’s own feet. Then we hike to the isolated Tsakhats Kar Monastery.  In the end of the day, we will visit Shatin observation point to see Bezoar Goats on the opposite side of the gorge. Picnic lunch during trekking. Dinner and overnight in Yeghegis village in the hotel.

Trekking distance 14 km

Altitude

Yeghegis is 1532m

Smbataberd is 1950m

Tsaghatsqar is 2078m

Continue further to the South, on endlessly winding roads leaping through gorges over the mountains of Syunik. The trail is a perfect combination of natural and cultural wonders. We take the cable car (world’s longest) to the 9th century Tatev Monastery overlooking the Vorotan valley.

After visiting monastery, we start our trekking to the Tatev Big Hermitage in Vorotan valley and after we continue walking to the limestone caverns of the Devil’s bridge with natural hot baths in a gorge so narrow, that the sun hardly reaches the bottom.

Drive to Khendzoresk cave town at the altitude of 1580 m on the steep slopes of Deep Gorge. Picturesque rock formations and gently inviting nature make this one of Armenia’s most popular sites. On to Goris, a cozy town with fine stone houses with arched windows and balconies on tree-lined lanes. The pace of life is slow here with little commercial or industrial activity, or even tourist kitsch, so it really feels like you stepped back in time. Driving back to Yeghegis. Dinner and overnight in Yeghegis.

Distance – 6km  (3-4 hours)

Altitude

Tatev Monastery 1565 m

Devil’s bridge 1026 m

Drive to Lake Sevan via the Selim Pass to the Caravanserei (built in 1332 at 2410 m height). Followed by the visit to the Khatchkars (stone crosses) collection of Noraduz. Drive to Lake Sevan, one of the few highly located big lakes (1900 m above sea level) in the world – presenting a nice Peninsula with the beautiful IX century churches of Sevanavank, viz. St. Astvatsatsin and St. Arakelots. Lunch in Chekalovka at the lake side. Dinner and overnight in Dilijan/Sevan.

Drive to Parz (Crystal) Lake to start the hike in Dilijan National Park along stunning forest trails,  cross the wildly beautiful Areguni pass and reach Goshavank Monastery where the great scholar of the 13th century Mkhitar Gosh is buried. Lookout for morning birds that are particularly active at this time, explore the enchanting nature of the park as we take a gentle walk on well-defined forest trails. For those with more energy to burn we offer a short but absolutely fantastic walk to Lake Gosh above Goshavank.  End the day with a drive to Dilijan, a small town that captures the spirit of rural Armenia and check in at our hotel. Evening visit to newly-opened Old Dilijan complex on historic Shamambertan street, experience the town as it was in the 19th century and observe the weaving of carpets by local women at Tufenkian Carpet Showroom. Lunch during the trekking. Dinner and overnight in Dilijan.

P.S. If the group will trek to Lake Gosh (6km), the whole distance of trekking of the day with Lake Gosh will be 13 km, if they will not trek to lake Gosh, the distance of trekking of the day without lake Gosh will be only 7 km.

Distance 14 km

Altitude

Parz (Crystal) Lake  1344 m

Goshavank Monastery 1232 m

Lake Gosh 1423 m

A wonderful forested route into the most unpolite and rugged area of north-eastern Armenia as we head into a deep gorge before descending to cascading waterfalls and the most scenic meadows in Armenia. Follow the hiking trail to reach hidden caves of Lastiver, perhaps Armenia’s best-kept secret. All the time we have open views of the beautiful green plateau of Lastiver. Lunch during the trekking. Dinner and overnight in Yerevan.

Distance 6 km

Altitude

Yenokavan 1365 m

Lastiver 1130 m

Visit to the cave Monastery Geghard. The name “Geghard” derives from the relics of the Armenian Apostolic church: the spear that one of the Roman guards had used to pierce the rib of crucified Christ. Next to Garni Temple, site of Roman Temple of the Sun built in the 1st century. Soon after Armenia adopted Christianity, the temple became the summer residence of Armenian royalty. After lunch, walking tp Azat river canyon to see the stone symphony of Garni.

Dinner and overnight in Yerevan.

Mt. Aragats, the highest peak of Armenia is a popular target for mountaineers. The mountain has sub-alpine and alpine zones as well as four peaks and one of the biggest craters in the world, created by a volcano eruption in the distant past. The route up to Mt. Aragats is virtually uninhabited and has gently sloping hills with occasional shepherds and beekeepers, many wildflowers and great views. Hiking is especially spectacular in spring when the entire mountain is literally covered with poppies and mountain flowers. The most accessible peak of Aragats is the south peak, starting from Kari Lich (Stone Lake), we will take this 3 hour hike to the summit on a steady slope (3,879m). Lunch during the trekking. Dinner and overnight in Yerevan.

Distance 14 km

Altitude

Kari Lich (Stone Lake) 3200 m

South summit 3879 m

Western summit (4,080m)