Basic travel information
Hiking in the Southern Caucasus, magnificent mountainous Armenia.
We take day hikes on mountain trails, exploring ancient Christian monasteries and ancient ruins and staying comfortably in hotels. During the trip we will see interesting historical world heritage sites, spectacular snow-capped mountains and beautiful mountain meadows, as well as enjoy the fresh air and delicious food. The trip is crowned by the highest mountain in Armenia, Aragats (3879m), where we climb on the last day of hiking.
Itinerary
DAY 1 – FLIGHTS TO JEREVAN
Flights to Armenia. Arrival in Yerevan late in the evening and transfer to the hotel.
ACCOMMODATION AT
IMPERIAL PALACE HOTEL OR SIMILAR
DAY 2 – JEREVAN
After breakfast we will go to explore the interesting sights and museums of the capital of Armenia. Overnight in Yerevan. (A, L)
ACTIVITIES
CITY TOUR
ACCOMMODATION AT
IMPERIAL PALACE HOTEL OR SIMILAR
DAY 3 – GARNI – HAVUTS TAR – GEGHARD – SEVAN
The first day of the trip is made as a day trip from Yerevan. Transportation to the ruins of the ancient city of Garni, after which we hiked to the monastery of Havuts Tar. As the schedule allows, we will also explore the 300s share. Geghard Abbey from We will return to stay in Yerevan. Hiking approx. 9km, 4h. (A, L)
ACTIVITIES
HIKING
ACCOMMODATION AT
IMPERIAL PALACE HOTEL OR SIMILAR
DAY 4 – KHOR VIRAP – ARTABUYK – SMBATABERD – HERMON
We are leaving Yerevan behind. After breakfast, transfer south from Yerevan to Khor Virap Monastery, located near the Turkish border. From here you have a wonderful view of the Armenian holy mountain of Ararat, which, although in the roar of the early 20th century, has remained on the Turkish side of the border. We continue to the village of Artabuyki, from where we start our hike towards the ancient forts of Smbataberd and Tsakhac qar. At the end of the hiking day, we move to stay in the village of Hermon. Hiking 10km, approx. 4h. (A, L)
ACTIVITIES
HIKING
ACCOMMODATION AT
LUCY TOUR HOTEL OR SIMILAR
DAY 5 – NERVO – JERMUK
Hiking day in the mountains. We ascend to the ruins of an ancient temple, after which we relax in a traditional spa in the town of Jermuk. We return to Hermon at the end of the afternoon. Hiking approx. 10km, approx. 4h. (A, L)
ACTIVITIES
HIKING
ACCOMMODATION AT
LUCY TOUR HOTEL OR SIMILAR
DAY 6 – AMAGHU – NORAVANK – JEREVAN
Today we hiked from the village of Amaghu to the medieval monastery of Noravank. On the way back to Yerevan, we stop at the Aren wine village. We are staying in Yerevan. Hiking approx. 10km, approx. 4h. (A, L)
ACCOMMODATION AT
IMPERIAL PALACE HOTEL OR SIMILAR
DAY 7 – ARAGATS, JEREVAN
The hiking week is crowned by a climb to one of the four peaks of Aragats, Armenia’s highest mountain (3879m). We start the ascent from Kari mountain lake (3207m), from where we hike to the top. In good weather, the summit offers great views of the ancient volcanic crater below and the surrounding peaks. We will return to Yerevan at the end of the day. Hiking approx. 12km, approx. 6h. (A, L)
ACCOMMODATION AT
IMPERIAL PALACE HOTEL OR SIMILAR
DAY 8 – RETURN FLIGHTS TO FINLAND
Early wake-up call, airport transfer and return flights home.
MEALS: [A] BREAKFAST [L] LUNCH [I] DINNER
Lunches on hiking days are excursion lunches.
Additional information
Group size: 10-20 people
We fly to Armenia on scheduled flights of Ukraine International Airlines / Aeroflot Russian Airlines, via Kiev / Moscow. The airline has the right to change its schedules, so do not book any connecting flights until you have received your flight tickets.
The price of the trip includes
- Flights to
- Airport transfers
- Accommodations
- Excursions mentioned in the itinerary
- Entrance fees for guided tours
- Services of a Finnish-speaking tour guide and an English-speaking local guide
- Meals mentioned in the itinerary
- Airport taxes
The price of the trip does not include
- Travel insurance
- Visas
- Meals not mentioned in the itinerary
- Food drinks
- Personal expenses
- Local airport taxes or possible exit fees not included in the ticket price
- Office expenses 10 € / person
Preparation:
There are no actual fitness requirements for the trip, but the program is designed for anyone interested in hiking. On the way, you will be in good general condition and packing smartly, but the better your physical condition, the more you will get out of the day trip. Day trips are carried in the mountains at high altitudes, but day trips are quite short and include rest breaks. Most of our hiking groups consist of first-time and basic Finns, young to retirees.
Typical hiking day:
Luggage is stored in the accommodation, so on hiking days you only need to carry your own daypack with the necessary accessories for the day, such as a bottle of water, sun fat, a camera, a wallet and a small snack. In mountainous areas, the weather fluctuates unpredictably and the temperature can drop quite low in the evening. It is good to have warm clothes with you on the trip, even though you usually manage to wear clothes during the day.
Country information:
Finnish citizens do not need a visa to Armenia. A valid passport is required.
Hepatitis A vaccination is recommended for travelers to Armenia, as well as checking the validity of your basic vaccinations.
Armenia speaks its own language and also has its own alphabet system. Proficiency in English is not common, while Russian, as a legacy of the Soviet era, is still quite widely spoken.
The currency of Armenia is the dram (ADM). The local currency cannot be changed before traveling in Finland. It is worth bringing euros for the trip, which can be exchanged for local currency at currency exchange points. Local currency can also be withdrawn in Yerevan from ATMs that recognize the most common international credit cards. Credit card payments are rare in Armenia.
The climate of Armenia is mostly subtropical, but it varies greatly according to landforms. Winters are cold in the area and snowy in the mountains, while summers are warm and quite dry.
The top culture is typical of Armenia. It is polite to wait for waiters and hotel bag carriers. It is polite to reserve approx. 5 € / person / day for the tips of local guides and car drivers.
Equipment for the trip
The following equipment list is made to facilitate packing for the trip and the products serve as an example:
- Hiking shoes, we recommend models that support the ankles
- Training shoes
- Hiking socks * 2
- Merino wool t-shirt (or moisture-wicking sports t-shirt) * 2
- Light hiking pants
- Hiking shorts
- Shell jacket (eg Gore Tex or similar)
- Shell pants (eg Gore Tex or similar)
- Softshell or fleece jacket
- Headgear to protect from the sun / scarf
- About 30 L daypack
- Headlamp
- 2 * 1L water bottles
- Sunscreen (protection factor min. 20)
- Lip balm, protection factor 30-40
- Camping towel
- Ear plugs
- Hiking poles
- Phone protection
- Waterproof packing bag
Personal EA package
- Patches
- Bladder patches
- Ibuprofin or Paracetamol
