Armenia by Bike for May holidays
Join us on a bicycle trip to Armenia! We will visit Armenian monuments, ride through gorgeous valleys, visit distant villages and cross high mountain passes. During this cycling trip we will reach the Lake Sevan and admire breathtaking canyons almost from a bird's eye view. But that is not all.
We will stay with local hosts whom might reveal to us the secrets of the local cuisine and culture of this country. Most of the products that we will eat are organic - straight from the garden. We will taste the local specialties: kebab, dolma and shashlik. Our luggage will be transported by car (which will also be there to assist us in the event that any of the travelers might need support) so that we can travel lightly.
ITINERARY:
DAY 1-2
Meet at Chopin Airport in the evening and fly to Armenia. Drive to the north of the country, to the green province of Lori. After accommodation and rest, in the afternoon we set off to visit two monastery complexes of great importance to Armenian history - Haghpat and Sanahin (UNESCO). For those willing, a few kilometers trekking between the monuments. Toward evening we prepare the bikes for the ride, and end the day with a familiarization dinner at a charming guesthouse in the Debet River canyon.
DAY 3
From Alaverdi we will set off towards the town of Tumanyan. From there, our adventure begins, which will mostly lead along unpaved mountain trails. We will reach the Yenokavan canyon in Tavush province. At the end of the day, for those who are willing, a several-kilometer easy walk to the Lastiver caves. Overnight at Ijevan.
Distance: 74 km
Uphill: 2248 m
Downhill: 1851 m
DAY 4
The next day, amazing views await us in the Ijevan Mountains. We set out for Dilijan National Park, by some called the Switzerland of Armenia. We will reach the capital of the region, the resort town of Dilijan, known for its clean air and crystal mountain water. For those who wish, additional rides on the difficult trails around Dilijan are possible.
Distance: 47,5 km
Uphill: 2060 m
Downhill: 1429 m
DAY 5
We leave Dilijan to start the day by driving through forest trails on a professionally groomed singletrack, which will take us to lake Parz and on to the village of Gosh, where we will see the priceless medieval monastery of Goshavank. From Goshavank, through several mountain passes, we will reach the Getik valley on the eastern shore of the high mountain lake Sevan. Overnight at a farm in the village.
Distance: 58.2 km
Uphill: 3206 m
Downhill: 2790 m
DAY 6
Continue uphill through villages until we reach a pass at an altitude of 2,300 m. Then descend towards the shores of the mountainous lake Sevan, sometimes called the Armenian sea. Lunch break - delicious Sevan fish specialty or sensational shashlik, as the one prefers. Then we will follow the deserted shore of the lake. This stage is almost a hundred kilometers of beautiful route. We will reach the town of Martuni for an overnight stay with friendly hosts.
Distance: 92 kilometers
Uphill: 1003 m
Downhill: 750 m
DAY 7
We begin with a ride up to the Vardanyants Pass (2410 meters above sea level), where we will have the opportunity to visit the magnificently preserved medieval Selim Caravansary. Once one of the branches of the Silk Road ran here. Then a long descent and ride on a beautiful road to southern Armenia - the province of Vayots Dzor. An afternoon trip by car through a beautiful rocky isthmus to Noravank Monastery, built between red rocks. Overnight stay in the town of Yegheghnadzor.
Distance: 58 km
Uphill: 831 m
Downhill: 1491 m
DAY 8
Again we drive into the mountains, this time of volcanic nature. Through picturesque valleys we will reach the village of Hermon, on the way visiting the medieval cemetery of Mountainous Jews. Further on, on gravel and dirt roads, we will ride to the highest-lying village in Armenia. We will be accompanied by magnificent views, the uniqueness of a place cut off from the world and conversations with locals. Evening return to Yegheghnadzor.
Distance: 85 km
Uphill: 1936 m
Downhill: 1936 m
DAY 9
From Yegheghnadzor we set off towards Yerevan. On the way we will visit Khor Virap, a monastery on the border with Turkey, overlooking Ararat mountain. We will also visit the reconstructed ancient Temple of Garni (UNESCO) with its original mosaics and the multi-level monastery complex of Geghard (UNESCO). We will have dinner by the scenic Azat River canyon. Evening arrival in Yerevan.
DAY 10-11
Yerevan. A visit to the Cascades, an unusual in form museum of modern art. Walking along the boulevards and parks of the capital with sightseeing and shopping at the Vernissage - a stylish antique market. A visit to the Blue Mosque on the main artery of the city - Mesrop Mashtots Avenue. A visit to the beautiful house-museum of artist Sergei Parajanov. Possibility to visit the cognac distillery, the National Museum of Armenia, the Matenadaran museum and institute of writing research. A trip to the Tsitsernakaberd memorial site and the thought-provoking Genocide Museum. Early morning departure to the airport and return to Poland.
PRICE INCLUDES:
• a return flight ticket with all airport charges
• cabin luggage and sports equipment as checked baggage according to the airline's fare
• care of an English-speaking guide
• an assurance car for transporting luggage
• local transport: minibus, metro
• accommodation: (7x) accommodation with local hosts, (2x) hotel
• board: 9x breakfast and 7x dinner
• insurance guarantee for the travel agency
• information materials and maps
• NNW and KL + insurance of luggage up to 200 Euro
• a mandatory fee for the State Tourist Guarantee Fund (TFG) for each person
• mandatory payment to the state Tourist Guarantee Fund (TFG) for each person
• mandatory payment to the state Tourist Fund for Assistance (TFP) for each person
• insurance against contracting the virus (COVID-19) while abroad
PRICE DOES NOT INCLUDE:
• dinners in Geghard and Yerevan
• Covid-19 test (if applicable)
• admission to monuments and museums (25 euros)
CLIMATE:
The date is suitable for cyclists. It should be warm in the valleys - the temperature will oscillate around 20-25°C. During the ride through the mountain passes and at night, in the villages, the temperature may occasionally drop even to about 10°C. In the higher parts of the mountains there may still be remnants of snow. Therefore, it is also advisable to have warmer clothing for both cycling and evening.
ROUTE AND HOW TO RIDE:
The route leads mostly on gravel and partially asphalt roads, so we recommend mountain bikes. We are riding light, our luggage will be transported by car, which will also be a help in case of possible health indisposition of any of the participants.
FOOD:
Dinners and breakfast (included in the price) are prepared mostly from home-grown, organic products. During the day, there will be an opportunity to buy snacks in stores in most villages or in small restaurants (limited choice). At Lake Sevan there is an opportunity to try local fish or crayfish. In the mountains, on the other hand, you can enjoy delicious shashliks. Armenia is also friendly to vegetarians. Dinners in Geghard and Yerevan are on your own.
GROUP:
We ride in small groups. The minimum number of people on a tour is 8, the maximum is 15/16.
ADDITIONAL INFORMATION:
• The itinerary may change depending on the date of departure, weather and other factors. • Learn more about general conditions of participation and find out how to sign up for a trip.
• Attention! In case of the introduction of restrictions that prevent the implementation of the tour, we will refund 100% of the money paid up to 7 days from the date of cancellation of the tour.
• The organizer of the trip is Active Travel Agency Barents.pl
