Exploring Yerevan

This colorful Yerevan day trip starts with a visit to the History Museum housed by Yerevan City Hall. Providing an excellent introduction to the history of the city, the museum is an ideal place to start the exploration of Yerevan, new and old. A walking tour of Yerevan exploring layers of its history – medieval shrines hidden behind imposing Soviet-style façades, narrow streets of the old center with sunlight playing on pink walls, Blue Mosque on Mashtots Avenue, Republic Square and Cascade, Mother Armenia and Opera House, Northern Avenue and Gum market to wonder among the stalls piled with fresh, dried and marinated fruits and vegetables. A cultural showcase not to be missed is Matenadaran, one of the world’s oldest repositories of ancient manuscripts, later visit to Genocide Memorial, a solemn reminder of the first genocide of the 20th century.

Accommodation

• Overnight at a hotel in Yerevan.

Included Activities

• Yerevan city tour

 Meals Included

• Breakfast 

Lake Akna
We start the trip in Yerevan, transfer to the start of trek to Lake Akna․ Trek to the lake at the foot of Mount Azhdahak. Overnight in camp at 3.035m. Trekking 5 hrs. 12km, elevation 1000m up.

Accommodation

• Overnight at the camp

Included Activities

• Sevaberd village 
• Lake Akna  

Meals Included

• Breakfast,  Lunch, dinner

Important Notes 
trekking 12 km, trekking time 15 hrs, 2200-3035

Mount Azhdahak
Trek to Mount Azhdahak, the highest peak of the plateau that dominates the mysterious mountains of Geghama range. The gradual ascent enables us to build the slow, steady rhythm required for long walking at high altitude. We reach the summit and have a chance to enjoy the unforgettable views of the serene lake in the crater and alpine meadows of rare beauty. Back to camp, dinner and overnight. 

Accommodation

• Overnight at the camp

Included Activities

• Mount Azhdahak 

Meals Included

• Breakfast
• Lunch
• Dinner

Important Notes
 trekking 9 km, trekking time 5 hrs, 3035-3600-3200

Trek to Lake Vank
Today we trek to Lake Vank at 2,700 m. We enjoy the sights of colorful summer meadows, crossing small rivers. All along our route we see prehistoric Dragon Stones, 10-20 feet-long fish-shaped stelae usually near river sources, sometimes with a stream of water flowing from the mouth of the fish. 
Accommodation
Overnight at the camp

Included Activities

• Petroglyphs
• Dragon stones
• Lake Vank 

Meals Included

• Breakfast
• Lunch
• Dinner

Important Notes
 trekking 12 km, trekking time 5 hrs, 3200-2700

Trekking to Khosrov National Park
We reach the Khosrov National Park, where there are more than 1,800 species of flora worthy of protection and 30 species of reptiles. Endemic animal species such as the Armenian mouflon or the Bezoar goat are threatened with extinction here. We hike through a picturesque gorge along the Azat River through the wilderness on almost overgrown paths, partly surrounded by thorny bushes. Different colored flocks of butterflies lead us to the next watercourse. The natural dammed river bed invites you to swim. We see wild birds and admire the colored lizards on the rocks. We camp for two nights near the village of Gilan.
Accommodation
Overnight at the camp in Gilan village

Included Activities

• Gilan village

Meals Included

• Breakfast
• Lunch
• Dinner

Important Notes
trekking 11 km, trekking time 7 hrs, 2700-1700m

Khosrov nature park continued
Today we climb into a ravine and can bath in a waterfall. Also, today we have the opportunity to see the lavash baking ceremony, taste the taste and smell of Armenian bread. We visit the evocative monastery of St. Stepanos on a plateau surrounded by steep mountainous slopes (13th century). Delicious home-made dinner at Glan and overnight in camp. 

Accommodation

• Overnight at the camp in Gilan village

Included Activities

• Gilan village

Meals Included

• Breakfast
• Lunch
• Dinner

Important Notes
trekking 5 km, trekking time 2 hrs, 200m up and down

Geghard Monastery and Garni Temple

We begin the return journey by a final hike from Gilan to Symphony of Stones, huge basalt columns formed by volcanic activity in the Goght river valley. Continuing to Geghard village, the trail contours through pleasant picnic areas, then a narrow dirt road descends into the wonderful rocky gorge. The view is awesome with superb panoramas of surrounding mountains. Here we take time to visit the unique rock carved Geghard Monastery and take our support vehicle to reach Garni. Discover Garni Temple standing in perfect harmony with the surrounding nature and return to Yerevan. 

Accommodation

• Overnight hotel in Yerevan.

