trip
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8 Days$1940USD

Activities
  • 4 ½ days hiking
Accommodation
  • 3 nights hotel
  • 4 nights local guesthouse
Meals
  • 7 Dinners
  • 7 Lunches
  • 7 Breakfasts
4
Introductory to Moderate

Traveller Rating

 

 
 

Armenia Transcaucasian Trail Trip highlights


  • Combines with Transcaucasian Trail Hike Georgia
  • Hike sections of the Armenian Transcaucasian Trail
  • Experience scenic Dilijan “Little Switzerland”
  • Hike to beautiful Lake Sevan, the village of Gosh and explore the nearby sites
  • Discover 1st century A.D. pagan Garni Temple
  • Visit numerous UNESCO listed sites such as medieval Haghpat & Sanahin monasteries
  • Explore the sights of the capital city Yerevan
  • Visit Haghartsin monastery

Overflowing with historical sites and scenic brilliance, this adventure traces parts of the Caucasian Silk route, through lands that have been occupied for thousands of years. Our journey through Armenia takes us to the mountains passing by ancient churches and monasteries, beautiful lakes and countless UNESCO World Heritage Sites. This trip explores scenic Dilijan, Lake Sevan, the pagan Garni Temple, Geghard Cave Monastery and the medieval Haghpat and Sanahin monasteries. Transcaucasian Trail Hike Armenia is part one of the extended Transcaucasian Trail Hike, linking up perfectly with part two, our Transcaucasian Trail Hike Georgia.

Trip Code: THA

On arrival you will be met at the airport and transferred to the group hotel. This evening your Armenian guide will provide a trip briefing (meet at the hotel reception desk in the lobby) before you all enjoy a traditional welcome meal. Overnight: Ani Plaza Hotel or similar

Meals:  D

Today we will have a tour of the capital. Our tour will start from the Victory Park, at Mother Armenia monument, from where you will behold a panoramic view of the city. We will then visit other sights of the capital, including the Republic Square, the Opera house, the Cascade where you will see the statue of the world-famous sculptor Fernando Botero “The Black Cat”. We will also drive via Baghramyan Avenue, where you will see the Parliament, the Palace of President, and the National Academy of Sciences. We will visit the Genocide Memorial Complex with the museum. Visit Matenadaran museum, which hosts the biggest collection of medieval Armenian manuscripts. *Please note that our trip itinerary will depend on current opening times (and days) of the museums/historic sites and therefore the order of sights visited may vary accordingly. Overnight: Ani Plaza Hotel or similar

Meals:  B,L,D

Today we drive east of Yerevan towards Garni village where we'll enjoy a light warm up walk. From the village we start hiking through the canyon to 1st century A.D. Garni Temple, a unique example of Armenia's pagan past. At one time this was the summer residence of the Armenian kings located in a picturesque place overlooking a deep canyon. Apart from the ruins of the royal complex, you will also see a bathhouse with an interesting mosaic. We will have an enjoyable walk down to the Garni gorge where we will admire volcanic basalt formations called “the symphony of stones”. Not far from Garni we will drive to Geghard Cave Monastery, a UNESCO site. We soak up the medieval Armenian architecture of the Monastery; some chambers of the monastery were carved out of solid rock. The monastic complex received its name after the Holy Lance which was kept here in the middle ages. The cave enclosures of this cultural and architectural wonder are notable for amazing acoustics. The secret of the chamber has never been found. Afterwards we drive to Lake Sevan, which is the “blue eye of Armenia” or the “Pearl of Armenia”. This fresh–water lake of volcanic origin is situated at an altitude about 6.500 feet. Its crystal–clear transparent water changes colour several times during the day. It is turquoise in direct sunlight, then turns a greenish shade, and finally becomes gray by the evening. It is one of the largest high-altitude lakes in the world located at 1900m and is surrounded by snow-covered mountains. Hiking: ~3km, 1.5-2hrs Altitude change: -120m, +100m Driving: 2.5 - 3 hrs Overnight: Hotel at Lake Sevan (twin-share)

Meals:  B,L,D

After breakfast, we start our hiking approximately 10 minutes drive from the hotel. There will be a steep uphill walk up to the Vartenyats mountain range, where we will have beautiful views to Sevan Lake. From here we will take the Transcaucasian trail along undulating hills amongst the wildflowers before a steep descent through forests to the village of Kalavan. Hiking: ~11km, 4.5 - 5hrs Altitude change: +450m, -850m Overnight: Kalavan village guesthouse (twin-share with shared bathroom)

