Chasing Armenian Volcanoes / 7 days

armeniangeographic

6 years ago

Armenia – a country of extinct volcanoes. In the modern-day Armenian territory there are no active volcanoes. The last eruptions occurred a million years ago, yet their enduring impact can still be felt today. Particularly in the volcanic mountains, reaching heights of 3,000 meters, numerous petroglyphs have endured, offering valuable insights into the history of these ancient eruptions.

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Day 1: Yerevan

We will greet the group at the airport and arrange transportation to the hotel. After settling in, participants will have the opportunity to introduce themselves to one another. Next will visit the ancient city of Erebuni, the ruins of which are situated atop of Arin Berd hill.

Walking through the ruins you will feel the energy of the past. Some part of the city is restored and you can easily imagine how everything looked originally.

Forbes Russia has included Erebuni Fortress in the list of 9 oldest fortresses in the world.

Yerevan

Day 2: Vishaps & Volcano Azhdahak (3597m)

In the morning we’ll take a ride on the off-road cars to the mountain lake Vanki. In the prehistoric period in Armenia near the rivers, headwaters, streams and any other water sources Vishapakars or dragon stones were placed. It was believed that they were protecting the sources from mythical creatures, which can cut off the people’s access to water. For the rest of the world Vishaps were “found” at the beginning of the XX century. Near the Vanki lake we’ll see the vishap stellas, which have been protecting those places since the prehistoric times. Afterwards, we will start our ascent to Mount Azhdahak.

Mountain Azhdahak

Azhdahak is an extinct volcano in Armenia, the highest peak of Geghama Mountain Range. The height is 3597 meters above sea level. At the top of the volcano a crater lake is situated. The Mount Ararat, Aragats, Hatis and Ara are seen from the peak of Azhdahak. These mountains hold a lot of secrets and mysteries.

Details of the day:

Location – Gegharkunik province
Height of the mountain – 3597 m
Relative altitude – 600 m
Distance from Yerevan – 50 km
Length of the route – 12 km
Difficulty level – moderate
Overnight – Yerevan

Day 3: The Youngest Volcano of Armenia (2581 m)

Volcano Vayotssar is known as one of the youngest volcanoes in Armenia. The height of the mountain is 2581 meters. It is located in Vayots Dzor province, to the north-west from the village Herher. This is a cone-shaped mountain that rises throughout the length of the ridge. The depth of the crater is about 125 meters. During our hike we’ll go down to the crater and feel the whole power of this enormous volcano.

Volcano Vayotssar

Details of the day:

Location – Vayots Dzor province
Height of the mountain – 2581 m
Relative altitude – 800 m
Driving – 160 km
Length of the route – 18 km
Difficulty level – moderate
Overnight – Vayots Dzor

Day 4: Volcano Vardenis

In the morning on our off-road cars we will drive to the slopes of the volcano Vardenis and start our ascent to its summit. Vardenis is an extrusive volcano located on the border between Vayots Dzor and Gegharkunik provinces, about 15 km south of the village of Artsvanist. The height of the volcano is 3522 meters above sea level. The terrain is rocky and the slopes are steep.

Vardenis Mountain Range, photo by Aghasi Martirosyan

Details of the day:

Location – Vayots Dzor Province
Height of the mountain – 3522 m
Relative altitude – 700 m
Driving – 45 km
Length of the route – 10 km
Difficulty level – moderate
Overnight – Vayots Dzor

Day 5: Rest day at lake Sevan

Through the mountain passes we’ll drive to a real treasure, which is absolutely beyond time, to eternal and magnificent lake Sevan. The lake is on the height of 1900 meters. People call it the pearl of Armenian mountains and this metaphor reflects the whole essence of the attitude to lake Sevan. The lake, surrounded by mountains, is changing all the time depending on the season, and reflecting the slightest change in the weather, even because of the movement of the clouds, because of light and shadows, it may change beyond recognition. However, you should see all these with your own eyes, to understand.

We’ll spend a rest day on the shore of Sevan and in the evening return to Yerevan.

The Pearl of Armenian Mountains — Lake Sevan

Details of the day:

Location – Gegharkunik province
Drivng – 70 km
Difficulty level – rest day
Overnight – Yerevan

Day 6: Amberd – Volcano Aragats (3995 m)

In the morning we will drive to Amberd. The medieval fortress Amberd is located on the slopes of the Mount Aragats. After observing the complex we will go to Kari Lake. The Alpine lake is situated at the height of 3200m, on the plateau, under the mountain peaks. From here we will start our ascent to the Western peak of Aragats (3995 m). Mount Aragats is the most powerful extinct volcano with its energy and beauty. It is the highest point of nowadays Armenia with its four peaks. A huge and picturesque crater is situated between them.

Aragats

Details of the day:

Location – Aragatsotn Province
Height of the mountain – 3995 m
Relative altitude – 687 m
Distance from Yerevan – 75 km
Length of the route – 10 km
Difficulty level – moderate
Overnight – Yerevan

Day 7 – Departure

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