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Armenia Hiking Tour
offered by supplier M16029 (view this supplier profile)
Key Information:
Tour Duration: 10
day(s)
Group Size: 2
- 12
people
Destination(s):
Armenia
Specialty Categories:
Hiking & Trekking
Walking Tours
Season: May - November
Airfare Included: No
Tour Customizable: Yes
Minimum Per Person Price: 760 Euro (EUR)
Maximum Per Person Price: 770 Euro (EUR)
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Activities: Classic walks, nature, waterfalls, caves, people. During this tour you will hike at Mount Aragats, explore Local Traditions & Ancient Sites like village of Ria-Taza, discover Forest Trails, Waterfalls and Caves, visit Royal Prison of Khor Virap and many other unbelievable sites.
Your Itinerary
Day 1. Yerevan New and Old
The tour starts with a meeting with your tour escort and group participants before heading to introductory tour of Yerevan, new and old. We start our exploration with the Republic Square with it magnificent buildings enhanced by singing fountains, continue to Erebouni Fortress, the birthplace of Yerevan. Take a guided tour of the fortress and explore the impressive ruins and museum. Drive back to city center, stopping at the Railway Station to see the beautiful monument of David of Sasun, national hero.
Visit to the famous Closed Market on Mashtots Avenue. Wonder among the stalls with a variety of fresh, dried and marinated fruits and vegetables, sample some of the delicacies on offer, learn about Armenian cuisine you will have a chance to enjoy for the days to come. End the day with a visit to Yerevan Brandy Factory to learn age-old secrets of brandy-making and sample the finished product.
Overnight: Hotel in Yerevan, Meal plan: Breakfast
Day 2. Mount Aragats
In the morning start your trip to Mount Aragats, an extinct volcano, the highest peak of Lesser Caucasus. Our bus takes us to picturesque Byurakan -Thousand Springs. Acclimatizing gradually as we ascend the beautiful countryside of Byurakan, we reach the Stone Lake whose waters glitter like polished mirror in the sunlight. We have plenty of experience in getting people to the Southern peak of Mount Aragats, whatever your physical fitness and age.
A steep hike up is rewarded by superb panoramas of alpine meadows of rare beauty. If you're still keen for more, put on your hiking shoes and we will scramble up to the Western peak for unbelievable views of endless crisp blue sky and Mount Ararat in the distance. If you prefer a gentle hike you can head for medieval Amberd Fortress nearby.
Overnight: Guesthouse at Amberd, Meal plan: Breakfast
Day 3. Local Traditions and Ancient Sites
In the morning we leave our attractive hiking camp to have a short drive to the traditional village of Ria-Taza to witness unique traditions and ancient sanctuaries. The village is home to friendly Yezidi ethnic group living in high mountains in summer, grazing sheep and goats on mountain pastures.
Discover the traditional way of life of these “people of the mountains”, visit their homes, try fresh cheese and yogurt and learn the art of permission-based travel portraiture. Later we drive further north and start a light hike in dramatic Debed gorge to reach half-ruined Kobayr Monastery filled with frescoes that can only be described as “miraculous”. Reach the sleepy but picturesque Alaverdi and rise again to your following destinations, Monasteries of Sanahin and Haghpat listed among UNESCO World Heritage Sites. Overnight at a small guesthouse in Alaverdi.
Overnight: Guesthouse in Alaverdi, Meal plan: Breakfast
Day 4. Wilderness Country
Breakfast at guesthouse and transfer to Ijevan, a small city of quaint appeal with its beautiful cypress-lined streets. Proceed to the village of Gomer where we embark on Lastiver Trail (15 km round trip). We'll spend a hiking day in this beautiful wilderness area – no roads, no shops, no TVs – just incredible views, serene lakes, picturesque hill trails and marvellous solitude.
Hiking through the nature reserve we are introduced to some aspects of the forest and bird life that characterise the area. Follow the hiking trail to reach hidden caves and cascading waterfalls of Lastiver, perhaps Armenia’s best-kept secret. We spend overnight at forest cabins at Lastiver hidden away in the heart of the forest (full facilities - fresh water supply, shower, toilets).
Overnight: Forest cabins at Lastiver, Meal plan: Breakfast, lunch, dinner
Day 5. Forest Trails
Early transfer to Crystal Lake. Lookout for the early morning birds that are particularly active at this time. Start the hike along a stunning forest trail (8 km), cross the wildly beautiful Areguni pass and reach Goshavank monastery where the great scholar of the 13th century Mkhitar Gosh is buried. We have a chance to explore the enchanting scenery of the area as we take a gentle walk on well-defined forest trails.
Transfer to Dilijan that captures the spirit of rural Armenia and explore its main street and small shops with an array of traditional handicrafts and produce on display. We base ourselves at a lovely family-run guesthouse furnished in traditional style.
