Walking Tour in Armenia

Sometimes, when I am tired, nerve-shaken I feel that going to the mountains is going home; that wilderness is a necessity…

Day 1

• Arrival in Yerevan, transfer to the hotel
• City tour around Yerevan, bustling capital of Armenia having a history of over 2799 years
• Excursion in the History Museum
• Drive to Geghard Cave Monastery – the UNESCO 0bject in Armenia

• Day 1 detailed

  The tour will begin with a city tour around Yerevan – the bustling capital having a history of over 2799 years. The cuneiform inscription proving that Yerevan was built in 782 AD is kept in the History Museum of Armenia. You will start your tour with a short walk in the city center, and then visit the History Museum of Armenia. You will have a fascinating journey through the pages of Armenian history. After lunch, you will head to Geghard Cave Monastery, partly carved in the adjacent rocks.  Nearby in Garni village, you will visit Garni Pagan Temple which is the only preserved example of Hellenistic architecture in the Caucasus region. You will be back to Yerevan and have an opportunity to feel the pulse of Yerevan nightlife.

  Overnight: hotel in Yerevan, Meals: Breakfast

Day 2

• Trip to the Southern Armenia
• Stop in Areni wine market where you’ll have a chance to taste one of famous wines of Armenia
• Trip to beautiful two storied Noravank Monastery through the deep narrow canyon surrounded by red rocks
• Head to your hotel, check in and get ready for the first hike
• Walk to Proshaberd Citadel

• Day 2 detailed

  This day you’ll begin the exploration of Southern Armenia. Our first stop will be in Areni wine market where you’ll have a chance to taste one of the famous Armenian wines. You will continue the trip to beautiful two storied Noravank Monastery through the deep narrow canyon surrounded by red rocks. In the monastery yard, the awesome landscape of red rocks opens in front of you. You will head to your hotel, check in and get ready for the first hike to Proshaberd Citadel (the trail length – 10km). Here you’ll be rewarded for the efforts by the dramatic views of the mountains and the valley below.

  Overnight: hotel in Yerevan, Meals: Breakfast

  Walking distance: 10 km

Day 3

• Trip to Syunik region
• Walk to Tatev Monastery by a narrow footpath takes you back in time, to the tiny cloister of Tatev Hermitage, a highly evocative place
• Stop at Devil’s Bridge with its limestone caverns and natural hot baths in a gorge (the trail length 5 km)
• Continue exploration of this region in the 19th-century Khndzoresk cave town

• Day 3 detailed

  After wholesome breakfast, you will immerse yourself deeper in the southern part of Armenia.  This day the trail will lead us to the Tatev Monastery, after admiring monastery, a narrow footpath will take us back in time, to the tiny cloister of Tatev Hermitage, a highly evocative place. Our next stop is Devil’s Bridge with its limestone caverns and natural hot baths in a gorge (the trail length – 5 km). We will continue to explore this region in 19th-century Khndzoresk cave town. The hanging bridge heading to picturesque rock formations and gently inviting nature make this one of Armenia’s most popular sites.

  Overnight: hotel in Goris, Meals: Breakfast

  Walking distance: 5 km

Day 4

• Head to Hermon village located in a charming valley of the River Yeghegis
• Check in at hotel and preparations for a hike
• Hike to the well-preserved fortress of King Smbat, standing on the elevation of about 1950, continue to Tsakhats Kar Monastery on the elevation of 2080 m (trail length 12 km)
• Walk on a lighter note to Yeghegis village

• Day 4 detailed

  After breakfast, you will head to Hermon Village standing amidst the charming valley of the River Yeghegis.  You will be checked in at the hotel and start the hike to the medieval well-preserved fortress of King Smbat, standing on the elevation of about 1950, you will continue to Tsakhats Kar Monastery on the elevation of 2080 m. (the trail length – 12km). You will continue your walk to Yeghegis village where you can see the Jewish Cemetery and small churches built right in the gardens of villagers. Your hotel in Hermon village has all the amenities (swimming pool, thermal baths, and gym) bikes and horses for a pleasant evening leisure.

   

  Overnight: hotel in Hermon village, Meals: Breakfast

  Walking distance: 12 km

 Day 5

• Relaxed and drive through the part of The Great Silk Road, gaze at the well-preserved 14th-century caravansary
• Trip to Lake Sevan, admire one of the highest freshwater lakes from the hilltop of Sevan Peninsula
• In the evening walk along shores of Lake Sevan

• Day 5 detailed

  The fifth day will be relaxing. You will cover the part of the Great Silk Road and see one of the well-preserved caravanserais built in 1332 by Armenian Orbelian prince to accommodate weary travelers. It seems that the time has stopped here as very little has changed since ancient times. The tour will continue to Lake Sevan – one of the highest alpine freshwater lakes in the world. From the hilltop of Sevan Peninsula, you will admire amazing views to the lake. In the evening you will have time to walk along shores of Lake Sevan.

