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What Awaits in Gegharkunik

Gegharkunik is located in the eastern part of Armenia, and is actually the largest of all the country’s provinces. The region’s biggest attraction is Lake Sevan, a magnificent body of fresh, crystal blue water spanning 940 square kilometers.

Lake Sevan accounts for almost one-fourth of Gegharkunik’s total area, and is home to an abundance of flora and fauna varieties you can’t find elsewhere in the country. Its clear waters and many beaches make it a very attractive destination, especially during the summer months. Even more, surrounding this beautiful body of water you’ll find ancient ruins, medieval fortresses and monasteries, and quaint towns and villages where local people carry on age-old traditions.

Armenia may be a landlocked country, but you’ll be surprised what magic lies here, specifically in the Gegharkunik region, where beaches, waves, and lots of outdoor fun await. You read that correctly! This region of Armenia is home to beautiful Lake Sevan, a large

freshwater lake that shines turquoise blue. Add to that stunning scenery, diverse local animal and plant life, a wealth of historical monuments, and very friendly locals, and you’ll find that Gegharkunik really does live up to the hype.

Quick info about Gegharkunik

Location

Gegharkunik is located in the eastern part of Armenia, and is actually the largest of all the country’s provinces.

Lake Sevan

The region’s biggest attraction is Lake Sevan, a magnificent body of fresh, crystal blue water spanning 940 square kilometers. Lake Sevan accounts for almost one-fourth of Gegharkunik’s total area.

Summer months:

Lake Sevan’s clear waters and many beaches make it a very attractive destination, especially during the summer months.

Diverse local animal and plant life:

Gegharkunik has diverse local animal and plant life, a wealth of historical monuments, and very friendly locals, and you’ll find that Gegharkunik really does live up to the hype.

Culture

Like every region of Armenia, Gegharkunik and its people boast a unique history and cultural heritage waiting to be discovered under every stone, on every lake shore, at every monastery and fortress, and in every village and town. Don’t miss the opportunity to experience the region’s culture when traveling here, especially if you meet friendly local people who will almost certainly offer to show you their way of life and traditions.

Tangible cultural heritage

As if this region of Armenia wasn’t impressive enough with its nature, Gegharkunik is also home to wonderful tangible cultural heritage sites that speak to the importance of Lake Sevan and the wider area to local people, history, and customs.

Sevanavank Monastery

This monastery is one of Gegharkunik’s most iconic symbols and one of the most visited sites in Armenia. Known as the Black Monastery, it is situated on Sevan Peninsula and was built in the 9th century on the site of a 4th century monastery destroyed by Arab invasions. Saint Mesrop Mashtots, who founded the Armenian alphabet, is said to have had a vision of 12 figures walking across the lake, who pointed out the location where the monastery was to be erected. Sevanavank was originally a complex of three churches, two of which are still perfectly preserved to this day.

Hayravank Monastery

Perched on a rocky outcrop above Lake Sevan, this beautiful 9th-12th century monastery is another must visit site in Gegharkunik region which will attract you by its stunning appearance and deep history. There are several magnificent khachkars [khach-kahrs] or cross-stones in the churchyard, as well as a small souvenir shop.

Noratus Cemetery

The cemetery in Noratus village represents the largest collection of khachkars in Armenia. Here you’ll find 900 cross-stones varying in style and age, most of which date back to the 10th century. The prominent feature of many khachkars is a cross surmounting a solar disc. The rest of the stone is usually decorated with leaves, grapes, pomegranates, or abstract geometric patterns. A wander around this huge village cemetery offers a glimpse into the past lives of the region’s inhabitants.

Cyclopean Fortress of Lchashen

Lchashen village houses one of the most important archaeological monuments of Armenia. The site occupies 55 hectares and includes monuments from the 4th-7th centuries BC, including a cyclopean fortress, a necropolis with 430 mausoleums, residential structures, and a cuneiform inscription attributed to Urartian King Argishti. The fortress, which stretches over 15 hills, has two citadels and 22 small and medium walls and towers. Excavations show that the ancient settlement of Lchashen had an organized system of straight streets, on two sides of which were dwellings with round and square foundations.

