The Ultimate Adventure in Armenia
A cracker in the Caucasus. Roam around the stunning mountains, rivers, lakes and ancient monasteries of this lowkey gem of a country
What's Included?
Activities & Certified Guides
All itinerary activities with expert, local, English-speaking guidesAccommodation
7 nights in locally owned hotels & guesthouses, 1 night in a stunning glamping spotMeals
8 breakfasts, 8 lunches, 6 dinnersTransfers
Airport transfers and everything in betweenEquipment
All of your rafting, caving & ziplining equipmentSmall Like-minded Groups
Solo-friendly by design, join our small n’ sociable groups of up to 14 like-minded, active and outdoorsy people…
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What's it like?
Hike valleys, gorges, swinging bridges and forests, building up to the pinnacle of the trip: summiting the 3888m southern peak of mighty Mount Aragats
Raft a whitewater river in Tumanyan, dive into Lake Sevan for wild swims and zipline over a forested gorge hundreds of metres deep
Explore Yerevan's vibrant food and drink scene, taste Armenian wine at an award-winning winery, and enjoy a traditional Armenian barbecue masterclass
Visit the monasteries of Khor Virap and Tatev, stop off in traditional villages and be wowed by views of snow-capped peaks in a country largely untouched by tourism
Key Information
Day 1
Welcome to Armenia
Touch down in Yeravan, Armenia's capital, and meet your host at the airport. Many flights into Yerevan land early, so we've arranged early check-ins at the hotel so you can catch up on some sleep after any overnight flights. You'll meet up with your guides and fellow adventurers this afternoon to explore the city. In recent years Armenia's capital has cast off its Soviet shackles and embraced a youthful, cosmopolitan outlook. Picturesque streets are lined with pavement cafes open late into the evenings, and an enthusiastic nightlife scene buzzes in the city – jazz is especially popular, with plenty of underground bars and clubs where you can watch skilled musicians jamming away. You'll also head out to Garni village on the outskirts, known for its temple, and to the 'Symphony of Stones' - a natural grand amphitheatre. Head out for a welcome dinner in Yerevan to a traditional Armenian restaurant.
Day 2
Epic monasteries, caving, wine tasting and an Armenian BBQ class
Caving
Driving
Head out of Yeravan after breakfast for your first taste of open Armenian roads, with some stunning backdrops. You'll stop at Khor Virap monastery, the closest view point of the Biblical Mount Ararat over the border in Turkey. Continue on to Areni village, to head into the cave known as Areni 1, where archaeologists recently discovered the oldest wine making facilities in recorded history. The main course today is an adventure deep into Magel Cave, 1.7km deep and full of narrow passages. Slip on a helmet and headtorch as your guides lead you through the labyrinthian network of tunnels to reach the larger chambers, home to large colonies of bats. After continuing your journey to the southeast part of Armenia, near the Azerbaijan border, you'll stop at Yeghegnadzor for an Armenian feast. Headed up by a local chef, you'll get hands on with an Armenian barbecue masterclass to discover 'khorovats' – the art of grilling. Prepare vegetable skewers and kebabs with a variety of accompaniments and Armenian wine, all in a really lovely courtyard setting with a beautiful view over the valley. Finish up a big first day at your hotel in Goris.
Day 3
Hiking the foothills and Tatev Monastery
Hiking
Tuck into breakfast and set off for a big day hiking and exploring after eating into the journey on the road yeterday. From the village of Khot, a quaint and serene spot nestled in the heart of Armenia, you'll pick up a hiking trail to Hin Khot, meandering through stunning landscapes with panoramic views of wild Armenia. After three hours or so, wrap up and head to Halidzor, a small village and gateway to the spectacular Tatev Monastery. Hop on the famous 'Wings of Tatev' cable car – the longest non-stop double track cable car in the world. The ride offers breathtaking aerial views of the Vorotan Gorge and the wider landscape. Arrive at the majestic Tatev Monastery, perched on a cliff overlooking the gorge. This 9th-century monastery is a significant cultural and historical site of architectural beauty and a serene setting. Explore the monastery complex, its ancient churches and frescoes before taking the cable car back down and heading back to Goris for dinner.