Meals:  B,L,D

Following a hearty breakfast, we will drive 45 minutes to Khachardzan village to continue our hike along the Transcaucasian Trail to the village of Gosh. On the way we will have a picnic lunch before arriving at Gosh Lake, which is a small lake hidden in the forest. In the Gosh village we will stay in a small hotel near the 12th century Goshavank Monastery. This monastery was named in honor of Mkhitar Gosh. He was an Armenian scholar, writer, public figure, thinker, and priest. He wrote the "Book of Laws", the first Armenian Legal text. Hiking: ~16km, 5.5-6hrs Altitude change: +1052m, -883m Overnight: Local guesthouse (twin-share)

Meals:  B,L,D

From the hotel we will start to walk again along the Transcaucasian Trail to Parz Lake, located in the midst of the forests of Dilijan National Park, famous as Armenian Switzerland. The area is a popular destination in summer, for both locals and visitors. Afterwards, we will drive to Dilijan and visit the preserved 19th century part of town, before arriving at our guesthouse for dinner and overnight. Hiking: ~7.5km, 4hrs Altitude change: +551m, -452m Overnight: Local guesthouse (twin-share)

Meals:  B,L,D

In the morning our private vehicle will take us to village of Shamakhyan (10 minutes), which is one of the districts of Dilijan Resort town to start today's hiking. We will ascend to Haghartsin Mound from where we will have majestic views of Haghartsin medieval monastery hidden in the Dilijan forests. After visit of Haghartsin Monastery, we will drive to our final stop in the village of Haghpat near the border with Georgia. The fantastic scenery of Haghpat Monastery makes this visit an unforgettable experience. Hiking: ~14km, 5.5-6hrs Altitude change: +500m; -550m Overnight: Local guesthouse (twin-share)

Meals:  B,L,D

In the morning we will start our hiking towards Sanahin Monastery, a UNESCO World Heritage Site. Our hike will pass through Armenian colourful villages enjoying the peace and magnificent scenes of remote mountainous villages such as Hahgpat and Akner. We will finish our hike in Sanahin village. This village is the birthplace of the Mikoyan brothers: Anastas - a prominent Soviet politician; and Artem, one of the engineers of the famous MIG jets. After our visit we will enjoy a farewell lunch, and then our vehicle will take us to the border and then onto Tbilisi, the capital of Georgia. This trip concludes upon arrival into Tbilisi. If you are ending your Transcaucasian Trail Hike here, you can be taken directly to Tbilisi airport. Do not book departure flights before 9.00pm (21:00) given the visits and lunch on the Armenian side, and the additional time for border formalities into Georgia and travelling times/possible delays into Tbilisi on the last day of the tour. If you are continuing on the Transcaucasian Trail Hike Georgia, you will be taken to the Tbilisi group hotel. End of services. Additional nights accommodation, and private airport transfers on any other day, can be arranged for extra cost. Hiking: ~9km, 3.5-4hrs Altitude change: +420m; -550m.

Meals:  B,L


Inclusions

  • 7 breakfasts, 7 lunches and 6 dinners
  • 3 nights accommodation in comfortable hotels on a twin-share basis
  • 4 nights accommodation in local guesthouses in rural locations twin-share (except for Kalavan village with multi-share rooms and shared bathroom facilities)
  • Arrival airport transfer to group hotel in Yerevan only, and drop off at Tbilisi airport or Tbilisi group hotel on final day. The arrival airport transfer can be used on any day in conjunction with any additional Yerevan group hotel nights booked with your reservations consultant.
  • Local sightseeing & entrance fees to monuments as listed in itinerary
  • English speaking local guides & mountain guide during hiking
  • Internal transport by private vehicle
  • Group medical kit

  • Meals not indicated in the itinerary
  • Bottled water
  • Aerated and alcoholic drinks
  • Items of a personal nature such as phone calls, laundry, etc.
  • Tips
  • International flights
  • Airport and departure taxes
  • Visas
  • Travel insurance
  • Any other airport arrival and departure transfers than otherwise stated. No airport departure transfers in Tbilisi other than on Day 8.

Departure dates


Notes

1
This trip has been confirmed below our normal minimum group size. There may be a surcharge to pay if you join this departure, which will be removed if minimum numbers are met. Please ask us for details regarding the additional cost.

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Priceper person from

$1940USD

Options & Supplements*
  • Trans Caucasian Trail Hike Armenia Single Supplement (except day 4)USD$150
*Prices listed are per person

Essential Information

Ready to book? Make sure you download and read the detailed Transcaucasian Trail Hike Armenia trip notes which contains all the essential information you need to know before booking. Once you’ve booked, we will supply you with a Pre-Departure document which contains a detailed gear list and other important information to help you prepare for your adventure ahead.


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