Off-Road Adventure in Armenia
Sit back and enjoy a our Off-Road Tour through our stunningly beautiful mountains. Enjoy the aromatic forests of aspen and pine as we climb to wildflower-carpeted high alpine meadows with views that seem to go on forever.
- Duration: 3 tour days, 4 nights
- Group size: from 1 to 11 people
- Start and finish in Yerevan
- Overnight in hotels & B&Bs
HIGHLIGHTS
- Discover prehistoric petroglyphs and mountain observatories.
- Traverse rugged canyons and high alpine meadows by 4WD.
- Explore the remote Smbataberd fortress and Tsakhats Kar.
- Spot rare Bezoar goats and visit the Angels’ Canyon.
1st Day: Arrival in Yerevan
You'll be welcomed at Zvartnots airport and roomed in a hotel in Yerevan.
Overnight: Hotel in Yerevan.
2nd Day: Geghama Mountains - Yerevan
After leaving your hotel in Yerevan, we’ll head toward the scenic Geghama Mountains. Our first stop is the Temple of Garni, a 1st-century AD structure perched atop towering cliffs, seemingly suspended between earth and sky. While in the region, we will also explore the Azat River Gorge, home to the "Symphony of Stones" (or Stone Organ) — a stunning natural monument of basalt columns.
We then continue to Lake Vishapilich, situated at an altitude of 2,755 meters. This particular lake is guarded by two majestic Vishapakars (3rd–2nd millennia BC) standing right on its shores. After a brief stop by the lake, you will have the opportunity to see unique petroglyphs carved into the landscape between the 7th and 2nd millennia BC.
Overnight: Hotel in Yerevan.
3rd Day: Mount Armaghan - Mount Sevsar - Yeghegnadzor
Today, we'll first travel north from Yerevan to Lake Sevan. Then we'll cross the Vardenyats Pass south to Vayots Dzor, where we'll stop for the night.
Our first stop is Mount Armaghan, an extinct volcano (2,830 m) with a small lake that sometimes completely dries up in late summer. This natural monument is located on the Vardenyats Mountain Pass. Not far to the east of Armaghan is Mount Sevsar, on whose slopes lies one of the oldest observatories, covered in petroglyphs. The central area is occupied by stone slabs carved with various symbols, as well as numerous images of constellations, and celestial bodies. These petroglyphs date back to the 7th-5th millennia BC.
Our next stop is the Orbelian's (Selim) Caravanserai. Prince Chesar Orbelian built it along the Vardenyats Pass in 1332 to accommodate weary travellers and their animals crossing into or out of the mountainous Vayots Dzor region.
Overnight: Hotel in Yeghegnadzor.
4th Day: Smbataberd - Tsagat-Kar - Yerevan
Today, we will head to the Observation Deck in Shatin village to see the bezoar goats. These goats are listed in the Red Book of Armenia and are a protected species. After stopping briefly at the Observation Deck, we will drive on to the Smbataberd Fortress.
The exact date of construction of the Smbataberd fortress is unknown. However, historical records indicate that a battle between Armenians and Persians took place here in the 5th century. The fortress was built according to medieval construction principles and was designed for long-term defence. Smbataberd's water supply was transported via a clay pipe system. This water came from springs near Tsakhats Kar, the remains of which can be seen in the neck of the mountain range on the edge of the road. Our next destination is Tsakhats Kar.
The Tsakhats Kar Monastery was built during the 10th-century Bagratid Kingdom. It served as a medieval educational institution where painting was studied.
We will go to Yerevan from here, but on the way, we will visit the Angels' Canyon. Although the canyon itself is short, it is beautiful and a truly unique natural landmark.
Overnight: Hotel in Yerevan.
5th Day: Departure.
TRAVELERS INFORMATION
PHYSICAL EFFORTS
You can walk up to 2-2,5 km along a dirt path outside populated areas, for example in Geghama Mountains or fortress Smbataberd, at a leisurely pace.
WEATHER AND CLOTHING
The weather during the spring tours is usually pleasant and warm. May is the rainiest month, but the rain never lasts long. In the semi-deserts, temperatures can reach 35°C or higher on hot days in late spring and summer. At higher altitudes, the weather is often unpredictable, with short-lived snow and hail possible.
In general, there are no restrictions on clothing. Recommended gear includes a sun hat, a warm hat, a warm fleece jacket, a raincoat and lightweight, comfortable hiking boots.
