An unforgettable mountain and cultural adventure in Armenia!
If you love mountains, historic fortresses-monasteries, and mouth-watering national cuisine, then this easy Armenian mountain hike spiced with culture and including two peaks is just for you!
The trip is well suited for those who have never been to the mountains before and who do not have great mountaineering ambitions, but who would feel comfortable hiking on beautiful mountain roads with a small backpack and trying out some camp life. We also have all the comforts on the trip - large support vehicles carrying luggage and local cuisine experts cooking at the camp.
Beautiful nature, rich culture, and delicious national cuisine can be expected on this trip!
Armenia is rich in nature and many ancient historical monuments: medieval monasteries, fortresses and temples tower on picturesque mountain slopes. The peaks of the Caucasus are covered with snow, wild rivers have carved out stunning canyons, and there are many waterfalls and lakes that we can visit with our own eyes. kondimootorWe visit every.
For convenience, we will hike with small backpacks, with the rest of our equipment in the support vehicles. We will spend a total of four nights in tents during the hike (not consecutively), but local cooks will prepare camp food for us at the tent camp.
During this week spent in Armenia in hiking boots, we will check the legendary Lake Sevan, high peaks, beautiful gorges and canyons, and in the background the sacred mountain of Armenians, Ararat, accompanies us with its wonderful panoramic views. During the hike, we plan to climb two volcanoes - Aragatsi (4090 m) and Aždhaka (3597 m) and admire Armenia from these heights.
Traditional Armenian dish dolma
In addition to the pleasures of hiking, we gratefully regain all the calories lost on the hike with the delicacies of Armenian cuisine, which are prepared for us by locals on hiking days. Armenian food is characterized by sharpness, piquancy and hearty soups. A lot of herbs, cumin, garlic and pepper are used to season the food. Potatoes, cabbage, tomatoes and eggplant are used in abundance from vegetables. Beef and lamb are very important. We will definitely taste pomegranate wine. We shouldn't feel hungry there and maybe we will also get some tips for bringing it home!
In addition to nature, we will also look at the invaluable cultural heritage of Armenia. Armenia is rightly called an open-air museum, as some monuments were built as early as the 6th-5th BC! The country has become the cradle of modern civilization: the first people to leave Africa settled here, and figurines more than 3000 years old have been found in ancient settlements.
This week-long hike is not only scenic, but also educational. Believe me, Armenia will not leave anyone indifferent, it can be love at first sight!
Who is this trip for?
Beginners and more experienced adventurers who enjoy a moderate challenge and a worthy reward in a beautiful and interesting environment.
Nature and culture enthusiasts looking for spectacular views.
Those who appreciate active vacations and have time to relax from office work.
Overview – short & sweet
Goal: climbs to the peaks of Aragats and Ajahak and getting to know Armenian culture
Dates: 06.-13.07.2024
Activity: mountain hiking to easier peaks and exploring cultural heritage
Adventure guide: Sergei Kleidov
Technical difficulty level: 1/5 (suitable for beginners)
Physical difficulty: 2/5 (requires average physical fitness)
Group size: 14 (including locomotive)
Early bird (until 29.02.2024) – €1390
Less dizzy chicken (from 01.03.2024) – 1530€
Please note: For community members discount of -5% applies (1320€/1450€)
(I.e. If the trip is canceled due to circumstances caused by the pandemic, we will refund the advance payment in full!
👉 SEE EQUIPMENT LIST HERE 👈
Travel cost
Price includes
Entire trip organization and on-site guidance
Elamus+ group leader
Local guides
Entrance fees to monasteries and fortresses along the route
All overnight stays during the trip
Transportation of equipment as indicated in the itinerary
Meals as indicated in the itinerary
Airport transfers
Stylish Elamus+ designed sports shirt
Image material
Group pharmacy
Price does not include
Flight tickets (~300 €)
Travel insurance and sports insurance/additional protection suitable for mountain hiking
Personal hiking equipment (no climbing equipment needed), but four nights in total will be spent in tents, so you must bring your own camping equipment. You do not need to carry your own equipment on the hike. Equipment can be rented if needed.
