Hike in Specially Protected Areas of Armenia / 10 days

armeniangeographic

6 years ago

The landscape and relief of Armenia are unique. Therefore, there is a huge number of nature reserves and natural monuments. Armenia is a unique country where you can find cultural and natural monuments side by side. During these 10 days you will discover specially protected areas of Armenia, will get an opportunity to live in eco houses and observe the flora and fauna of Armenia. And what’s the most important, you will experience everything mentioned above, without damaging the environment.

During our tour we are going to visit three of the Specially protected areas of Armenia: “Khosrov Forest” State Reserve, Sevan National Park and Dilijan National Park.

Day 1: Yerevan

Meeting at the airport and transfer to the hotel. Afterwards we will have a city tour in Yerevan and will visit State Nature Museum of Armenia and Geological Museum of Armenia. Then we will have a walk in the city. After walking we will have our welcome dinner in Yerevan.

Geological Museum of Armenia

Day 2: “Khosrov Forest” State Reserve

We will start our discovery of the specially protected areas of Armenia from “Khosrov Forest” State Reserve. “Khosrov Forest” State Reserve is located in the historical territory of Khosrov forest, which was founded in the 4th century as a hunting ground by Armenian king Khosrov B Kotak and in 1958 was registered as a “State Reserve”. It is located in Ararat region, on the slopes of the Geghama, Tasanord, Yeranos, Urts mountain ranges and Khosrovasar mountain, in the basins of the Azat and Vedi rivers.

Early in the morning we will get started from Yerevan and will drive to Garni temple. The Temple of Garni is located in the village of Garni in Kotayk Province, Armenia. This pagan temple was dedicated to the Armenian god of sun Mihr. Afterwards, we will go down the Azat gorge and see the most beautiful natural monument of Armenia – Symphony of Stones. After admiring the monument we will enter the territory of “Khosrov Forest” State Reserve. There we will have a short hike to Vahagni Waterfall.

Vahagni waterfall

After seeing the waterfall we will return to Goght village, where we will have an overnight.

Details of the day:

Location – Kotayk Province
Driving distance – 47 km
Length of the route – 15 km
Difficulty level – moderate
Overnight – Goght

Day 3: Urtsadzor

Early in the morning we will get started from Goght and will drive to Tapi Fortress. On our way we will pass through the Ararat Valley by a road, which is hardly ever used. We’ll immortalize Yeranos mountains on the way. These mountains are also called “Red mountains” as they get red coloring during the sunset. Then we will arrive to Tapi Fortress.

Tapi fortress / Gevorg Marzpetuni castle

Tapi Fortress or Gevorg Marzpetuni Castle being surrounded by mountains was founded on a hill in the north-western part of the town of Urts and was considered to be a great architectural and fortification building. It was built in the 10th century. After examining the fortress we will have a horseback riding tour to the eco house which is located in the territory of the reserve. We will have an overnight in that eco house.

Details of the day:

Location – Ararat Province
Driving distance – 70 km
Length of the route – 15 km
Difficulty level – moderate
Overnight – Urtsadzor

Day 4: Along the slopes of Tasanord Mountains

Early in the morning we will get started from the eco house and will have a hike to Urtsadzor. During our hike we will walk along the slopes of Tasanord mountains. It is also possible to climb Mount Tasanord if you’d like to.

Then we will move to Urtsadzor eco house, where we will have an overnight.

Tasanord mountains

Details of the day:

Location – Ararat Province
Driving distance – no driving
Length of the route – 12 km
Difficulty level – moderate
Overnight – Urtsadzor

Day 5: Hell’s Canyon

Early in the morning, we will drive to Tigranashen village from where we will start our hike to the Hell’s Canyon. At the beginning of the hike, we will climb Mount Tezhkar. Then we will go down the Hell’s Canyon and will have a hike there. After the hike, we will move to Gnishik village where we will have an overnight in an eco house.