Day 4
Swinging bridges and glistening Lake Sevan
Hiking
Driving
Explore the area around Goris further on foot today, setting off for a hike to the old city of Goris in Khndzoresk, an absolutely incredible route including the Khndzoresk swinging bridge, an iconic highlight of the area nestled in lush landscapes. Soaking up the last of your time in this corner of Armenia, you'll bid farewell, settling in for the drive north, stopping in the town of Vayk and at the historic Selim Caravanserai, a 14th-century roadside inn on the Silk Road. Arrive at Lake Sevan and soak up the views over the second-highest freshwater lake in the world from your guesthouse on the edge of the lake.
Day 5
Wild lake swims, river rafting and an epic glamping spot
Rafting
Driving
Enjoy some downtime this morning to soak up the lake, heading to the shore for a memorable wild swim before breakfast. Heading deeper into north Armenia, you'll continue the journey towards Tumanyan, one of the adventure corners of the country. Hopping out on the banks of the Debed River, you'll get kitted up before jumping on the raft with an expert guide and hitting the water. Navigate the thrilling rapids rushing through the Debed River canyon, journeying 10km in total including a spot to jump into the river from an old bridge. Dry off and relax into a serene evening at Armenia's most gorgeous glamping spot on the road to Dilijan, grabbing a sundowner and taking in the sunset from cosy chairs before dinner and a night beneath the stars in luxury bell tents.
Day 6
Warm up summit of Mount Dimats
Hiking
Breakfast at the glamping spot before finishing the drive to Dilijan, known as Armenia's 'Little Switzerland'. Today's hike to Mount Dimats is a warm-up for your big summit effort, coming up in a couple of days' time. You'll hop in a 4x4 first for a drive deep into the Dilijan National Park, then hit the rugged trails with spectacular scenery all around, eventually reaching the high point at 2360m for an epic panorama. Back in Dilijan, enjoy some downtime in this quaint spa town.
Day 7
Ziplining and forest hikes in Armenia's best-kept secret
Zip-lining
Hiking
Driving
A short way away from Dilijan is one of Armenia's best kept secrets. Lastiver, in the Tavush region, is a wild and rugged area of north-eastern Armenia, covered in forests punctuated by clear rivers and waterfalls. Kicking things off, you'll ramp up the adrenaline with an otherworldly ziplining escapade high over the forest gorge. Next up, your guide will take you on a wonderful forested route to soak this place up, heading into a deep gorge before descending to cascading waterfalls and the most scenic meadows in Armenia. Bidding this magical combo of Lastiver and Dilijan goodbye, you'll make the journey back to Yerevan for dinner and a good night's sleep to prepare for the culmination of the adventure tomorrow...
Day 8
Summit Mount Aragat's southern peak
Hiking
Your ultimate adventure around Armenia reaches an epic conclusion today as you hike to the southern summit Armenia's highest mountain – Mount Aragats. Driving out of Yerevan to the trailhead at Kari Lake on the slope of Mount Aragats, your hike sets off along the slopes of this extinct volcano. Gradually eat into the elevation, slowly gaining height along the long ascent as the expansive views open up behind you en route to the summit. Mount Aragats is a volcanic massif with four peaks, you'll top out on its southern summit at 3888m. If conditions are good, you’ll have lunch on the summit looking down on all of Armenia and deep into neighbouring Turkey with incredible views of Mount Ararat. Then it's time to descend, back down the mountain to Kari Lake from where you'll drive back to Yerevan. Tonight, head out into the vibrant capital to toast today's successful summit over dinner, and move on to a bar or two to catch some of Yerevan's renowned jazz musicians doing their thing.
Day 9
So long, Armenia
The adventure comes to an end today as your host drops you off at the airport in Yerevan in time for your onward flight.
