7-Day Horseback Riding Tour in Armenia: Vardenis and Geghama Mountains

Tour description

Day 1: Lake Sevan

We will drive to the city of Martuni in the morning and visit the farm to meet the horses. We will start riding horses by the forested shore of Lake Sevan to the old airport and then head towards the Vardenis mountains. We will have lunch and rest at around 1:00 pm. Then, we will continue to the place called Lchakner (lakes in English) where we will have our first overnight stay. After taking care of the horses, we will have a traditional Armenian dinner. A bonfire and traditional music will be a great end to the 1^st day.

Meals: (-/L/D)

Accommodation: Camping

Day 2: Mount Astghonk

The plan is to wake up at 8:30 am and feed the horses. After breakfast, we will pack all the gear and start the ride to one of the tallest summits of the Vardenis mountains, Mount Astghonk, which is 3470m tall. The highest sanctuary in Armenia is here: Saint Hovhannes. We will get there at about 2:00 pm and have lunch. This is a great place to take a break and admire the beauty of the Vardenis Mountains. In about 1 hour, we will continue our tour and descend to the bottom of the neighboring gorge, where the abandoned village of Kopoy Var is located. After taking a short rest at the village, we will continue to the natural mineral spring near the village. A great dinner is going to follow: white fish cooked with red wine. We will stay overnight in tents.

Meals: (B/L/D)

Accommodation: Camping

Day 3: Sevsar Ancient Astronomical Observatory

We will wake up between 8:00 and 8:30 am, and breakfast is at 9:00 am. We will leave at 10:00 am and descend to the mountain pastures called Dzor and Gomer. Then, we will continue to the Argichi plateau. After lunch, we will cross the gorge on foot, and in about 30 mins, we will get to the Sevsar Ancient Astronomical Observatory. Here, one may see an ancient observatory with a unique image of bolide carved on a huge stone block and astronomical calendars and pictograms from the 3rd – 1st Millennia BCE. Then, we will continue descending to the plateau where we will spend the night next to a pasture. Today, we will enjoy traditional Armenian Tolma for dinner.

Meals: (B/L/D)

Accommodation: Camping

Day 4: Volcano Armaghan

Today’s target is to climb the Armaghan extinct volcano at 2829m tall. We will start the tour at 9:00 am and ride towards the volcano. We will reach the summit at about 1:30-2:00 pm and have one free hour for having lunch and rest. The volcanic crater of the peak is partially filled with water, which formed a lake with a diameter of 15m. There is also a sanctuary on the top that was built in 2009 on ruins whose age is difficult to define. Then, we will ride back to the plateau and visit the pasture of the Vaghashen village. Here, we will get acquainted with the local’s lifestyle and let the horses rest. We will finish the day with a local dinner, bonfire, and traditional dances.

Meals: (B/L/D)

Accommodation: Camping

Day 5: Orbelian’s Caravanserai

We will wake up and eatbreakfast at the camp. Start riding towards the Orbelian’s Caravanserai, which is located at the border of Gegharkunik and Vayots Dzor provinces.  Here you have a chance to learn more about medieval Armenian architecture. The caravanserai was built in 1332 by Prince Orbelyan Chesar, to accommodate weary travelers and their animals. Ride back to Vaghashen and continue to pasture called Sarnaghbyur. The name translated means cold spring. We will set up our camp right next to this water and enjoy the evening.

Meals: (B/L/D)

Accommodation: Camping

Day 6: Spitakasar

Wake up at 8:30 am and pack all the gear. Start riding to the base of Spitakasar Mountain, one of the most beautiful mountains of Geghama range. After a short tour at Spitakasar, we will head to north to visit a church built on the base of a medieval church. Here we will meet our support truck and start making dinner. A traditional barbecue, wine and music will fill the last evening.

Meals: (B/L/D)

Accommodation: Camping

Day 7: Vardadzor

After a hearty breakfast we will head to the north-east, to Vardadzor village. Here we will meet our car to transfer to Yerevan.

Meals: (B/L/-)

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Tour Map – click to enlarge