Jeep Tour in Armenia

Jeep Tour in Armenia

This tour is for those, who are looking for real adventures and prefer active rest. Our 10-day Jeep tour will give you opportunity to recognize wildlife of Armenia and to identify Armenia from a new and different prospective. For off-road lovers, our specifically chosen trip roads will uncover the most ancient and oldest places in Armenia, with great historical value. Well, book this tour, take the camera and come to discover Armenia.

Itinerary

Day 1: Arrival.Yerevan - Khor Virap - Vedi Canyon- Areni – Amaghu – Noravank - Birds cave - Shatin - Jewish Cemetery – Hermon.

Stop At: Yerevan City, Yerevan, Armenia
Meeting in the airport. Transfer to the hotel. In the morning we will start our tour.
Duration: 3 hours

Stop At: Khor Virap, Artashat, Lusarat Armenia
Our first stop is Khor Virap. This monastery is very prominent because of its history: Gregory the Illuminator, who introduced Christianity to Armenia, has been imprisoned here about 13 years as at that time there was a prison in the place of the monastery. Here we can enjoy the spectacular view of the sacred Ararat Mountain - an immortal symbol of Armenia.
Duration: 1 hour

Stop At: Areni Wine Factory, Areni Armenia
Off road in Vedi Canyon. Heading to Areni, after wine tasting driving to abandoned community Amaghu.
Duration: 1 hour

Stop At: Noravank Monastery, Areni Armenia
This is Monastery of XIII century, situated among amazing sheer rocks on the bench of a twisty gorge. This is the only monastery where we can find a unique sculpture of Father God.
Duration: 1 hour

Stop At: Shativank Monastery, Shativank Road, Shatin Armenia
After lunch heading to wild goat observation point, which was constructed with the help of the Norwegian and Armenian governments, the World Wildlife Fund and Safari organizations. Tourists can come to see the mountain goats from these observation points.
Duration: 30 minutes

Stop At: Yeghegis Jewish Cemetery, Yeghegis Armenia
The Jewish cemetery is also located in Vyots dzor province, in the village of Yeghegis. It belongs to the Jewish community, who lived in Yeghegis in the 13th and 14th centuries. Nearly forty tombstones were preserved in the cemetery. On ten plates, there were inscriptions in Hebrew and army language.

In the inscriptions, there are linguistic realities used during traditional Jewish funerals, biblical works on religious themes, as well as expressions borrowed from the Talmud.

Duration: 30 minutes

Meals included:
• Breakfast
• Dinner
Accommodation included: Overnight at Lucy Tour hotel resort.

Total driving-175km

Offroud-15km


Day 2: Hermon–Smbataberd- Tsakhats Kar – Sevajair - Arates - Goghtanik Waterfall - Hermon.

Stop At: Smbataberd Fortress, Yeghegis Armenia
Off road to Smbataberd (Fortress of Smbat the Prince of Syunik). Fortress was built in a very advantageous position on the southern end of a ridge, guarded by steep cliffs on three of its sides. Very large ramparts with towers are still relatively intact on the exterior. Within the confines of the fortress little remains except for the faint foundations of buildings near the fortification walls and a keep located at the highest point of the site. Smbataberd was founded during the 5th century, but was better established and heavily fortified during the 9th to 10th centuries. The fortress received water from an underground clay pipe leading from the monastery.
Duration: 2 hours

Stop At: Tsakhats Kar Monastery, 6 km Northeast from Yeghegis, Yeghegis Armenia
Off road to Tsakhats Kar. Local legend tells that the Seljuq Turks captured Smbataberd in a similar manner as the fortress of Proshaberd, where a thirsty horse was used to sniff out the pipeline to cut off the water supply to the fortress.
Duration: 2 hours

Stop At: Arates Monastery, Arates Armenia
Off road to the Sevajayr (black rock) to see the ruins of village. After that heading to see Arates Moanstery and Goghtanik Waterfall.
Duration: 2 hours

Meals included:
• Breakfast
• Dinner
Accommodation included: Overnight at Lucy Tour.

Total driving-80km

Offroud-40km


Day 3: Hermon - Vayots Sar - Herher dumb - Gndevank Monastery – Jermuk Waterfall - Hot Springs - Jermuk.