The Area
Logistics
Starts
Zvartnots International Airport, Yerevan (EVN)
Any time on Day 1
Ends
Zvartnots International Airport, Yerevan (EVN)
Any time on Day 9
Transfers
Your host will collect you on arrival at Yerevan's Zvartnots International Airport and transfer you to your hotel downtown. Some flights to Yerevan arrive in the middle of the night or very early in the morning, so we have included early check-in on Day 1 so you can settle straight in to your room and rest up from any long journeys to reach Armenia. On Day 9, your host will drop you off back at the airport in time for any onward flights that day. Private transfers between the airport and Yerevan are included if you arrive on Day 1 and depart on Day 9. If you extend your stay with extra nights accommodation through our host, they can arrange a private transfer outside of the set trip dates for a small fee. See Optional Extras for details.
Travel options
There are a variety of indirect flight options to Yerevan from the UK and North America, with stops in Cyprus, Sofia, Vienna, Rome, Budapest and Istanbul en route, depending on your carrier. There are numerous direct flights to Yerevan from major airports across Europe.
Day 1
Breakfast
Lunch
Dinner
Day 2 – Day 4
Breakfast
Lunch
Dinner
Day 5
Breakfast
Lunch
Dinner
Day 6
Breakfast
Lunch
Dinner
Day 7 – Day 8
Breakfast
Lunch
Dinner
Day 9
Breakfast
Lunch
Dinner
What is the food like?
Kick start each day with breakfast at your hotels and glamping spot along the route, with a selection of cereals, fruits, Armenian pastries and breads, preserves and tea & coffee. On days out adventuring you will have lunch boxes provided with sandwiches, a salad and dessert (cookies, fruits etc). In restaurants, you will find traditional Armenian dishes – lamb, aubergine, yoghurt and bulgar wheat are all staples of the Armenian diet. Armenian meze, served with a traditional bread called lavash, is a must. For dessert, be sure to try baklava. You'll sample and help to prepare some classic Armenian barbecue dishes during your masterclass, with veggie and meat skewers, lavash bread and Armenian salads. The meals in Armenia are generally meat-based, though vegetarians and vegans can be catered for if you let your host know in advance. Food allergies or other special dietary requirements can also be catered for, just let your host know on the passenger info form.
What is the accommodation like?
Yerevan
Your nights in the Armenian capital will be spent at Felinger Collection Hotel & Spa, a 4-star accommodation with an indoor pool, sauna and hammam. There's a beautiful bar and dining area with incredible views over the city and Mount Ararat in the distance. You'll stay in twin-share rooms with ensuite bathrooms.
Glamping
You'll bed down at WOW Glamping, the first glamping spot in Armenia. It's located in the village of Dsegh in the Lori Region, the hometown of Hovhannes Tumanyan – the 'pan-Armenian Poet'. Here you can kick back and enjoy the stunning natural landscapes. WOW Glamping offers tents decorated in a high-end style with Armenian touch. There are shared toilets and bathrooms, and towels are provided. There is also an open-air café and cosy tea house. The menu here consists of eco-products mainly from Dsegh village.
Goris
You'll spend two nights at Mina Hotel in Goris, surrounded by the mountainous Syunik region. The hotel is a cosy and quiet stay, providing the ideal base for exploring Khndzoresk and the Tatev monastery. You'll stay in twin-share rooms with ensuite bathrooms.
Lake Sevan
At Lake Sevan, you'll stay at the Sevan Up Inn, a lakeside hotel with 20 comfortable rooms, a restaurant and an inviting pool overlooking the lake. You'll stay in a twin-share room with ensuite bathrooms.
Dilijan
In the lush, green forested mountainous area of Dilijan, you'll stay in a charming, family-run boutique guesthouse. Simply called Armenia Guesthouse Dilijan, it underplays what a lovely spot this is to soak up the surroundings after exploring Mount Dimats. You'll stay in twin-share rooms with en-suite bathrooms.
