Explore the winter Armenia / 10 days

armeniangeographic

6 years ago

Armenia is an ideal country for winter hikes, especially for mountain lovers. Many people cannot imagine what one should do in Armenia in winter, except ski holidays. We made this tour to show you the great variety of winter Armenia destinations. We offer you to walk through snowy and fairy forests, gorges, villages, monasteries. You can even easily climb a mountain, as the climate is very mild here, and the mountain that we chose for the following tour is not so high and is perfect for winter hike.

Snow is beautifully blended with the colors of Armenia, emphasizing the perfection of the nature. You can check this out by visiting Armenia in winter.

Travel dates: 13 – 22 January, 2025

Day 1: Yerevan

Meeting the group at the airport and transfer to the hotel. After meeting each other, we will go on a city tour. During the walking tour, we will explore the city architecture, and see the landmarks, which are appear to be the hallmark of Armenia.

Driving: 25 km

Hiking: (excursion)

Day 2: On the Road to South Armenia

In the morning of the second day, we will move to the South Armenia. On our way, we will see the famous and significant temple – Khor Virap. The temple is built on the deep pit, where on the 14th century Gregory the Illuminator was imprisoned for about 13 years. We will go down there and try to feel the spirit of the past. Khor Virap is also known for its beautiful view of Mount Ararat.

Khor Virap / Photographer Anatoliy Gopanenko

Then we will go down to the canyon, where the divine beauty of the Hell’s Canyon will be waiting for us.

We will walk along the river and admire the beauty and power of the massive rocks. During our journey, we will see how the canyon changes its views all the time.

Hells Canyon

Details of the day:

Location – Ararat province / Vayots Dzor province
Distance on car – 170 km
Height of the mountain – 1735 m
Relative altitude – 400 m
Length of the route – 11 km
Difficulty level – moderate

Day 3: An Alpine Fortress on the Edge of the Cliff

Chronologically walking through history, we appear in the 5th century, when one of the best-preserved fortresses of Armenia was built. It is surrounded on three sides by steep cliffs and has strong walls with semicircular towers with the height of 8-10 meters and the width of 3-4 meters. There are many stories and legends about this fortress associated with the name of one of the great Armenian kings. From here, we can clearly see the Mount Teksar. After exploring the fortress, we will continue our trip to a village, which once was a fortified medieval town.

In the evening, we will go to Syunik region.

Smbataberd Fortress

Details of the day:

Location – Vayots Dzor province
Driving – 180 km
Relative altitude – 250 m
Length of the route – 9 km
Difficulty level – medium
Overnight stay – Goris

Day 4: Phantoms of Vorotan Gorge

In the morning, we will go down to the Vorotan Gorge, where we will see several abandoned villages with big houses carved into the rock. After seeing all this, you can easily imagine how people once lived in the caves.

Vorotan gorge

We will continue traveling through time and head to the Old Khndzoresk village. Old Khndzoresk – a village spread over about 3 km at the slopes of the deep gorge, was one of the most populous villages of Syunik region. In the 20 century, the settlement was moved to the top of the cliff. One can reach Old Khndzoresk only by the 160 meters long rocking suspension bridge, passing over a deep gorge. The bridge itself is a landmark and attracts not only tourist, but the local people as well.

Khndzoresk

Details of the day:

Location – Syunik province
Driving – 60 km
Relative altitude – 400 m
Length of the route – 10 km
Difficulty level – medium
Overnight stay – Goris

Day 5: «Wings of Tatev» and Noravank Monastery

In the morning we will cross the deep Vorotan Gorge on the world’s longest ropeway, which will bring us to the famous Tatev Monastery.

“Wings of Tatev” was recorded by Guiness World Records as the world’s longest non-stop double track cable car. The record was not only the length 5 752 meters, but the construction time as well – only 10 months. The ropeway is passing over the Vorotan River Gorge and connecting two villages – Halidzor and Tatev. At its highest point over the gorge, the car travels 320 m above ground level.