Stop At: Gndevank Monastery, Jermuk Armenia
Off road to Mount Vayots Sar - the youngest extinct volcano in Armenia with an altitude of 2581 meters standing still in Laynanist mountain range. At the top, there is a 125-meters deep crater. Heading to Herher dumb, Gndevank Monastery.
Duration: 3 hours

Stop At: Jermuk Waterfall, Jermuk Armenia
We will continue our tour by off road to Jermuk waterfall, 72 m high, flows into the river Arpa. The waterfall reminds girly hair. Hence the other name of the waterfall: mermaid's hair.

There is a wonderful belief about this waterfall. According to the legend, the castle of an Armenian nobleman was located on the steep cliffs. He had a marvelously beautiful daughter, and men from all over the world asked her to marry one of them. But she refused everyone, because her heart belonged to a brave and handsome man: shepherd’s son. Every day after midnight from the room window the lady threw a long rope into the gorge so that her beloved one could reach her house. Once the nobleman found the rope and everything became clear to him. In anger he cursed his daughter saying: “If you meet him again, I want you to become a mermaid and never be able to come out of water. During next meeting the lady threw her hair instead of the rope. But at that very moment her father’s curse became true. She became a mermaid and her hair – the waterfall.

Duration: 1 hour

Stop At: Jermuk Waterfall, Jermuk Armenia
This city became popular thanks to unique thermal-mineral springs around which the city has grown. “Dzherm” means “warm” in Armenian. The water comes out from the geyser spring (water temperature reaches +60 С). The water is heavily saturated with carbon dioxide and is used for drinking, baths, treatment of intestines, liver, and nervous disorders. Jermuk water is known far beyond the republic's borders and is similar to the well-known mineral water in Karlovy Vary.
Duration: 2 hours

Meals included:
• Breakfast
• Dinner
Accommodation included: Overnight at Hyatt hotel in Jermuk.

Total driving-105km

Offroud-40km


Day 4: Jermuk - - Karahunj - Shaki waterfall - Sisan – Lcen - Tatev Monastery - Satani Kamurj - Old Goris- Goris Hotel.

Stop At: Karahunj, Sisian, Armenia
Heading to Karahunj or Zorats Karer, which is 3,500 years older than England’s Stonehenge and 3, 000 years older than the Egyptian pyramids. The total area of the observatory is 7 hectares. According to the scientist’s findings, a temple consisting of 40 stones built in honor of the Armenians’ main God, Ari, meaning the Sun, is situated in the central part of Carahunge. Besides the temple, it had a large and developed observatory, and a university that makes up the temple’s wings.
Duration: 1 hour

Stop At: Shaki Waterfall, Sisian Armenia
Next Stop will be Shaki Waterfall which is situated in Armenia, above Lake Shaki. The altitude is 18 m. The waterfall is located 3 km North-West of Sisian city, in gorge of the River Vorotan. According to the legend, enemies kidnapped 93 beauties from the Gegharkuni village for their commander, who had stopped in Mughan with his army. When the caravan of captives was on the spot, women turned to the invader with request: “The road was long and exhausting. We got dusty and dirty. Let us have a bath in the river and then only show up to your majors.”The invaders agreed. The women undressed and jumped into the River Vorotan. They sank and disappeared. Only blue-eyed woman, named Shake, swam across the river, trying to escape. The invaders managed to catch up with her, but on that very moment a rock appeared under her and the water, flowing above the rock, hid her under its foams. After that story, the waterfall and the village, where it is located were called Shaki.
Duration: 1 hour

Stop At: Tatev Monastery, Tatev Armenia
We will go from Lcen village to Tatev Monastery by off road.

We will get by off-road to one of the jewels of the region – Tatev monastery (IX – XVIII). From a small chapel Tatev turned into a regional center, one of the world largest educational centers, along with the Bologna and Sorbonne University. Tatev monastery combines impressive architecture and an unforgettable natural beauty. Also there is the longest reversible aerial tramway in the world. After Cable car, we will go Devils Bridge.
Duration: 2 hours

Meals included:
• Breakfast
• Dinner
Accommodation included: Overnight in Goris Hotel.

Total driving-176km

Offroud-16km


Day 5: Goris – Khndzoresk – Shushi “Hunot Canyon”- Tnjri tree –St. Ghazanchetsots Church - Stepanakert.