Upgrades
For solo travellers looking for their own space, an optional private room and glamping tent can be booked for an extra charge, see Optional Extras for the price. Please request this at the time of booking (this is subject to availability).
This trip has been rated as Moderate
Most of the hikes on this trip are easy going, lasting 3-4 hours without too much elevation gain or loss to get through. However, you'll need an additional push on the penultimate day to reach the southern summit of Mount Aragats. This involves 5-6 hours of hiking with around 700m of ascent and descent to get through on some steep, loose sections; the altitude of 3888m will make things additionally challenging. If you wish to skip the summit of Aragats, you are welcome to do your own thing in Yerevan.
You won't need any experience for any of the other activities, though it is important to note that if you suffer from claustrophobia you may wish to sit out the caving on Day 2. Your guide will assist if this is the case.
What if i need to skip an activity?
You are welcome to skip any of the activities on this trip. Please discuss this with your host, as onward travel to the next destination will need to be factored in if any guests sit out an activity. If you suffer from vertigo or just don't fancy the ziplining, there is the option to go horse riding instead.
What will I need to carry?
You'll only need a daypack of 20-30 litres for each of the hiking days on this trip. Your main luggage will remain in your hotels and will be transported for you throughout the trip.
Armenian summers are dry, sunny and warm. From May onwards, temperatures rise after the long winter and by June the days are long and clear, perfect for outdoor activities. June can still see occasional rainfall, especially in the mountains, but it’s mostly dry, with temperatures from 15°C to 28°C (59°F to 82°F) depending on the region you are in. July and August are the hottest and driest months, with temperatures ranging from 20°C (68°F) in the higher altitude regions, and raising to up to 36°C (97°F) in the lower areas such as Yerevan during these months. Your host is a locally-based specialist in Armenia, and will factor in conditions throughout the summer to ensure to have the most comfortable and safe experience of the country while on your outdoor adventures.
We’re still waiting to collect any reviews from other travellers on this trip. However, all our hosts go through an extensive vetting process to ensure that your adventure is awesome.
Enjoy 12.5% Off Outdoor Gear
In need of a few more items? All bookings receive a 12.5% discount to use at Cotswold Outdoor, Snow + Rock and Runner's Need.
What's included?
- Safety gear for rafting & ziplining
- Helmets, headtorches and gloves for caving
What do I need to bring?
BAGS
- Soft overnight duffel bag or rucksack
- Daypack (20-30 litres)
- Waterproof liner for daypack
CLOTHES
- Light waterproof/windproof jacket for the days on Mount Dimats and Mount Aragats
- Light waterproof trousers
- Fleece jacket or similar for evenings and higher altitude parts of the trip
- Gloves and warm hat for Mount Aragats summit
- Base layers for extra warmth during the Aragats summit
- Warm jacket and hiking trousers for Aragats summit
- Buff or neckscarf
- Lightweight trousers/shorts/skirts
- T-shirts
- An old long sleeved shirt and trousers for caving (these will get dirty and scuffed up!)
- Underwear and socks
- Swimwear
- Sunglasses
- Sunhat
- Sleepwear
- Hiking boots (worn-in)
- Old trainers or trail runners for the caving, ziplining and rafting
- Sandals
OTHER
_ Hiking poles (recommended for Mount Aragats)
- Universal travel plug adapter
- Power bank or solar charger
- Passports (and visas)
- Travel insurance documents
- Ear plugs
- Insect repellent
- Suncream
- Personal first-aid kit (inc. blister treatment)
- Personal items (biodegradable toiletries, sanitary wear etc)
- Quick-dry towel
- Alcohol hand-gel
- Reusable water bottle x1 litre (or x2)
- Biodegradable wet-wipes
- Energy bars and snacks - read our article on Best Hiking Snacks
- Water purification tablets/treatment system if you want to fill up from natural water sources
Single room in Yerevan
Payable Before Departure
Single room in Yerevan
… Per Night
Twin/double room in Yerevan
Payable Before Departure
Twin/double room in Yerevan
… Per Night
Optional Private Room & Tent Upgrade
Payable Before Departure
Optional Private Room & Tent Upgrade
…
Each way
Payable Before Departure
Each way
…
We partner with the World Land Trust to ensure this trip achieves Net-Zero emissions. We also support their Buy an Acre programme, helping local communities to buy and protect natural habitats in perpetuity.
