Off-Road Daily Tours

The real adventures start from Nor Yerznka village, where the roads cease to meet the modern criteria.

The road runs through orchards to Tsakhkevank, or St Varvara’s Cave Chapel situated in Ara Ler’s (Mount Ara) crater. Local people celebrate the traditional feasts there. The spring at the cave chapel is known to have healing properties due to the significant amount of zinc in the water, the latter being, for instance, very useful for the sight or against osteoarthritis. The chapel is situated at 2080 m above the sea level.

Then we make our way to the Kasakh Gorge, where we visit the Astvatsenkal Monastery Complex (V–XIV cc.) located on a promontory. Here we can as well have a coffee break or a full meal in the open air.

The last stop is the Aparan Reservoir, where one can at will go for a walk to the beautiful forest or the Surb Poghos Petros (St. Paul and Peter) Church (V–VI cc.). Depending on the weather, boating might be included in our tour.

Length of the two-way road – 108 km (36 km of which is rather obstructed)

Total duration – 5-7 hours

Complication level – mid-high

Ultimate change of altitude – 1080 m

The cost:

2 x pax: 40.000 AMD per person

3 x pax: 35.000 AMD per person

4 x pax: 30.000 AMD per person

The most significant part of the tour starts form Urtsadzor village, as we head in the direction of the Khosrov Forest through rough rural road. 6 km away from the village is Tapi Berd, aka Gevorg Marzpetuni Fortress (X c.). The area is surrounded with picturesque heights we can approach and enjoy the view.

We will enjoy an exceptional coffee break in green surroundings.

The next stop is the St. Hovhannes Karapet Monastery, which was built by Archimandrite Momik in the commemoration of the millenary of the conversion into Christianity as the mausoleum for the Orbelyan family. Local people have beautified the vicinity and it is a very nice spot for a coffee break or lunch.

Length of the two-way road – 140 km (28 km of which is rather obstructed)

Total duration – 4–5 hours

Complication level – low-midium

Ultimate change of altitude – 850 m

The cost:

2 x pax: 30.000 AMD per person

3 x pax: 25.000 AMD per person

4 x pax: 20.000 AMD per person

Our trip starts from Yeghvard as here is located the Holy Mother of God Church founded in 1301 to commemorate the millenary of the Conversion to Christianity, a place quite easy to reach by any kind of vehicle and the exotic thing is that it is out of the main touristic routes.

The next stop is the hard-to-reach Teghenyats Monastery (V–XIV cc.) which makes a mixture of Early and Late Medieval architecture. Armenian chroniclers declared the complex as a religious and educational center.

We go on over the Ara Ler and the Teghenis Mounts and the Kasakh Gorge just to reach the Mt Aragats and, drive along the Gegharot River, to get to the 17 m high Gegharot Waterfall, which starts in the crater of the mount at 3000 m above the sea level.

At the clients’ will we can have a coffee break or a full meal at any stop.

Length of the two-way road – 117 km (42 km of which is rather obstructed)

Total duration – 6–8 hours

Complication level – high

Ultimate change of altitude – 1920 m

The cost:

2 x pax: 47.000 AMD per person

3 x pax: 35.000 AMD per person

4 x pax: 30.000 AMD per person

We head to the Khosrov Forest through Garni Village. The adventures start from the opposite side of the “Stone symphony” of the Garni Gorge.

The first stop is Havuts Tar, a monastery complex of the XI – XVIII cc. It is clearly visible from the road running to Geghard. The road is passable only by SUVs that can be driven close to the church.

The next stop is Aghjots Monastery, or Surb Stepanos Monastery, which is situated on a hard-to-reach height and is accessible mainly by foot. Still, this place surrounded by forests is quite pleasant to stroll. The ornamental design and iconography of the monastery complex (1212-1270) are amazing. As we ascend to the complex, we will have a coffee break at one of the streams at the foot of the hill.

Havuts_Tar_Amenaprkich monThere is a village called Mets Gilanlar in the depth of the Khosrov Forest with two of the four waterfalls of the reserve located in the vicinity. The latter is our destiny. The last stop of our trip is Kakavaberd Fortress dated with the X–XIII cc. It is erected atop a huge hill and is unassailable from the three sides. It can be approached only by walking 2 km.

The meal is offered on the way back at one of the nicest restaurants.

Length of the two-way road – 104 km (46 km of which is rather obstructed and 8 km is only walkable)

Total duration – 7–9 hours

Complication level – mid-to high

Ultimate change of altitude – 1060 m

The cost:

2 x pax: 47.000 AMD per person

3 x pax: 35.000 AMD per person

4 x pax: 30.000 AMD per person                          

Complication level – mid-to high

Ultimate change of altitude – 1060 m

The route passes through Geghard Village straight to the Geghama Mountains.

After 16 km of rough road, we reach Vishapalich with its peace being guarded for two millennia by two vishapakars, stones shaped as huge snakes or dragons. The lake is situated at the height of 2740 m above the sea level surrounded by mountains, its area is 0,5 km2, and the ultimate depth is 18 m. The coffee break or the meal can be served here on the shore of the lake. At the clients’ will we can organize boat trip on the lake.

The next stop is the Azat Reservoir, where we enter a beautiful mountainous area.

Length of the two-way road – 94 km (42 km of which is rather obstructed)

Total duration – 5–7 hours

Complication level – mid-to high

Ultimate change of altitude – 1740 m

The cost:

2 x pax: 36.000 amd per person

3 x pax: 31.000 amd per person

4 x pax: 27.000 amd per person

The trip goes along the Yerevan-Dilijan Route. The first stopover of the trip is Aghavnavank, a monastery of the XII c., built in the heart of Dilijan. The next stopover is the Goshavank monastery complex, a masterwork of the ancient Armenian architecture, constructed in the XII – XIII cc. Not far from Goshavank there is the Gosh Lake situated in the thick oak forests of Dilijan colorful region. You can enjoy the beauty of the small lake and the surrounding mountains during the coffee break.

Lunch break is planned in the Centre of Diijan.

The last but not least stopover of our trip is the Djukhtak medieval monastery complex, located in the vast forests, on the slope of a mountain, not far from the city of Dilijan.

Length of the two-way road – 210 km (26 km of which is rather obstructed)

Total duration – 6–7 hours

Complication level – low

Ultimate change of altitude – 1020 m

The cost:

2 x pax: 36.000 AMD per person

3 x pax: 31.000 AMD per person

4 x pax: 27.000 AMD per person

Our way runs through numerous Armenian villages, where one can meet many lavash ovens, rural markets and many other objects presenting the local traditional everyday life. The adventurous part of the tour starts from the Sevaberd village, where the car’s wheels touch the mountain road.

After 12 km of hard road, one can see the pearl of the Geghama Mountains – Aknalich (3030 m above the sea level, 0,8 km2 of area and 25 m of depth). It is surrounded by mountains, which add to the enormous beauty of the area.

The next stop is a grove at Jrvezh village, where we can have rest after our hard trip. The area is lavished with everything necessary for rest and open-air meal. The weekends are particularly busy.

Length of the two-way road – 122 km (26 km of which is rather obstructed)

Total duration – 5–7 hours

Complication level – mid-to high

Ultimate change of altitude – 1960 m

The cost:

2 x pax: 40.000 AMD per person

3 x pax: 35.000 AMD per person

4 x pax: 30.000 AMD per person