Churches of Gavar

The town of Gavar has several important churches. The oldest are Saint Gevorg (9th century) and Saint Mariam Astvatsatsin, or the Holy Mother of God Church (4th century), both located just south of the town in Gandzak village. On the main square of Gavar is Saint Gregory the Illuminator Cathedral (19th century), which was considered the tallest church in Armenia until the late 1990s. Nearby is the recently renovated Saint Hovhannes Karapet basilica. The church was originally built in 1848 by Armenians who had immigrated to modern Armenia from Bayazet, in what is today Turkey, led by the brothers Barsegh and Mkrtich Artsruni Aghaner.

Vanevan Monastery

In a gorge south of Artsvanist village is the early 10th century monastery of Vanevan, as well as a large but broken medieval khachkar. The main church of the monastery, named after Saint Gregory the Illuminator, was built in 903 by Prince Shapuh Bagratuni, brother of King Smbat, and his sister Mariam. There is a spring and a shallow cave behind the monastery.

Kotavank Monastery

Kotavank, also known as Surb Astvatsatsin, meaning Holy Mother of God, is a church located on a hill overlooking the Argitchi River and village of Nerkin Getashen, south of Lake Sevan. A large medieval cemetery surrounds the church with numerous khachkarts. The new cemetery next door has begun to integrate with the old one, resulting in a gathering of khachkars and ancient tombstones, albeit displaced from their original spots.

Star Map of Mount Sevsar

Armenia’s stargazing tradition is as old as recorded time. Recent studies suggest that the birthplace of the naming of the constellations and the creation of the zodiac was in the Armenian plateau. One site used for star observation is located on the western slopes of Mount Sevsar, east of the Martuni-Selim Pass. Here you can see an ancient observatory with a big round image carved on a stone block, probably a bolide or bright meteor, astronomical calendars, and pictograms from 3rd-1st millennia BC. There are altogether 15 pictured rock-pieces within an area of 50 by 20 square meters. One theory says that the pictures surrounding the image of the bolide are constellations.

Vishapakars

Vishapakars are prehistoric stone monoliths that are unique to Armenia and the Armenian Highlands. They’re usually found near natural and artificial lakes, rivers, springs, and other sources of water. Commonly carved from one piece of stone into cigar-like shapes with fish or bull heads to represent vishaps [vee-shap], or dragons. These mythical creatures protect water and symbolize fertility, according to Armenian folklore.

Berdkunk Fortress

Berdkunk Fortess is an ancient defense fortress located in the village of Berdkunk. It stands on a large rocky hill and dominates the surrounding area. The fortress is surrounded by rock-walled moats from west to east, almost along its entire length, and in the southwest corner it joins another such moat, which stretches to the north. It is almost inaccessible from all sides, except from the eastern side of Berdkunk village, which is currently merged with the ruins of the castle. In its appearance and structure, the castle is similar to the castles of Lchashen.

Kalavan

Kalavan is a village where a group of Armenian and French archaeologists recently discovered a Stone Age settlement, the first of its kind in Armenia. Excavations showed that the proto-settlements, located on the right bank of the Barepat River, were planned and organized. Here, archaeologists found early Bronze Age graves with decorative ceramic and metal articles. Deeper exploration revealed stone constructions, obsidian and flint quarries, primitive weapons, and bones of animals with spearheads inside. Archaeologists concluded that this may not be just one site but a settlement consisting of several Stone Age camps.

Museums

Hayravank Monastery

Hayravank is a unique discovery for those who want to get up close and personal with the unique architecture of Armenian medieval monasteries while relaxing on the shores of Lake Sevan.

Geological Museum of Gegharkunik

This museum was founded in 1952 and houses an impressive 8,427 artifacts. In the museum, you can learn about the history of the Gegharkunik region starting from the Stone Age all the way to the presen

Gavar Gallery named after Hrachya Buniatyan

This is a branch of the National Gallery of Armenia where the works of famous Armenian and Russian artists of the 19th–20th centuries are on display, including paintings, drawings, engravings, and scu

Intangible Cultural Heritage

In any destination, local people bear vast knowledge of traditions and ways of life passed down from generation to generation, and Gegharkunik is no exception. In particular, the people of this region are known for their carpentry and wool making. Let’s delve deeper into these customs that the people of Gegharkunik maintain to this day.