Overnight: Guesthouse in Dilijan, Meal plan: Breakfast, lunch, dinner
Day 6. Treasures of Silk Road
After a leisurely breakfast we begin our journey to the south and come to the shores of Lake Sevan. The air here is crystal clear and the views are magnificent with snow-capped peaks of Geghama Mountains towering in the background. Visit to Stone Garden famous for its collection of intricate cross-stones, the oldest of which date from the 10th c.
Follow one of the caravan routes making up the extensive network of Silk Road. Taking the winding road up the lofty mountain peaks of Vardenis ridge we reach Selim Caravanserai or inn for caravans, an important link for merchants trading on this route. A short transfer brings us to Yeghegis where we undertake a half-day hike to discover the Fortress of King Smbat and Zorats Vank Monastery.
A fitting finale for a day full of impressions is a well-deserved dinner at Goat Cheese Farm in Mosrov where villagers adhere to their traditional ways of life. Our mountain camp, which we reach in the evening, is in a sheltered ravine near Gnishik river (full facilities - fresh water supply, shower, toilets, sleeping and dining tents, camping stools and tables provided).
Overnight: Mountain camp, Meal plan: Breakfast, dinner
Day 7. Hermits' Trail
Breakfast at camp and leave early to travel into the deep Armenian wilderness - an environment, which has barely changed for hundreds of years. We offer a unique option this afternoon, hiking the Hermits' Trail. Transfer by jeep to Jafar hill station to start the day’s hike. After an hour's walk you can see Noravank Monastery in the distance – a sudden and dramatic sight amid surreal red rocks.
Continue walking and come to a pleasant picnic area under rosehip trees, where there is time to relax, enjoy your lunch and share your thoughts. After rest continue to reach an abandoned military point, walk down the gorge, cross the river and hike your last hour to reach Noravank. This is around 6 hours' hike through exciting terrain, ranging from steep rocky paths down to tree-studded ravines, then to open, grassy hilltops.
In Noravank take a tour of the monastery, examine the exquisite carvings and precious cross-stones. Back to camp by jeep.
Overnight: Mountain camp, Meal plan: Breakfast, lunch, dinner
Day 8. Ancient Observatory
Start the exploration of the stark beauty of Southern Armenia with a scenic ride to Sisian. Visit the ancient astrological site of Karahunj (6 thousand years) consisting of huge stelae with strange notations and finally reach magnificent Tatev, the largest, holiest and most impressive of Armenia’s monasteries.
Wander around its impressive fortifications, explore the secret pathways and fascinating legends amid a panorama of overwhelming immensity with the peaks of surrounding mountains above and the river thousands of meters below. Back to Sisian, where we base ourselves in a small hotel, a simple but wonderful place to hang out at the end of the day full of adventures! Optional: 4WD trip to Camel Mount where 2,000 rock paintings were discovered.
Overnight: Hotel in Sisian Meal plan: Breakfast
Day 9. Royal Prison
Breakfast and drive back to Yerevan. Although it is a long drive (5 hours including stops), it is interesting and spectacular. There are scheduled stops along the route to visit some of the most interesting cultural sites, which help break up the day and get a feeling for the beauty of Armenia.
Private wine touring in the cellars of one of the leading wineries, taste award-winning wines made from local Areni grapes. The next stop of our trip is Khor Virap historical site near the border with Turkey. This is one of the most remote and magnificent monastic sites in Europe, which illustrates the Spartan existence of the first Christians. Back to the comfort of our hotel in Yerevan.
Overnight: Hotel in Yerevan, Meal plan: Breakfast
Day 10. Free Day in Yerevan
Free day to relax and enjoy Yerevan at your own pace! Explore the treasures of the cultural life of Yerevan, ramble in the oldest part of the city or just relax in shady parks or busy outdoor cafes, enjoying the young and lively atmosphere of this ancient city, the contemporary of Babylon and Rome.
Overnight: Hotel in Yerevan, Meal plan: Breakfast
Notes:
Airfare is not included in the tour price.
The tour has guaranteed departures from May to October:
* 7 October 2008
* 14 May 2009
* 11 June 2009
* 9 July 2009
* 6 August 2009
* 3 September 2009
* 1 October 2009
Price Includes:
* Accommodation for 10 nights
* Meals as specified in the itinerary
* AdvenTour tour leader, local mountain guides
* All sightseeing and activities as per itinerary
* All transfers in comfortable 4WD vehicles
* Full facilities on camping days
* Travel permits in protected areas
* Luggage handling
* Hiking in Armenia information kit
Also see tour packages in:
Europe
Armenia
Hiking & Trekking
Walking Tours
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