Adventures in Armenia

Mountain biking trail description: The mountain biking trail of Armaghan is located in Gegharkunik province. The trail starts from Martuni town to Lernahovit village on M10 freeway, then the way continuous towards the village of Madina till the end, continue driving along the highway towards Mount Armaghan direction. The road to Armaghan is immensely beautiful and full of expectations when reaching the lake and St. Harutyun church on the summit. There are ridges on the mountain where the bike ride is impossible because of sloping. Near the summit of Armaghan Mountain, the winding road becomes a sandstone and a little harder to drive. The rugged peak, the church, the breeze, the lingering lake, will "recharge" and provide with infinite purity, peace and harmony which along with intertwined nature will enhance the drive of mountain biking route landing. Safety and Security Ucom and MTS Armenia telecoms are accessible all the time. In emergency cases call 911 or 112. Beware of the leashed-off dogs guiding the sheep. Technical description Best period: from June till October. Biking trail length: 17.152 km Ride duration: 5 hours 41 min. Altitude from see level: 2200 -2850-2200 m. The 95% of the road is grinding land and asphalt. Take a bottle of water with you. How to reach the destination To cross the above described mountain biking route it is necessary to reach Gyumri, Madina is in Gegharkunik The most convenient way is to travel by taxi. Taxis are affordable in Armenia. Please use the taxis that have counters.

Geghard Monastery - Garni Temple Mountain biking trail description: The mountain biking trail starts from Geghardavank and ends at Garni Temple. The most famous tourist centers of Armenia, Garni pagan temple and Geghardavank are in the Kotayk region of Armenia, and the mountain biking trail passes through Khosrov State Reserve. Starting from Geghard village, the horizons of the mountains open in front of you. The mountains of Eranus with beautiful nuances, white top of the Mount Ararat and the cones of the Mount Aragats opens in front of the bikers. From the East Geghama Mountains with four peaks and from the south - Khosrov State Reserve with its unique flora and fauna are visible too. The mountain biking route passes down the slopes of Goght village gorge, reaches the valley of Goght River taking to Garni pagan temple, and this is the trails ending point. Safety and Security From Geghardavank to Garni mountain biking trail all types of telecom connections are available. In emergency cases call 911 or 112. Beware of leashed-off dogs in the villages. Technical description Best period: from May to November Distance from Yerevan: 40 km Duration: 1 hour Biking trail length: 28 km Ride duration: 4 hours Altitude from sea level: 1700-2100-1400 m 20% of the road is covered by asphalt, 80% by landlocked. Take a bottle of water with you. How to get to the route To get to the above mentioned mountain biking route, is possible by taxi. The return is from Garni Temple.

Geghard - Geghardarik - Mount Azhdahak - 3597 m - Aknalich-Tsaghkashen Village Trekking trail description: The presented trekking trail lasts several days, 4 days and 3 nights. The trekking starts from Geghard village in Kotayk province, 1930-meter altitude from sea level. Before starting the trekking, it is worthy to visit Geghard Monastery, listen to Armenian spiritual music spreading from the upper acoustic hall, that can be a great start of the trip. Day 1: From the village of Geghard, the road goes up to Geghardarch or Vishapalich. There are old drum stones called “vishapakar” in the lake area. Swimming in the lake is dangerous. (overnight stay in the tent). Day 2: On the second day, the trekkers will climb the valley of Mount Azhdahak (overnight stay in the tent). Next morning the peak of Mount Azhdahak, 3795 meters of altitude from sea level, is the next destination. Only after third day the trail starts to go down to Lake Akna. On the 4th day, in the morning, the trekking continues to Geghama Mountains, to Tsaghkashen village of Gegharkunik province. Safety and Security: The telecom connections are available on this trail. During the rainy days it is not advisable to be on the mountains without lightening. In emergency cases call 911 or 112. Beware of leashed-off dogs in the villages. Technical description Best period: from June 20 to September 10. Trekking trail length: 51 Kilometers. Walk duration: three nights, four days. Altitude from sea level: 1930-3597-2000 meters. Take a bottle of water with you. How to get to the destination In order to cross the above mentioned trail, it is necessary to leave Yerevan by taxi to Geghard village. The return is from Tsaghkashen village. Please use the taxis with counters. Taxis throughout Armenia are quite affordable.

