ARMENIA CULTURE AND HIKING 6 DAYS

A drive to the scenic canyon of the Azat River. The 13th century Geghard Cave Monastery is located deep at  the bottom of the canyon and is listed by UNESCO as a World Heritage Site. The monastery is partially carved from the adjacent cliffs that surround it. Once inside the monastery, it’s fascinating labyrinth of chambers is illusive to one’s orientation   within the complex. Drive to Garni village, where the Hellenistic-inspired Garni temple lies. Built in 76 AD, Garni was a temple dedicated to the God of the Sun Mithra. Garni’s complex also possesses a royal bath which exhibits a fascinating hypocaust along with a well preserved original mosaic tiling. Small hiking trip to Garni valley, where there are unique rocks impressively called the “Stone Symphony”. It seems like they have been carved by a man’s hand. Returning to Yerevan and visiting the History Museum of Armenia. This excursion is a fascinating journey through the pages of Armenian history. You will be back to Yerevan and have opportunity to feel the pulse of Yerevan night life as our itinerary starting from the second day gets you to the regions to hiking routes of this ancient country. Overnight in Yerevan.

This day you’ll begin exploration of Southern Armenia. Our first stop will be Areni wine factory where you’ll have a chance to taste one of famous wines in Armenia. You will continue trip to beautiful two-storeyed Noravank Monastery through the deep narrow canyon surrounded with red rocks. Then you will head to Hermon Village standing amidst a charming valley of Yeghegis river. After check in at hotel you will start your 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. (trail length 12km). Afterwards you will have a walk on a slighter note to Yeghegis village where you can find Jewish Cemetery and little churches right in the gardens of villagers. Your hotel in Hermon village has all the amenities (swimming pool, thermal baths and gym) and bikes, horses to organize your evening well. Overnight: Hotel in Hermon Village.

This day you will cover a part of The Great Silk Road, see one of well-preserved caravanserais. You will have feelings here as time has stopped for a long time as very little has changed here. You will be driven to Lake Sevan, admire one of the highest freshwater lakes from the hilltop of Sevan Peninsula. In the evening you will have time to walk along shores of Lake Sevan. Drive to Crystal Lake (Lake Parz) to start hike in Dilijan National Park along stunning forest trails cross the wildly beautiful Areguni Pass and reach Goshavank Monastery of Gosh village, where the great scholar of the 13th century Mkhitar Gosh lived (trail length 8km). You will be driven to Dilijan, a cozy town that captures the spirit of rural Armenia. Overnight: Hotel in Dilijan.

After breakfast at hotel you will head to Yenoqavan village in the mountains. From here a wonderful forested route into the most unspoilt and rugged area of north-eastern Armenia as 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. Explore medieval caves of Lastiver (trail lengths 20 km). In the evening you’ll be back to town of Ijevan for rest and overnight. Overnight: Hotel in Yerevan.

Transfer to airport, departure.