Stop At: Khndzoresk Swinging Bridge, M12, Yerevan 0032 Armenia
Heading to the Khndzoresk prehistorical community, off road up to swinging bridge.
Duration: 1 hour

Stop At: Hunot Canyon, Nagorno-Karabakh, Shusha 375000 Azerbaijan
“Hunot Canyon” amazes guests with its unbelievable beauty.Very light hiking wil take us to the natural monument which has a shape of mbrelas puted on each other. From the highest point of Zrnduz you can see 250 m high walls of the canyon. They are situated above the river Karkar, South-West of Shushi Fortress. Travelers, preferring walking tours in the canyon, will have the chance to see awesome waterfalls, thick forests, caves, which were inhabited during Stone Age, ruins of Hunot village, ancient bridges … And all these are surrounded by huge mountains and a river, which rushes through the rocks to surprise its guests.

More than a dozen ruined mills were saved in the territory of the State Historic Reserve “Hunot Canyon”. This proves the fact, that once Hunot was a prosperous settlement.

Cave–spring is fresh water, which flowing from the cave riches “Mamrot Kar”, and getting the creek, creates the impression of natural «mossy umbrella», which became one of the most scenic spots of «Hunot Canyon».

Duration: 2 hours

Stop At: Tnjri (Platan Tree), Martuni Armenia
Drive to lowlands of Skhtorashen of Vananda region where is located Skhtorashen plain tree (Tnjri) - the oldest and highest tree in the territory of CIS. The gigantic tree is 2035 year old.

One of the ornaments of Artsakh is the Tnjri – a giant plain tree. The tree is situated nearby the Skhtorashen village. The hollow of the tree is 44 sq.m thanks to which 100 people can stand there. The circumference of the tree is 27 m and the height is more than 54 m. In the vicinity of Tnjri you can see numerous historical-cultural monuments. The Tnjri for the Artsakh people is not just a tree, rather it is a pilgrimage place.

Duration: 1 hour

Stop At: Ghazanchetsots Cathedral, Ghazanchetsots Street, Shusha 5800 Azerbaijan
Our last stop is St. Ghazanchetsots Church. This is an Armenian Apostolic cathedral in Shusha (Shushi), in the disputed region of Nagorno-Karabakh (Artsakh).
Duration: 1 hour

Meals included:
• Breakfast
• Dinner
Accommodation included: Going to Stepanakert. Overnight in Hotel Armenia.

Total driving-107km

Offroud-10km


Day 6: Tigranakert – Gandzsar, Vank Monastery - Dadivank Monastery - Zuar Hot Springs - Tsapatagh.

Stop At: Tigranakert of Artsakh, Stepanakert-Askeran-Martakert Highway 4 km South of the Khachenaget River, Aghdara Azerbaijan
Our first stop is Tigranakert Castle. The Archaeological museum of Tigranakert was founded in the medieval fortress, situated on the territory of archaeological park in the outskirts of Tigranakert city, founded by the king Tigran the Great /95-55 cc BC/. Various artifacts discovered during excavations by the archaeological expedition of the Academy of Sciences of Armenia under the leadership of Hamlet Petrosyan, perfectly illustrate the ancient history and the rich cultural life of this extremely interesting corner of Artsakh.

From Tigranakert to Gandzasar we will go by off road.

Duration: 1 hour

Stop At: Gandzasar Monastery, X-XIII c., Vəngli
Gandzasar is a monastic complex, spiritual and cultural centers. The monastery is located in Martakert region of NKR, on Gandzasar hill, near Vank village. After visiting Vank village we will have lunch in Tsovin Qar restaurant. The complex was called after the hill; silver and other metals mines were found in its depths. Gandzasar was the residence and ancestral crypt of Khachen's Hasan-Jalalyan dukes. Due to the efforts of Hasan-Jalalyan dukes Gandzasar preserved the role of spiritual center. The monastery had rich repository of manuscripts, school, where valuable manuscripts were created, spiritual leaders were educated. They had their great contribution in the development of spiritual and cultural lives of Khachen and nearest settlements.
Duration: 1 hour

Stop At: Dadivank Monastery, Армения, Dadivank
After that we are going take trip to Dadivank Monastery (also Khutavank) which is the largest monastic complex in Artsakh-Karabakh and one of true masterpieces of Armenian medieval architecture.