From Ltsen to Tatev monastery Trekking trail description: The trekking starts from Ltsen Village of Syunik province. It passes through the picturesque reservoir of Shamb. The road to Liege is picturesque with sloppy roads and outlines of mountains following each other. From Sisian to Ltsen can be reached by taxi because public transport does not operate. The trail is indicated in the middle of the village. The road is challenging. Getting out of the village most of the trails goes through forests. Usually, these trails are more for an enthusiastic climbers and the walk is becoming more spectacular. Also, it is possible to visit several outstanding sights on the way: Zorats Karer (Sisian), Shaki Waterfall (Sisian), Old Khndzoresk Caves (Khndzoresk Village), Swing Bridge (Khndzoresk Village), Tatevs Ropeway and Devil's Bridge (Halidzor and Tatev villages). Safety and security From Ltsen to Tatev Ucom and MTS Armenia telecom connections are always available. In emergency cases call 911 or 112. Beware of leashed-off dogs guarding the sheep. Technical description Best period: from May to October. Trekking trail length: 16.64 km. Walk Duration: 6 hours, 31 minutes. Altitude from sea level 1534-1507meters. Trail visibility: 100%. Take a bottle of water with you. How to get to the destination To get to the above-mentioned trekking trail, the hikers have to reach to Ltsen village of Syunik province. Taxis throughout Armenia are quite affordable. Please use the taxis with counters.

Teghenis mountain Mountain biking trail description The trail starts at the outskirts of Hrazdan, where the asphalt road rises to the summit of Teghenis Mountain (2800 meters of altitude from sea level). The location of the asphalted road is lower than its slopes and goes to adjacent, lush forests. The trail stretches till the white peak of Ararat and the four peaks of Aragats. The crosswalk pathway continues to Bjni village. Bjni is rich in natural mineral sources and historical and cultural monuments. Here, a 28-kilometer-long mountain biking trail ends. The return from Bjni to Yerevan is 48 km. Safety and Security Ucom and MTS Armenia Telecom connections are available anywhere. In emergency cases call 911 or 112. Beware of leashed-off dogs guarding sheep. Technical description Best period: from May till October. Biking trail length: 28.4 km Ride duration: 5 hours 41 min Altitude from sea level: 1727-2800-1535 m 50% of the road is asphalt, the rest 50 % is a land grinding. Take a bottle of water with you. How to get to the destination To get to the above mentioned mountain biking trail, bikers should arrive in Hrazdan city of Kotayk province. It’s better to travel by taxi. Taxis throughout Armenia are quite affordable. Please use taxis with counters.

From Norashen village to the mountains of Eranos Mountain biking trail description The mountain biking trail starts from Norashen village, Ararat province. On the way, in the gorge, a two-kilometer part of the trail is missing. Ararat region is famous for mountainous climate. People are mainly engaged in gardening. The biking trail is unique because it always goes through two-sided Rocky Mountains. The dry, semi-desert climate, the sun-warming mountains and pastures of the sun reminded the scenes of the film at once. Sometimes there are even small rivers that save the uninterrupted "work" of nature. Safety and security Ucom and MTS telecom connections function with interruptions. In emergency cases call 911 or 112. Beware of leashed-off dogs guarding the sheep. Technical parameters Best period: from May to October Biking trail length: 32.3 km Ride duration: 7 hours 23 min Altitude from sea level: 900-1780mis 95% of the road is land griding, 5% asphalt Take a bottle of water with you How to get to the destination To get to the above mentioned mountain biking trail, bikers must reach Norashen village in Ararat Province. It is comfortable to travel by taxi that are quite affordable in all over Armenia. Please use the taxis with counters.

Verin Shorzha, Artsakh, Karvachar Biking trail description This trail is located in Verin Shorzha village of Gegharkunik province. It continues through Shahumyan region, passes near Karvachar town, Nor Getashen and ends on Yerevan-Martakert free-way. On the way bikers can see Dadi, the first Christian monastery of Armenia constructed in the 1st century. Safety and security The mobile connections of Ucom and Viva Cell-MTS functions without interruptions. In emergency cases, call 911 or 112. Beware of leashed-off dogs in the villages. Technical description Best period: May-October Distance: 181 km from Yerevan Duration: 3 hours 10 min Bike trail length: 55.5 km Ride duration: 6 hours Altitude from sea level: 2366-2760-1240 m Take bottled water with you How to reach to the destination First of all, the bikers must reach to Verin Shorzha village in Gegharkunik province by car, then start riding. Please, use taxis with counters.

While there are many historical and cultural sites to see in Armenia, the small resort towns, surrounded by alpine meadows, await the winter sports lovers.

Armenia is one of the cradles of ancient science and astronomical knowledge. There is much to see and learn about the development of astronomy in Armenia and how it impacted scientific knowledge throughout the world today.

One of the remaining structures of evidence of ancient Armenian history is its fortresses. Many of Armenia’s fortresses were destroyed by the enemy or by earthquakes, but there are several fortresses that survived that can still be visited today...