Trekking in Armenia. Comfort tour with hotel

Armenia is an amazing country, visiting which seems to travel in time. Ancient corners of Yerevan conquer with its architecture, and unusual monasteries are scattered throughout the country. During the trip you will discover something new – khachkars, unusual architectural monuments and shrines of Armenia.
During the rest around us there will always be mountains, volcanoes and picturesque gorges. To see them better, we will climb higher up the cable car and take many photos overlooking the majestic Mount Ararat.
On the tour you will get acquainted with the local cuisine, try matsun and gata pie. To wash down national dishes we will be delicious pomegranate juice. Each day of the trip is a busy schedule, including trekking and excursions. You won't be bored!

This route is designed for those who want to comfortably spend their holidays in Yerevan. On all walks go light, overnight in the hotel, in rooms with all amenities in Yerevan.

Travel area: Armenia, Yerevan.
Type of rest: accommodation in a hotel, walking lightly.
Cost: 37,000 rubles.

Travel dates for 2020 (8 days):

• 06-13 June
• 03-10 October
• 11-18 October
  

Route thread: Yerevan (Zvartnots Airport) - "Temple of Vigilant Angels" Zvartnots, Echmiadzin Cathedral, St. Hripsime Church - walking tour of Yerevan - Lake Sevan, Sevanavank Temple, Dilijan Reserve, Lake Parz, Hagartsin Temple - Khor Virap Monastery, the best viewing platform to Mount Ararat, ascent to Vayots Sar - Fortress Smbataberd, Noravank Temple, wine tasting in the city of Areni - Lake Kari, Mount Aragats, Amberd Fortress - Canats Monastery - Kamaratagnatsar, Kamgardzor (Garatsor)

Day 1

"Temple of Vigilant Angels" Zvartnotz, Echmiadzin Cathedral, St. Hripsime Church.
Until 11:00 local time (MSK+1) – group gathering at Zvartnots airport in Yerevan (near the main entrance from the city).
Transfer by minibus to Yerevan. On the way, visit the sightseeing facilities: Zvartnots temple, Echmiadzin Cathedral and St. Hripsime Church.

In Armenia, back in 301 AD, Christianity was recognized as the state religion. Therefore, our acquaintance with this country begins with a visit to local temples.
Of particular interest to history is the temple of Zvartnots, from which we will begin our journey. Today, only picturesque ruins remain of the building, but it was once one of the largest and by far the most delightful religious buildings in Armenia. The highlight of Zvartnots is a stunning view of Mount Ararat!
Then we will proceed to the Echmiadzin Cathedral. It is considered the spiritual capital of Armenians around the world, because it is in its treasury that the tip of the legendary Holy Spear is located. Today, the cathedral houses the residence of the head of the Armenian Apostolic Church.
The last point will be the temple of St. Hripsime, which dates back to the VII century. The church is named after a saint whose relics rest inside the building. Every year thousands of pilgrims from all over the world come here.
The active part of the route: 40 km by car, 2.5 km on foot, the duration of the route is 4 hours.

Day 2

Walking in Yerevan: “Mother Armenia”, a cascade of fountains, a museum of manuscripts, Republic Square, Vernissage, Blue Mosque, St. Anna’s Church.
On this day we will enjoy the views of Yerevan, explore its streets and visit the most interesting places. The city was built in 782 BC, which is 29 years before the construction of Rome. Therefore, Yerevan hides many amazing places that tell its own history.
Walking around Yerevan, we will visit many interesting places: the monument “Mother Armenia”, the museum of manuscripts “Matenadaran”, climb the cascade of fountains to see from a bird’s eye view not only the whole of Yerevan, but also large and small Ararat!
Walk along the main pedestrian street of the city, visit the huge square of the Republic, Vernissage with souvenirs :). We will also visit the Blue Mosque, the only Muslim cathedral in the country. Once it was one of the eight main active mosques in the Erivan Khanate.
A pleasant bonus to the walk will be the opportunity to taste delicious pomegranate juice. It is prepared on the streets of the city right in front of tourists, which allows you not to doubt the freshness of the drink. Will please with gastronomic delights and the local market of dried fruits. Here you can buy not only the usual products, but also try such delicacies as dried melon and persimmon.
Active part of the route: 9.5 km on foot, the duration of the route is 6-7 hours.

