6-day trekking in Armenia

Arrival at Zvartnoc International airport and transfer to the hotel. - - - Hotel

Breakfast. We will start the tour in the capital of Armenia: Yerevan. For ages this city has been known as a pink city because of the color of the stone it has been built with. So we will visit Republic square, Mashtoc Avenue, the House of Opera and Ballet after Aram Khachatryan, the park Cascad. Then we will visit the Manuscript Museum of Armenia, which is called Matenadaran; here all ancient Armenian Manuscripts are kept. Then we should visit Genocide Memorial known as Tsitsernakaberd. Dinner at a traditional Armenian restaurant where you may taste the masterpieces of Armenian cuisine. Overnight in the hotel. B L D Hotel

Breakfast. Morning transfer to the village Sevared in Kotayk Province. It is on 2058 meters’ height above sea level. From here we start our trekking tour to the lake Akna (3030m). The distance between the village and the mountain lake Akna is 10 km. Lake Akna is situated in Geghama highland, at an altitude of 3032m, 6 km far from Mount Azhdahak. The surface of the lake is 0.5 km². Feeds with snow and spring water. It is surrounded by young volcanic rocks and alpine meadows. His water is clear, fresh. The surface is 0, 53 km², the maximum depth is 15 m, the water depth is 3,92 M³. The lake mirror reflects the surrounding mountains and blue sky.Camping near the lake. B L D Camp

Breakfast. Climbing from Akna lake to Mount Ajdahak. Azhdahak mountain is one four late Quaternary volcanoes of the Geghama mountain range located in the center of Armenia. There have been counted 127 extinct volcanoes which comprise the range. The area is a part of the “new volcanic zone” of the Armenian tablelands north volcanic arc. Mount Azhdahak is also known as Karmirsar. The absolute height of Azhdahak is 3597 meters above sea level. The crater upon it encases a fresh water lake with water mirror at 3509 meters above sea level. The crater diameter from the crest measures 500 meters with a depth up to 90 meters.

A strongly crept away accessory lava crater is located on the east slope of the mountain, at a height of about 3470 meters above sea level. From this crater strong boulder streams diverge to the east, north-east and partly to the north, which are falling beyond the bounds of the cone. The second, more extensive and compact adventive crater (up to 350 in diameter) is located on the south slope of the volcano, at the place of the joint with Kamurch, approximately at the same height. Then descent to Akna lake, then downhill to the slopes of the mountain of Vishapasar. Overnight in tents.

Trekking - 14km, +600m, -700m, 8-9 hours

B L D Tents

Breakfast. Descent from the mountains. Visit the Monastery of Geghard Monastery. Its name came from the legendary lance that was used to pierce the body of Christ. It has been kept here for centuries. Though the exact foundation of the monastery is unknown, the present complex was built in the mid – 13th century. Afterwards we will a local house where you will have the chance to see and participate in the preparation of Armenian national bread: lavash. It is a very thin, usually sold in very large forms. It is usually cooked in a ground oven: tonir. In 2015 it has been inscribed in UNESCO intangible heritage list. Here we will enjoy the “Armenian fast food” with lavash and cheese. Then the journey continues towards the pagan temple Garni. It was devoted to the god Mihr, who was the god of cleanness. In 1679 it was destroyed by earthquake. In the 1975 the Temple was restored. Return to Yerevan, dinner at local restaurant. B L D Hotel

Breakfast at the hotel. Transfer to the airport. Flight to home. B _ _ - - -