Things to do in Gegharkunik Province

Discover Tsaghkadzor Canyon, Lake Sevan, Dilijan and more on a multi-stop guided trip from Yerevan. Try traditional food in Sevan and marvel at the architecture of the Haghartsin Monastery Complex. Start your trip by visiting one of the country’s most renowned landmarks: Lake Sevan. Merely an hour’s drive from the capital city of Yerevan, Sevan is situated at a height of 1900 m above sea level and surrounded by a vast chain of mountains. Then, prepare to be surrounded by incredible nature as you head to the north of Armenia. Visit the city of Dilijan before making a stop at the Monastery of Haghartsin, dating back to the 10th century. Haghartsin is one of those spots in Armenia that feels just like a movie set. The refectory of Haghartsin is one the biggest examples of Armenian Church architecture. It was an absolute innovation at the time it was constructed.

This fantastic tour will introduce you to the exotic Pagan history of Armenia, before then showing the later development and spread of Christianity throughout the country. Your first stop will be Garni Temple (77 A.D.), which is the only standing heathen temple in the whole post-Soviet area. The monastic complex of Geghard is another historical site included in this daily tour. Approximately translated into English as “Monastery of the Holy Lance”, it refers to the lance with which Longinus pierced Jesus whilst he was still hanging on the cross. The complex is a representation of 13th century Armenia, which is considered to be the Golden Age of the country’s architecture. On the way to the temple, there will also be short stop at the Charents Arch where you will be given the chance to enjoy one of the best moments of your trip to Armenia: a picturesque view of the Biblical Mount Ararat. From here, your tour will progress to the beautiful Lake Sevan. Merely an hour’s drive from the capital city of Yerevan, Sevan is situated at the height of 1,900 meters above sea level and surrounded by a vast chain of mountains. Your lake tour begins by climbing a flight of stairs to the Sevan Peninsula, a pleasant morning workout that will compensate itself with unforgettable panoramic views of the lake from the top. You will also visit the monastery of Sevanavank, which was built by the princess Mariam to honor the life of her deceased husband in the 9th century. The tour will then take you to the north of Armenia, where you will be surrounded by beautiful nature. Passing through the city of Dilijan, you will make a stop at the monastery of Gosh-Goshavank. The final destination during this trip will be the monastery of Haghartsin, which dates back to the 10th-14th centuries.

Day 1: After the pick up from your hotel in the morning, you will soon reach the border to Armenia and at around 11:00AM. You will step into the historical region of Lori, which is famous for its rocky landscapes and mysterious monasteries. Here you will visit the UNESCO World Heritage Site of Haghpat. A few of hours from there, you will arrive at the scenic lake of Sevan, one of the signature sites of Armenia. Here you can see the a medieval monastery, and even enjoy a traditional lunch by the lake. In the late afternoon you will reach Yerevan, the modern capital city. Some of the key sights not to miss here include the Mother of Armenia, Victory Park, and Cascade. Day 2 Your second day will begin with a 1-hour ride to see the Garni Temple and the monastery of Geghard, which is a true jewel of religious architecture in Armenia. Following some classical sightseeing, you will be invited on a tour through the world famous brandy factory, where you will learn about the history of the drink and taste brandies of different parts of the aging process. After an interesting day of exploration, you will reach Tbilisi at around 9:00PM.

Start your day early at 9:30 AM. After pick–up from your hotel in Yerevan, make your first stop at the Arc of Ararat, slow down and take in the fantastic view of mount Ararat. Move on to the Garni Pagan Temple, and learn about the only Pagan Temple to exist in Armenia. Explore the Pagan Temple, a well–known symbol of pre–Christian Armenia that was converted into a royal summer house.  For your next stop, head to the unique UNESCO listed Geghard Monastery complex, dating back as far as the 13th century. Your tour continues to Sevan Lake and Sevanavank. Stop here and savor your lunch at with Sevan Lake Iishkhan, a type of local trout, before transferring back to Yerevan.

Start your day bright and early with a warm greeting by your guide who will be waiting for you in the lobby of your hotel. After a short meet and greet, you will be ready to kick start the day's adventures. Take a short and scenic drive in the direction of the most famous ski resort in the country, Tsaghkadzor, where you can enjoy skiing through Mount Teghenis. Get your skiing underway with a ropeway ride to reach the first ski path of the mountain from where can hit the slopes. Whilst you ski, take in the magnificent views of the proud Armenian snow-covered peaks.   After your skiing fun, you will head to the biggest lake in Armenia, Lake Sevan, which is partially covered with ice during the winter season and a magnificent view to behold. Next, drive towards the Sevan Peninsula to see the old monastic complex of Sevanavank and marvel at the breathtaking panoramic views.   Following your visit to the monastery, you'll hop back on board your comfortable vehicle and return to your hotel in Yerevan.

