Climbing Azhdahak and hike in Geghama mountains (1-7 days)

Early in the morning, after picking you up from the hotel or airport (in case if you arrive with the morning flight), we’ll drive to the Geghama Lake (Sevan Lake), located 1900m above sea level and surrounded by majestic mountains. Our hike will start in a place, where Geghama Mountains rise.

We are facing an acclimatization climb to Mount Armaghan (2830), which stands separately from other mountains of the Geghama mountain range. The view of Lake Sevan, opening from this mountain is incredibly beautiful. And there’s also a lake, located in its crater.

After descending from the mountain, to have dinner and dive deep into its waters, we’ll visit some beautiful places situated at the lakeshore- a monastery, fortress, and beach.

For the night, we’ll drive by SUV through a picturesque road to the Geghama Mountains- to the lake Akna situated at the height of 3030m.
 

In the morning, we’re going to climb Gekhmakhan or Seghan mountains, which are situated near the lake. From here, we’ll enjoy the panoramic views of Akna and other mountains of Geghamian plateau.

After descending, we’ll pick up our camps, put things into SUV that will transport them on a different road, and we will head along a picturesque mountain gorge to the foothill of the mountain group of Azhdahak.

Just after resting and having some snacks, enjoying the colorful mountain views, we’ll climb the first volcano from the group of Azhdahak- Temablur(3310) that is separate from the group.

When we descend, our SUV with backpacks and food will arrive. We will put up our tents, then dine and admire the starry sky above Geghama Mountains.

In the morning, after putting the camps together and loading our backpacks into the SUV, we’ll start to climb Azhdahak(3600m). From its top, besides the overview of the Geghama Mountains, we will admire views from the peaks of Aragats and Ararat to Lake Sevan and Vardenyats Mountains, and of course, we will admire the view opening to the crater lake of Azhdahak.

Then, we’re going to continue climbing different peaks of the group. At first, we’ll get to Kamurdzh. From there, a completely different view to Azhdahak and Temablur opens. After this, we’ll descend to another crater lake. Probably here, we’ll swim a bit. Then, we will get to the Mount of Tar - here, we’ll admire another fascinating panoramic view.

After descending, we will put up our camps in a picturesque place or not far from the Yezidi camp (a hospitable people professing a religion close to Zoroastrianism. In the summer they climb mountains with their herds).
 

In the morning, we’ll climb Nazeni Mount, the beauty of which we have seen from Azhdahak.

After, we are going to continue our hiking to the lake of Vank or Vishap(dragon). Here, we can see ancient dragon stones that protect the peace of the lake for 6-7 thousand years. Also, on this day, we’ll get acquainted with the ancient Armenian art- numerous petroglyphs left on the stones, telling about their life, beliefs, and perception of the world.

Our hike will be continued to the foothill of Spitakasar Mount. We will climb it on the following day and also our camp will be put up next to the mountain.

Spitakasar Volcano (3560) is the second-largest and highest on the Geghama Plateau. And we will climb it on the 5th day of the trekking in the Geghama Mountains. New amazing views of the Geghama Mountains and their surroundings will be opened from here.

If we manage, there is a high probability that we will ascend to small Spitakasar or Geghasar (3450).
Our road will be continued in the direction of the ancient fortress. On our way, we will see loads of interesting places.

We will put up our tents in a place with picturesque surroundings.

The whole day is dedicated to the acquaintance with Kaqavaberd fortress, the inaccessibility and formidable appearance of which provided security for the entrance to the Geghama Plateau from Khosrov Reserve.

Also, we will get acquainted with the secrets of a cave settlement, located under the fortress.

For the night, we are going to stay here, admiring these picturesque views.

In the early morning, we will go down to Khosrov Reserve that hides many secrets. We will go to the waterfall, which according to the legend has healing power and to an ancient monastery, where the spirit of prior times is still alive.

Next, we'll continue our road to the gorge of Azat River, where one can see a natural monument, which is named as "Stone organ". Probably, we'll visit the pagan temple of Garni or cave monastery of Geghard.
From here, we'll drive towards Yerevan.

Early in the morning, after picking you up from the hotel or airport (if you arrive by an early flight), we'll go to a mountain village, where leaving our backpacks in SUV(it will take our backpacks to the camping ground), we'll hike to the lake of Akna(3030).

Next to its picturesque shore, we're going to have a night stay.

In the morning, after putting the camps together and loading our backpacks into the SUV, which will carry them in another way, we’ll go to Azhdahak foothill through a beautiful mountain gorge.

