Trails of Armenia: Hiking Through Heritage

Day 1

Stop 1.Arrival

Arrival at Zvartnots International Airport. Meet your guide and transfer to the hotel. Overnight stay: Yerevan

Day 2

Stop 1.Republic Square

Breakfast at the hotel, then a walking tour of Yerevan, a city that blends ancient history with modern charm. Start at Republic Square, the central hub of the city, and admire the Government House, the National Gallery and the History Museum of Armenia.

Stop 2.Northern Avenue

Walk along Northern Avenue, Yerevan's contemporary pedestrian street with shops, cosy cafés and street art. A great spot to watch local life.

Stop 3.Cascade & Cafesjian Center for the Arts

Climb the Cascade, a giant staircase decorated with modern art, and visit the Cafesjian Center for the Arts inside. From the top, enjoy panoramic views of the city and Mount Ararat in the distance.

Stop 4.Dolma Masterclass in Musaler

Drive to Musaler village and visit a local house for a dolma-making masterclass, followed by a homemade lunch.

Stop 5.Etchmiadzin Cathedral

Continue to Etchmiadzin Cathedral, the Mother Church of Armenia, built in 303 AD over a pagan temple and often considered the oldest cathedral in the world. Walk around the cathedral complex, then drive back to Yerevan. Meals: breakfast, lunch Overnight stay: Yerevan

Day 3

Stop 1.Geghard Monastery

Breakfast at the hotel. Visit Geghard Monastery (1,796 m), a UNESCO World Heritage site above the Azat River gorge, partly carved into the rock.

Stop 2.Hike to the Symphony of Stones

Drive to Geghard village and start hiking through the gorge to the Symphony of Stones, the famous basalt columns of the Garni Canyon. Hiking time: 3-3.5 hours; ascent +120 m, descent -300 m

Stop 3.Garni Temple

Visit the Temple of Garni (1,300 m), built in the 1st century AD by King Tiridates and probably dedicated to Mithra, the sun god.

Stop 4.Lunch & Lavash Baking

Lunch at a local house, where you can watch local women bake traditional Armenian lavash. Return to Yerevan. Meals: breakfast, lunch Driving: 80 km / 3 hours Overnight stay: Yerevan

Day 4

Stop 1.Khor Virap Monastery

Breakfast at the hotel. Visit Khor Virap, with its stunning view of Mount Ararat, where Saint Gregory the Illuminator was imprisoned before Armenia adopted Christianity.

Stop 2.Noravank Monastery

Visit Noravank Monastery, nestled among red cliffs, with breathtaking views and a spiritual atmosphere.

Stop 3.Old Bridge Winery

Visit Old Bridge Winery in Yeghegnadzor for a tour and a tasting of local Vayots Dzor wines. Lunch at the winery.

Stop 4.Yeghegis

Drive to the peaceful village of Yeghegis. Meals: breakfast, lunch Driving: 4 hours / 235 km Overnight stay: Yeghegis

Day 5

Stop 1.Selim Caravanserai

Breakfast at the hotel. Drive to the Selim Caravanserai, built in 1332 by Prince Chesar Orbelian, an important stop on the Silk Road with inscriptions in Armenian and Arabic.

Stop 2.Hike to Black Mountain & Star Map

Hike from an ancient chapel to Black Mountain and on to Astghayin Qartez (the "Star Map"), finishing at the highway. Hiking: ~3 hours; ascent ~+400 m, descent ~-450 m

Stop 3.Noratus Cemetery

Visit Noratus, an ancient cemetery with medieval khachkars (cross-stones) dating back to the 6th century.

Stop 4.Cheese Farm

Discover Armenian cheese at a farm in Gegharkunik, where cheeses are aged naturally in old cellars. Taste wine-cheese, cognac-cheese, horats and parmesan-type cheeses.

Stop 5.Tsaghkunk Village

Drive to Tsaghkunk village for dinner. Meals: breakfast, dinner Overnight stay: Tsaghkunk

Day 6

Stop 1.Lake Parz

After breakfast, drive to Lake Parz, a blue pearl surrounded by forests.

Stop 2.Hike to Goshavank

Hike from Lake Parz to Goshavank, first through dense forest and then with wonderful views of the surrounding mountain ranges. At Goshavank Monastery, see the khachkar to the right of the entrance, considered the most beautiful in the country. Hiking: 1.5-2 hours; ascent ~+250 m, descent ~-300 m

Stop 3.Haghpat Village

Drive to Haghpat village for a traditional dinner. Meals: breakfast, dinner Driving: 4-5 hours / 275 km Overnight stay: Haghpat

Day 7

Stop 1.Haghpat Monastery

Breakfast at the hotel. Visit Haghpat Monastery (Haghpatavank), a medieval complex built between the 10th and 13th centuries.

Stop 2.Hike to Debed Gorge

Hike along trails down to the Debed Gorge, with chances to take photos, meet locals and see horses along the way. The hike ends at the highway, where the vehicle will be waiting. Hiking: 1-1.5 hours / 5 km; descent ~-200 m

Stop 3.Odzun Church

Visit Odzun Church, with biblical scenes carved on its east and west sides and its distinctive arched galleries on both sides.

Stop 4.Dinner with Folk Performance

Drive back to Yerevan for dinner with a folk performance. Meals: breakfast, dinner Driving: ~4-4.5 hours / 250 km Overnight stay: Yerevan

Day 8

Stop 1.Kari Lake

Early departure from Yerevan for a scenic drive to Mount Aragats, the highest mountain in Armenia. Arrive at Kari Lake (3,190 m), a clear alpine lake surrounded by rugged peaks and the starting point of the hike. Driving: ~80 km / 1.5 hours one way

Stop 2.Southern Peak of Mount Aragats

Hike to the southern summit of Mount Aragats (3,879 m) and enjoy panoramic views of the Lesser Caucasus and the Armenian plateau on clear days. Descend to Kari Lake and drive back to Yerevan. Hiking: ~6-7 hours; ascent ~+700 m, descent ~-700 m Overnight stay: Yerevan