Armenia Hiking to the Highest Summit

Welcome to Armeina! Upon arrival into Zvartnots Airport, a member of our local agent will meet you and transfer you to your 3* hotel in the city centre of Yerevan (20 km). Depending on the time of your flight, you'll have the rest of the day free to relax or explore the city. 

After breakfast, your first stop will be the pagan Temple of Garni, the only preserved monument of the Hellenistic period in Armenia. The sanctuary is dedicated to the God of the sun Mihra and was built during the reign of king Trdat I. Then, you'll head down to the Garni Canyon, surrounded by amazing basaltic formations.

Next stop: Gueghard (UNESCO World Heritage) Cave Monastery. The monastery was renamed Geghard, meaning 'lance,' because it was the depository of one of the relics of the Armenian Apostolic church: the lance that one of the roman guards used to pierce the rib of Christ on the crucifixion. Lunch will be enjoyed at a local villager’s home, in which you'll be treated to delicious fresh fish from the river along with some legendary Armenian hospitality.

In the afternoon, you'll return to Yerevan where you can put your feet up and enjoy dinner. Overnight in Yerevan.

​Duration of hiking: 2h, distance 5km, altitude ↑200m ↓200m

Breakfast and departure north to Mount Ara. Today, you'll begin climbing the summit of Mount Ara, from where you can admire spectacular views of the Gueghama mountain range (3,597m), to biblical Mount Ararat (5,165m) and to the highest summit of Armenia - Aragats (4,095m).

Picnic lunch at the summit, then we'll continue to the monastery of Saghmosavank, on the edge of the picturesque Kasakh Canyon. Next step: Amberd Fortress. We'll spend the night camping by the fortress at 2,250m. Campfire dinner overlooking the wilderness, and overnight in tents.

​Duration of hiking: 6h, distance 13km, altitude ↑950m ↓950m

Breakfast. Then, let's start the trip by visiting the fortress and the church of Amberd (X-XII c). The heritage of Pahlavuni princes, as many other feudal fortresses, Amberd was erected to protect its land from the Romans and the Parthians and then from the Byzantines, Persians, Mongols and Turks.

Next, we will hike from the fortress to the Lake Kari located at at height of 3,300 m. Picnic lunch, then you'll have the amazing opportunity to meet with Yezidis, also known as Yazidis. Yezidis are a Kurdish-speaking small religious minority in Armenia. Camping by the lake. Dinner, and overnight in tents.

Duration of hiking: 4-5h, distance 15km, altitude 1,000m

Breakfast, then get ready to climb the south summit of Mount Aragats (3,879 m), from where you'll have a magnificent view over the other three peaks and a huge crater (350m depth, width 3km). Picnic on the summit, then we'll walk down to the crater of the mountain to reach the passage between the North and East summits.

Next, we'll continue climbing to the highest point of Armenia: 4090m. You'll have some time to rest in the crater before we head on to the waterfall, which, when the snow melts and the rivers are filled with water, is spectacular. After, we will follow the river to the camping zone for a traditional BBQ surrounded by nature, accompanied by grilled vegetables. Overnight in tents by the river.

Duration of hiking: 7-8h, distance 16km, altitude  ↑1,000m ↓1,100m

After breakfast, we will walk along the Gegharot River to the village of Aragats. Picnic on the way. Arrival at the village then transfer to Lake Sevan, the 'Blue Pearl' of Armenia. This huge mountain lake, which covers 5% of Armenia’s surface, is about 2,000 metres above the sea level and is the second highest freshwater lake in the world. You'll spend the afternoon visiting the peninsula and its beautiful monasteries before dinner in a nearby restaurant. Overnight in a hotel by the lake.

Duration of hiking: 3h, distance 12km, altitude ↓900m

Free day to unwind in Sevan after all that hiking, with breakfast, lunch, and dinner included. 

Enjoy your final breakfast in Armenia before your transfer to the airport for your flight home. We hope you've had an amazing time!