Carpentry

Several of the mountain ranges surrounding Lake Sevan are covered in forests, which provide local people with high-quality wood, a resource they’ve mastered over the centuries. The craftsmanship of local carpenters can be admired in old village homes throughout the region, which contain many architectural features made from wood, from cupola-shaped ceilings and pillars, to everyday household items like furniture, bins, chests, cradles, ladles, and spoons.

Thread Spinning

Spinning wool into thread by hand has been a time-honored tradition in Armenia for many centuries. Wool threads were traditionally used for rug and textile weaving. In fact, the spinning wheel and the wool it processes are so important to local culture, that local people in the past believed them to be sacred, with the spinning wheel representing the endless cycle of life.

Khachkar Carving

Since ancient times, the art of carving cross-stones, known as khachkars, has been a significant tradition practiced by local communities throughout the country. These stones are primarily used as gravestones and memorials for significant historical events. You can witness the largest cluster of khachkars at the Noratus Cemetery in the Gegharkunik region, with more than 900 intricately carved khachkars adorned with Armenian ornaments and designs.

Festivals

Festivals are an important part of local culture here in Armenia that unite the country’s artisans, chefs, musicians, and other creators, to share their love of art and tradition. Here are some of Gegharkunik’s most popular festivals, which you can participate in to get closer to local culture.

Sevan International Music Festival

This festival unites young people from Armenia and around the world through music, taking place on the shores of Lake Sevan at the beginning of the summer season, where you can enjoy a performance, go for a swim, go on a boat tour, and then continue the merriment at night around a campfire. Whether you’re a musician or just looking for a unique way to kick off your summer, grab your guitar and head to the Sevan Music Festival for a perfect escape.

Cuisine

Ask anyone who’s been to Armenia what one of their highlights was and they’ll no doubt mention the delicious local food they ate while here. Gegharkunik has its own special dishes which you must try while traveling through the region. Here are some highlights!

Ask any traveler who has been to Armenia, and they’ll likely rave about the food they experienced. In Gegharkunik, you’ll find several local culinary traditions that are definitely worth trying when you visit:

Local trout

No visit to Lake Sevan would be complete without trying some local fish caught straight from the lake. The most popular is a local trout species called ishkhan [eesh-khan], which you should definitely try barbecued.

Kyufta [kyoof-tah] from Gavar

Kyufta is a type of minced meat that’s cooked in various ways. Kyufta from the town of Gavar is quite popular, and is made by adding chopped onion, egg, and a bit of flour. The meatballs are spiced with salt and boiled before serving.

Sugar lokhum [loh-khoom]

This simple but delicious local dessert is similar to a lollipop that’s made with sugar, flour, and oil, that’s shaped with different molds and baked in an oven.

Pakhlava [pakh-lah-vah]

Local pakhlava is a dessert made with paper-thin layers of dough that are filled with chopped walnuts and sugar, that are then doused in honey or sometimes sweet rose water.

Nature

Gegharkunik has a mountainous landscape that’s dominated by the Gegham, Vardenis, Sevan, and Miapor mountain ranges. The height of these ranges varies between 2,500 and 3,500 meters.

The highest point of the region is Mount Azhdahak, a dormant volcano, with a height of 3,597 meters. In the middle of these mountains is the region’s main attraction, Lake Sevan. Whether you’re looking for a relaxing day at the beach or heart-pumping sports, there’s a lot to do outdoors in this part of Armenia.

Lake Sevan

Lake Sevan is a true treasure for both local people and international travelers. Sevan is the largest freshwater lake in Armenia and the entire South Caucasus region, lying at an altitude of 1,900 meters above sea level. It’s divided into two sections: Greater Sevan and Lesser Sevan. The maximum depth of the lake is 79.4 meters, though it averages 26.2 meters. The lake is fed by 28 rivers and streams, and is the source of the Hrazdan River, which flows through Armenia’s capital, Yerevan.

