Armenia’s Transcaucasian Trail – Hiking Adventure

Arrival at the Yerevan airport. Meet with your guide and driver.

Transfer to the hotel.

Evening at Tavern Yervan for some traditional Armenian food, music and culture.

Overnight in the hotel in Yerevan.

After breakfast in the hotel, drive to the Gegharkunik region.

Here you will visit Sevan Lake, the “blue-eyed beauty” of Armenia, and one of the largest mountain freshwater lakes in the world at 1900 m above sea level.

Continue along the coast of Lake Sevan to the peninsula where you will see the monastery of Sevanavank (IX cent.).

From here there is an amazing view of the lake and surrounding mountains.

Drive across the Vardanyats Pass (2410m) and visit Orbelian’s Caravanserai built in 1332 by Prince Chesar Orbelian. This used to be an important stop on the famous Silk Road, accommodating weary travelers and their animals.

From here you will start the Transcaucasian trail hike in Vayots Dzor province. During your walk you will be accompanied by beautiful views of the Arpa valley. On your way, you will see several thermal springs.

The day will end at Hors village where you will stay in a guesthouse.

Driving distance: 170 km

Hiking route: Vardenyats Pass – Hors

Hiking distance: 16.5km/6 hours

Elevation gain / loss: ↑389m ↓709m

Overnight: Guesthouse

After breakfast you begin your hike from the guesthouse. En route stop at Hors Lake surrounded by high rocky mountain peaks.

Later, continue to Aghavnadzor village, and through vineyards to reach Areni village. Overnight stay in a guesthouse.

Hiking route: Hors village – Hors lake – Aghavnadzor village – Areni village

Hiking distance: 24.5km/8 hours

Elevation gain / loss: ↑525m ↓1535m

An exciting day today.

In the morning visit the beautiful Noravank Monastery known for its two-storey church, from where you will start hiking.

First you will descend to the lowest point of today’s trail, from where you will start ascending to Old Amaghu abandoned village.

Continue walking through Noravank gorge and Gnishik gorge before reaching Gnishik village where you will wild camp overnight.

Hiking route: Noravank Monastery – Gnishik Canyon – Gnishik village

Hiking distance: 15km/5-6 hours

Elevation gain / loss: ↑1011m ↓478m

Overnight: Wild Camping

Today will be a fairly strenuous hike although very beautiful as you cross alpine meadows, gradually climbing up to a 2432 m high mountain pass from where there are stunning views.

From here the track leads to the abandoned Horadis village where a 17th century basilica church has been preserved.

Continuing along the southern slopes of Mount Sunaber, you will reach Martiros village, for overnight wild camping in tents

Hiking route: Sarcakatar – Martiros village

Hiking distance: 20km/6.5 hours

Elevation gain / loss: ↑600m ↓600m

Overnight: Wild Camping

After breakfast and breaking camp you will commence with a relatively easy 1.5 km hike to Old Martiros village, which was abandoned during the Soviet era. However, some families still live there.

After Old Martiros, hike along Lake Chum and continue east.

Heading upwards once more takes you to 2200 metres, and one of the most panoramic views of the entire hike. To the north, we can see the mountains of Syunik, and to the west the snow-capped peak of Mount Ararat.

From here descend toGomk village, where we you will have a comfortable night in a local guest house.

Hiking route: Martiros village – Gomk village

Hiking distance: 13.5km/5 hours

Elevation gain/loss: ↑502m ↓566m

Overnight: Guesthouse

The last day of the hike is one of the most challenging, but very rewarding with several ascents and descents.

From Gomk village head to the ruined Kapuyt (Blue) village, located at the foot an impressive gorge. You will pass a rock where many khachkars are carved before climbing to a height of 400 m in the steep sided gorge. The last part of the hike passes through the forests of Artavan, rich in juniper trees.

Spend the night in one of Artavan’s guesthouses.

Hiking route: Gomk village – Artavan village

Hiking distance: 20.5km/7 hours

Elevation gain/loss: ↑1032m ↓1081m

Overnight: Guesthouse

After breakfast drive to Areni village. Visit Areni cave or Bird’s cave (as it is known by locals) where the oldest shoe in the world was found.

Here the most ancient winery in the world Areni-1 is located. This winery had been discovered as a result of excavations done in 2007-2008.

Wine tasting in Arpa Parnas winery. Drive to Yerevan for an overnight stay.

Driving distance: 160 km

Overnight: Royal Plaza 4*

Today you will be transferred to the airport for your flight home.

Optional – extend your stay by a day to do a morning city tour of Yerevan, one of the world’s oldest continuously inhabited cities.