Just after resting and having some snacks, enjoying the colorful mountain views, we’ll begin climbing Azhdahak(3600m). From its top, besides the overview of the Geghama Mountains, we will admire views from the peaks of Aragats and Ararat to Lake Sevan and Vardenyats Mountains, and of course, we will admire the view opening to the crater lake of Azhdahak.

Then, we’re going to continue climbing other peaks of the group. At first, we’ll get to Kamurdzh. From there, a completely different view of Azhdahak and Temablur opens. Then, we’ll descend to another crater lake. Probably here, we’ll swim a bit. After we will get to the Mount of Tar - here, we’ll admire another fascinating panoramic view.

After descending, we will put up our camps in a picturesque place or not far from the Yezidi camp (a hospitable people professing a religion close to Zoroastrianism. In the summer they climb mountains with their herds).

Early in the morning, we’ll climb Nazeni Mount, the beauty of which we have seen from Azhdahak.
After, we are going to continue our hiking to the lake of Vank or Vishap(dragon). Here, one can see ancient dragon stones that protect the peace of the lake for 6-7 thousand years. Also, on this day, we’ll get acquainted with the ancient Armenian art- numerous petroglyphs left on the stones, telling about their life, beliefs, and perception of the world.

Our hike will be continued to the foothill of Spitakasar Mount. We will climb it on the following day and also our camp will be put up next to the mountain.

Spitakasar Volcano (3560) is the second-largest and highest mountain on the Geghama Plateau. And we will climb it on the 4th day of the trekking in the Geghama Mountains. New amazing views of the Geghama Mountains and its surroundings will be opened from here.

If we manage, there is a high probability that we will ascend to small Spitakasar or Geghasar (3450).
Our road will be continued in the direction of the ancient fortress. On our way, we will see loads of interesting places.

We will put up our tents in a place with amazing surroundings.

The whole day is devoted to the acquaintance with Kaqavaberd fortress, the inaccessibility and formidable appearance of which provided security for the entrance to the Geghama Plateau from the Khosrov Reserve.

Also, we will get acquainted with the secrets of a cave settlement, located under the fortress.

For the night, we are going to stay here, admiring these picturesque views.

In the early morning, we will go down to Khosrov Reserve that also keeps many secrets. We will go to the waterfall, which according to the legend has healing power and to an ancient monastery, where the spirit of prior times is still alive.

Next, we'll continue our road to the gorge of Azat River, where one can see a natural monument that is called  "Stone organ". Probably, we'll visit the pagan temple of Garni or cave monastery of Geghard.

From here, we'll return to Yerevan.
 

Early in the morning, after picking you up from the hotel or airport, we will immediately drive to Geghama Mountains to the fortress of Kaqavaberd, which is located on the top of a mountain. 3 sides of the mountain are surrounded by deep gorges.

After exploring the fortress and cave settlement on the slope of the mountain, we’ll stay at a camping ground.

An interesting hike to Vishapalich is waiting for us. Its name is translated as ‘’lake of a dragon’’. There are mysterious monuments around the lake. Those are vishapakars that were created many millennia ago and are dedicated to the cult of water.

Besides vishapakars, other, possibly more ancient witnesses of history have survived around Geghama Mountains - ancient petroglyphs, depicting the life of the ancient people.

We’ll continue hiking to Spitakasar foothill, which we’ll climb the next day. Our tents will be put up near the mountain.

Our day will be started with a climb to Spitakasar, the 2nd highest mountain in the Geghama range (3555m). The mountain with its complex relief is rich in obsidian, from which interesting ornaments and souvenirs are made. We can see unforgettable views that open up from its peak.

If we manage, we’ll also climb the other peak- Geghasar or Small Spitakasar.

For the night, we will make a mountain hike in the direction of the azhdaak volcano (backpacks, again, will be transported by an SUV).

On this day, we are going to have so long-awaited ascent to Azhdahak - the highest peak of the Geghama Range (3597 m). The volcanic massif is formed by four volcanoes - Azhdahak, Kamurj, Tar, and Temablur. We will climb its 3 peaks, but if we manage we will climb the fourth one, too.

The volcanic rocks create a wonderful variety of colors. There is a beautiful lake on the peaks of Tar and Azhdahak. And of course, it’s impossible to forget about views that are opened from all 4 peaks of Azhdahak.

Descending from Azhdahak, another interesting hike that lies through a scenic mountain gorge is waiting for us.

We will camp near Lake Akna, in the clear waters of which the magnificence of the surrounding mountains is reflected.

On the 5th day, we are going to climb another peak (Gekhmakhan or Sekhan). After enjoying the fascinating views, we’ll descend to Sevan Lake.

You will definitely admire the beauty of the lake and mountains that surround Sevan. And taking with us the strength and energy that we’ve got from the magnificent volcanoes and picturesque lakes, we’re going to return to Yerevan.
 