Sevan National Park

This national park was established in 1978 to protect the lake’s ecosystem, including its endemic fish species like the Sevan trout, as well as plants and animals like the Armenian gull and migratory waterfowl. The national park is home to 1,619 species of vascular plants, five of which are endemic to Lake Sevan, as well as 336 species of vertebrate animals. The park has four reserves and two sanctuaries, covering an area of 150,100 hectares.

Sevan Botanical Garden

The Sevan branch of the Yerevan Botanical Garden was founded in 1944, and is one of the highest in the world, located between 1,920–2,000 meters above sea level. After over 80 years of activity, a very rich and valuable arboretum with high frost resistance has been collected here, which plays an important role in the development of landscaping and forestry in the towns and villages of the Lake Sevan basin. Here you can find plant species typical of the Sevan basin, as well as others brought from other parts of Armenia and the globe.

Artanish Peninsula

Located on the eastern coast of Lake Sevan, the Artanish Peninsula is among the most striking areas within the national park’s reserve. Isolated and largely undisturbed, the peninsula boasts three separate bioregions and provides shelter for many of the park’s 267 species of birds. It is also home to some 34 mammals, including leopards, wild goats, otters, and wolves.

You can hike to the top of Mt. Artanish, located on the peninsula, from the lake shore, by following the jeep tracks or by joining a local hiking group. Stunning views of both Greater and Lesser Sevan await from the top!

Geghama Mountain Range

70 kilometers long and 48 kilometers wide, the Geghama Mountain Range stretches between Lake Sevan and the Ararat plain. The range is of volcanic origin and includes many extinct volcanoes. The highest point is Mount Azhdahak (3,597 meters above sea level), an extinct volcano located in the western part of the range.

Given its remote location, accessing the Geghama Range and reaching the summit of Mount Azhdahak is safest through guided jeep or hiking tours led by local guides or adventure tour companies.

Mount Armaghan

Standing at 2,829 meters above sea level, Mount Armaghan is an extinct volcano located to the west of the Vardenyats (Martuni–Selim) Pass Road near the village of Madina. The volcano’s crater at the peak is partly filled with water, turning it into a lake. In 2009, a basalt domed church was built right above the lake on the site of an even older chapel. Mount Armaghan offers a stunning 360º view of Lake Sevan and the surrounding mountain chains. It’s a popular picnic destination and one of the best paragliding sites in Gegharkunik.

Mount Azhdahak

As previously mentioned, Azhdahak is the highest peak of the Geghama Mountain Range, standing at 3597 meters above sea level. Another extinct volcano, its crater has a depth of 50 meters and a diameter of 500 meters. There is a beautiful lake located in the crater, the result of melting snow. Though Azhdahak is covered in snow for most of the year, people from all over the world visit the Geghama mountains to climb this stunning peak, and if the weather conditions are right, see prehistoric petroglyphs and vishapakaṛs [vee-shap-ah-kar], or dragon stones, which are prehistoric stone monoliths found in large numbers in the Armenian Highlands.

Norashen Reserve

This nature reserve is located in the northwestern part of Sevan National Park and is home to the Armenian gull, a large gull found in the Armenian Highlands, the Caucasus and the Middle East. One specific area in the reserve, called “Gull Island,” is where a colony of Armenian gulls nest, making up a significant proportion of the entire species population in the entire region. Besides the Armenian gull, you can find many other bird species, including the Great Cormorant, the Little and Great Crested Grebes, along with a variety of shorebirds such as the Green Sandpiper and Little Ringed Plover, which can be seen foraging along the shorelines of the lake.

Adventure

With a large, clear, and beautiful freshwater lake surrounded by mountains, you can bet that there are lots of outdoor adventure activities to do in the Gegharkunik region. Let’s jump right into the fun!

