Trek Armenia: The Transcaucasian Trail (Basix)

Welcome to Yerevan, Armenia – a city of contrasts. From the top-of-the-range sports cars and European-style wine bars, to vintage vehicles and old-fashioned tea houses, Armenia’s capital sees a mix of Soviet-era architecture among a wealth of gardens and parks and a multitude of cultures as diverse as their fashion. This evening, why not ask your tour leader where to find the best pandok (tavern), so you can get your first taste of Armenian cuisine while surrounded with the ambience of traditional music! We highly recommend khoravats (barbecue meats), washed down with some oghee (fruit vodka).

After breakfast, enjoy a guided walking tour around the vibrant capital of Armenia, where the ancient culture is mixed with modern lifestyle and great traditions – although the city’s roots date back more than 2800 years, it still manages to keep up with the latest trends through the hustle and bustle of contemporary life. Begin your tour in Republic Square – the masterpiece of the architect Alexander Tamanian, then continue to Cascade Complex, an open-air museum of modern art. Next visit the Opera House, a remarkable sample of urban architecture and a lively hub of the city! Freedom Square is just behind it, surrounded by parks and outdoor cafes which is a popular spot among locals to spend breezy summer evenings. This afternoon, take the 3-hour journey to the province of Vayots Dzor. On the way, visit the unique collection of over 900 khahkars (cross-stones) at Noratus, and the world-famous Selim Caravanserai perched below the mountain pass, before descending to the village of Hors. Tonight you’ll stay at an eco-lodge in Hors conservation area – enjoy a home-cooked meal and prepare for departure on foot the following morning!

After a hearty breakfast, follow cattle trails and dirt tracks among rocky crags and mountain pastures high above the Yeghegis Valley. Rounding the southern flanks of Mt Gandzakar, descend towards the cavernous Arpa River valley, which splits the province of Vayots Dzor in half. As you descend, open hillsides will give way to the expansive vineyards of Aghavnadzor. During the grape harvesting season (September - October), you may find an opportunity to sample matcharr – a very young type of homemade wine that appears around this time of year – before finishing up at a traditional guesthouse in Areni village.

Today’s hike delves deep into Gnishik Gorge, also known as Noravank Gorge after the provisionally UNESCO-listed monastery that sits beneath its cliffs. Take an early drive to the monastery to enjoy the peace, and perhaps spot a herd of the wild Bezoar goats that frequent the gorge, before plunging into the depths of the gorge along historical footpaths used for centuries by the inhabitants of nearby villages to reach the monastery. Tonight you’ll stay in the village of Gnishik itself, with dinner cooked by a local family.

The morning’s hike will take you out of the Gnishik river basin and over a panoramic mountain pass into the valley beyond. On the way down, explore the ruined hillside village of Horadis, abandoned in Soviet times due to the difficulty of providing modern infrastructure to such a remote location, still inhabited in summer by a family of local beekeepers and with a partially restored 10th-century basilica church. The day’s hike ends at the village of New Martiros, where you’ll enjoy the hospitality of a local family for the night.

Today’s hike is relatively short. Begin by exploring the old village of Martiros, a once-important settlement whose founding is recorded on a khachkar dating back to 1283AD, before visiting a unique rock-hewn cave church at the foot of nearby Mount Gogi. From here, follow a newly-built trail around the mountainside – offering truly spectacular views across Vayots Dzor – to Gomk, where you’ll take a well-earned half day off to enjoy local food, horseback riding and hospitality.

This morning’s hike is perhaps the hardest of the trek, with a steep climb up an ancient stone staircase to the top of nearby Kapuyt Gorge – but the effort is more than worth it for the panoramic views at the top, as well as a truly spectacular cliff-ledge traverse above the gorge. The route continues along another historical trail, winding down through the oak groves of Artavan Forest and passing among the remains of ancient settlements, bandit camps and iron forges. Overnight at the guest house in the village.

Drop your bags at a local homestay in Artavan village before making a loop of the nearby meadows and mountains, visiting several points of interest along the way, including waterfalls, lakes, tomb fields, and the ruins of an ancient fortress on a rock outcrop – which also marks the furthest point south on this section of the Transcaucasian Trail. Return to your guesthouse for a final celebratory meal and a well-earned night’s sleep.

Enjoy a sleep in this morning, the after a relaxed breakfast at your homestay, hit the road and take a tour of a renowned small-scale winery in the region for tour and degustation. Proceed to the famous Areni cave where the world’s oldest leather shoe was found. The shoe is now displayed at the History Museum of Armenia. Then drive back to Yerevan and enjoy the rest of the day at leisure, this evening perhaps join your group for a celebratory Armenian-style dinner, and toast to your trekking adventure!

Your adventure comes to an end after breakfast and you are free to leave at any time today.