Day 3

Lake Sevan, Sevanavank Temple, Dilijan Reserve, Parz Lake, Agartsin Temple ("Game of Eagles").
Dilijan Reserve is a paradise on earth, where forest, mountains and mineral springs are mixed in one bottle. Walking around the reserve, we combine visiting religious places with exploring natural attractions. One of them is Lake Sevan, the largest lake in the Caucasus. This place, like Mount Ararat, is considered a natural symbol of the country.
Then we will go to the temple of Sevanavank, located on a peninsula in the northwestern part of the lake. Initially, the temple was built on the island, but then the terrain changed. Sevanavank is not just an important historical monument. The building is included in the UNESCO List of Cultural Heritage Sites.
The next point of our route is Lake Parz. In translation, the name means “pure” or “transparent”. Being here, you realize that this is the best name for the lake, because its waters are really very clean. Enhance the beauty of the forest, framing its green foliage all the coast. This is an ideal place to relax and fill with vital energy.
Charging with new emotions and enjoying the beautiful views, we will go to the monastery of Agartsin. The oldest building - the Church of Surb Grigor - was built in the tenth century. Gradually, the number of temples increased, and the monastery grew. It received its modern name only during the Bagratuni dynasty, in 1184. When the temple was consecrated, a flock of eagles flew over it, so the monastery was called the “Game of Eagles”. This place is still considered one of the most mysterious in Armenia.
The active part of the route: 270 km by car, 10.3 km on foot, the height difference of 1340-1560 m, the route duration is 7-8 hours.

Day 4

Khor Virap Monastery, the best observation deck on Mount Ararat, ascent to Vayots Sar volcano.
It is time to get acquainted with the legendary mountain – Ararat. To see it better, we will visit the monastery of Khor Virap. This is a landmark historical place, because it was here in 301 that Christianity was named the official faith of Armenians. Today in Khor Virap, tourists are offered not only to visit the church itself, but also to go down to the underground prison, where Gregory the Illuminator himself was once imprisoned. By far the most impressive part of visiting the monastery is the unforgettable view of Mount Ararat, which seems to keep an eye on visitors.
Then we will take a short break and distract from the monasteries to another amazing phenomenon of Armenia – the Vayots Sar volcano. This mountain is surprisingly regular shape, covered with low, as if plush, grass. Vayots Sar is the youngest extinct volcano in Armenia, which has been sleeping for thousands of years.
The active part of the route: 320 km by car, 13.8 km by foot, the height difference of 2050-2586 m, the route duration is 7-8 hours.

Day 5

Smbataberd fortress, Noravank temple surrounded by red rocks, wine tasting in the city of Areni.
Start the day with a hiking route leading to the fortress of Smbataberd. This is a medieval fortification complex built on the site of an ancient observation post. The fortress is located on the very top of the mountain, so it offers an indescribable view of the surrounding expanses. Yes, yes, we have to climb up, but the views from there are worth the effort!
Descending from the fortress, we will go through a stunningly beautiful, narrow gorge to the Noravank monastery, founded in the 12th century. The monastery is located in the mountains, surrounded by very picturesque, red rocks. In the evening illumination of sunlight, the temple acquires a stunning, warm, peach color.
Noravank boasts luxurious bas-reliefs, crosses and khachkars, which you can endlessly admire! There is also a stone carved image of Christ in human form, which is a rarity for Armenia. Interestingly, Christ is depicted with almond-shaped eyes, like those of Asians. Turns out it's an architect's trick! According to his plan, if an enemy and invader from Asia appears in these places, he will see the face of Christ, who is very similar in appearance to his people, and will not destroy the temple.
A pleasant end of the day will be a wine tasting in the city of Areni. Here you will be offered dry and semi-sweet wines, tell about their features and devote some of the secrets of winemaking. In addition, here you can taste unusual wines with the addition of blackberries, cherries and pomegranate. Their amazing, fruity taste will be remembered for a long time. The pearl of tasting will be a special vodka, which the owner of the winery insists on pear and peach.
Active part of the route: 280 km by car, 9.2 km on foot, height difference 1640-1920 m, route duration 8-9 hours.