Hiking

With some of the most challenging and stunning landscapes in the country, Gegharkunik offers a whole lot to hiking enthusiasts. The most spectacular tracks are along the Geghama Range with Mount Azhdahak being the most popular destination for local and international hikers. Other interesting peaks include Mount Metz Spitakasar (3,555 meters), Mount Pokr Spitakasar (3,443 meters), Mount Armaghan (2,829 meters), Mount Kartakary (3,392 meters), and Mount Vardenis (3,521 mount). Several different tracks lead to the summit of Azhdahak.

Horseback Riding

With lots of open spaces and high alpine meadows, Gegharkunik offers unlimited possibilities for horseback riding. Currently, horseback riding tours are organized in the Martuni area and in Drakhtik village. You can also go on horseback tours near the Argichi River and Mount Armaghan.

Biking

There are several excellent routes for a bike ride in this part of Armenia. You can bike from Drakhtik village on the shore of Lake Sevan to Kalavan village through the scenic Areguni Mountain Range. You can also go on a biking tour from Tsovagyugh village to Kalavan.

Off-Road Tours

Given the rugged terrain of Gegharkunik, embarking on an off-road jeep tour offers a captivating way to explore its sites. You can enjoy a range of tours including Tsovagyugh to Kalavan from the comfort of a jeep or journey to the star map of Mount SevSAR that truly stands out as one of the region’s most popular adventures. With its blend of ancient history, rugged terrain, breathtaking landscapes, and the chance to behold the star map against the backdrop of Armenia’s clear sky, it promises an unforgettable journey.

Paragliding

Looking for an adrenaline filled activity? Why not try paragliding, which is an excellent way to take in the splendor of the region from a bird’s eye perspective. Paragliders can often be seen in the sky above Tsovagyugh village, which is the most frequented flying site in the region, due to its natural beauty, easy access, and good terrain for soaring.

AERO Club and Sky Club offer tandem paragliding flights for travelers. We recommend you go paragliding near Lake Sevan for stellar views of the lake and the surrounding mountain ranges.

Kayaking

Kayaking on Lake Sevan and on the Getik River are very popular outdoor activities, offering serene waters, stunning scenery, and thrilling adventures. You can find several tour companies in and around the Sevan Peninsula who offer kayaking tours.

Underwater Diving

As one of the largest freshwater bodies in the region, there’s lots to see in the depths of Lake Sevan, and underwater scuba diving has been growing in popularity. From underwater plant and animal life to even historic heritage, you never know what you’ll find under the water.

To go diving in Lake Sevan and experience its mysterious depths, look no further than ArmDiving, a non-profit organization developing diving culture in Armenia. They offer scuba diving and freediving courses for those who want to learn while in Armenia.

Kitesurfing and Windsurfing

Wishup Shore and Armenian Camp stands out as a prime location if you’re looking for water adventures on Lake Sevan.

Boating

Go boating on Lake Sevan, a serene and captivating experience amidst the breathtaking landscape of Armenia’s Gegharkunik region. With its crystal-clear waters stretching to the horizon and framed by towering mountains, Lake Sevan provides an idyllic setting for leisurely cruises and exploration. To go on a boating tour of Lake Sevan, you’ll easily find lots of different options in and around the Sevan Peninsula, which you can combine with a leisurely afternoon on the shore with a drink and local meal. The tranquility of the lake allows for peaceful moments of reflection while marveling at the surrounding natural beauty.

Sailing

Sailing in Armenia, on the picturesque Lake Sevan, offers a unique and exhilarating experience. The lake’s expansive, azure waters and favorable wind conditions create perfect opportunities for both novice and experienced sailors. Surrounded by stunning landscapes and historical landmarks, a sailing trip here promises not only adventure but also a deep connection with Armenia’s natural beauty.

Bird Watching

Sevan National Park is recognized globally as an important habitat for the conservation of bird populations. It has 267 registered bird species, out of which 39 species are included in the Red Data Book of Armenia, one is endemic to Armenia (the Armenian Gull or Laurus armenicus), and 83 are included in the Agreement on the Conservation of African-Eurasian Migratory Waterbirds. The Geghama Mountain Range is also home to a wide range of about 250 species, which makes about 70% of all of Armenia’s birds.

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