FOOD
The food in Armenia is both healthy and delicious. For lunch, we visit local restaurants and cafés, or private homes where specially trained hosts treat tourists to local cuisine. Dinners outside Yerevan are sometimes served in hotel restaurants to provide a more relaxing atmosphere after a day of sightseeing.
The tour programme includes free evenings during which you can explore Yerevan and choose where to eat. Dinner is not included in the tour price during your stay in Yerevan. Please inform us in advance of any dietary requirements, and we will do our best to accommodate them.
GROUP SIZE
There is no minimum number of participants required for a tour. We run tours with between 1 - 16 participants per group. This ensures convenient transportation and an optimal guide-to-guest ratio.
For private tour arrangements, please contact us.
THE PRICE INCLUDES
- Airport transfers
- Depending on the size and preferences of the group, transportation will be provided by minibus, minivan or sedan
- Hotel accommodation. Full board, when you're staying overnight outside of Yerevan
- Entrance fees to paid monument sites and museums. Tatev cable car ticket. The services of a professional guide
- Bottled water throughout the day.
THE PRICE DOES NOT INCLUDE
- Air travel tickets, travel insurance, Visa fees, excess baggage charges
- Dinner, during your stay in Yerevan (If you would like us to, we can include full-board meals in the tour price)
- Alcoholic beverages
- Personal expenses
- Additional nights (available upon request).
PACKING CHECKLIST
- Passport
- Special medicine or drugs in permanent use
- Credit cards and cash: Credit cards can be used in all big cities at hotels, restaurants, shopping malls, supermarkets, etc. Bring a small amount of cash for personal expenses: as currency exchange outside of cities is not always possible.
VISA GUIDE
Applying for an Armenian visa is simple and transparent. While many nationalities can enter the country visa-free, others can easily obtain an e-visa online or a visa on arrival.
Visa-Free Entry
Citizens of the European Union, United Kingdom, United States, Australia, Canada, Singapore, South Korea, Japan, New Zealand, Switzerland, Norway, Russia, Georgia, and CIS countries can enter Armenia without a visa for up to 180 days within a year.
Note: Citizens of Russia and Belarus may enter using internal passports (at Zvartnots and Shirak airports).
E-Visa & Visa on Arrival
If your country is not on the visa-free list, you may be eligible for an E-Visa or a Visa on Arrival (VOA) at international airports and land borders.
- Processing Time: Up to 3 working days for E-Visa.
- Validity: 21 or 120 days.
- Apply Online: evisa.mfa.am
Visa Fees
- Visitor Visa (up to 21 days): USD 8
- Visitor Visa (up to 120 days): USD 38
- Fees are non-refundable.
Entry Requirements
To ensure a smooth entry, please have the following ready:
- Passport: Must be valid for at least 6 months beyond your stay.
- Supporting Docs: While not always mandatory for VOA, it is recommended to have your hotel booking and travel insurance available.
Check Your Status
To find out if you need a visa or an invitation letter, please select your country on the official Ministry of Foreign Affairs portal: MFA.am - Visa Check
MOBILE COMMUNICATIONS & INTERNET
Staying connected in Armenia is easy and affordable. Whether you rely on public Wi-Fi or a local SIM card, high-speed 4G & 5G coverage is available across most of the country.
Free Wi-Fi Connectivity
Most hotels, cafes, restaurants, and public parks in Yerevan and major towns offer free Wi-Fi for visitors. While convenient for quick checks, roaming services from home providers can be expensive, so a local SIM is recommended for road trips.
Local Mobile Operators
There are three main providers in Armenia offering high-quality voice and data packages:
- VIVA - viva.am
- Team Telecom - telecomarmenia.am
- Ucom - ucom.am
How to Get a SIM Card
You can purchase a SIM card immediately upon arrival at Zvartnots International Airport (24/7), at any service center, post office, or large supermarket.
- Requirement: A valid passport is required for registration.
- Top-up: Use the ubiquitous payment terminals found on almost every street corner. Interfaces are available in English, Armenian, and Russian.
You can find answers to all your questions about booking, prepayment and payment, tour cancellation and refunds, and much more in the
TERMS AND CONDITIONS
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Choosing Your Journey!
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Diverse natural conditions results in unusually rich flora and fauna on a relatively small territory of the country. Up to the present over 350 bird species have been recorded in Armenia, of which over 240 species are breeding locally.
Off-Road Tours
Fasten your seatbelt and enjoy our Off-Road Tour through stunningly beautiful mountains. Immerse into aromatic forests of aspen and pine as we climb to wildflower-carpeted high alpine meadows with views that seem to go on forever.