ARMENIA’S VOLCANOES

Day 1: Arrival in Yerevan and welcome

Meet at the airport. Transfer and check-in at the hotel in downtown Yerevan
- Accommodations included: 3-star hotel in Yerevan
- Meals included: none

Day 2: Ski touring in the Kotayk region

Breakfast at the hotel. Departure for the village of Kaputan (40-minute drive). Hike up Mount Hatis (2,526 m). From the summit, a spectacular view opens up onto the Geghama mountain range (3,597 m), Mount Ararat in Turkey (5,165 m), and Mount Aragats (4,095 m), Armenia’s highest peak. Option to climb another 500 m up the small Gutanasar volcano after a short 15-minute bus ride. Transfer to Aghveran (45 min). Check-in at a hotel facing the mountain at the bottom of the valley. Dinner and overnight stay at the hotel.

Duration: 4–5 hours. Minimum elevation gain: 800 m

Day 3: Mont d’Ara, the legendary summit

Breakfast at a local’s home. 40-minute transfer to the ski trailhead. Ascent of Mount Ara (2,585 m); part of the trail passes through a small forest. From Mount Ara, a beautiful 360-degree panoramic view opens up. The Kassakh Canyon with its two beautiful monasteries, Mount Ajdahak (3,597 m)—Armenia’s third-highest peak—the Aparan Reservoir, and Mounts Aragats and Ararat. Descent. Transfer to Aghveran. Visit to the 10th–13th-century Neghuts Monastery. Dinner and overnight stay at the Aghveran Hotel

Duration: 4–5 hours. Elevation gain: 850 m

Day 4: Medieval architectural gems set amid nature, under the snow

Today we’ll put on our skis in front of the hotel. There are two options for skiing, depending on weather and snow conditions. Either climb Mount Teghenis and return to the hotel, or ascend to the summit and descend on the other side, which will allow you to explore the ruins of the Tegheniats Monastery (9th–14th centuries).
Return to the hotel and transfer to Lake Sevan, Armenia’s “Blue Pearl.” Located at an altitude of 2,000 meters, the world’s second-largest freshwater lake is strikingly beautiful. Visit the small church and the peninsula. Continue on to Noraduz and its 728 richly decorated khachkars (“stone crosses”). These stone stelae are entirely covered with intricate engraved plant motifs. Check-in at a bed-and-breakfast at the foot of the Armaghan volcano. Dinner and overnight stay at the bed-and-breakfast.

Duration: 5–6 hours. Elevation gain: 900 m

Day 5: Ski Touring on the Silk Road

Breakfast at the hotel.
Continue to the village of Nshkharq. Ski tour from the shepherds’ summer village (2,325 m) to the Homonyme Peak at an elevation of 3,227 m. A magnificent view of the Martuni Plateau, the Armaghan volcano, and Lake Sevan. Return to the starting point. Crossing the Selim Pass. Visit to the Selim Caravanserai (14th century), built in 1332 by Prince Chesar Orbelian. Located on the Silk Road, it served as a link between Persia and the West. Transfer to Yeghegis. Dinner and overnight stay at a 3-star hotel facing Mount Teksar.

Duration: 5–6 hours. Elevation gain: 1,200 m

Day 6: Vardahovit and Mount Sokhglukh (Sevajayr)

A short transfer to the village of Vardahovit. From here, we’ll begin our ascent to the summit overlooking the village at 3,200 meters. A beautiful view of the Vardenis and Vayots Dzor mountain ranges. On a clear day, the view of Mount Ararat is breathtaking.
Picnic lunch in the mountains. Return to the village and a short transfer to the Arates Monastery, now in ruins. Return to Yeghegis. Tour of the village, home to a very old cemetery and the Zorats Church (14th century). Dinner and overnight stay in Yeghegis.

Elevation gain = 1,000–1,200 m, depending on weather conditions

Day 7: The Vayots Dzor Region, an "Island in the Mountains"

Breakfast and an early departure for the village of Goghtanik. From here, we’ll begin our ascent to the peak overlooking the village of Goghtanik at 2,495 meters and continue exploring the magnificent peaks of Vayots Dzor. After the descent, we’ll head to the canyon and the Noravank Monastery, one of the most remarkable monuments of medieval Armenia. Set in a magnificent canyon, this monastery offers a setting of exceptional beauty. We’ll head to the Khor Virap site, situated on a hill offering a breathtaking view of Mount Ararat. It is one of the sacred sites of the Armenian Apostolic Church. Transfer to Garni, where we’ll help prepare the national bread, “lavash.” Tasting of kebabs cooked in the oven. Dinner and overnight stay at a bed-and-breakfast.

Duration: 3–4 hours. Elevation gain: 700 m

Day 8: Garni Pagan Temple, Geghard Rock-Cut Monastery, and Yerevan

Breakfast. Visit to the pagan temple of Garni, the only Hellenistic monument in all of Armenia, dating from the 1st century (77 B.C.), where you can see the remains of an ancient fortress, a royal palace, and the royal baths adorned with colorful mosaics. Continue to the rock-hewn monastery of Geghard (13th century). Return to the capital. Visit the Armenian Genocide Museum and Memorial. City tour passing by various points of interest: Republic Square, Cascade Esplanade with the Botero statues, Opera Square, etc.

Transfer to the airport in the late afternoon; end of the trip.

Departure: at Yerevan Airport, after the transfer on the evening of Day 8

Note: This itinerary is subject to change; the order of the days may be reversed or even completely altered depending on safety requirements related to current snow and weather conditions or based on the skiers’ physical and technical abilities.