Included Activities

• Geghard monastery
• Garni temple

Meals Included

• Breakfast
• Lunch

Important Notes
trekking 12 km, trekking time 7 hrs, 1700-2200-1600-1750m

Free day in Yerevan to rest and unwind. Returning to civilization will be something of a culture shock after our adventures in the mountains. Overnight hotel in Yerevan. 

Accommodation

• Overnight hotel in Yerevan.

Included Activities

• Free day

Meals Included

• Breakfast

We transfer to the base of Mount Aragats. A virtually uninhabited road leads us to the intersection of two mountain streams where we have an opportunity to admire the wild landscape as we walk to Amberd Fortress (2,300 m). Transfer to Kari Lake where we set our trekking camp at a cirque beneath the towering spires of Mount Aragats. The rest of the day is ours to relax, visit the lush village of Byurakan, the summer residence of the Catholicos of all Armenians, an area famous for its beautiful orchards. Next morning we rise early to start trekking at the highest mountain of the Lesser Caucasus, Mount Aragats (4,090m). The barren alpine scenery with only small clusters of scrub is in stark contrast with the snowy peaks and deep blue skies. We start the trek to the pass between the Southern (3,897m) and Western (4,008m) peaks of the Mount, lunch break en route. Ascend the peaks and back to our camp at the lake. The walking is a series of ups and downs but the impressive views are worth the effort..

Accommodation

• Overnight at the camp, next day in Yerevan

Included Activities

• Amberd fortress
• Lake Qari
• Mount Aragats

Meals Included

• Breakfast
• Lunch
• Dinner

Important Notes
trekking 12 km, trekking time 7 hrs, 3200-4000-3200m

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 Noravanq, the masterpiece of medieval architect Momik situated above an awesome gorge. Check in at the hotel and start hiking to Spitakavor (trail length 7 km). Our first stop is Gladzor, a major center of science and calligraphy in medieval Armenia. Continue hiking 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. 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.                                                                                                               
Accommodation

• Overnight in the hotel at Hermon

Included Activities

• Noravanq Monastery
• Spitakavor Monastery 

Meals Included

• Breakfast
• Dinner

Important Notes
trekking 10 km, trekking time 5 hrs, 1600-2000-1600m

We are ready to continue our walking adventure in Southern Armenia. We reach the fertile valley of the Yeghegis river where we hike to the isolated Tsakhats Kar Monastery, an enchanting site hidden between the mountains and Smbataberd, a well-preserved medieval citadel built by King Smbat . The setting of Smbataberd is perhaps the most beautiful in Armenia, with the 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. Our next stop will be at Shatin observation point to see Bezoar Goats on the opposite side of the gorge. We are in the agricultural heart of Armenia and have a chance to enjoy wine touring in maran (cellars) of a small winery in Aghavnadzor.

Accommodation

• Overnight in the hotel at Hermon

Included Activities

• Tsakhac qar  Monastery
• Smbataberd fortress 
• Winery

Meals Included

• Breakfast
• Dinner

Important Notes
trekking 11 km, trekking time 5 hrs, 1600-2000-1600m

After breakfast we go to our hiking starting point and we go down one of the highest river canyons in Armenia (800m). On the way we will see an abandoned village, where for 100 years no one has lived. Picturesque and forested trail continues to the bridge of the Middle Ages and goes up the top of the canyon. We reach one of the most important monastic complexes in Armenia-Tatev monastery. 

Accommodation

• Overnight at the guesthouse in Tatev village 

Included Activities

• Old Harzhis village
• Deepest part of Vorotan gorge
• Tatev monastery

Meals Included

• Breakfast
• Dinner

Important Notes
trekking 16 km, trekking time 7 hrs, 1700-1100-2000m

In the morning we have a hike from Tatev monastery to Tatev’s Anapat, Devil’s bridge. Beautiful, winding path passes through the orchards then through the wild forests. We reach 17th-century Armenian monastery located in the Vorotan River valley. After we continue to Devil’s bridge, in the 500-meter gorge of the Vorotan River, is one of Armenia’s natural wonders. Over the millennia, wind and water have created this wonder of nature, polishing and piercing the petrified lava. The width of this natural bridge, along which runs the auto road to Tatev Monastery, is 60 m, the length 30 m. Close to the bridge it is possible to swim in the warm, salubrious springs, ringed by stalactites of marvelous colors. The most intrepid can descend to the river to see the secretive grottos below the springs.
Hiking –3 hrs, 6,26km, and elevation 1450-1005-995 m. (BLD)
Back to Yerevan.
In the night- departure.