Eco-tour of the South

Trip Description

Accomodation

Stay program

• day 1

  Yerevan

  Arrival in Yerevan. Welcome at Zvartnots International Airport, transfer to the hotel and overnight stay.

• day 2

  City tour in Yerevan

  Meeting with the guide at the hotel reception at 9 a.m. Our journey will begin with the discovery of the Armenian capital. We will organize a city tour to discover the famous Republic Square with its singing fountains, which are particularly attractive when illuminated in the evening. We will also discover the metro as well as the Armenian "Champs-Élysées", Abovian Street. Next, we will cross the newly developed Northern Avenue, connecting Republic Square to the Opera and Ballet building. Free evening.

• day 3

  Yerevan – Khosrov Reserve – Basalt Organs – Garni Temple – Khor Virap – Areni

  Early departure to the Khosrov reserve. Hiking starting from the village of Goght. Along the way, visit to the Havuts Tar church, perched on a high hill. Later, descent towards the Garni gorge to admire the superb basalt organs. Then, ascent to the country's only pagan temple, the 1st-century Garni temple. In the afternoon, we will head towards the Khor Virap monastery, with a breathtaking view of Mount Ararat. Towards the evening, arrival in Areni, family meal and overnight stay in a room arranged for guests and friends.

• day 4

  Areni – Noravank – Areni

  The morning will begin with a hike from Areni to the Noravank Monastery, one of the beauties of the Vayots Dzor region. Along the way, visit the ruins of Hrashqaberd fortress, located not far from the village of Amaghou. Return to Areni. Rest.

• day 5

  Areni – Mozrov caves – Herher

  Day dedicated to hiking to the Mozrov caves. In the afternoon, departure to the village of Herher. Meal and overnight stay with a local.

• day 6

  Herher – Vayots Sar – Herher

  Early in the morning, hike to Mount Vayots Sar, an ancient volcano now extinct. From the top of its summit (2581 m), you can admire a unique landscape, dotted with multicolored flowers, red and gray volcanic stones, as well as khatchkars (stone crosses). Then, discovery of its crater, with the ruins of a small chapel. Return to the guesthouse. Rest.

• day 7

  Herher – Gndevank – Qarahunj – Goris

  Another day of hiking to discover the Gndevank Monastery and the basalt organs in the Arpa River gorge. Then, we head towards the Syunik region. On the way, visit to Qarahunj, megalithic stones dating from the Bronze Age. Arrival in Goris, check-in at the hotel, overnight stay.

• day 8

  Goris – Khndzoresk – Tatev – Goris

  Hiking day in the troglodyte village of Khndzoresk and discovery of its limestone caves. Then, arrival at Tatev, one of the religious jewels, perched at 1800 m altitude, by the new cable car considered to be the longest in the world. In the evening, return to Goris. Short walk in the city, dinner and overnight stay.

• day 9

  Goris – Selim – Armaghan

  Continuation of the journey in the Gegharkunik region. Visit and discovery of the 14th-century Selim caravanserai, followed by a hike to Mount Armaghan, where you will discover its crater and its lake. Overnight stay in a tent.

• day 10

  Armaghan – Yeranos – Noratous – Hayravank – Sevanavank – Yerevan

  Later, arrival at Noratous, the cemetery of stone crosses. Continuation of the road towards the Hayravank Monastery (9th-13th centuries). At the end of the afternoon, walk on the Sevan peninsula topped by two churches, Saints-Apostles and Holy-Mother-of-God (9th century). Lunch on site. Return to Yerevan in the evening. Overnight at the hotel.

• day 11

  City tour in Yerevan

  Latest discoveries of the treasures of the capital Yerevan. In the morning, visit to the Matenadaran, which preserves thousands of ancient manuscripts with timeless charm. In the afternoon, visit to the Armenian Genocide Memorial Tsitsernakaberd and its museum. Return to the city center, visit to the Vernissage, the flea market. Farewell dinner. Overnight at the hotel.

• day 12

  Return flight

  Transfer to the airport. End of our services.