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: Minotel Barsam Suites (4-star) or similar.

After breakfast, you will check-out from the hotel and head towards Sevaberd village: the starting point of your climb up the Geghama Mountains. After about 12 km, you will reach Lake Akna (a crater lake perched in an otherworldly setting), where you will relax and settle for the night.

Driving distance: 40 km/approx. 1 hour.
Trekking route: Sevaberd village (2062 m) to Lake Akna (3032 m).
Trekking distance: 12 km.
Elevation gain/loss: ↑1038m ↓78m.

Accommodation: Camping in a tent.

After an early breakfast, you will head to the highest peak of Geghama Mountains: Mount Azhdahak (3,597 m), an extinct volcano with a crater that has turned into the beautiful Lake Azhdahak (8m deep). The lake is known for the astonishing purity and clear color of its water.

From Azhdahak, you will follow the path leading to a nearby pond at the banks of which you will settle for the night.

Optional: depending on the group, it is possible to also head to the peak of Mount Tar, a 30-min extra hike from Mt. Azhdahak, to see another crater lake before reaching the camp.

Trekking route: Lake Akna – Mt Azhdahak – Paytaasar.
Trekking distance: 17.5 km/8-9 hours.
Elevation gain/loss: ↑758m ↓833m.

Accommodation: Camping in a tent.

Today you will go down the history lane by exploring petroglyphs dating to the 3rd – 2nd millennium BC. After breakfast, and a short distance from the camp, you will reach the petroglyph area that includes more than 12,000 images: one of the most spectacular corners of Armenia. Almost all aspects of human life are depicted in these ancient drawings, including hunting, fighting, and dancing scenes, or even details of agricultural tasks. Other pictures demonstrate worship rituals of fertility or maternity figures, ancestors, heroes, spirits, and time. Finally, various animals, especially deer, leopards, and bezoar goats, show up on these rocks, mesmerizing the visitors with their simplicity and energy.
After this fascinating exploration, you will head to the Geghard village.
If preferred, you can also visit the partially rock-hewn Geghard Monastery, and the Grani temple: the only pagan temple preserved in the territory in Armenia (it should be noted that Christianity has very long and strong roots in Armenia, a country that was amongst the first to welcome the new religion in the 1st c AD and the first to recognize it as a state religion in 301 AD).
You will finally return to Yerevan to relax, stroll in the city, maybe do some last-minute shopping, before reassembling in the evening for a farewell dinner.

Driving distance: 50 km/approx. 1 hour.
Trekking route: Paytaasar – Geghama Petroglyphs – Geghard village.
Trekking distance: 13 km.
Elevation gain/loss: ↑16m ↓1064m

Accommodation: Minotel Barsam Suites (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.