Pohodniška Armenija – program

Day 1: Friday, 10 July 2026

Departure from Slovenia and arrival in Yerevan, the capital of Armenia, in the early morning hours of the following day.

Day 2: Saturday, 11 July 2026

After breakfast, we will go on a sightseeing tour of Yerevan, starting with a visit to the National Museum to briefly familiarise ourselves with the history of Armenia. After the tour, we will walk to the main attractions in the city centre, followed by a tasting of the famous Armenian cognac, and end the evening in one of the restaurants with dinner, live music, and Armenian dances. Overnight in Yerevan.

Day 3: Sunday, 12 July 2026

In the morning, we will first visit the Armenian Genocide Memorial Complex. From there, we will drive to the village of Sasunik to visit the Museum of the History of Wine in Armenia and, of course, taste some wine.

After wine tasting, we will drive to the slopes of Armenia's highest mountain, Aragats (4,090 m), and embark on a scenic hike to the Amberd Fortress, situated at an altitude of 2,160 m. This medieval architectural monument was originally built as a fortress and later became the residence of the Armenian noble family Pahlavuni. Nearby stands the 11th-century Vahramashen Church, and from here there are beautiful views of the valley and Mount Ararat. We will begin the hike in the village of Antarut and gradually ascend along the old medieval path above the Amberd River canyon. After enjoying the stunning views, we will drive to the village of Byukund, where we will have dinner and stay overnight.

Walking: 7 km, 3 hours, 450 metres of elevation gain.

Day 4: Monday, 13 July 2026

In the morning, we will drive to Lake Kari on the slopes of Mount Aragats, which is situated at 3,200 m above sea level. We will begin the hike at the lake and ascend to the South Peak (3,878 m). From the summit, we will have a beautiful view of the volcano crater and the other three peaks (East, West, and North). The crater offers a striking view, with various volcanic rocks in yellow, green, white, black, and red.

At the summit, we will enjoy a snack from our backpack. After descending to Lake Kari, we will drive to the village of Aragats, where we will have dinner and spend the night.

Walking: 10 km, 6 hours, 670 m ascent, 670 m descent.

Day 5: Tuesday, 14 July 2026

Zjutraj bomo po pol ure vožnje prišli do vasi Lusagyugh, kjer bomo začeli pohod preko gorske verige Tsaghkunyants do hidrološkega rezervata Hankavan, kjer si bomo privoščili kopanje v bazenih s termalno vodo. Večerja in prenočevanje v vasi Hankavan

Walking: 12 km, 6 hours, 600 m ascent and descent.

Day 6: Wednesday, 15 July 2026

Po zajtrku se bomo odpeljali do bližnje vasi Artavaz in začeli pohod na istoimenski vrh gorske verike Pambak v provinci Kotayk. Gora Artavaz predstavlja naravni spomenik z ostankom kraterja, kjer lahko najdemo redko magmatsko kamnino sienit. Visokogorski travniki so polni različnega cvetja, z vrha pa bomo lahko občudovali razgled na gorski verigi Pambak in Tsaghkunyts, reko Marmarik in istoimensko vodni rezervoar. Z vrha se bomo spustili v vas Meghradzor, od koder se bomo odpeljali do jezera Sevan in si privoščili večerno kopanje. Večerja in prenočevanje ob jezeru Sevan.

Hoja: 15 km, 7 ur, 1.030 m vzpona, 1.130 m spusta.

Day 7: Thursday, 16 July 2026

Po zajtrku nas bo pot vodila do vasi Madina, od koder bomo začeli pohod na goro Armaghan, ugasli vulkan, ki je del gorovja Geghama. Na vrhu se nahaja krater, ki je napolnjen z vodo in okrog njega uspeva različno gorsko cvetje. V kraterju so na mestu stare kapele postavili tudi cerkev. Z vrha bomo imeli lep razgled na jezero Sevan, goro Ararat in gorovje Geghama, nato pa se bomo spustili nazaj do vasi Madina, kjer si bomo ogledali tudi reko Argitchi.

This will be followed by a drive over the Selim Pass to the village of Hermon, where dinner and an overnight stay will be provided.

Walking: 14 km, 7 hours, 630 m ascent and descent.

Day 8: Friday, 17 July 2026

In the morning, we will drive to the village of Gnishik, where we will begin a hike through the canyon of the same name and finish at Noravank Monastery, an architectural masterpiece from the 13th century.

From the village of Gnishik, we will descend into the canyon, where we will admire the reddish limestone cliffs and numerous caves. The hiking trail will lead us partly along the old paths and partly along the newly paved ones, which are part of the Transcaucasian Trail.

Gnishik Canyon is part of the Arpa Protected Area, which is home to nearly 900 plant species and more than 500 animal species, including bears and the bezoar goat.

After visiting Noravank Monastery, we will return to Hermon for dinner and an overnight stay.

Walking: 12 km, 6 hours, 100 m ascent, 700 m descent.

Day 9: Saturday, 18 July 2026

In the morning, on the way from Hermon, we will stop in the neighbouring village of Yeghegis, where we will take an approximately 2 km walk through the village and experience typical life in a remote Armenian village. The next stop will be the village of Areni, where we will visit the extremely important archaeological site, Areni 1 cave, in which the world’s oldest winery, leather shoe, and skirt were found, along with a number of other significant discoveries. From there, we will drive to the Khor Virap Monastery (4th–17th century) south of Yerevan, which offers a beautiful view of the biblical Mount Ararat, where Noah’s Ark is said to have landed. Khor Virap lies on a low hill, and St Gregory the Illuminator was imprisoned here for 13 years before Christianity became the official state religion in 301. The former Armenian capital of Artashat was also located in the immediate vicinity. After the tour, we will drive to Yerevan, check in to the hotel, and have dinner in one of the restaurants in the city centre.

Day 10: Sunday, 19 July 2026

Early morning drive to the airport and return to Slovenia.