Armenia Set to Be Adventure Destination Choice of 2018

Immortalised in Levison Wood’s From Russia to Iran: Crossing Wild Frontiers documentary – broadcast this autumn – Armenia is set to grow in popularity with adventurous travellers.

Trekking experts Walks Worldwide has unveiled a brand new tour of Armenia  – Beyond the Silk Road – which incorporates alpine and mountain trekking in spectacular scenery that is rich in culture and folklore. The new, group guided adventure offers challenging trekking with peaks of up to 2,500 metres between July and September 2018 (and private guided departures on request). Armenia is ideal for those looking to avoid trekking in the peak heat of a European summer.

In just nine days, guests will hike through dramatic canyons and gorges into the wild Geghama mountains, summit Aragats (Armenia’s highest peak), watch vultures soar, travel between ancient monasteries and along the Silk Road and visit Lake Sevan – the Titicaca of Armenia. With rich unique ecosystems and varied climatic zones, encounter nomadic shepherds in the mountains and spot Caucasian leopard, wolf, lynx, bear and Asian wild sheep.  There is plenty of time to pause and wonder at the ancient Caravanserai many of which lie intact on the roadside. Most trekking days are between 4-8 hours, returning each night to high quality accommodation a short way from the main tracks.

The itinerary starts and ends from Armenia’s capital city, Yerevan, where there is a guided city tour, stopping at the food market and the Tsitsernakaberd-Genocide Memorial.  The first trek is the Garni Canyon to a high plateau with views of neighbouring Turkey’s Mount Ararat (5165m). Pass through meadows of wild flowers and finish at Garni Pagan Temple, which dates back to the 3rd Century, before taking dinner at an outdoor village restaurant.

Travel on into the Lori Region and begin trekking from the 6th Century Odzun Monastery above the Debet Canyon, where Griffin Vultures can be spotted. Walk through small villages, forested hills and the limestones peaks of ‘Armenian Switzerland’, on a route that links two UNESCO World Heritage Monasteries – that of Sanahin and Haghpat.

Trek to Lake Sevan, at 2,000 metres one of the largest Alpine lakes in the world, visit Sevanavank Monastery and drive along part of the Silk Road to the Selim Pass.  Climb Mount Hatis.  On the final day there is an option to hike from Amberd Fortress to Byurakan, or up the stratovolcanic cone of Mount Ara. The tour finishes in Yerevan, with the option to add extra days should guests wish.

Dates and prices: Walks Worldwide (01962 302085) offers group guided departures in 2018 departing on 24 June, 22 July and 3 September from £2,100 per person based on 2 sharing, including return flights to Yerevan, transfers, 9 days guided hiking, 8 nights’ full board and luggage transfers.