12 Days Hiking Tour

Arrival early morning and transfer to Hotel. Rest in Hotel. Breakfast at 10:00 am. The excursion starts at 11:00am with visit to Matenadaran Museum, which houses a unique collection of ancient manuscripts covering such lofty topics as philosophy, law, mathematics, medicine and geography,. After lunch Tour in the City. Conclude the day with a visit to the Genocide Monument and Museum. Lunch/Dinner, overnight in 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 8 km Altitude Garni temple- 1400m Azat River Canyon 1250 m Havuts tar monastery 1590 m Driving distance 65 km

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. En 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. On to Spitakavor Monastery passing 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. (Optional Proshberd) 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/Yeghegis Village. Trekking distance 14 km Altitude Vernashen village 1529m Spitakavor 2180 m Proshaberd Citadel 2380 m Driving distance 140 km

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/Yeghegis Village. Trekking distance 13 km Altitude Yeghegis is 1532m Smbataberd is 1950m Tsaghatsqar is 2078m Driving distance 15 km

Hiking starts from Ltsen Village of Syunik Region and along the forested canyon of Vorotan continues to Tatev Village. Evening tour in the Tatev monastery. Tatev Monastery is a 9th century historical monument. It is one of the oldest and most famous monastery complexes in Armenia. During medieval times Tatev Monastery was a vital scholastic, enlightenment and spiritual center and played a singular role in the country’s history. Overnight stay in Tatev Hostel/ BB. Hiking distance 15 km Altitude Tatev Monastery 1565 m Devil’s bridge 1026 m Driving distance 160 km

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. Dinner and overnight at Sevan/ Dilijan. Driving distance 220 km.

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/ Apaga. P.S. If the group will trek to Lake Gosh (6km), the whole distance of trekking of the day with Lake Gosh will be 14 km, if they will not trek to lake Gosh, the distance of trekking of the day without lake Gosh will be only 8 km. Hiking distance 14 km Altitude Parz (Crystal) Lake 1344 m Goshavank Monastery 1232 m Lake Gosh 1423 m Driving distance 30 km

Off to the village of Gomer where we take a short transfer to the trailhead. We will spend the day hiking in this beautiful wilderness area, no roads, no shops, no TVs, just incredible views and marvelous solitude. A wonderful forested route into the most unspoilt and rugged area of north-eastern Armenia as we head into a deep gorge before descending to cascading waterfalls an d 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. Continue to Okonakhach. Lunch during the trekking. Dinner and overnight in Dilijan /Apaga. Hiking distance 6 km Altitude Yenokavan 1365 m Lastiver 1130 m Driving distance 50 km.

Sanahin and Haghpat Monastery complexes, on both sides of Debed Canyon are UNESCO World Heritage Sites. Standing on a high plateau, they rise sharply against the background of forested slopes of Bazum ridge. The complexes are both beautiful but have very different atmosphere: Sanahin is rewarding with pure mountain air and views of the flower-filled meadows and in contrast, the monastery has a stern and ascetic atmosphere. Haghpat is a charming place, with the elegant bell tower soaring above other buildings, green hilly setting, a number of splendid cross-stones, the most unique among them depicting Jesus on the cross. We hike through beautiful meadows and small villages, with an uphill walk to explore the formidable Kayan Fortress, which has one of the best viewpoints over dramatic Debed Gorge. Return to Yerevan. Lunch during the trekking. Dinner and overnight in Yerevan. Hiking distance 7 km Altitude Sanahin Monastery 1023m Hakhpat Canyon 788 m Haghpat Monastery 1000 m Driving distance 230 km

Caucasus 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). More challenging is the trek to the western summit (4,080m) with spectacular views to Mount Ararat.. Dinner and overnight in Yerevan. Trekking distance 14 km Altitude Kari Lich (Stone Lake) 3200 m South summit 3879 m western summit (4,080m) Driving distance 90 km

Today is a rest day for a chance to further explore Yerevan. There are many options available on this day, wandering in the red rose streets of the old city center, sampling a light snack at the busy outdoor terraces at the Opera Square, visiting Vernissage, the best place in the Caucasus for souvenir shopping, taking a tour in the cellars of Yerevan Brandy Factory and many more. Dinner at the Hotel.

Transfer to Yerevan-Zvartnots airport.