Mount Aragats is situated 40 kilometers northwest of Armenian capital Yerevan. Aragats is a large volcano with numerous fissure vents and adventive cones. It is also the fourth highest top in the territory of Armenian Highlands. According to the Armenian version, the name of the mountain is the Armenian word "Aragats" which originates from the words "Ara and gah" means "the throne of Ara". Ara is legendary Armenian king called Ara Geghetsik (Ara the beautiful). Movses Khorenatsi, a famous Armenian historian, mentioned this mountain in his book of "History of Armenian". In his recordings, he claimed that the mountain was named after Aramaneak, the son of Hayk(the ancestor of the Armenian people). He called his residence "The foot of Aragats". Actually "Ar" root is very popular in Armenian. It means sun, light, creation which gives you mystical feelings from this country.
The most interesting thing connected with Aragats mountain is the Dance of Unity, one of the lovely traditions of Armenians. Since On May 28, 2005, over 250.000 people took part in a Dance of Unity around Mountain. The meaning of this dance is the national unity of Armenian. On that day formed 163 km ring around Aragats.
Aragats is a specific mountain because it is isolated from Armenia's other mountain ranges. You can climb four summits and enjoy the view of the creator. Bellow, you can see relative geographic positions of peaks:
Northern summit-4090 m
Western-3995 m
Eastern-3908 m
Southern-3888 m
The highest point of Armenia has historically played a significant role in Armenian history and culture. Numerous historical and modern monuments are located on its slopes. On Aragats there is beautiful Lake Kari: "Stone lake"(Kar(քար)=stone, 3200m). It is located on the slopes of the mountain and mostly formed by ice and snow.
Here you can find some lakes too. Continue your hiking/climbing and you can be on the top of these peaks. Every peak is specific. The weather depends on the season Here archaeologists found old Armenian "Vishapakar''(Dragon-stones), which comes from pagan times. These stones symbolize the power of water. From its slopes flow a lot of rivers.
Numerous engravings have been around the volcano, including rock paintings portraying animals and human-like figures in Kasagh Valley possibly of early Holocene age, and in Aghavnatun on the southern side of the volcano including petroglyphs showing animals that were possibly created in the 4th to 1st millennium BC.
The name of the mountain is the Armenian word "Aragats" which originates from the words "Ara and gah" means "the throne of Ara". Ara is legendary Armenian king called Ara Geghetsik (Ara the beautiful). Movses Khorenatsi, a famous Armenian historian, mentioned this mountain in his book of "History of Armenian". In his recordings, he claimed that the mountain was named after Aramaneak, the son of Hayk(the ancestor of the Armenian people). He called his residence "The foot of Aragats".
One of the popular hiking places is Aragats Mountain (4090m). Being the highest peak in Armenia, it still remains the perfect place for hiking. The Southern peak of Aragats is for non-professional climbers, but if you are professional the Northern peak is more convenient for you because it requires serious preparedness. For climbing the mountain, the most suitable months are June and August that time of the year the trails are dry. But this mountain becomes a perfect place for professional climbers in winters.
