Hiking tour to Armenia - 11 days | Tours in Armenia Planet

Eco Tour
11 days / 10 night
May - Oct

1Day

Yerevan - Victory Park - Cascade complex - History Museum of Armenia - ARARAT Brandy Factory - Republic Square

Yerevan / Take unforgettable memories with you from 2800 years old and also young capital, which is known as pink city. Ancient ruins, pink buildings, museums, parks, singing fountains, etc.
Victory Park / Visit to a huge statue of Mother Armenia and Victory Park with panoramic view of Yerevan
Cascade complex / Climb the huge stairs of the Cascade complex, on top of which you will see a wonderful panorama of Yerevan city. On the territory there is a museum of modern art. And in the Cafesjian Sculpture Park you will see different famous statues
History Museum of Armenia / History Museum of Armenia preserves and publishes the objects and collections, which represent the history and culture of Armenia and the Armenian people. About 400,000 historical and cultural objects from the period of Paleolith to our days
ARARAT Brandy Factory / ARARAT Brandy Company, widely known with its legendary brandies, was founded during the period of the Russian Empire in 1887. Factory's product won the 1st place in the World exhibition of 1900 in Paris and has the exclusive right to write "Cognac" on its bottles. And during the Yalta conference, in 1945, Joseph Stalin presented Winston Churchill with an Armenian brandy "Dvin" produced by Ararat Brandy company
Republic Square / Republic square, located in the heart of Yerevan, was designed by architect Alexander Tamanyan in 1924. The square is decorated with singing and dancing fountains, two museums, impressive government buildings (built in 1920-1950). There is a big stone pattern in the center, meant to look like a traditional Armenian rug from above

2Day

Arch of Charents - Geghard monastery - Garni Temple - Symphony Of Stones - Havuts Tar monastery - Live performance of duduk in Garni - Photo Atelier Marashlyan

Arch of Charents / The Arch of Charents is situated on the way to Garni and Geghard. From here you will see a breathtaking view to Mount Ararat
Geghard Monastery / Geghard Monastery is listed as UNESCO World Heritage Site. It was founded in the 4th century partially carved directly out of the adjacent mountain
Garni Temple / Garni Temple is the only surviving pagan temple in Armenia. This stunning Greco-Roman colonnaded temple dates from the 1st century AD. Set on the edge of a gorge, the temple offers spectacular views of the Azat gorge.
Symphony Of Stones / Symphony Of Stones or Basaltic Organ is a natural wonder in the Garni Gorge. Do not miss the opportunity to see the most impressive basalt columns in the world
Hiking from Symphony of Stones to Havuts Tar monastery / Havuts Tar monastery is half ruined impressive monastery complex (11-13th cc.) situated in Khosrov reserve
Live performance of duduk in Garni / Duduk is an ancient Armenian musical instrument made of apricot wood. UNESCO proclaimed the duduk and its music as a Masterpiece of the Intangible Heritage of Humanity
Photo Atelier Marashlyan / Photo Atelier Marashlyan is the first photo studio in Armenia with Armenian traditional and vintage costumes. Professional photo sessions in costumes from various regions of historical Armenia give everyone unforgettable feelings and memories

3Day

Khor Virap monastery - Areni-1 cave - Noravank monastery - Hiking to Smbataberd fortress - Zorats Church - Bezoar Goats and bear observation in Shatin

Khor Virap Monastery / Khor Virap means "deep dungeon". Don't miss the pit where Gregory the Illuminator was imprisoned in 287-301 by King Tiridates III of Armenia. From the monastery you can enjoy a beautiful view of the biblical Mount Ararat
Areni-1 cave / The Areni-1 is a cave complex where was found 5,500-year-old earliest known leather shoe, 6100-year-old earliest known winery in the world
Noravank Monastery / Noravank means "new monastery". 13th-century fantastic monastery complex is set on a hill surrounded by red rocks
Hiking to Smbataberd fortress / This medieval fortress is located near the historic village of Yehegis, on top of an inaccessible mountain. Little information about Smbataberd has been preserved, but the powerful walls tell a lot about it
Zorats Church / Zorats Church was built in 1303 and it is unique in Armenian churches. It was designed so that soldiers sitting on their horses could receive the blessing of the church before the battle
Bezoar Goats and bear observation in Shatin / In the village of Shatin the Melik Matevosyan's house is the closest to the place of Bezoar goats and bears

