Hiking in Armenia (AM-05)

Our representative will meet you at the international airport and after border formalities transfer you to your hotel in Yerevan.

Our sightseeing programme in Yerevan kicks off with a visit to the Matenadaran. This fascinating place houses more than 17,000 ancient manuscripts which were written about topics as diverse as geography, mathematics, law and philosophy. Afterwards, you’ll enjoy a comprehensive city tour, including visits to Republic Square, the Vernissage market and to the Cascade for a breathtaking view over the city and beyond. The most moving moment of the day will undoubtedly be when you visit the Genocide Monument and Museum. Pay your respects as the flame flickers and learn more about the horrific events of a century ago that shaped a nation. Lunch and dinner; overnight in Yerevan.

Many of Armenia’s monasteries are located in remote areas, sometimes hidden from sight along a narrow gorge or high up surrounded by mountains. Today, you’ll start in the south of the country. Driving through scenery where rocks have been sculpted by the wind and rain into curious shapes, you’ll get your first taste of the jaw-dropping beauty of the Armenian landscape. Leaving your luggage in the capable hands of our driver, we’ll hike to the 14th century Spitakavor Monastery and enjoy a picnic lunch. We’ll follow the trail that leads to Proshaberd Citadel. In places, these are rough paths and quite the challenge, but the dramatic views of the mountains and valleys along the way are more than reward for your efforts. Dinner and overnight in Yeghegis.

Driving distance: 140 km / 88 ml. Hiking notes: distance 14 km, ↑↓930 m. Altitudes: Vernashen village 1,529 m, Spitakavor 2,180 m, Proshaberd Citadel 2,380 m.

Today we set out on a circular hike that will bring us back to Yeghegis in time for dinner. Our first destination is the mediaeval fortress of Smbataberd, which perches on the end of a ridge above the Arpi valley. Despite its advanced age, its ramparts and towers are still largely intact. Continuing on, our target is the remote Tsaghats Kar Monastery; the complex contains a number of churches, some in ruins, and a number of khachkars (stone crosses). In many respects we save the best until last with a final push to the Shatin Observation Point, from where we might catch a glimpse of horned Bezoar goats across the gorge. Again, we’ll stop for a picnic midway through the day and have you back at the hotel in time for dinner. Dinner and overnight in Yeghegis.

Hiking notes: distance 14 km, ↑680 m ↓610 m. Altitudes: Yeghegis 1,532m, Smbataberd 1,950m, Tsaghatsqar 2,078m.

For today’s excursion, it’s back on the winding roads of mountainous southern Armenia to reach the cable car which will take us to Tatev Monastery. The Wings of Tatev, as it’s called, is the longest cable car in the world. It makes light work of the Vorotan Gorge compared to the switchbacks you’d have to tackle down below. The monastery itself dates back to the 9th century; check out the Gavazan Column that was used as a crude seismometer back in the day. We will hike today: first to the Tatev Big Hermitage and then to limestone caverns of the Devil’s Bridge that promise natural hot baths ideal for soaking any aching muscles under a ceiling of stalactites. Dinner and overnight in Yeghegis.

Driving distance: 283 km / 177 ml. Hiking notes: distance 6 km (3-4 hours), ↑180 m ↓700 m. Altitudes: Tatev Monastery 1,565 m, Devil’s bridge 1,026 m.

This morning we’ll set out over the Selim pass in the direction of Lake Sevan. A stop will be made at a 14th century caravanserai located 2410 metres above sea level and Noratus cemetery - the sight of so many weathered khachkars in one place. Lake Sevan is a sizeable high altitude lake and from the vantage point of Sevanavank 243 steps uphill, an extraordinary sight. As a group we’ll lunch on the lake shore at Chekalovka before continuing on to Dilijan where we’ll find our overnight accommodation.

Driving distance: 156 km / 98 ml.

The landscape of Dilijan National Park is one of the most magnificent in the country and as you begin your hike from Lake Parz, whose name translates as “Crystal Lake”, it’s not hard to see why it’s special. You’ll walk through verdant forest and cross the stunning Areguni Pass. Before long, you’ll arrive at Gosh village, located beside the breathtaking gorge of the Tandzut River. There, we’ll tour Goshavank, a monastery whose name honours the 13th century scholar who is buried there. Surrounded by nature and listening to the lilting notes of birdsong, those who wish to see more can follow the delightful trail up to Lake Gosh, an almost circular lake enclosed by trees. Finally, we’ll drive back to Yerevan where our final hotel awaits. Overnight in Yerevan.

Driving distance: 140 km / 88 ml. Hiking notes: distance 7 km (without Lake Gosh) or 14 km depending on group preferences, ↑260 m ↓365 m. Altitudes: Parz Lake 1,344 m, Goshavank Monastery 1,232 m, Lake Gosh 1,423 m.

Mount Aragats is Armenia’s highest peak; the tallest of its four summits sits at more than 4,000 metres above sea level. The mountain is actually a dormant volcano, and boasts an impressive crater. Hiking its flanks is a particular treat if you time your climb for when the slopes are strewn with wildflowers. A few shepherds and beekeepers scratch a living up here, but for the most part it’s uninhabited. Tackling the south peak is the most straightforward; you’ll begin your ascent from Kari Lich (Stone Lake) and reach the summit around three hours later. Climbing the western route is more challenging but brings with it the reward of uninterrupted views of Mount Ararat over the Turkish border. Tonight’s hotel rooms are reserved in Yerevan. Overnight in Yerevan.

Driving distance: 118 km / 74 ml. Hiking notes: distance 14 km, ↑700 m ↓700 m. Altitudes: Kari Lich (Stone Lake) 3,200 m, South summit 3,879 m, Western summit 4,080 m.

Spend your final full day sightseeing close to the Armenian capital at Geghard and Garni. Geghard is a popular destination for visitors; its name is derived from the spear used by a Roman guard to pierce Christ’s side as he was tied to the cross. Nearby, Garni feels almost out of place as its Greco-Roman colonnades feel like they belong in the Mediterranean rather than the Caucasus. A short hike along the Azat River gorge takes us to the Stone Symphony, a rock formation of basalt columns. Some nickname it “The Organ” because of the sound of running water as the river passes by. Overnight in Yerevan.

Driving distance: 74 km / 46 ml.

Even the most magical trip must come to an end and today is that day. We’ll transfer you to the Zvartnots International Airport near Yerevan for your flight home and wish you safe passage.

NOTES FOR TRAVELLERS

• The itinerary is subject to change without notice dependent on weather conditions. This may involve a change of sequence, a replacement route being substituted or the removal of a hike from the programme entirely.
• Pre-prepared packed lunches will be supplied to be eaten outdoors during the hikes.
• Guides will carry a first-aid kit and are able to call for help if needed by radio. The daily routes have been carefully curated so that much of the path is accessible by off-road vehicle should an emergency evacuation of one or more members of the group be deemed necessary.
• Tour participants should be adequately dressed with their own waterproof hiking boots, gaiters, walking poles, hat, gloves, sunscreen, glasses and a suitable jacket that is warm, windproof and waterproof.
• This is a seasonal tour which operates from April to October. Note that it is not possible to climb Mount Aragats in April and May; in June snow is likely to be present. For April and May departures, another hike will be substituted that’s achievable this early in the season.