Personal hygiene products and medications
Registration for the trip
Before registering, please read travel conditions. To secure your place on the trip, you must pay an advance payment (20%) within 3 working days of receiving the confirmation and invoice by e-mail; the remaining cost 1 month before the trip. If there are less than 30 days left until the trip, the total cost (100%) must be paid. Read more: frequently asked questions ja package tour information sheet.
Schedule and activities
Day 1 – YEREVAN
Upon arrival at Zvartnots Airport (EVN), the group will be met by a local representative and transferred to a hotel in the center of Yerevan. After some post-flight refreshment, a guided tour of Yerevan awaits us. Yerevan is included in the list of the most ancient cities on the planet, and the first fortress built here, Erebuni, dates back to 782 BC, which is 29 years earlier than Rome! Yerevan is surrounded on three sides by the peaks of the Armenian Highlands and is known for its unusual shape and color: buildings and streets form concentric circles, from the center of which the streets radiate. In the rays of the setting sun, the city turns into lyrical dusty pink shades, which is why the city was also called "Pink". We will see Republic Square, the Blue Mosque, St. Gregory's Cathedral, climb the Cascade, from where the most breathtaking view of the capital and the grandiose Ararat - the symbol of Armenia opens.
In the evening, we will have a joint introductory dinner at a traditional restaurant, during which we can discuss the upcoming hiking trip with our mountain guide.
Overnight stay at the hotel
Dinner is included in the price.
Day 2 – The Armenian adventure begins! First day of hiking
After a good breakfast, we will drive to the village of Ahtsk in the southern part of the Aragatsotn region, where the most important monument of national history is located - the tomb of the 2300th century Armenian kings. Ahtsk is not just a tomb, but a whole complex of monuments located on the edge of the gorge, at the bottom of which the Amberd River flows. The tomb is adjacent to the Ahtsits Vank basilica church, built in the 1236th century. Its ruins have survived to this day. The remains of the side walls, altar and columns have been preserved. From here our hike to the Tegher Monastery begins, and after exploring it, the hike continues to the Amberd fortress. Amberd (XNUMX m) is a historical complex located on the slope of Mount Aragats, consisting of a XNUMXth century castle and an XNUMXth century church. The castle was first captured by the Seljuk Turks in the XNUMXth century, and in XNUMX the Mongols completely destroyed the castle. Numerous underground passages led from the fortress down to the gorge, some of which can still be seen today. Amberd Fortress is located halfway towards the peaks of Aragats in a beautiful gorge between two rivers. Upon reaching the fortress, we will set up camp and in the evening a warm dinner prepared over a campfire awaits us.
We will hike for 5-6 hours (about 8 km) during the day.
Overnight stay in tents at Amberd Fortress
The price includes breakfast, dinner, and a picnic lunch.
Day 3 – We move forward towards the peak of Aragats
After breakfast, we pack up our tent camp, put things we won't need for the day on the cars, and with small backpacks, we head to Lake Kari. We will hike about 13 km during the day. In between, we can also take breaks and eat a picnic lunch that we shared in the morning at a convenient time.
Kari is a high mountain lake located on the slopes of Mount Aragats, on a plateau at an altitude of 3207 m above sea level. The lake dates back to the Ice Age. On the eastern shore of the lake there is a meteorological station, near which we set up our tent camp and enjoy a shared dinner.
We will hike for 7-8 hours (about 13 km) during the day.
Overnight stay in tents on the shores of Lake Kari.
The price includes breakfast, dinner, and a picnic lunch.
Day 4 – Ascent to the southern and northern peaks of Mount Aragats
The third day in the Armenian mountains promises to be very active! We will climb the highest mountain in Armenia - the peak of Aragats. We will prepare our minds for a proper hiking day, which should be within the reach of any slightly mobile hiker. No climbing skills or special equipment are required, the main thing is to be careful and follow the guide's instructions.