4Day

Shaki Waterfall - Zorats Karer megalithic complex - Old Khot, Old Shinuhayr

Shaki Waterfall / Shaki waterfall is so nice to look at. This waterfall, with a height of 18m, will amaze you at the beautiful view
Zorats Karer megalithic complex / Zorats-Karer or Karahunj is a megalithic complex consists of hundreds of vertically arranged two-meter stones. Archeologists and astronomers do note their similarity to the stone circles found at Stonehenge in England
Hiking to Old Khot and Old Shinuhayr settlements / Located at an altidute of 1500 meters and surrounded by inaccesible rocks, Old Khot is rightly called ‘’Armenian Machu Picchu’’. Shinuhayr is another old village and it is the largest rural settlement in Syunik region

5Day

Tatev Ropeway - Tatev Monastery - Tatevi Mets Anapat monastery - Khndzoresk - Jermuk

Wings Of Tatev / Tatev ropeway is recorded in the Guinness Book of Records as the longest reversible cableway in the world, which passes 5752m without stopping. It is the shortest way to Tatev Monastery, full of picturesque and impressive views
Tatev Monastery / Tatev Monastery is a pearl of Armenian architecture. It was founded in the 9th century and was important spiritual and educational center in medieval Armenia
Hiking from Tatev monastery to Mets Anapat monastery and Devil's bridge /
Old Khndzoresk cave village / Old Khndzoresk is a medieval cave village. Over time, people moved from the caves to a new part of Khndzoresk. Currently, two sections of the village are connected by a 160-meter-long swinging bridge
Jermuk / The name of mountain Spa town Jermuk means "warm mineral springs". It is attractive for its fresh air, beautiful waterfall, artificial lakes, walking trails, the surrounding forests and mineral water

6Day

Hiking from Gndevaz village to Gndevank monastery - Orbelian's Caravanserai - Noratus cemetery - Mikayelyan Family Farm - Lake Sevan - Boat trip to Seagulls island

Hiking from Gndevaz village to Gndevank monastery /
Orbelian's Caravanserai / Located at a height of 2410 meters above sea level, Orbelian's Caravanserai is the best preserved caravanserai in the entire country
Noratus cemetery / This is the largest collection of "khachkars". According to a story during the invading army of Tamerlane the villagers dressed the khachkars up in clothes, helmets and leaned swords against them. From a distance the khachkars looked like army of soldiers as a result Tamerlane's army retreated
Mikayelyan Family Farm / Farm is specialised in milk production and processing, in particular, cheese production: wine-cheese, cognac-cheese, etc. The farm has a spacious and comfortable space for visitors
Lake Sevan / The "blue" Sevan is the largest freshwater lake in the region. With an altitude of about 2000 meters above sea level, it’s one of the highest lakes in the world. The freshwater lake is surrounded by the Geghama mountains
Boat trip to Seagulls island /

7Day

Sevanavank monastery - Dilijan - Hiking to Jukhtak and Matosavank monasteries - Jukhtak monastery - Matosavank monastery - Breeding center for the Caucasian red deer - Lake Parz

Sevanavank Monastery / Sevanavank is standing on the rocky peninsula on the lake Sevan. Initially, in 874, the monastery was built at the small island. Later, in the era of Joseph Stalin, the water level fell about 20 metres, and the island transformed into a peninsula
Dilijan / Dilijan is a resort town nested within Dilijan National Park. It is one of the world's few National Park Cities. Nature, culture, history, Cuisine, SPA...
Hiking to Jukhtak and Matosavank monasteries /
Jukhtak monastery / Jukht is translated from Armenian as two. Here are two small monasteries, hidden in a mountain forest, you can see during an easy hike.
Matosavank monastery / After an uphill hike in the middle of the forest, this tiny but richly decorated monastery will surprise you. The place has a mystic atmosphere. Motavosavank is situated nearby monastery Jukhtak.
Breeding center for the Caucasian red deer / Breeding center for the Caucasian red deer in Dilijan National Park
Lake Parz / Parz means pure in Armenian. It is situated in the heart of thick forest. The clear waters of the lake reflect the green like a mirror. There are many activities in the lake area including boating, Zip lining, etc

