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This enticing Armenian adventure kicks off with a cultural immersion in Yerevan, visiting the History Museum, Tsisternakaberd, and Matenadaran, and wraps up with a city tour. The itinerary emphasizes adaptability, noting that routes may change based on weather, and highlights the importance of preparedness, advising up to two guides for groups and the necessity of hiking gear for participants. The journey continues with visits to significant religious and historical sites, including the cave monastery Geghard and the ancient Garni Temple, followed by a trek through the Azat River Canyon to Khosrov Reserve and Havuts Tar.
Adventures in Southern Armenia unfold with a drive to Noravank, offering stunning mountain views and a trek to Spitakavor Monastery via Gladzor, emphasizing interaction with locals for an authentic experience. The exploration deepens with a hike to Smbataberd citadel, offering breathtaking landscapes and a chance to spot Bezoar Goats from the Shatin observation point.
The journey towards Tatev Monastery via the world’s longest cable car presents a blend of natural beauty and architectural marvel, continuing to Harjis village, showcasing Armenia’s rich history. The final leg includes a visit to the mystical Zorats Stones, a drive through the scenic Selim Pass to Lake Sevan, and exploring Sevanavank, before concluding in Aghveran.
The itinerary promises an engaging mix of cultural depth, historical exploration, and natural beauty, ensuring an unforgettable Armenian experience with provisions for safety and comfort, including first-aid and radio connectivity, underlining the importance of experiencing Armenia’s diverse landscapes and heritage.
Important notes:
✔ Please be tolerant to the fact, that depending on weather for ecasts, the sequence of routes may be changed or totally removed from the program: being replacing by another route to ensure program efficiency;
✔ Up to 8 tourists, two-guide service is required;
✔ During hiking routes, lunch breaks will be held in field conditions by pre-prepared food packages;
✔ Guides always have first aid modern box and radio-connectivity;
✔ In the process of routes’ development, securing safety was taken into account, according to which the main part of the trails are accessible for off-road vehicles and in case of any necessity it is possible to arrange evacuation of participants;
✔ Participants should have their own hiking boots, hiking sticks, hats, sunscreens, glasses, Geretex jackets, head lumps
✔ Seasons: April to October (please note that from April, the first part of June Aragats Mount climb is not required for tourists. In this case Aragats climb will be changed by another mount, depending on the group’s request.)
Itineraries
Day 1
Yerevan – History Museum of Armenia – Tsisternakaberd (Genocide Museum) – Matenadaran – Yerevan City Tour
Meeting at “Zvartnots” International Airport and transfer to the hotel. Breakfast at 10:00. The tour will start at 11:00 with a visit to the Historical Museum on the Republic Square. Afterwards you will be guided to the Genocide Monument and Museum. After lunch, visit to Matenadaran which keeps a unique collection of ancient manuscripts covering such lofty topics as philosophy, law, mathematics, medicine and geography, and concluded by the Tour of the City. Lunch/Dinner. Overnight in Yerevan.
Day 2
Geghard – Garni – Azat River Canyon – Khosrov Natural Reserve – Havuts Tar – Yerevan
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 a picnic lunch, trekking from Azat River Canyon to a stone symphony, cross an 11th century bridge and enter the Khosrov National Reserve, thereby visiting the monastery complexes of Havuts Tar. Return to Garni and drive to Yerevan. Lunch/Dinner. Overnight in Yerevan.
Trekking distance 10 km
Altitude
Garni temple- 1400m
Azat River Canyon 1250 m
Havuts tar monastery 1590 m
Day 3
Yerevan – Noravank – Spitakavor – Gladzor – Vernashen – Proshaberd Citadel – Hermon
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. On route we visit Noravank, the masterpiece of medieval architect Momik, situated above an awesome gorge, and start hiking to Spitakavor. Our first stop is Gladzor village, a major center of science and calligraphy in medieval Armenia. To get Spitakavor Monastery you will pass the village of Vernashen. 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 Hermon Village.
Trekking distance 14 km
Altitude
Vernashen village 1529m
Spitakavor 2180 m
Proshaberd Citadel 2380 m
Day 4
Hermon –Smbataberd – Yeghegis River – Tsaghats Kar – Shatin Obersation Point – Hermon
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 reach the fertile valley of Yeghegis River where we hike to the isolated Tsakhats Kar Monastery. Our next stop will be at Shatin observation point to see Bezoar Goats on the opposite side of the gorge. Picnic lunch during trekking. Dinner and overnight in Hermon Village.
Trekking distance 14 km
Altitude
Yeghegis is 1532m
Smbataberd is 1950m
Tsaghatsqar is 2078m
Day 5
Hermon – Tatev – Harjis
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 the monastery, we continue walking from Tatev to Harjis village. On the way we will see medieval bridge on Vorotan river, old village Harjis, tombs etc. Dinner and overnight in Sisian.
Trekking distance 17 km
Altitude
Tatev Monastery 1565 m
Medieval Bridge 1050 m
Harjis village 1350 m
Day 6
Sisian – Zorats Karer – Selim Pass – Caravanserei – Vardenis – Noraduz –Lake Sevan – Sevanavank – Sevan - Aghveran
Visit the Zorats Stones (Armenian Stonehenge). Drive to Lake Sevan via the Selim Pass to the Caravanserei (built in 1332 at 2410 m height). Visit the disabled Children’s Astghavard Centre in the town of Vardenis. 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 Aghveran.
Day 7
Transfer to Yerevan
Free day
Day 8
Departure Day
Transfer to Zvatrnots International Airport.
DBL/TWIN accommodation
Meals as per the program
Transportation equipped with A/C
Professional guide service for trekking
Entrance tickets
Ropeway tickets
Extra meal
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