Wander Through the Gorges of Armenia

Arrive at Zavrtnots International Airport, transfer to the hotel and stay overnight in Yerevan

We recommend organising a picnic yourself at some point in this trip: you’ll spend a lot of time in nature and can plan your meals interestingly. With these ideas, you can enjoy a varied and delicious picnic with classic Armenian lavash bread, cheese, herbs, and vegetables! Lavash is a traditional Armenian bread that is excellent for picnics because it is easily transportable and pairs well with various toppings. Combined with cheese, herbs, and vegetables, it makes a delicious outdoor meal. Lavash rolls with cheese and vegetables: Spread out the lavash bread and top it with various types of cheese. Then add fresh vegetables like cucumbers, tomatoes, bell peppers, and herbs.

We will start the tour with the capital of Armenia: Yerevan. For ages, this city has been known as a “pink city” because of the colour of the stone it has been built with. So we will visit Republic Square, Mashtoc Avenue, the House of Opera and Ballet after Aram Khachatryan, and the park “Cascade”.

Visit Vernissage, a vibrant open-air market and cultural phenomenon located in the heart of Yerevan, the capital of Armenia. Vernissage gathers local artists, craftsmen, and vendors who display and sell a diverse array of handmade crafts, traditional Armenian art, souvenirs, jewellery, carpets, ceramics, and other unique items.

One of the most vivid places in Yerevan is Gum Market near the Tashir trading center, which opened during former the Soviet Union years. It operates every day from morning until late evening. Here you can find fresh fruits and vegetables, meat, spices, many types of dried fruits, cheeses, traditional Armenian bread (lavash), pickles, and more.

Take trip to Khor Virap Monastery (4-18th cc.). This monastery is very prominent because of its history; Gregory the Illuminator, who introduced Christianity to Armenia, has been imprisoned there about 13 years as at that time there was a prison in the place of the monastery. Here we can enjoy the spectacular view of the sacred Ararat Mountain – an immortal symbol of Armenia.

Near the village of Vedi, you will find Angels Canyon. Although relatively small, the canyon is fascinating due to the structure and colour of its rock walls. Rising in a clayish red with striped texture, the walls flank both sides of the narrow path, meandering mystically through the gorge. Follow the most picturesque section of the trail and then continue the loop for about 11 kilometres. Keep an eye out for eagles and turtles! Since the area usually gets very hot in summer, we recommend visiting in spring or autumn.

Continue the tour to Areni Village and Areni Cave. The cave consists of 3 rooms, most of which are not yet explored. During the studies of the cave, metal knives, fruit seeds, grain residues, rope, pottery, clothing, grapes and dried plums attributed to the years 4200-3500 BC were found. The oldest leather shoe in the world (which is more than 5500 years old) was found here. Here has been found the cellar, which is considered to be the oldest cellar in the world (dating back over 6000 years ago).

The Gorge of the Gnishik River is part of the Arpa Nature Reserve, which harbours nearly 900 species of plants and about 525 species of animals, including the majestic Armenian mouflon, a native species to Armenia and an all-around mountain- climbing badass. As you navigate through the gorge, you might even spot a herd of these animals (if you’re not too busy posing for photos against the impressive rocky walls of the gorge)! The Arpa Environmental Foundation, which manages the reserve, has installed informational signs along the hiking trail about the plant and animal species living there, as well as information about cultural sites.

We will continue our tour to Noravank – a monastery of the XII century situated among amazing sheer rocks on the bench of a twisty gorge. This is the only monastery where we may find a unique sculpture of Father God.

We will drive to Lake Sevan, which is one of the largest lakes in the world. It stands out with its sweet and astonishingly blue water. Here we can enjoy the breathtaking scenery of the beautiful lake. Then we will visit Sevanavank Monastery, which is situated on Sevan Peninsula. There are 2 monasteries, actually; one of them is destroyed, but the other stands still. They were built in the Middle Ages, aroundthe  10th century.

Then we will drive to Dilijan. Walking along the Sharamberyan Street, we will come across many museums, souvenir markets, small shops and so on. We will also observe two traditional houses built of wood, with tiled roofs and balconies with meticulously carved being typical examples of Dilijan.

Located in a magical part of the Tavush region, the Khachakhbyur Gorge is best known for Lastiver, a section featuring enchanting waterfalls, picnic spots, and dense forest in the valley of the Sarnajur River. Nearby, there are unique camping options, including accommodations in treehouses and glamping (luxurious camping, usually with beds and toilets). There are also opportunities for horseback riding, zip-lining, and other active sports in the region, easily accessible from the nearby town of Ijevan.

Hike around for 3 hours, and enjoy the rest of the day in Yenokavan, where there are plenty of activities and beautiful nature to explore

Molokans are representatives of a particular branch of Christianity that originated in the Russian Empire in the 18th century. Molokans lead a modest life; they are honest and hardworking. They do not chase after wealth, but they certainly help their neighbours and friends. Their houses are small and not luxurious, but they are definitely clean and tidy. Molokans mainly engage in animal husbandry and agriculture and are famous for their sauerkraut.

Lake Tsover is located about 3 km southeast of the village of Dsekh. From the south, the lake is surrounded by dense forest, which makes the landscape of the lake even more beautiful. The length of the lake from north to south is about 250 m, and the width from west to east, in the widest place, is about 200 m. The advantageous geographical location of the lake allows visitors to be away from urban noise, enjoy all the colours of the Lori nature and stellar nights.

The rivers Dzoraget, Debed, and Pambak divide the lush Lori region of Armenia into three parts. At their confluence lies a magnificent canyon, which from above appears as a massive fissure in the landscape. In a bulge of the Dzoraget River, a majestic rock towers high above the water. This spot is called Arevatsag or “Sunrise” Canyon. It is possible to hike down into the valley, but many people travel there by off-road vehicle. Although this is one of the most popular spots, there are many other beautiful parts of the canyon to explore. It is also possible to enjoy whitewater rafting in the area. Visit in spring when the grass and vegetation are at their brightest green, or in summer for pleasant temperatures.

Located just 30 kilometres east of Yerevan, the Garni Gorge combines one of Armenia’s most important cultural destinations with a unique topography. The gorge is famous for its characteristic hexagonal basalt columns, a remnant of volcanic activity. Take a stroll from the ancient Garni Temple, which dates back to pagan times, to the “Symphony of Stones.” There, you can see a natural collection of columns resembling an organ. If you wish to continue hiking, the trail follows the Azat River, which carries fresh alpine water from the Gegham Mountains to the Azat Reservoir. After the reservoir, there is no outlet, so be prepared to return to the starting point!

Take a trip to Garni. This Pagan Temple was built in the 1st century AD. It is the only temple that has been preserved from the Pagan times in Armenia. It was devoted to the god Mihr, who was the god of cleanness. In 1679, it was destroyed by an earthquake. In 1975 the Temple was restored.

Drive to the Symphony of Stones, located near the village of Garni, not far from the ancient Garni Temple. It is a stunning basalt rock formation shaped by nature over centuries. The rocks in the gorge have taken on various columnar shapes, resembling a natural orchestra of standing stones, which has led to the name “Symphony of Stones”.

Then we will continue our trip to Geghard Monastery. Its name came from the legendary lance that was used to pierce the body of Christ. It has been kept here for centuries. Though the exact foundation of the monastery is unknown, the present complex was built in the mid – 13th century.

After breakfast, transfer to the airport for your flight home