Tatev monastery / Photographer Elena Shuvayeva

Next, we will go to the famous Carahunge. Until now, the scientists have not figured out why it was built. Some scientists consider that Carahunge is the world’s oldest astronomical observatory, but some of them are against that idea and think that Carahunge is a place of power, and in ancient times, people made sacrifices to the gods here.

Noravank Monastery

Passing through the centuries, we will reach, let’s say, the Late Middle Ages and visit the Noravank Monastery, which the locals also call the Red Monastery. The gorge where the monastery is situated is known for its steep red cliffs, towering behind the monastery. In Soviet times, the championship of rock climbing was held here. Noravank is also known for its bas-relief where the image of God is.

Details of the day:

Location – Syunik province
Driving – 230 km
Relative altitude – 250 m
Length of the route – 4 km
Difficulty level – easy
Overnight stay – Yerevan

Day 6: Pagan Temple and Symphony of Stones

In the morning, we will visit the Geghard monastery complex, which was carved right into the rock. Then we will go to the pagan temple of Garni, which is one of the most famous monuments of pagan period and is dedicated to the god of sun Mithras. The pagan temple remained intact even after the adoption of Christianity in 301. After observing the temple, we will go down to the gorge of river Azat, where a natural monument is situated known as Symphony of Stones. These are vertical, upright cliffs, which are a huge number of hexagonal basalt columns of volcanic origin.

Garni temple/ Photographer Pani Yulia

Details of the day:

Location – Kotayk province
Driving – 90 km
Relative altitude – 100 m
Length of the route – 7 km
Difficulty level – medium
Overnight stay – Yerevan

Day 7: Mount Arteni

Early in the morning, we will go to the foot of Mount Arteni. Arteni is quite big volcano with interesting liparite structure. The mountain is located on the southwestern periphery of Aragats massif in Talin.

After climbing the mountain, we will go to Kakheni castle, which was built during the reign of the Kamsarakans. Kakheni is one of the well-preserved fortresses in Armenia.

Arteni

Details of the day:

Location – Aragatsotn province
Driving – 180 km
Relative altitude – 550 m
Length of the route – 8 km
Difficulty level – medium
Overnight stay – Yerevan

Day 8: Winter’s Fairytale

In the morning, we will head to the timeless treasure, to the eternal and beautiful Lake Sevan. The lake is located at an altitude of 1900 meters. People call it the pearl of Armenian mountains, and this metaphor reflects the whole essence of the attitude to Lake Sevan. We will visit the Sevanavank Monastery, which is located on the Sevan peninsula.

Lake Sevan

Then we will go to the Tavush region. If there are participants interested in trying the ‘zipline’ experience, we will accommodate that activity first. Afterward, we will continue our journey along the picturesque Khachaghbyur gorge, leading us to the enchanting destination known as Lastiver. We will see small tree houses, a waterfall, and caves, where hermits used to live. This place looks wonderful in any season.

Lastiver

Details of the day:

Location – Tavush province
Driving – 150 km
Relative altitude – 400 m
Length of the route – 7 km
Difficulty level – medium
Overnight stay – Dilijan

Day 9: An impregnable fortress

Through dense forests of Tavush we will head to the impregnable Girl’s Fortress, which used to be one of the most significant fortresses in Armenia. During our trip, we will see the remained walls of the fortress, which occupy a big territory. During the hike, we will tell you a beautiful legend connected with this fortress.

The Girl’s Fortress/ Tavush

Details of the day:

Location – Tavush province
Driving – 150 km
Relative altitude – 600 m
Length of the route – 9 km
Difficulty level – medium
Overnight stay – Yerevan

Day 10: Sunny Yerevan

Before leaving for the airport, we will have time to walk around Yerevan. There is a market known as “Vernissage” very close to the Republic Square. Here you can get souvenirs and many other things typical for Armenia.