What's the number?
It works out on average at 225kg of CO2 emissions per person, including all local transport, accommodation, food, activities, guides, staff and office operations.
The only thing it doesn’t include right now is flights and travel to the destination. We do make an overall estimate across all our customers separately, but as we don’t book flights, have customers from all corners of the world, and no way of reliably knowing their travel plans, we simply can’t include an individual number in the figure on display here. We’ve got a goal to fix that, so that when you book, there is a way to measure and mitigate the carbon emitted by your flight too.
But what does the number mean?
Yep, hard to picture eh? To give you an idea:
- Driving 1000miles/1609km would be approx. 281kg of CO2 in an average car (or 140.5kg per person if there was 2 of you in it).
- A return economy class flight London - New York would be approx. 1,619kg (1.66 tonnes) per person.
- 10 trees in a temperate forest are estimated to remove approx. 250kg of CO2 from the air in a period of 5-10 years.
What are we doing about it?
Our trips are relatively low-carbon by design, and we're working with all our hosts to develop long term carbon reduction plans. We partner with the World Land Trust to ensure this trip achieves Net-Zero emissions. We also support their Buy an Acre programme, helping local communities to buy and protect natural habitats in perpetuity, ensuring the protection of the reserve and its wildlife.
Want to know more?
Amazingly, no international travel company has ever publicly published their carbon measurements before, as far as we know. We believe that must change, quickly. So we’re openly sharing the method we used in the hope that other companies will be able to more easily follow suit and build on what we've done so far. You'll find it all here.
The only activity that is subject to weather on this trip is the Mount Aragats summit. Your host will be monitoring the conditions for the summit during the trip, and will make a call when the conditions are clear. An alternative hike, taking in Mount Aragats but not summiting will be done if the conditions are not ok for summiting.
There's a main guide throughout the trip from Day 1 to Day 9 leading all the hikes and excursions. Additional specialist guides will join for the caving, rafting, ziplining and summit of Mount Aragats.
Sure can! Just ask your host and they will be able to store it for you in Yerevan.
The tap water is safe to drink in Armenia, so you can fill up at hotels and restaurants throughout the trip. Your host will carry enough water in a large container in the van on days out where multiple refills will be required by the group. Armenia is famous for its spring waters, so if you have a filter bottle or other filtration method then please bring that with you to safely enjoy natural water sources on your hikes. Have a read of our guide to the best water filters for adventurers. Be sure to pack at least 1 litre of water carrying capacity in bottles and/or bladders to fill up before each day of activity.
Tips are not included in the trip cost. These are entirely at your discretion but there is an expectation to tip for good service. Your guide will help with advice, however we suggest the below as a guideline per person:
£10-15 for the main guide
£3-5 for the caving and rafting guides
Of course, you are free to tip more or less, and the amount should be reflective of your perception of service and quality - a tip is not compulsory and should only be given when you receive excellent service.
(make sure tips are itemised if porters/drivers etc not included in the above)
This trip visits locations where daytime temperatures can be extremely high during the times of year when this trip operates. High humidity and limited access to shade can also be factors, and warm temperatures can continue into the nighttime, which additionally influence the body’s ability to cool down. Personal care should be taken to keep as cool as possible in the conditions, such as wearing appropriate clothing and proper hydration. Very high temperatures can impair an individual’s physical abilities to perform an activity that they may otherwise be able to do competently at cooler temperatures. People may experience symptoms associated with dehydration and Heat Stroke. Your guide(s) are trained to mitigate the risks associated with high temperatures, by carefully managing the intensity of the activity, and to provide the appropriate support response should someone feel ill during the trip. Should you experience health issues during your trip you should inform your guide immediately so the proper care can be provided.
