The Spirit of Armenia / 10 Days

Being travelers and photographers, seeing and feeling Armenia from inside, we have developed a photo tour, which will give you an opportunity to not only take the photos of Armenian sightseeings but also take the mood of Armenia with you.  Having an experience of photoshooting and knowing the mentality of locals we will give you the chance to photoshoot not only the nature and historical-architectural monuments, but also the people and their everyday life.

Overnight stays will be in small comfortable hotels or guesthouses. After the shooting of each day, you will have the chance to relax, take a bath and get ready for the next day. And the evenings will pass in the cozy atmosphere.

 

For booking as well as for all questions, please contact us.

Day 1: Yerevan

Arrival. Settle down in the hotel. Walk through Yerevan.

We will visit the famous and lesser-known corners of Yerevan. We will go to the oldest quarters of Armenia named Kond. Then we’ll see the Persian Mosque and Armenian church in Kond. Afterwards, we’ll walk around the narrow and crooked streets.

 

Afterwards, we’ll walk around the narrow and crooked streets. Finally, we will go up the Cascade in the evening and enjoy the panorama of Yerevan from there.

Overnight in Yerevan

Driving 25 km

Day 2: Symphony of Stones

We will meet the sunrise near the Charents arch. This is the place where a wonderful view to the mountain Ararat is opened.

Then we will visit the rocky Medieval Monastery Complex – Geghardavank. Till the 13th century the spear with which a Roman soldier stabbed  Jesus on the cross was kept here.

Not too far from Geghard Monastery Garni Pagan temple is located. This is the only preserved pagan temple in Armenia. After seeing it we will go down to the Azat Gorge.

There we will see the natural monument “Symphony of Stones”. The symphony represents a giant pentagonal and hexagonal basalt pillars (about 50 m high), which seem to be handmade due to the amazing symmetry.

We’ll return to Yerevan with a road which is hardly ever used. We’ll see the sunset of Yeranos mountains on our road back to Yerevan. These mountains are called “red mountains” as they get red coloring in the evening.

Overnight in Yerevan.

Driving 70 km 

Day 3: Ararat in the palm

Early in the morning we will head to the Khor Virap monastery which is right at the foot of Ararat. This is the closest place to the mountain Ararat. We will meet the sunrise here, take pictures and, of course, get introduced with the history of the monastery.

Later, we will head to the wine making region of Armenia – Vayots Dzor. We’ll visit the wine factory of Areni. We’ll be in the Gnishik gorge in the evening and will take pictures of the Sunset of Noravank.

Overnight in Areni.

Driving 120 km

Day 4: Following the Steps of Bezoar Goats

Early in the morning we will head to the Khachik village, where we will take the photos of Ararat sunrise from a different angle.

Vayots Dzor is famous not only for grape vineyards and popular wine, but also for the rocky mountains with reddish shades, which are rich with Bezoar goats. We’ll be able to take the photos of rocky mountains Teqsar from Smbataberd. We will need to walk 2-3 km of easy road in order to reach the castle.

Then we will go down to the Yeghegis village where we’ll see churches, tombs and Jewish graves from 14th century. We’ll walk through the villages and see other interesting monuments.

Overnight in Yeghegnadzor

Driving 50 km

Day 5: Goris

We’ll head to Goris in the morning. We’ll have a stop near the megalithic complex of Zorats karer. Then we will see the Shaki waterfall. 

In the evening we will go to Khndzoresk cave village.

Overnight in Goris.

Driving 50 km

Day 6: The Ghosts of Vorotan

In the lower part and the slopes of the Vorotan canyon there are cave villages abandoned in the middle of the last century. People were living in these villages until the 60s of the previous century. Here you can see the vivid connection of the human being with nature. However, this part is not easy accessible, so we’ll need to walk several kilometers of easy roads.

In the evening we will be in Tatev and take the photos of Tatev monastery from the edge of the gorge in front.

 

Overnight in Tatev.

Driving 35 km

Day 7: Heading to Sevan through Silk Road

In the morning we will again take photos of Tatev monastery and the village of Tatev. We’ll walk down under the Devil’s bridge and we’ll immortalize the stalactite formations there.

In the second half of the day we will be heading to Sevan through silk road. The road passes through Vardenyants Pass, where Orbelyan Caravanserai is located. In those days, here caravans of merchants and travelers used to stop for a rest.

Before our final point we’ll visit one more interesting place – the tombfield of Noratus. In the evening, we will reach a fairytale-like shore where we will take the photos of the sunset of Lake Sevan.

Overnight at the small hotel on the shore of Lake Sevan.

Driving 260 km

Day 8: Dilijan

Walk through Dilijan. In Dilijan, you will be able to take part in a traditional Armenian wedding, take the photos of it and even become a participant. We’ll walk through the streets of Old Dilijan and will be near the Haghartsin Monastery – hidden in the forests.

Overnight in Dilijan.

Driving 60 km

Day 9: Vanadzor – Gyumri

In the morning, we’ll head to the third and second largest cities of Armenia after Yerevan, correspondingly – Vanadzor and Gyumri.

There are places with strong Armenian atmosphere that definitely need to be seen and photographed.

Overnight in Yerevan

Driving 230 km

Day 10: Erebuni Fortress with Armenian Gampr

Erebuni fortress is located in the outskirts of Yerevan. It was built in b.c. 782 by one of the most powerful kings of Urartu – Argishti I. Here you can experience the power of the Urartian kingdom and the power of the Armenian Highland aboriginal – Gampr. Here, a photoshoot of Gamprs in Erebuni castle is awaiting us.

About three millennia the Gampr breed of dog lived in the Armenian Highland. In Armenian mythology Gampr has always been praised for mythical courage, wisdom, power, beauty, honesty and boundless loyalty. You will not only enjoy the photo shooting of Gamprs, but also the live communication with these giant and kind dogs.

Driving 25 km

Tour price:

Number of Participants	Price per person
2 – 3	2190 $
4 – 5	1450 $

The price includes:

• the service of the guide-translators
• transfer from the airport and back
• transportation within Armenia
• accommodation
• food service during the whole tour
• tickets for “Garni”
• tickets for “Wings of Tatev”
• excursion & degustation in “Areni Wine Factory”
• presentation of Armenian wedding traditions
• museums in Gyumri
• insurance
• taxes

The price does not include:

• Air tickets

For the booking and all questions, please contact us.

The book “The Mountainous Island” is a great present for both your hiking friend who is interested in the mountains of Armenia, and for yourself. All of the mountains described in the book were climbed by ArmGeo throughout the course of his 10-year career.

For orders write us on Facebook or call 043 00 5165

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“The Mountainous Island” is the best representation of Armenia and might become an essential part of your book collection․ It will forever remember you of your days and treks in Armenia.

Hiking and trekking tours in Armenia