Goravan Sands Sanctuary

The Goravan Sands State Sanctuary protects an unusual semi-desert landscape of sand dunes at the foot of the Urts mountain range, near the village of Goravan. This dry, sandy ecosystem is strikingly different from the rest of Armenia and is home to specialized, often endemic species adapted to harsh conditions, including rare reptiles, sand-dwelling insects and drought-tolerant plants. Established to conserve this fragile habitat, the sanctuary is of great interest to naturalists and anyone curious about the country's surprising ecological variety. Its open, sunbaked dunes and views toward Mount Ararat make it a distinctive stop in the Ararat plain.