Hike in the north of Armenia without backpacks 10 days

Witness the glorious beauty of Lake Sevan early in the morning. Spend the 2nd day of your tour, hiking through the mountains surrounding the Lake Sevan. Lake Sevan is framed with volcanic mountain ranges, with some of the peaks reaching as high as 3500 meters above sea level and more. During the hike, along with gaining altitude, you'll notice how the landscapes change from steppes to forests to Alpine meadows. At the end of the day, you'll reach a village hidden in the woods. Here, you'll spend the night in tents on a scenic meadow.

Climb the volcanic mountain Karktasar (2740 meters above sea level). Climbing the steep slopes of the mountain isn't an easy tasks, but it's worth it. Forests, cliffs, cyclopic fortress and a great number of other monuments of pre-Urartian period, as well as ancient Christian khachkars and many more - here's what awaits us on the way to the summit.

Once on the summit, you'll be blown away by the breathtaking view of the mountain ranges.

During the first three days of your hiking tour without backpacks around the north of Armenia, you'll have a chance to photograph Lake Sevan at night, early in the morning, and from the elevation of over 2500 meters above sea level.

Your hike will continue to the monastery of Nor Getik, situated above the left bank of River Getik. The monastery was one of the most important spiritual centers of northern Armenia. Mkhitar Gosh, a renowned Armenian scholar, once lived and worked here.  The monastery was destroyed by an earthquake, and was rebuilt again a few kilometers below. The ruins of the old monastery can still be seen in the forest.

This night, too, will be spent in tents.

On the 4th day of your hiking tour you'll conquer the summit of the Mount Miapor (2993 meters above sea level). The mountain seats on the border of two regions of Armenia - you'll ascend the mountain from Gegharkunik region and will descend into Tavush region of Armenia.

Your journey to the north continues. From here on, your hiking tour will take place in three northern regions of Armenia - Tavush, Lori and Shirak.  While in Tavush region, you'll continue the hike without backpacks to the town of Berd, following a scenic road. In Armenian, 'berd' means fortress, the town derives its name from the medieval fortress, situated on its outskirts.

Overnight at a guest house, or a hotel.

Today, you’ll travel to a picturesque forested canyon to take a short hike to the Arakelots monastery that seats on the hilly bank of River Kirants. Although the monastery itself dates back to XIII-XIV centuries, around the monastery, on both banks of the river, traces of on an older settlement can be found: remains of a bridge, caravanserai, baths and other ancient structures.

Walking through the Kirants canyon, you'll continue your hike to the XIII century monastery of Kirants. A fine example of Armenian architecture, the monastery seats on an open field, surrounded with lush forests. The region of Tavush, where your hike takes place now, is known for its dense forests.

Overnight in tents.

On the sixth day of your hiking tour without backpacks, you'll hike to a unique place in Armenia - a fortress that seats on a peak, which links three canyons.

Crossing over mountains, you'll descent to the breathtaking canyon of River Marts in the next northern region of Armenia - the region of Lori.

River Marts is a mountain river with rapid currents. The sides of the canyon it flows through is covered with dense forests that hide many historical monuments and wondrous secrets of this area.

You'll spend the night in tents here, on the bank of the river.

Start the day with a hike to the monastery of Bardzrakash Sourb Grigor, a unique monument in Armenia. The monastery is located in a forest overlooking the River Marts. Numerous old khachkars and tombstones that tell the story of the people who lived here in the past are found on the trail that leads from the monastery to the vast plateau above. The plateau is home to the birthplace of the great Armenian writer, poet and philosopher Hovhannes Tumanyan, the village of Dsegh.

Although the monastery now lays in ruins, you can still see the beautiful patterns masterfully carved on its stones. Embrace the energy and vibes of this site and continue your hike up and through the village of Dsegh to the other side of the canyon where the village of Debed is located. Here, you'll enjoy a picnic at a picturesque site. Take a break on the bank of the river, and if you want, you can participate in another short hike.

Your next stop is Haghpat. Words can't describe the beauty and the sacred energy of this site. The village and the monastery of Haghpat are situated on a plateau surrounded by forests, mountains and canyons.

For many a century, the monastery of Haghpat was a major and important spiritual, cultural and scientific center of Armenia. Its unique architecture is still subject to several researches.

Overnight at a guesthouse or a hotel in the village.

Your hiking tour without backpacks around the north of Armenia continues, on the 8th day you'll travel to the monastery of Kobayr, built on a cliff in the Debed canyon. Built in harmony with the terrain and the landscapes, this unassailable monastery impresses not only with the craftsmanship of the architects, but with the breathtaking views over the Debed canyon that open up from here, too.

Another unassailable monastery you'll visit on this day is the monastery of Horomayr. Built in VII century, the monastery is located on the left bank of the River Debed. The trail to the monastery, full of crystal clear water springs, opens up more and more magnificent views of the region's mountainous landscape.

Carry the impressions from this hike with you while traveling to the Lori Berd fortress along beautiful deep canyons.

The Lori Berd is a medieval fortress that seats on a vast plateau. The fortress on the territory of the settlement of Lori was built in X century, but this area was inhabited since ancient times. Tumuli and dolmens found here date back to V-III millennium BCE. The artifacts unearthed here show that the ancestors of Armenians and other nations who lived here were skillful hunters, farmers and artisans.  

Your adventures for today are over, the overnight stay will be arranged at a hotel or an eco resort not far from the town of Stepanavan.

On the final day of the hiking tour around the north of Armenia, we'll take an off-road trip to the majestic waterfall of Trchkan. You'll notice how the landscapes change from the very beginning. Dense forests are mostly followed by steppe flora.

The waterfall of Trchkan is one of the most famous natural sites of Armenia. It's the highest waterfall in the country, and has the highest flow rate among all the waterfalls of Armenia.

From here, you'll travel to the X century monastery of Marmashen, situated on the left bank of the River Akhuryan. A renowned masterpiece of Armenian architecture, the monastery was once a major cultural and religious center in medieval Armenia.

Your hiking tour around the north of Armenia without backpacks will end here, and from Marmashen you'll return to Yerevan.

Free day. No hikes or trips are planned for this day. You may choose how to spend the last day of your journey to Armenia.

We'll arrange comfortable transfer to Zvartnots airport at any time suitable for you.  And remember that we're waiting for you in Armenia again, to hike in other regions of the country, too.