Aragats has 4 sub-peaks: in the north - 4090 m, in the west - 4007 m, in the east - 3916 m, in the south - 3879 m. Between the peaks there is an irregularly shaped volcanic crater with a depth of 350 m and a width of 2,5 km. Small glaciers and snowfields can be seen on the slopes. We will test our strength and climb the southern and northern peaks. On one of them we will enjoy a picnic lunch that we have brought with us. Then we will descend to the Gegharot waterfall, which is located on the other side of Aragats at an altitude of about 3000 m above sea level. The waterfall is located approximately 12 km from the village of Aragats. In winter, the waterfall freezes, and in summer the waters fall from a height of about 17 m. If you wish, you can bathe yourself under the waterfall.
Cars are already waiting for us at the same place and we drive on to Dilijan National Park, where we settle into a guesthouse, because we have obviously earned running hot water and a soft bed! We also have dinner at the guesthouse. Those whose energy didn't stay all the way to Aragats have the opportunity to explore the town of Dilijan on their own in the evening.
We will hike for 9-10 hours (about 15 km) during the day.
Overnight stay at Dilijan guesthouse.
The price includes breakfast, dinner, and a picnic lunch.
Day 5 – We hike in Dilijan National Park
In the morning we wake up, have breakfast and start a pleasant walk along Lake Parzh. Parzh (translated as "clear" or "transparent lake") is a small lake in Armenia, located in the Dilijan National Park, at an altitude of 1334 meters above sea level. The lake is located in a shallow valley between forested ridges and has an elongated contour. Along a beautiful forest path we reach the village of Gosh, where the unique medieval Goshavank Monastery is located. This is a medieval monastery complex in Armenia from the XNUMXth-XNUMXth centuries. Here we make a stop, look over the monastery and enjoy our picnic lunch. After visiting the monastery, we continue our hike to Lake Gosh and from there we head to the village of Khachardzan. On the way to the village, a stunning view of the Tavush Mountains opens up before us. We finish the hike in Khachardzan and from there we drive to Lake Sevan by car, where we set up a tent camp.
We will hike for 7-8 hours (about 15 km) during the day.
Overnight stay in a tent camp by Lake Sevan.
The price includes breakfast, dinner, and a picnic lunch.
Day 6 – BACK TO THE MOUNTAINS
After breakfast, we drive to the village of Semenovka, the starting point of the hike, from where we begin the ascent to the top of Mount Yeghnasar (2599 m). The surrounding landscape continues to be enchanting. Mount Yeghnasar is located on the border of the Gegharkunik and Tavush regions and is part of the Aregun Mountains. Along the entire route and from the top of the mountain, a stunning view of Lake Sevan and the mountains of the Tavush region of Armenia opens up. Having reached the peak, we rest, take pictures, and then descend to Lake Kakachi, which is distinguished by its unique shape and colors. We end the hike in the village of Tsovagyukhi, and from there we drive to the area of the village of Garni, where we set up a tent camp and enjoy a warm dinner.
We will hike for 5-6 hours (about 13 km) during the day.
Overnight stay in a tent camp in the village of Garni.
The price includes breakfast, dinner, and a picnic lunch.
Day 7 – Climb to the top of Aždahak
This is probably the most interesting day of the hike. We wake up early, have breakfast and head by car to the Azhdahak volcano. Azhdahak is an extinct volcano, the highest point of the Geghama range (3597 m).
On the way we see ancient petroglyph drawings dating back to the 5th-4th millennium BC! So our hike is enriched by pictures of long-extinct animals drawn by man two thousand years ago! After a short rest, we climb to the top of Azhdahak. We admire the picturesque lake in the crater of the volcano. From above, a magnificent landscape opens up: Ararat, Ara, Hatis, Aragats, Sevan, the slopes of the Geghama ridge and the valley of the Kotayk region. Translated from Persian, Azhdahak means giant, huge, powerful, great. And it lives up to its name. From here we get wonderful photos that will remain an Armenian appetite for a long time! After descending, we drive back to Yerevan by car, settle into the hotel and end the day with a nice dinner in a traditional Yerevan restaurant.
We will hike for 6-7 hours (about 12 km) during the day.
Overnight stay at the hotel
The price includes breakfast, dinner and a picnic lunch.
Day 8 – NOW IT'S TIME TO GO HOME!
After breakfast, a transfer to Zvartnots Airport awaits us to begin our journey home!