Day 6

Lake Kari, the highest point of Armenia - Mount Aragats, Amberd fortress.
Today we will climb to the southern top of Mount Aragats, the highest mountain in modern Armenia. It is second to the legendary Ararat only 1150 meters and holds many secrets. Many visitors talked about anomalous incidents. Someone says that the water begins to flow backwards on the mountain, and someone saw a moving car without a driver.
However, the mystical component is not the main advantage of the mountain. Its structure is unique in itself: Agarats is an extinct volcano surrounded by four peaks. Climbing them, you can see in detail the vent and look into the depths of the volcanic crater.
We will start our walk from the high mountain lake Kari. Translated from Armenian "kari" means "stone", which is very logical: the lake frames the rocky coast. Most of the year there is snow here, so you should not swim - the water is too cold.
Also on this day we will visit the ruins of the ancient fortress of Amberd, which are located on one of the spurs of Aragats.
The active part of the route: 130 km by car, 13.1 km on foot, elevation difference 3190-3880 m, route duration 8-9 hours.

 

Day 7

Tsaghkadzor cable car, Kecharis monastery, Arzakan thermal springs.
Today we will be able to see almost the whole of Armenia from a bird’s eye view. Tsakhkadzor cable car will help us do this. It is used to lift not only skiers, but also ordinary tourists. Built in 1967, it still serves today. The ascent takes only 32 minutes, and from the top, Armenia is visible as if in the palm of your hand. In clear weather from here you can see the legendary Ararat.
Having admired the picturesque views, we will go to the Kecharis monastery complex. The main temple - the Church of St. George - was built in 1003. This is one of the demonstrative church buildings of the period of developed feudalism in the country. In total, the complex has four churches, as well as two chapels and gavit.
At the end of the day we will pamper our body and visit the thermal springs. To do this, we will visit Arzakan, located at an altitude of 1800 meters above sea level. Here we will meet not only the healing waters, but also the freshest mountain air. The temperature of the sources is +50 degrees Celsius. Taking such baths is indicated for people with disorders of the nervous system, motor apparatus and circulatory system.
Active part of the route: 140 km by car, 3.1 km on foot, the height difference on the cable car 1960-2820 m, the duration of the route 6-7 hours.

Day 8

Temple of the Sun - Garni, rock monastery Geghard, Symphony of Stones.
On the last day of the tour, we will get acquainted with several more temples of Armenia. First we will visit the amazing temple of Garni, which belongs to the Hellenic culture. The temple of Garni is a temple of the Sun, a pagan structure, externally similar to the temple of Athena in Greece. The building impresses with its architecture, so unlike other places in Armenia. Amazing ornaments, bas-reliefs and carved figures form a special look, emphasizing the pagan origin of the temple.
Then we will go to the Geghard Monastery, which already belongs to the Armenian Apostolic Church. This is one of the most famous monasteries in Armenia, because all the floors and halls of the monastery are completely carved from a single piece of basalt rock. Even more striking is the fact that all the work was done by one person. It took 30 years of life to create the complex!
But still the most memorable part of the day will be a visit to the Symphony of Stones in Garni. This natural monument is a gorge with bizarre rocks. Huge basalt pillars hang over the ground, as if a giant organ.
The active part of the route: 110 km by car, 3.5 km on foot, the height difference of 1310-1390 m, the route duration is 5-6 hours.

After the completion of the program, our bus goes through the city of Yerevan to Zvartnots airport. If you have a late flight time, we recommend staying and taking a walk in Yerevan, and then getting to the airport by taxi on your own, the journey time by taxi is 25-30 minutes, the fare is 300-400 rubles.
16:00 – Arrival at Yerevan airport, departure home.

Depending on the weather conditions, the physical condition of the participants and other factors, the route of the hike may be changed.

 

• Accommodation in a hotel in Yerevan: double, triple rooms standard. Room facilities, TV, Wi-Fi.
• Meals: breakfast in a cafe (day 2-8), lunch - dry rations in the mountains during walks (day 1, 3-8).
• Travel by minibus along the route
• Entrance tickets to excursion centers
• Cable car tickets
• Rental of group equipment: boilers, gas burners (for making tea for lunch in the mountains), group first aid kit.
• Conductor-instructor services

The price does not include:

• Transportation costs to the beginning of the route and back (Yerevan).
• Meals: lunch in a cafe in Yerevan (day 2), dinners. The cost of lunch / dinner in a cafe: 250-350 rubles.
• Supplement for single accommodation in the hotel room.
• Insurance (optional)