Activities

Adventure

Rock climbing in Gnishik Canyon

Vayots Dzor

Gnishik Canyon, also known as Noravank Gorge, is a narrow gorge in the Vayots Dzor region, about 140 km from Yerevan, cut by a tributary of the Arpa River through red volcanic cliffs near Noravank Monastery. Since 2018, individual climbers have bolted routes on its rock faces, including one named "Tigranes the Great" on a formation called Titanic Rock. The canyon's cliffs also hold numerous caves․ What you can do: climb bolted routes on the canyon walls (bring your own gear), and combine the climb with a hike through the gorge toward Noravank Monastery.

Hiking

Jermuk Waterfall hike

Vayots Dzor

Jermuk Waterfall is a natural hydrogeological monument located within the town of Jermuk, fed by springs that flow into the Arpa River by way of the Jermuk River. The waterfall drops approximately 68 meters. It carries the local nickname "Mermaid Hair," from an Armenian legend about a prince's daughter cursed to become a mermaid, her flowing hair said to have become the cascading water. What you can do: Walk to the base of the 68-meter waterfall from Jermuk town center. Take photographs of the falls and surrounding gorge. Combine the visit with the nearby Gallery of Water and the town's mineral spring bathing facilities.

Hiking

Smbataberd Fortress hike

Vayots Dzor

Smbataberd is a fortress in Vayots Dzor province, believed to have been first built in the 5th century, with its heaviest use during the 10th to 13th centuries. It sits on a steep, naturally defended mountain position overlooking the village of Yeghegis, surrounded by deep gorges that made it difficult for invaders to approach. The remains include long defensive walls studded with round towers that follow the mountain's contours, along with excavated barracks and citadel structures. Today it is a popular hiking destination for both Armenians and visitors, reached either on foot or by 4x4 vehicle. Direct Fortress Trail: ~3.5 to 5 km one way (7 to 10 km return) from Artabuynk or Yeghegis, with about 400 meters of elevation gain. Extended Loop (Artabuynk – Smbataberd – Tsakhats Kar): ~12 km total loop taking about 4 hours. Full Valley Traverse: Up to 16 km if crossing further through historical segments of the Yeghegis valley. What you can do: Hike up to the fortress ruins from Yeghegis village. Walk the surviving defensive walls and round towers. See the excavated barracks and citadel remains. Take in views over the surrounding gorges from the fortress's defensive position.

Cultural

Areni-1 cave exploration

Vayots Dzor

Areni-1, also known as Birds' Cave, is an archaeological site in Vayots Dzor province best known as the location of the world's oldest known winery, dated to roughly 6,000 years ago, along with the discovery of the world's oldest known leather shoe. Ongoing archaeological excavation continues at the site. Visitors walk through the cave's rocky chambers, which include natural niches and passageways, and can often see active dig work. What you can do: Walk through the cave chambers where the world's oldest known winery was discovered. See the area where the world's oldest known leather shoe was found. Observe ongoing archaeological excavation. Pair the visit with wine tasting in nearby Areni village.

Food

Wine tasting at Momik WineCube

Vayots Dzor

Momik WineCube is a wine tasting venue run by Nver and Narine Ghazaryan in Areni village, opened in 2018, set within a 1,500-square-meter vineyard. It represents a farm-to-bottle model in which local grape growers, who previously only sold raw grapes, now produce and bottle their own wine under the Momik label, making red, white, and rosé wines. From its terrace, visitors can see the 14th-century Holy Mother of God Church. Momik wines are also sold at wine bars in Yerevan, including In Vino and Wine Republic, and at restaurants along Saryan Street. What you can do: Taste Momik's red, white, and rosé wines on a vineyard terrace. View the nearby 14th-century Holy Mother of God Church from the tasting terrace. Walk through the vineyard the wine is grown in.

Food

Wine tasting at Old Bridge Winery

Vayots Dzor

Old Bridge Winery was founded by the Khalatyan family in 1998 and sits along the Arpa River in Yeghegnadzor. The winery offers wine flights, cellar tours, and local cheese pairings, with a patio known for sunset views over the river. What you can do: Taste a flight of Old Bridge wines, including their Areni Noir reserve. Tour the cellar. Pair wine with local cheese. Watch the sunset from the riverside patio.

Food

Wine tasting at Trinity Canyon Vineyards

Vayots Dzor

Trinity Canyon Vineyards is a hilltop winery in Vayots Dzor province, founded in 2012 by Armenian-American brothers, specializing in indigenous Armenian grape varieties, particularly Areni Noir and Voskeat, made using French winemaking techniques. Its tasting room has floor-to-ceiling windows overlooking a basalt canyon and the Arpa River gorge. What you can do: Taste wines made from Areni Noir and Voskeat grapes. Take a food pairing tasting matched with local fare. Take in canyon and gorge views from the tasting room. Buy bottles directly from the winery. Standard tasting flight of 3 wines, approximately 4,000 AMD (about 10 USD). Premium flight of 5 to 6 wines, approximately 8,000 AMD (about 20 USD). Food pairing tasting of 5 wines with local fare, approximately 12,000 AMD (about 29 USD).

Food

Wine tasting at Areni Wine Factory

Vayots Dzor

Areni Wine Factory is a joint-stock winemaking company established in 1994 in Areni village in Vayots Dzor province, on the road between Yerevan and Noravank Monastery. It holds four registered trademarks: Areni, Areni Key, Lernashen, and Vayots Dzor. Its product range includes dry, semi-dry, and semi-sweet grape wines in both red and white, as well as fruit wines made from apples, apricots, blackberries, cherries, peaches, and pomegranates, some of which are exported internationally. Visitors can tour the winery's cellar and taste its wines and brandy, and a café on the upper floor serves food alongside the tastings. What you can do: Taste Areni red wines, fruit wines made from local produce, and brandy. Tour the winery's cellar to see how the wine is stored and aged.