This trip visits locations at or above 2500m. At this altitude some people may experience symptoms associated with Altitude Sickness, also known as Acute Mountain Sickness (AMS). Previous experience at high altitude is not necessarily an indicator of future performance. Your guide(s) are trained to mitigate the risks associated with altitude by carefully managing the rate of ascent and the intensity of the activity, and to provide the appropriate support response should someone feel ill during the trip. Should you experience health issues during your trip you should inform your guide immediately so the proper care can be provided. Owing to the nature of this trip, it is essential that your personal travel insurance policy provides cover up to the maximum altitude visited on this trip as well as emergency medical evacuation by helicopter.
The overlanding style of this trip means there are a few long drives. This style of travel allows you to see the best of xx in the time available, including accessing some remote areas and incredible locations for experiencing the wild natural environment and meeting local communities. The driving is undertaken in large, comfortable 14-16 seater 4WD minibuses, plus a support car to transport the main luggage. The longer journeys will be broken up with multiple stops and you'll also enjoy two consecutive nights in most places, thus avoiding having to pack and move accommodation each day.
Sure can! Over 70% of our travellers travel solo, it’s a great way to meet like-minded people.
Our team of Adventure Hunters co-create exclusive adventures which are run by highly vetted, specialist hosts. The trip is run by our trusted host partner in the destination. We only work with independent, local, in-destination experts who know the very best places to explore and how to stay safe. Read more information about the local teams we partner with. You’ll be introduced to the host straight after making a booking via the Much Better Adventures platform.
Much Better Adventures refer to the UK Government’s official travel advice when designing trips and monitoring trip operations. We recommend that all customers are familiar with the practical information provided on the Government’s FCDO website, where current travel advice can be found by searching for the applicable destination(s).
For customers joining this trip from other international destinations – please also read the official travel advice applicable to your country of residence/origin, as this may differ.
Our recommended travel insurance provider is Campbell Irvine.
Travel insurance is compulsory for all of our adventures and you are required to provide your policy information before departing.
Your insurance should include adequate protection for overseas medical treatment, evacuation/repatriation, your baggage and equipment and the specific activities involved on your adventure. We also strongly recommend it includes cancellation and curtailment insurance, should you be unable to join your trip for specific reasons such as illness.
We fully endorse Campbell Irvine as their insurance offers all of the above, so get in touch with them or call on 020 7938 1734 to get your insurance sorted. We suggest that you book travel insurance as soon as you book your adventure, just to cover you for any last-minute life changes. We know you’re an active lot and injuries do happen!
We recommend checking out the country-specific information and also talking to a travel nurse.
We automatically convert prices from the local currency that a host receives to your chosen currency. We update our exchange rates on a daily basis so this does mean that prices displayed on the site are subject to currency fluctuations, which is why you may see them change over time.
If you wish to change the currency you pay in, head to the bottom of the page.
All of our group adventures are specially designed for adults to enjoy (18+) as we want these adventures to bring together outdoorsy people who are truly like-minded. Children can be accommodated on some private departures.
You're always in good company on one of our adventures.
Our trips are typically made up of a mixture of solo travellers and small groups of 2 or 3 friends, with most in their 30s-50s.
Our sociable adventures are solo-friendly by design and naturally attract outdoorsy people with a shared mindset; a love for adventure, a desire to push themselves and meet awesome, like-minded people along the way.
It’s this camaraderie that has so often turned a great adventure into a life-changing one.
Don't just take our word for it:
- 95% of people rate the group dynamics on our trips 5/5
- 90% of people recommend joining a trip to make new friends
- 75% of people have met people on our trips that they would now consider friends
See here for more info about the Much Better Adventures tribe.
Interested in a more exclusive experience? Opt for a 'Private Group' through the dates and prices tab to book this adventure for just you and your chosen companions.
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