Early in the morning, after picking you up from the hotel or the airport, we will immediately drive to Geghama Mountains to the fortress of Kaqavaberd, which is located on the top of a mountain and on 3 sides it is surrounded by deep gorges.

 After exploring the fortress and cave settlement on the slope of the mountain, we’ll move to Vishapalich for the night stay. The name ‘’Vishapalaich’’ is translated as ‘’lake of dragon’’. There are mysterious monuments around the lake. Those are vishapakars that were created many millennia ago and are dedicated to the cult of water.

Besides vishapakars, other, possibly more ancient, witnesses of history have survived around Geghama Mountains - ancient petroglyphs, depicting the life of the ancient people.

Our tents will be put up near this mysterious lake.

In the morning, we’ll drive by our SUV to Spitakasar foothill and start climbing. It is the 2nd highest mountain in the Geghama range (3555m). The mountain with its complex relief is rich in obsidian, from which interesting ornaments and souvenirs are made. We can see unforgettable views that open up from its peak.

If we manage, we’ll also climb the other peak- Geghasar or Small Spitakasar. In the night, our SUV will take us to the foothill of Volcano Azhdahak.

On this day, we are going to have so long-awaited ascent to Azhdahak - the highest peak of the Geghama Range (3597 m). The volcanic massif is formed by four volcanoes - Azhdahak, Kamurj, Tar, and Temablur. We will climb its 3 peaks, but if we manage we will climb the fourth one, too.

The volcanic rocks create a wonderful variety of colors. There is a beautiful lake on the peaks of Tar and Azhdahak. And of course, it’s impossible to forget about views that are opened from all 4 peaks of Azhdahak.

Descending from Azhdahak, another interesting hike that lies through a scenic mountain gorge is waiting for us.

We will camp near Lake Akna, in the clear waters of which the magnificence of the surrounding mountains is reflected.

On the 4h day, we are going to climb another peak (Gekhmakhan or Sekhan). After enjoying the fascinating views, we’ll descend to Sevan Lake.

You can admire the beauty of the lake and mountains that surround Sevan. And taking with us the strength and energy that we’ve got from the magnificent volcanoes and picturesque lakes, we’re going to return to Yerevan.

We will pick you up from the hotel or the airport early in the morning. Then, we’ll move to Geghama Mountains to the foothill of Azhdahak. Our ascent will start from here.

The volcanic massif is formed by 4 volcanoes- Azhdahak (3600), Kamurdzh, Tar, and Temablur. We are going to ascend all 4 peaks.

 The volcanic rocks create a wonderful variety of colors. There is a beautiful lake on the peaks of Tar and Azhdahak. And of course, it’s impossible to forget about views that are opened from all 4 peaks of Azhdahak.

Descending from Azhdahak, we’ll put up our camps in a scenic place. At night, we can admire the starry night above the Geghama range.

In the morning, we will move to the foothill of Mount Spitakasar (3560). This volcano is the second-largest and highest on the Geghama Plateau. And we will climb it exactly on this day. New amazing views to the Geghama Mountains and their surroundings will be opened from here.

If we manage, there is a high probability that we will ascend to the small Spitakasar or Geghasar (3450).
We will continue our journey towards the ancient fortress, and there will be much more interesting things along the road.

We will set up our camps in a place with beautiful views.

The whole day is devoted to the acquaintance with Kakavaberd fortress, the impregnability and formidable appearance of which provided security for the entrance to the Geghama Plateau from Khosrov Reserve.

Also, we will get acquainted with the secrets of the cave settlement, located under the fortress.

Later in the evening, we will return to Yerevan.

In the early morning, picking you up from the hotel or from the airport (if you arrive by an early flight), we will go to the mountain village of Sevaberd, from where leaving our backpacks in SUV (it will move the things to the camp site), we will hike to Lake Akna (3030), on the picturesque shore of which we will stop for the night.

In the morning, after putting the camps together and loading our backpacks into the SUV, we’ll start to climb Azhdahak(3600m). From its top, besides the overview of the Geghama Mountains, we will admire views from the peaks of Aragats and Ararat to Lake Sevan and Vardenyats Mountains, and of course, we will admire the view opening to the crater lake of Azhdahak.

Then, we’re going to continue climbing different peaks of the group. At first, we’ll get to Kamurdzh. From there, a completely different view to Azhdahak and Temablur opens. After this, we’ll descend to another crater lake. Probably here, we’ll swim a bit. Then, we will get to the Mount of Tar - here, we’ll admire another fascinating panoramic view.

After descending, we’ll return to Yerevan.