Lake Sevan + Tsakhkadzor - ski resort

Sevanavank Monastery on the Sevan Peninsula. The advantageous position of the island contributed to the increase of the monastic brethren, the active construction of the monastery began, which includes the churches of Surb Arakelots and Surb Astvatsatsin (871-874) have survived to this day. These are small three-apse cross-domed churches. Distinguishes their nature of masonry, made in the church of Astvatsatsin from purely hewn and well fitted in the seams of stones. The carved wooden doors (1176 and 1486) of the Arakelots church and the carved capitals of its gavit (in ruins) are kept in the Historical Museum in Yerevan. The life of the monastery is not particularly rich in events. The brightest belongs to the end of the IX century, when the Armenian king Ashot Iron lived in it for some time. From there they were given battle to the Arabs who came to the shore of Sevan. In this battle, in addition to the small detachment of the Armenian king, the monastic brethren participated. The victory over the Arabs was complete. The monks carried her to the will of the Providence, Ashot to his valor.

Tsakhkadzor (literally: "Gorge of Flowers" / - a popular ski and climatic resort; located 50 km from Yerevan in the picturesque valley of the Tsakhkuni Mountains at an altitude of about 1800 meters above sea level. To the north and south of Tsakhkadzor stretch gentle mountain ranges, partially covered with forest. The predominant heights in the vicinity of the city are Techenis Mountains (2,851 meters) and Tsakhkunyats (2,820 meters).

Winter in the valley is mild, the number of sunny days is 270. At the same time, snowfall is quite significant, which provides a durable snow cover up to 1.40 m thick. The ski season lasts from mid-November to mid-April. The average January temperature is -6 °C.