TOURISM IN ARMENIA
ArmeniaBeing one of the ancient countries of the world, since ancient times attracted travelers. For example, in the XIII century, on the way to China, the famous traveler and merchant from Venice Marco Polo visited here, who described Armenia in detail at that time.
Armenia was a popular tourist center within the USSR. Every year thousands of tourists from fraternal republics and foreign countries visited our country.
After gaining independence, sprouts of tourism began to appear and the first travel agencies of independent Armenia began to be created. A sharp increase in the number of travel agencies occurred in 1999-2001, which was largely due to the celebration of the 1700th anniversary of the adoption of Christianity by Armenia. In 301, Armenia became the first country in the world to adopt Christianity as the state religion.
Tourism in Armenia increased dramatically in 2001, when the entire Christian world celebrated this significant date. Numerous guests came to Armenia: representatives of the Armenian diaspora scattered around the world, as well as prominent religious and secular figures from abroad. Among them were His Holiness Patriarch Alexy II of Moscow and All Russia and Pope John Paul II. Since then, pilgrimage tours to Armenia have become very popular.
There is a positive trend, the number of tourists visiting Armenia is growing every year. It is gratifying to note that there is a qualitative growth of tourists from Russia, especially young people. As a rule, these are active boys and girls who have visited Europe, Egypt and Turkey, who suddenly "remember" Armenia from the stories of their parents or friends. They prefer hiking and mountain hiking, rafting, cycling and speleo tourism.
For Russians in Armenia, there is no language problem – almost the entire population is fluent in Russian, a similar mentality plays an important role. The factor of household and street safety is important: guests can walk at least all night long, without fear for their lives or wallet.
In recent years, the level of tourism infrastructure in Armenia and Karabakh has increased dramatically. Hotels and guest houses of different comfort and cost are ready to meet the requirements of the most demanding tourists.
It seems that for Russians will be popular wine tours with tasting of world-famous local wines and Armenian cognac. More recently, archaeologists have discovered a well-preserved wine cellar in the Vayots Dzor region in the cave. Studies have shown that the age of the cellars is 5.5-6 thousand years. Even then, grapes were cultivated here, and the first vine in Armenia, according to the Bible, was planted by Noah himself!
In the V century BC about the “country of Ararat” wrote the ancient Greek philosopher and historian Xenophon. In his famous work Anabasis, he writes that retreating from Persia to the Black Sea port of Trapezond, the Greek army first tasted the well-quenched barley drink, now known as beer.
Guests will be able to enjoy excellent Armenian cuisine: tolma, kebab, various salads and snacks will not leave indifferent not only gourmets, but also those who adhere to a strict diet.
A trip to Armenia is interesting because in a short time you can see both gray antiquity and medieval fortresses that have become on the way of Genghis Khan and Tamerlane. Being the first country in the world to adopt Christianity at the level of a single and state religion in 301, our country attracts tourists making pilgrimage tours to Armenia.
Pilgrims visit the cells of the first hermit monks hidden in secluded places, the Mother See of St. Echmiadzin (303) - one of the oldest Christian temples in the world, the unique cave monastery Geghard (the monastery of Spears, IV-XIII centuries), many other beautiful monasteries and churches.
This is the monastery of Khor Virap (Deep Dungeon, IV-XVII centuries), standing at the Armenian-Turkish border at the foot of the biblical Ararat, where the future first Catholicos of Armenia Gregory the Illuminator spent 13 years in prison; and the wonderful monastery complex of Haghpat (X-XIV centuries), included in the UNESCO World Cultural Heritage List, and the pearl of Armenian church architecture, the monastery of St. Ripsime, where the ashes of the martyred virgin Ripsime rests. There are over 25,000 historical and cultural monuments in Armenia.
Hiking and mountain hikes in Armenia, unlike car trips, allow our guests to get to know Armenia from the inside, to see what is impossible to see from the windows of the bus. The diversity of the landscape from semi-deserts and steppes to the middle and highlands allow the traveler to get the maximum possible idea of one of the oldest countries in the world.
Hiking and mountain routes Armenia, from the simplest to technically complex, developed by Erkir Nairi and designed for ordinary tourists from children to older people, and for high-class athletes.
It is important to note that the participants of hiking and mountain hikes get the opportunity to see the sights of Armenia, that is, in fact, combine their tour with cultural and pilgrimage tours around Armenia. Armenia.
Potential for hikers and mountain hikers Armenia It is huge: mountain peaks, long rocky areas, deep caves and gorges, picturesque forest trails leading to churches, waterfalls and lakes hidden in thickness.
Of particular interest to climbers and mountain tourists visiting our country is the four-headed volcano Aragats (4095 m) - the highest point of Transcaucasia. The uniqueness of the mountain is that it can be climbed by both beginners who have no experience of climbing in the mountains (Southern peak, 3878 m), and experienced mountain climbers with a large list of conquered mountains behind them (Northern peak, 4095 m).