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Day 1 : Tbilisi to Yereven by road

I decided to take a private transfer . I was picked up from my hotel around 7 in the morning .Our first stop was Sevanavank monastery, located in Lake Sevan. Lake Sevan is the pearl of the Armenian mountains. A volcanic creation of blue eyes beauty located 1900m. above sea level is the second highest sweetwater lake in the world rounded by beautiful mountains. Sevanavank monastery is one of the most beautiful monasteries in Armenia,  located on the pick of Sevan penin 1950m from where there is an amazing view of the lake.

After enjoying this beauty we continued our trip and before we reach Dilijan we passed a tunnel; the nature changed very quickly before and after the tunnel. In Dilijan I visited Haghartsin monastery complex located deep in Dilijan National Park. Haghartsin monastery is a 10-14th century monument and was built in the forest in a very peaceful place. After enjoying this peaceful stop we continued our trip to Yerevan. In Yerevan I was dropped to my hotel.

Day 2: Khor Virap, Garni, and Geghard

Today was to discover Armenia’s rich history . On the way I saw Mount Ararat. My first stop is the Khor Virap monastery and saw firsthand from where Christianity in Armenia originates. It sits on a hillock near the closed border with Turkey. There is dugeon to0 descend via a metal ladder where one can see pit where St Gregory was imprisoned. Next on the route was the only pagan temple in Armenia – Garni, dating back to the 1st century. This is the only standing Greco-Roman colonnaded building in Armenia and the former Soviet Union, an iconic symbol of pre-Christian Armenia. It is located on a cliff overlooking the Azat River gorge, in the village of Garni. Very near to Garni is Symphony of Stones, which I did not visit but its worth to visit. We then went to a place for lunch and there alaso we saw lavash (Armenian thin bread) baking process and tried some fresh out of the oven. Our last stop was 13th-century Geghard monastic complex, partially carved in the rock and included in the Unesco World Cultural Heritage List. This is a place of reverence . The Katoghike church  was built in 1215, the adjacent gavit (entrance hall) and several chapels and tombs entirely hewn from the living rock. A natural, sacred spring, believed to have healing properties, flows within one of the cave chapels. There are many intricate carvings numerous , detailed bas-reliefs, inscriptions, and khachkars (Armenian cross-stones) carved into the rock surfaces and walls.

This was not planned before . Originally I was supposed to climb Mount Aragats , but I had to postpone it because of bad weather , so instead I took up this day trip . It was a long drive and we rode “Wings of Tatev” cable car, a stunning aerial journey offering panoramic views of Armenia’s landscape. The ride offers stunning panoramic views of the Vorotan River Gorge and the surrounding landscape, making it a popular attraction for tourists visiting the region. Then we arrived at Tatev Monastery. It is a wonderful monument of 9th-century architectural wonder, where ancient stone walls whisper stories of the past. Next, we took a brief stop at a breathtaking observation point to capture the beauty of the Armenian countryside. The adventure continues with a visit to Shaki Waterfall, where the cascading waters provide a serene backdrop for memorable photos and moments of reflection.

On our way back we stopped for a  delightful wine tasting session, where we tried some of Armenia’s finest wines.

Day 4 : Summiting Mount Aragats

Today is a private trip I arranged for Mount Aragats. This is the unique landscape of the “four-headed” Aragats mountain. I was picked up from my hotel to Lake Kari, which means “Stone Lake” is at 3200m and our first stop . The journey upto the Lake Kari with breathtaking views of the Ararat Valley and Araler Mountain was amazing. The remarkable geological story of Aragats, shaped by an ancient eruption, forming a 400m deep crater and giving birth to its four distinctive peaks. Finally, we’ll reach the very top at 3888 meters, feeling triumphant and enjoying the stunning all-around views. The wether was much better but still there were cloud cover on top , so could not fully enjoy the view.

Route Details:

Distance: 13 km
Elevation Gain: ~700 m
Starting Point: Stone Lake (3200m)
Highest Point: South Aragats Peak (3888m)
Hike Duration: ~ 5-6 hours

After a little rest we continued  our journey to Amberd Fortress, an ancient 7th-century castle majestically situated at 2300 meters, offering a glimpse into Armenia’s captivating history. After that it was drive back to Yereven . I had to book another hotel for the extra night.

Day 5

Final day in Armenia. Took a shared transfer back to Tbilisi , my final destination