8Day

Apaga Resort - Hiking to Lastiver - ArmBee Honey Farm - Haghpat monastery

Apaga Resort / The resort provide both relaxation and active leisure in Ijevan mountains. Forests, fields, hiking, extreme, zip-lining, horse riding, biking, fishing, etc.
Hiking to Lastiver / Amazing views, beautiful waterfall cascades, small houses on trees, mystic caves, dense forests.
ArmBee Honey Farm / In the city of Alaverdi, tourists have the opportunity not only to taste the delicious honey, but also to improve their health by means of apitherapy, that is, bee therapy
Haghpat Monastery / Haghpat is a medieval monastery complex built in the 10th - 13th centuries. It represent the highest flowering of Armenian religious architecture. There are also a number of splendid khachkars (cross-stones) of the 11th-13th centuries. It is listed as a UNESCO World Heritage site.

9Day

Zarni-Parni cave-fortress - Hiking from Odzun to Horomayr and Qobayr monasteries - Odzun monastery - Upper Horomayr monastery - Kobayr monastery

Zarni-Parni Cave-fortress / Zarni-Parni is a medieval cave-castle built in the 10th-12th centuries. It consists of 3 caves, in one of which the books of Haghpat monastery were kept and were saved from destruction. The complex has a museum, displaying rare samples of the lifestyle and culture of Lori
Hiking from Odzun to Horomayr and Qobayr monasteries /
Odzun monastery / Odzun is a unique church spectacularly located. The oldest part of the building dates from the 5th century. There is a funeral monument near the church, which is quite rare
Upper Horomayr monastery / Upper Horomayr monastery is а small (in size) but unique monument with architectural, historical and cultural features, located near the village of Odzun, on the edge of Debed Gorge, on a picturesque plateau
Kobayr monastery / Kobayr is a 12th-century Armenian monastery located in a deep gorge. The ruins of the main contain frescoes of Christ and the twelve apostles.

10Day

Lake Kari - Mount Aragats - Amberd fortress - Armenian Alphabet Monument - Saghmosavank monastery

Lake Kari / Lake Kari is located on the slopes of Mount Aragats at a height of 3,185 m above the sea level. Most of its water comes from ice and snow. It is surrounded by snow most of the moment, so the lake’s water is quite cold. The Institute of Physics laboratory founded in 1942 is located nearby where cosmic rays are studied
Mount Aragats / Aragats or "King Ara's throne" is a four-peaked mountain which Northern peak, at 4,090m, is the highest in Armenia. It is one of the most popular hiking destinations
Amberd Fortress / Amberd is a 7th-century fortress. The name means "a fortress in the clouds" in Armenian. It is located 2300 meters above sea level
Armenian Alphabet Monument / An unusual monument to the Armenian alphabet is a composition of 39 Armenian 2-meter letters carved from tuff
Saghmosavank Monastery / Saghmosavank is a 13th-century unique monastery complex standing atop the majestic Kasakh gorge. The word "saghmos" means a spiritual song, and the acoustics in the church is amazing. That's why it was called Saghmosavank

11Day

Vernissage Market - Gum market - Zvartnots Temple - Ejmiatsin Cathedral - Armenia Wine winery

Vernissage Market / Vernissage is an open-air market and the best place to find any Armenian souvenir and examples of folk art
Gum market / "Tasty" market for lovers of Armenian dried fruit and not only
Zvartnots Temple / The "temple of ruins" is listed as a UNESCO heritage site. It was the first circular 3 storey church built in the 7th century. After 3 centuries it was destroyed by an earthquake. Then Armenians started to built more stable rectangular based churches
Ejmiatsin Cathedral / Etchmiadzin Cathedral is the mother church of the Armenian Apostolic Church built in 301-303 AD. It is considered to be the oldest cathedral in the world and is listed as a World Heritage Site by UNESCO
Armenia Wine Winery / Armenia Wine is a largest winery built in the style of Armenian classical architecture