Armenia

Upon your arrival at the Yerevan Zvartnots International Airport (EVN), you will be welcomed by a Rahhalah representative, and you will be transferred to your hotel.

Enjoy the rest of your day, exploring the beautiful capital of Armenia at your own pace. Stroll around the streets of one of the oldest cities of the world and make sure you pass by famous landmarks like the grand Republic Square, the impressive Opera House, the 18th century Blue Mosque and the famous Cascade complex.

Later in the evening, the group will reassemble for a briefing meeting in preparation of the upcoming hiking adventure, before retiring for the night.

Accommodation: Opera Suite hotel (4-star) or similar.

After breakfast, early in the morning drive to the mountainous Lake Kari (3200m). Get ready for hiking to the southern summit of the highest mountain of Armenia and the South Caucasus. Mt. Aragats with its unique nature has sub-alpine and alpine zones as well as four peaks and one of the biggest craters in the world, created by a volcano eruption in the distant past. The highest northern peak is 4090m. We are ascending the southern one (3880m). Descend from the mountain and return to the capital Yerevan.

On your way to Yerevan, you will visit the fortress Amberd (8th c). Amberd is one of the rare witnesses of Armenian military architecture of the Middle Ages. During the walk you can enjoy the scenery of colorful alpine meadows and mountains.

Drive back to Yerevan. Overnight in the hotel.

Driving distance: 140 km/approx. 3 hours
Trekking route: Lake Kari (3200m) to Aragats Southen summit (3880m) - Lake Kari (3200m)
Trekking distance: 9 km.
Elevation gain/loss: ↑700m ↓700m.

Accommodation: Opera Suite hotel (4-star) or similar.

After an early breakfast, drive to Kotayk region. Visit the open-air museum of the Garni pagan temple. It is the only surviving monument of the Hellenistic period in Armenia. The temple is dedicated to the God of the sun Mithra and was built in the 2nd half of the 1st cAD during the reign of king Tiridates I. Garni pagan temple has a unique design and is the only type of temple across the Caucasus and the former Soviet Union.

Start hiking from the temple to the Havuts Tar monastery complex (11-13th cc.) through the Azat river gorge.

Garni temple is situated on a high hill (height above sea level is 1413 m) and behind the hill you can find an unforgettable view of the canyon of the Azat river. So you are going to hike along the canyon to see cliff walls of well- preserved basalt columns. These wonderful basalt rocks seem to be artificial – so much beautiful they are. For their beauty rocks are called «Symphony of the stones».

The Havuts Tar monastery complex is located to the east of Garni on the left bank of the Azat River and was one of the major religious and cultural centres of medieval Armenia. This formidable 11th century walled monastery stands half ruined on an outcrop across the Garni River gorge from the village of Goght.

Lunch in a peasant house in Garni village.

Geghard Monastery, which is cut into the rock (13th c), is one of the most famous medieval monasteries in Armenia. The complex of medieval buildings is set into a landscape of great natural beauty, surrounded by towering cliffs at the entrance to the Azat river valley. According to the legend, the monastery housed the spear which had wounded Christ on the Cross and from which comes its present name, Geghardavank (the Monastery of the Spear). Allegedly it was brought there by the Apostle Thaddeus, first recorded in a document of 1250. The church with its surrounding structures is included in the UNESCO World Cultural Heritage
List.

Next thing to be admired is Sevan Lake, the "blue-eyed beauty" of Armenia. Being one of the biggest highland
freshwater lakes in the world it is 1900 m above sea level. The tour will continue along the coast of Lake Sevan to the peninsula. After rising to the peninsula, you will see the monastery of Sevanavank (IX cent.). An amazing view to the lake and surrounding beauties opens from the hill. The monastery of Sevan (Sevanavank), which stands on what was once an island of the same name, can be dated to the 9th-10th centuries.

Overnight at the hotel in Sevan.

Driving distance: 120 km/approx. 2 hours 30 minutes
Trekking route: Garni - Azat River Gorge - Havuts Tar - Garni
Trekking distance: 11 km
Elevation gain/loss: ↑300m ↓250m.

Accommodation: Seven Up Inn hotel (4-star) or similar.

After breakfast, checkout from hotel and head towards Dilijan town. This is known as the “Armenian Switzerland” by locals. Not far from Dilijan there is a small beautiful lake called Lake Parz (Crystal lake) which is located in the Dilijan National Park at 1330 m above sea level.

Begin hiking from Parz lake to Gosh village. The trail goes through the forests and alpine fields. At the end of hike you will reach to the impressive monastic complex of Goshavank (12-13th century) which has remained in relatively good condition and also houses one of the world’s finest examples of a khachkar. It is optional to continue the hike from gosh village to the Gosh lake and back to the village.

Drive back to Yerevan. Overnight in the hotel.

Driving distance: 195 km/approx. 3 hours 15 minutes
Trekking route: Parz Lake - Gosh Lake
Trekking distance: 8 km.
Elevation gain/loss: ↑238m ↓346m

Accommodation: Opera Suite Hotel (4-star) or similar.

After breakfast, you will embark on a walking tour around Yerevan city. Yerevan, built in the 8th c AD, is older than Rome by 29 years. In 2018, it celebrated its 2800th anniversary, enjoying over the eons the unfolding of a diverse and robust civilization. Situated on the left bank of River Araks, the Armenian capital offers breathtaking views of the holy mountain Ararat.

Later, and depending on your departure details, you will be transferred to the airport for your flight back home.

Note: it is recommended that you book evening flights.