Hell’s Canyon

Details of the day:

Location – Ararrat Province
Driving distance – 50 km
Length of the route – 12 km
Difficulty level – moderate
Overnight – Gnishik village

Day 6: Gnishik Gorge

Early in the morning we will start our hike in Gnishik gorge. The trail will lead us to Noravank Monastery. Noravank is a medieval Armenian monastery which is outstanding with both its architecture and the surrounding marvelous scenery. It is believed that in the place of the monastery there used to be a sacred site. And later in the 12th century the monastery was built in the territory of two earlier churches.

Gnishik gorge

Afterward we will move to Shatin village. The special observatory called “Ditaket” in Shatin village of Vayots Dzor region, gives the opportunity to observe the bezoar goats, to see how they descend the canyon to drink water. Due to the rocky environment goats are able to escape wild animals and climb the rocks.

Bezoar Goats

After observing the bezoar goats we will move to Artabuynk village, where we will have an overnight.

Details of the day:

Location – Vayots Dzor Province
Driving distance – 35 km
Length of the route – 12 km
Difficulty level – moderate
Overnight – Artabuynk village

Day 7: Sevan National Park

The next specially protected area, that we will discover is Sevan National Park. Sevan National Park was established on March 14, 1978.

The territory of the park includes Lake Sevan, which is the largest freshwater high-altitude lake in the region. The territory of Sevan National Park is divided into 4 territorial zones: nature reserves, state reserves, recreational and economic unites.

Early in the morning we will drive to Sevan. On our way to Sevan we will visit the Orbelians’ Caravanserai. The caravanserai was built in 1332 and offered hospitality to travelers passing through Vardenyants pass.

Mountain Armaghan

Afterwards we will climb Mount Armaghan. The extinct volcano Armaghan (2829 m) is a natural monument of Armenia. It has a beautiful crater lake. That nameless lake is like a plate on which the sky is reflected. From the top you can enjoy a breathtaking view of Gegharkunik province and a pearl of Armenia – Lake Sevan.

Lake Sevan

We will have an overnight at the shore of Sevan.

Details of the day:

Location – Gegharkunik Province
Driving distance – 125 km
Length of the route – 12 km
Difficulty level – moderate
Overnight – Sevan

Day 8: Dilijan National Park

The third specially protected area is Dilijan National Park. The territory of the national park stretches over the eastern, north-western and north-eastern slopes of the Bovaqar, Miapor and Areguni mountains. The total area is about 24000 hectares. Dilijan National Park was established in 1958 with a purpose of preserving and enriching the flora and fauna of the area and breeding new species in local conditions.

From lake Parz to Gosh

Early in the morning we will get started from Sevan and will drive to Dilijan. Here we will have a hike from Lake Parz to Gosh village. At the end of the hike we will visit Goshavank Monastery. Goshavank got its name in 1213, after Mkhitar Gosh, who founded the monastery in 1188, with the support of the Lords Ivane and Zaqare. It used to have a college, a university and a seminary. Many manuscripts were written, rewritten and kept here. Afterwards we will move to Hagartsin, where we will have an overnight in Vanatun. “Vanatun Monastery Stay” offers you a unique and unprecedented experience including all the aspects and components of monastic life. Here you can also have an Armenian “gata” making master class.

Details of the day:

Location – Tavush province
Driving distance – 45 km
Length of the route – 7 km
Difficulty level – moderate
Overnight – Dilijan

Day 9: Mount Apakekar

Early in the morning we will start climbing Mount Apakekar. Mount Apakekar is located in the territory of Dilijan National Park. After climbing the mountain, we will return to Yerevan. Overnight will be in Yerevan.

Mount Apakekar

Details of the day:

Location – Tavush Province
Driving distance – 110 km
Length of the route – 11 km
Difficulty level – moderate
Overnight – Yerevan

Day 10: Yerevan / Departure

Before leaving we will have time to have a walk in Yerevan. There is a market known as “Vernisazh” very close to the Republic Square. Here you can get souvenirs and many other things unique to Armenia.

At the end we will exchange contacts and transfer you to the airport.

The tour program is not final and may be adjusted due to weather conditions, wellness of members and other circumstances.