Eco-tour of the North

Trip Description

Accomodation

Stay program

• day 1

  Yerevan

  Arrival in Yerevan. Welcome at the airport, transfer to the hotel, check-in and overnight stay.

• day 2

  City tour in Yerevan

  Meeting with the guide at the hotel reception at 9 am. The first day of our trip will be dedicated to the Armenian capital. In the morning, visit to the Matenadaran, or Mesrop Mashtots Institute of Ancient Manuscripts. There you will discover a rich and exceptional collection of thousands of Armenian manuscripts with timeless charm. After lunch, exploratory walk in the capital. Free evening.

• day 3

  Yerevan – Amberd – Aragats – Odzoun

  Early morning departure for the Amberd fortress (11th century) (2,300 m altitude), built at the mouth of a mountain gorge. Visit its keep, baths, ramparts, and the Vahramashen church (1206), built of tuff. Hike to Qari Lich (Stone Lake, 3,190 m altitude) and to the east summit (3,916 m altitude) of the highest mountain in the country, Aragats (4,095 m altitude). Picnic on site. In the late afternoon, continue the journey to Odzoun, in the Lori region. Dinner on site. Rest.

• day 4

  Odzoun

  4 to 5 hour hike around Odzoun. Visit to the 6th-century Odzoun basilica, built on a verdant plateau overlooking the canton of Debet. Discovery of an unusual monument, commemorative or funerary, installed in the garden north of the church. It dates from the 7th century and bears Greco-Roman influence. Scenes from the history of Tiridates and Gregory the Illuminator can also be recognized there. In the evening, free time to be amazed by the magnificent natural beauty of this country. Meeting with local inhabitants. Overnight stay with a local family.

• day 5

  Odzoun – Sanahin – Haghpat – Akhtala – Koti

  Morning trip to the medieval monastic complex of Sanahin (10th century), declared a UNESCO World Heritage site. 2-hour hike to the Haghpat Monastery (10th century), one of the country's largest spiritual and cultural centers. Later, departure for the village of Koti, a small Armenian land dating back to the Urartian era. In the evening, accommodation with a host family. Dinner with locals to the sound of Armenian music and overnight stay.

• day 6

  Koti

  In the morning, walk through the village of Koti, located in the heart of nature. Meeting with a beekeeper who will teach us the process of raising bees and let us taste his "all flowers" honey. Hiking in the forest around Koti. Barbecue on site and rest. Overnight stay with a local.

• day 7

  Koti – Lastiver

  Discovery of the Lastiver caves, located 3 km from the village of Yenokavan, in the Tavush region, which contain inscriptions dating from the 13th-14th centuries. Swimming in the Khachaghbyur river, with its wonderful waterfalls. Overnight stay in a tent, in the heart of nature.

• day 8

  Lastiver

  Let yourself be tempted by the picturesque valley of the Khachaghbyur river, in the midst of a dense and lush forest. The high rocks, firmly surrounding several caves, are of particular interest and bear witness to the early beginnings of humanity in the field of architecture.

• day 9

  Lastiver – Okon – Lastiver

  In Okon, a day of discovering a mountain village and its inhabitants. Meal with a local family in the company of the villagers. In the evening, return to the camp and rest.

• day 10

  Lastiver – Sevanavank – Geghard – Symphony of Organs – Garni – Yerevan

  Early departure to Lake Sevan, one of the largest high-altitude lakes in the world. Visit to the Sevan peninsula and the 9th-century Sevanavank church. Next, discovery of the 13th-century rock-hewn monastery of Geghard. Descent to the Garni gorge to admire the superb basalt organs that stretch in narrow bands along a rocky wall. Then, discovery of the pagan temple of Garni (1st century). Return to Yerevan. Overnight at the hotel.

• day 11

  Free day in Yerevan.

  Morning at the "Vernissage" craft market to buy souvenirs from the country. Free time for individual exploration of the capital. Departure preparations.

• day 12

  Return flight

  Transfer to the airport. End of our services.