Hike Dilijan National Park, know as Armenia’s Little Switzerland. We discover the park’s diverse and beautiful forest trails, including the Transcaucasian Trail, encountering waterfalls, wildlife, ancient monasteries and artisans en route. Enjoy the food and hospitality of local guesthouses, plus, have the opportunity to endulge your creative and adventurous side with creative workshops and adrenalin filled activities.
PRICE
£650 per person
DATES
21 October – 27 October 2019
YOUR EXPERIENCE
Day 1 / 21 Oct: Yerevan - Dilijan National Park
You will be met by your driver and English speaking guide at your hotel, to head to Dilijan (108km, 2 hrs.) The drive is magnificent along the pearl of Armenia, Lake Sevan, which covers over 10% of the countries territory. Dinner and overnight at a guesthouse in Dilijan.
Day 2 / 22 Oct: Dilijan – Goshavank – Parz Lake
In the morning you’ll, head towards Goshavank Monastery by car (23.3 km), which is about 15 km away from the Transcaucasian Trail’s Khachardzan head. Before starting the hike, you’ll have a short stop to visit Goshavank Monastery, which was one of the most important cultural centres of medieval Armenia that had a high spiritual school-catechism. We then start the hike to Parz Lake, and our luggage transported in vehicles. Dinner and overnight at cottages near Parz Lake, where you can enjoy a good offer of adventure ecotourism services available including treetop walking part, non-motor boating, pedal-boating, zip-lining, and mountain biking (optional, $10-20 per service depending on the type and chosen timeframes). Breakfast, picnic lunch and dinner included. Total hiking distance 8.9 km, hiking time 3 hours.
Day 3 / 23 Oct: Parz Lake - Dilijan
This morning we’ll start our hike on Transcaucasian Trail from Parz Lake (distance 14km, time 4.5 hours). Luggage will be transported in the vehicles, while we will be walking through the forest to reach picturesque Dilijan at around 4:30PM when you can choose an optional evening progamme, including art, jewellery, and batik fabric workshops. Overnight at a guesthouse in Dilijan. Breakfast, picnic lunch and dinner included.
Today we will start the hike from the Matosavank-Jukhtak Vank loop trail, which starts about 7 km (around 25 min drive on an old road) from your Dilijan guesthouse. After completing the Medieval Monasteries loop trail we will have a short break and hike on Transcaucasian Trail towards Haghartsin. We return back the same way to the trailhead, where the car will pick us up. Overnight at a guesthouse in Dilijan. Total hiking distance 9.6 km, hiking time 4 hours. Breakfast, picnic lunch and dinner included.
In the morning we’ll drive to Haghartsin Monastery to start our Transcaucasian Trail hike towards Hovk village. The hike will include a side trail towards a waterfall and natural plunge pool, before up the mountain to a natural drinking water source. We will walk back the same way to Haghartsin Monastery to spend some time exploring the area and medieval architecture. Total hiking distance 9.6km. Dinner and overnight at a guesthouse in Dilijan or Hovk. Breakfast, picnic lunch and dinner included.
Today, the longest walk of the itinerary, will start from Hovk village up towards the Apakekar, Hovvasar, and the Patvar mountains. The hike goes through some of the most spectacular areas of Dilijan National Park, approaching its core wilderness areas inhabited by vultures and other species. Total hiking distance 17.4 km, hiking time 8.5 hours. Breakfast, picnic lunch and dinner included.
Day 7 / 27 Oct: Dilijan – Yerevan
Those departing Dilijan, a transfer to Yerevan after breakfast.
ACCOMMODATION
1 x 3* hotel Yerevan
5 x Dilijan National Park guesthouse with private facilities
1 x Parz Lake cottage
INCLUDES
Transportation to/ from Yerevan
Transfers in Dilijan
Luggage transfers
Professional English speaking hiking guide
Accommodation w/ breakfast
Meals: 5 x picnic lunch; 6 x dinner
2 x 0.5l bottled water per person per day
EXCLUDES
Flights
Visas (if required)
Personal travel insurance
Tips
Portage
Beverages and meals not described
Optional evening Dilijan workshops (art, jewellery, Batik fabric)
