Hiking tour in Geghama mountains of Armenia

Meeting at Zvartnots airport and transfer to the hotel. On this day we will organize for you a walk around Yerevan - a city that is older than Rome, considered the capital of all capitals. We will walk through the small center, get acquainted with old and new buildings, with the Yerevan flavor, its forgotten or sensational places and even colorful Yerevan faces. After the excursion to the Historical Museum, Armenia will become closer and more understandable to us, we will learn about the characteristics of the Armenians and local traditions.

Early in the morning we will head to the Geghard monastery complex, where, while walking through the incredibly beautiful monastery carved into the rock, we will hear the story of how the spear that pierced Christ was kept in the monastery, and how in the twentieth century Adolf Hitler organized a hunt for this spear and other mystical relics of the monastery, as well as other equally intriguing stories and facts. However, before Geghardavank we will have time to make a stop at the Charents Arch, which offers an incredible view of Mount Ararat - we will listen to legends and stories about the most important mountain for Armenians. After Geghard we will immediately go to the village of Artis, where our adventures will begin. During the first day we will walk about 15 km (5-7 hours). Our road will pass directly above Geghard, from where we will have the opportunity to enjoy incredible views of the Azat River gorge. Along flowering paths we will reach the mountain beauty - Lake Vishapalich (Dragon Lake). Adjacent to the lake are two brave warriors - vishapakara (dragon stone), which are about 7000-8000 years old. The versions and scientific justifications associated with their occurrence are truly impressive. We will set up our camp right next to the vishapakars, and our sleep will be accompanied by the centuries-old cradle of these stone idols.

You can imagine how pleasant it is to wake up early in the morning on the shore of the lake - to the singing of birds, with a mug of hot coffee or tea in your hands. But this is just the beginning of the day. After a delicious breakfast, we will head to real legends and wonders. During this day we will also walk about 6-7 hours – 13 km. Our first meeting will take place with the incredible rock paintings of Gegham. Among these rock paintings we will see not only drawings depicting hunting and ritual ceremonies, but also a real calendar, which is older than the famous Mayan calendar. We know that we will have to work hard to take our eyes off these drawings, but most of the day is still ahead, and no less interesting places will await us. After wall paintings, we will climb to the top of Mount Nazeli (3312m), in the crater of which we will find a small lake with incredibly clear and sky-blue water. From here we will cross to the highest point of the entire mountain chain - to the top of Mount Azhdahak (3597m), where we will meet an even more extensive and beautiful crater lake. From the top of Azhdahak we will also be able to admire Lake Sevan - the largest lake in the Caucasus, and enjoy the picturesque view opening in all directions. It is here, next to the crater formed by a comet that fell to earth thousands of years ago, that we will set up our camp for the night.

This entire day will be dedicated to wild nature and picturesque mountain landscapes. During the entire 6-7 hour walking tour (10 km), we will encounter numerous streams, lakes and stumble upon traces of wild animals. If we are lucky, we may even meet a bear or a wolf, who stay away from the mere smell of an approaching person and do not pose any danger to us. At the end of the day we will reach the most beautiful lake of this mountain range - Lake Akna, which, according to legend, was formed from the tears of petrified Azhdahak, who was defeated by a vishap (dragon) and became a mountain. The same vishap that we saw at Lake Vishapalich. By the way, they say that Azhdahak’s heart has not yet petrified and has not become part of the mountain, and from time to time you can hear it knocking, so listen more carefully. We will spend the night on the shore of Lake Akna - in an endlessly green and endlessly beautiful clearing.

Today we will walk about 7 hours (14 km) towards Sevan along a fairly easy and beautiful mountain path. Along the way, we will meet local shepherds who have set up temporary camps and stops in a mountain settlement. We will be able to talk with them about their way of life and try real mountain treats. At the end of the day we will reach the village of Tsakhkashen, next to which we will pitch our tents and enjoy the local nature, accompanied by Armenian wine and Armenian kebab - khorovats.

On this day, we will drive by car to one of the most beautiful beaches of Sevan, where we will refresh ourselves in the clear waters of the lake and return to Yerevan for a farewell delicious feast.