It is located in the northwestern part of Martakert district of the Nagorno Karabakh Republic, on the territory of Artsakh's historical province of Upper Khachen.

The central building of the monastery, Memorial Cathedral, was erected in the year 1214 by the Queen Arzou of Haterk. The interior walls of the Memorial Cathedral are richly decorated with frescoes. According to the ancient scripts, the remains of St. Dadi were buried in the yard of one of the temples of the monastic complex. After recent archaeological excavations the remains of the Armenian Saint were found and blessed by His Grace Archbishop Barkev Martirossian, the primate of the diocese of Artsakh.
Duration: 1 hour

Stop At: Zuar Hotsprings Road, Zulfuqarli Azerbaijan
After this we will go to Zuar Hot springs via the Zuar tunnel.
Duration: 2 hours

Meals included:
• Breakfast
• Dinner
Accommodation included: Going to Tsapatagh. Overnight in Tufenkyan Hotel.

Total driving-285km

Offroud-40km


Day 7: Tsapatagh- Dilijan- Parz Lake - Gosh lake – Goshavank Monastery - Haghartsin Monastery.

Stop At: Dilijan National Park, Dilijan Armenia
Heading to Dilijan by off road through the village Semyonovka. Dilijan usually is called Little Switzerland by the locals. Mild climate and gorgeous nature made this town well known as a beautiful resort. Walking in the Sharambeyan Street, Old Town Dilijan.

Duration: 1 hour

Stop At: Lake Parz, Dilijan National Park, Dilijan Armenia
Going to Lake Parz («Clear Lake») wich is a small lake located in a thick forest in the Dilijan National Park east of Dilijan town. Take trip to the Haghartsin Monastery. After that, we will go the village Gosh and Goshavak. Heading to the Gosh Lake by off road.
Duration: 1 hour

Stop At: Goshavank Monastery, Gosh Armenia
Gosh Lake with its marvelous scenery is one of the most interesting destinations for hiking, camping and even jeeping tours. The Lake is 100 meter long and 80 meters wide, with an average 2-3 meters depth (maximum: 8meters) at 1450 meters above sea level. Gosh Lake is also an interesting for those interested in fishing and crayfishing.

We cannot miss the chance to be in Goshavank Monastery complex. Goshavank was erected in the place of an older monastery once known as Nor Getik, which had been destroyed by an earthquake in 1188. Mkhitar Gosh, a statesman, scientist and author of numerous fables and parables as well as the first criminal code, took part in the rebuilding of the monastery.

At Goshavank, Mkhitar Gosh founded a school. One of its alumni, an Armenian scientist by the name of Kirakos Gandzaketsi wrote The History of Armenia. The architect Mkhitar the Carpenter and his disciple Hovhannes also took an active part in the building of the monastery. The complex was later renamed Goshavank and the village named Gosh in his honor.

Monastery does not have outer walls, and is surrounded by village homes. All of the buildings are attached to each other except for S. Hripsime Chapel, which is located on the opposite hillside and within view.

Numerous religious and monumental civil buildings show that in the twelfth to thirteenth centuries the monastery was full of life.

The churches are decorated in accordance with the traditions of the time. As a rule, the door portals and windows are framed in rectangular or arched platbands some of which are profiled. The façade niches have multifoil or scalloped tops like those of the niches of the main church at Geghard. The unusual and artistically framed sun dial on the southern façade is an eye-catching decorative element.

Duration: 2 hours

Stop At: Haghartsin Monastery, Dilijan Armenia
The last stop will be Haghartsin Monastery (13th-century). It was built between the 10th and 13th centuries (in the 12th under Khachatur of Taron); much of it under the patronage of the Bagratuni Dynasty.
Duration: 1 hour

Meals included:
• Breakfast
• Dinner
Accommodation included: Overnight in Vanatun Monastery stay.

Total driving-157km

Offroud-30km


Day 8: Haghartsin - Lastiver -Ynokavan – Yerevan.

Stop At: Lastiver Campground, Armenia
Our off road start from Ijevan to Lastiver. After Lastiver we will go to Yenokovan Yell Extreme Park.
Duration: 2 hours

Stop At: Yenokavan Canyon, Ijevan State Sanctuary, Yenokavan Armenia
"Yell Extreme Park" was founded in 2015 in Yenokavan community of Tavush region of the RA, which is considered to be the most relevant zone for its climatic conditions, geographical position and relief features.