  Overnight: hotel at Lake Sevan, Meals: Breakfast

  Walking distance: 10 km

Day 6

• Drive to Cristal Lake in the stunning forest in Dilijan National Park
• Hike from Cristal Lake across the wildly beautiful Areguni Pass and reach Goshavank Monastery (trail length 8km)
• In the evening drive to the cozy Town of Dilijan, which captures the spirit of rural Armenia
• Visit Old Dilijan Complex and observe the weaving carpets by local women at Tufenkian Carpet Showroom

• Day 6 detailed

  This day you will be transferred to Cristal Lake. The hike will start in Dilijan National Park and will pass along stunning forest trails, will cross the wildly beautiful Areguni Pass and reach Goshavank Monastery, named after the great scholar of the 13^th century Mkhitar Gosh (the trail length – 8 km). In the evening you will be transferred to cozy Town of Dilijan, which keeps the spirit of rural Armenia. You will visit Old Dilijan Complex.

  Overnight: hotel in Dilijan, Meals: Breakfast

  Walking distance: 8 km

Day 7

• Drive to Gomer Village near Ijevan to the Lastiver trail-head
• Hike in a wonderful forested route in the most unpolluted and rugged area of north-eastern Armenia
• Explore deep gorge with cascading waterfalls and ancient caves of Lastiver (trail length 20 km)

• Day 7 detailed

  After breakfast at the hotel, you will head to Gomer Village near Ijevan where we will organize for you a short transfer to the Lastiver trailhead. A wonderful forested route will take you into the most unpolluted and rugged area of north-eastern Armenia. You will head into a deep gorge before descending to cascading waterfalls and the most scenic meadows in Armenia, perhaps Armenia’s best-kept secret. At the end, you will explore the ancient caves of Lastiver.  In the evening you’ll be back to the town of Ijevan for a rest and overnight.

  Overnight: guesthouse in Ijevan, Meals: Breakfast

  Walking distance: 20 km

Day 8

• Drive to Lori region where Haghpat and Sanahin Monastery complexes (UNESCO World Heritage Sites) are situated
• Hike from Haghpat to Sanahin through beautiful meadows and small villages
• Stop en route at formidable Kayan fortress and enjoy the best viewpoints over dramatic Debed gorge (trail length – around 3 hours)
• Drive to Odzun Village where Odzun 3 nave basilica is located

• Day 8 detailed

  This day will take you to Lori region where Haghpat and Sanahin Monastery complexes (UNESCO World Heritage Sites) are situated. They both are equally beautiful but have very different atmosphere. You will hike from Haghpat to Sanahin through beautiful meadows and small villages. The hike is easy and will take about 3 hours. On the way, you will explore formidable Kayan fortress and enjoy the best viewpoints over dramatic Debed gorge. The tour will end with a trip to Odzun Village known for its Odzun three-nave basilica. This church is considered unique because of its dome construction.

  Overnight: guesthouse in Odzun, Meals: Breakfast

  Duration: 3 hours

Day 9

• Hiking tour to Lori Berd. The ruins of the medieval Lori Fortress are located in Stepanavan,  on the left bank of the River Dzoraget.
• Trip to Stepanavan Arboretum where you will enjoy the unique collection of trees, shrubs and flowers from all over the world.
• Return to Yerevan

• Day 9 detailed

  In the morning you will head to Stepanavan town located on the left bank of the River Dzoraget. After the hiking to Lori Fortress, you will visit Stepanavan Arboretum Armenia’s first botanical garden and have an exciting stroll. On its territory of about 15 hectares is planted with rare exotic trees and plants, and the rest 20 hectares are covered with natural wild forests. In the evening you will return to Yerevan.

  Overnight: hotel in Yerevan, Meals: Breakfast

Day 10

• Drive to Amberd Medieval Fortress of 12th century standing on the elevation of 2300 m
• The first point of your hiking adventure is the Stone Lake on the slope of Mount Aragats an extinct volcano
• Start hike to the Southern Summit 3890 m (trail length 5-7 hours). In the clear day, great view on Mount Ararat is open
• Drive to Saghmosavank Monastery perched on the edge of picturesque Kasakh Canyon

• Day 10 detailed

  On the last day of your trip, you will hike to the highest mountain of Armenia. The first point of your hiking adventure is the Stone Lake located on the slope of Mount Aragats (an extinct volcano). You will start your hike to the Southern Summit (the trail duration – 5-7 hours). If the day is clear you will have a great view from here on Mount Ararat. The day continues with a relaxing sightseeing in Saghmosavank Monastery perched on the edge of picturesque Kasakh Canyon and then head to Yerevan for another lovely evening in the city.

  Overnight: hotel in Yerevan, Meals: Breakfast

  Duration: 5-7 hours

Day 11 

• Transfer to the airport, departure

*We provide accommodation in the regions which allows our tourists not to get tired of a long journey, experience the full color of Armenia and minimize driving distance.