This tour will introduce you to the mysterious pagan history of Armenia and explain the spread and influence of Christianity in the country's history. Visit the Temple of Garni, the only standing Greco-Roman temple in the whole post-Soviet area. Standing on a high plateau overlooking the Azat River gorge, the temple is home to a Roman bathhouse which houses a mosaic, made out of 30,000 pieces of natural stones. It also hosts the ruins of the royal palace, dating back to the 3rd-century. Head to the monastic complex of Geghard. The complex is from medieval times, which was considered to be the Golden Age of the country’s architecture. Check out the impressive church cut right out of solid rock.  Drive to the beautiful Lake Sevan surrounded by a vast chain of mountains. Climb a flight of stairs to the Sevan peninsula for an unforgettable panoramic view of the lake and see the 9th-century monastery of Sevanavank. Built by the princess Mariam in honor of her late husband, Sevanavank is also home to one of the most beautiful Amenaprkich Khachkars of Armenia.

Visit Lake Sevan, the world’s second-largest high-altitude lake at 1900m above sea level. Explore this huge mountain lake that takes up 5% of Armenia's surface area. Marvel at stunning turquoise waters and dramatic mountain scenery after climbing up the peninsula hill. Continue to Dilijan spa town in Dilijan National Park, a protected area renowned for its serene lakes, picturesque hill trails, and peaceful villages. Words alone can’t describe the natural beauty of Dilijan. Soak in the forested mountains and mild climate of Dilijan. Take a stroll in Old Dilijan Complex on the historic Sharambeyan street. Then, continue your journey to Haghartsin, a fairy-tale medieval monastery nestled in the middle of the forest.

In the morning, meeting your guide in the lobby of your hotel and start the adventurous camping tour. Head to the Western part of Gegharkunik Region to start the hiking mission to the highest point of The Geghama Range. First, discover the crater Lake Akna on the foot of the extinct volcano Azhdahak. Climb up the slopes and enjoy fragrant flowers and the beauty of virgin landscapes. Afterward, reach the summit of the mount and unveil the views of the biblical Mount Ararat, the valley of Kotayk, Lake Sevan and the whole Geghama mountain range. Later, descend to Vanki Lake and set up the tents for overnight. Along the way, explore the petroglyphs and dragon stones near the Lake, which date back from 2 B.C. to 1 B.C. In the evening, delicious meals, a friendly atmosphere, and a warm campfire will fill your evening with joy. In the morning, fresh alpine air wakes you before you descend the Mount to drive to the next location, the UNESCO heritage site Geghard Monastic complex. Later, head to the Pagan Temple of Garni, another ancient marvel surrounded by divine backgrounds. In the evening, the comfortable vehicle will transfer you back to the capital city.

Start the tour at 10 AM by arriving at the local operator's office in Yerevan. After checking in, set off towards the Eastern part of Armenia in a comfortable air-conditioned vehicle. First, make a short stop at Charent's Arch where you can soak up the wonderful views to the biblical Mount Ararat. Them, head over to the Garni pagan temple which towers over a triangular cape. Admire the temple's blend of Greco-Roman and Armenian styles and see the ruins of the former royal palace with its stunning mosaics. After this, continue on to a masterpiece of 13th-century Armenian architecture at Geghard Monastery. Learn about how this cave monastery was believed to have housed the relic of the lance that pierced the side of Jesus as he hung on the cross. Experience its incredible construction which boasts fascinating acoustics which has served as a good place to sing spiritual songs. Marvel at some of the churches in the complex which are masterfully hewed into a huge rock. Discover how the complex is rich in subtle sculptural embellishments and many striking khachkars (cross-stones). Next up, stop for lunch at a cozy family-style restaurant called Abelyan House. Here, also watch the process of baking the Armenian lavash bread. Observe how the dough is rolled out flat and slapped against the hot walls of a clay oven. Have a good opportunity to participate in a lavash baking procedure. Savor the opportunity to taste it afterward with local cheese and greens. Following this, pop over to the amazing Lake Sevan, which is one of the world's greatest high altitude fresh-water lakes. Learn about how the lake is of volcanic origin and is surrounded by mountains of 3000 m and higher. Immerse yourself in the beautiful landscape surrounded by crystal-clear water. Check out the medieval church complex of Sevanavank Monastery on the peninsular before you head off. Finally, hop back into the vehicle and take the return journey back to the meeting point in Yerevan where the tour concludes.

If you want to feel the real winter, visit historical places and have an active rest, then go with us to Tsakhkadzor, admire Armenia from the cable car and enjoy a drive on snowmobiles. And at the end, warm thermal springs will await you, where you will take a hot bath saturated with mineral salts. In addition, you will visit the Kecharis monastery, discover the history of the country from biblical times and hear about its traditions. The cable car will take you to a height of 2819 meters - in clear weather, from here all of Armenia is in full view, including Lake Sevan and Mount Ararat. Practical Instructions on how to handle the snowmobile will be given by our guides who will then take you on a scenic trail through the Tsaghkadzor slopes. During your day you will have time to enjoy the beautiful scenery, take pictures ! We will ensure you get the most of your day out in Tsaghkazdor. Children over the aged of 7 are welcome but will need to share a snow mobile with an adult. Children must be able to sit and hold on to the snowmobile unassisted. Duration is 30 min. But if you are 2 pax, you can take 1 snowmobile and drive it together for 1 hour.