The goal of the project is to develop adventure and extreme tourism in Armenia, to become a great center of extreme tourism in the region, to create new jobs in the border areas, to activate public life and promote healthy lifestyle.

Yenokavan is situated in the north-east of Armenia, 10 kilometers from the town of Ijevan. It is located at a height of 1,000-1,300 meters, surrounded by hills, and close to a forest-covered gorge about 100 meters deep that ranges for about five kilometers.

The gorge of Yenokavan has several caves – from 10 to 30 meters long and about 15 meters wide. From Pre-Christian times the caves of Lastiver were a sacred place, to which testify the numerous cave pictures. But in the Middle Ages, during the Tartar-Mongolian invasions the caves of Lastiver served as a hiding-place for the village inhabitants. At the caves a marvelous view opens: the waterfalls of Lastiver, which are really considered to be wonders of Nature. Our off road start from Ijevan to Lastiver.

Duration: 3 hours

Meals included:
• Breakfast
• Dinner
Accommodation included: Back to Yerevan. Overnight in Silachi Hotel.

Total driving-186km

Offroud-15km


Day 9: Yerevan - Stone symphony- Garni - Geghard- mounth Aragats - Amberd – Yerevan.

Stop At: Garni Temple, Geghard Monastery Road H3, Garni Armenia
Take a trip to Garni. From Gorge of Azat start off road to Garni. This Pagan Temple was built in the Ist century AD. It is the only temple that remains from the Pagan times in Armenia. It was devoted to the God of the Sun Mihr, and was a gift to the queen. In 1679 it was destroyed by earthquake. In the 1975 the Temple was restored. Garni gorge is very popular among tourists visiting this place to see amazing natural rocks which are known as the “Symphony of Stones” or “Basalt organ”. The rocks have shape of long hexagonal vertical columns which are associated with the church organ. Huge stone pillars are located at an altitude of about 50 meters above the ground. It is assumed that the “Symphony of Stones” is the result of the collapse of volcanic rocks which is still possible today. It is recommended to admire the natural phenomenon at a safe distance in this regard. It’s hard to believe that neatly and symmetrically sculpted stones are created by nature itself and not by human.
Duration: 2 hours

Stop At: The Monastery of Geghard, Geghard Armenia
Then we will continue our trip to Geghard Monastery. Its name came from the legendary lance that was used to pierce the body of Christ. It has been kept here for many centuries. This monastery is included in the Unesco Heritage.
Duration: 1 hour

Stop At: Amberd Fortress, Byurakan Armenia
Drive to Pahlavuni ancestral fortress – Amberd (the name translates to "fortress in the clouds" in armenian) – one of the few extant Armenian fortresses, situated on the height of 3096 meters. It looks as severe as the Aragats mountainsides around.
Duration: 2 hours

Stop At: Mount Aragats, Aragats Road Armenia
Mount Aragats is an isolated four-peaked volcano massif in Armenia. Its northern summit, at 4,090 m (13,420 ft) above sea level, is the highest point of the Lesser Caucasus and Armenia. It is also one of the highest points in the Armenian Highlands. In the slopes of Mount Aragats mostly formed by ice and snow we can see Lake Kari The Altitude is 3402 m; the surface area is 0,12 sq.m; the depth is 9 m. It is possible to reach Kari Lake from Byurakan by highway. There is a meteorological station, equipped on the Eastern coast of the lake.
Duration: 2 hours

Stop At: Yerevan City, Yerevan, Armenia
After tour, we will have Gala dinner in Yerevan
Duration: 3 hours

Meals included:
• Breakfast
• Dinner
Accommodation included: Overnight in Silachi Hotel.

Total driving-215km

Offroud-15km


Day 10: Yerevan-City tour-Market Visit: GUM and Vernissage. Departure.

Stop At: Yerevan City, Yerevan, Armenia
We will visit Tsitsernakaberd: The Armenian Genocide Museum-Institute and the monument, memorializing the victims of Armenian genocide. Our short tour will continue to the Republic Square, North Avenue, Opera House, Cascade Complex, Mother Armenia monument. A visit to traditional food market – GUM, and handmade and jewelry market Vernissage in Yerevan.
Duration: 4 hours

No meals included on this day.
No accommodation included on this day.