Breakfast is included in the price.
NB! There may be minor changes to the schedule and planned activities. for example, due to weather and conditions or the wishes of passengers.
Armenian specifics
Armenia has one official language: Armenian, but 70% of the population speaks Russian fluently.
The national currency of Armenia is the dram (€1 = 419 AMD). Small coins are called lumi (1 dram = 100 lumi), but they are practically not used. When going to Armenia, it is better to bring US dollars or euros with you, which can be exchanged at local exchange offices if necessary. There are a lot of exchange offices.
The sockets are like in Estonia, no adapter is needed.
Armenia is very lucky with its water supply from glaciers and mountain rivers, so drinking fountains called pulpAs a rule, you can safely drink water at any time. pulpy or from the tap: in the countryside, water treatment plants work perfectly.
Armenia's international brand is chess. In modern Armenia, schoolchildren have been learning chess as a compulsory subject since 2011, starting in the first grade. Armenians believe they have one of the best chess teaching methods in the world.
Hospitality is in the blood of Armenians. They love to receive guests at home, set a big table, cook delicious food, and spend quality time together. People believe that the more often a person hosts others, the more wealth they will receive in return.
Although real estate in Armenia is not expensive and living apart from parents is affordable, many Armenians live together. Family is sacred to Armenians and the opinion of parents is valued. Armenians love children and allow them almost everything.
Armenians are allowed to marry no more than three times, and the third time can only be married to a widow.
Armenia is known for its ancient history, beautiful landscapes, culture and cuisine. As the first country to adopt Christianity as its official state religion, Armenia is home to ancient churches and monasteries surrounded by amazing nature. The first church in the world was built in Armenia.
Medical information
No specific vaccinations are required to travel to Armenia.
Travel documents and footnotes
The participant is responsible for the validity and condition of their travel documents. For this trip you will need:
passport (no visa required);
sports insurance suitable for mountain hiking (read more on the FAQ page). A suitable sports insurance policy (or additional travel insurance coverage) must be carried and is a prerequisite for participating in the mountain hike.
travel insurance.
At least one month before the trip, we will make a decision whether the trip is possible under Covid-19 conditions. If the trip is canceled due to circumstances caused by the pandemic that make the trip impossible (e.g. closing of national borders), we will refund the advance payment in full.
Plan your trip early and start training for it. We will organize several trial trips, training sessions and recommend training plans beforehand. It would be a shame if the peak was only behind the physique. Also a good opportunity to get in shape. ;)
Summits are not guaranteed. As you might expect, weather is king in the mountains. So it is entirely possible that weather or dangerous conditions will prevent us from even attempting the summit. Nevertheless, it will definitely be an awesome experience!
Although at the end of the day everyone is still responsible for their own actions and consequences, we do our best to mitigate the risks associated with mountaineering. As a result, the group leader has the right to make ongoing decisions about the competence of the participants, the suitability of their equipment, physical/mental capacity, etc. and, if necessary, for example, to prohibit participation on summit day if it endangers the health of the group or the participant themselves. Hopefully, of course, there will be no need for this.
Read more also travel conditions or feel free to ask the adventure locomotives.
Don't worry, let's do it!
My altitude record is Munamägi. Can I still do it?!
Yes, you can. If you've never been this high before, it might seem daunting at first, but it's not that bad at all – especially if you have a good hiking guide at your side. You have to train and mentally prepare yourself for the effort. However, no mountain should be underestimated.
But I don't have any hiking gear, who can afford to buy it?
You'll still have to spend a little, but not much. Hiking equipment can be rented for a very reasonable price and, of course, borrowed from friends. In addition, you can use any kind of clothing you have – for example, a ski jacket is also very good for the mountains. The more resourceful can manage with almost no additional expenses.
Okay, I registered. Now what?
Well, theoretically you could just vanish into thin air and appear on a plane. That's possible, but we highly recommend taking part in preparatory events - it's part of the fun. We organise preparatory hiking training, advise on suitable insurance and equipment, where to rent cheaply, what to train for, etc. We will definitely review the equipment you have collected just before the start of the trip and send reminders about important things.
Read more also frequently asked questions.
