Double Your Winter Experience on Skis
Overview
Armenian Highland is another perfect spot for ski lovers. This 9-day Ski Touring is designed to combine ski mountaineering, trekking and backcountry skiing in a way to highlight the contrast of meditation while trekking in the serenity of nature, against the flush of heartbeat while off pist skiing down the mountains, and give you a wider spectrum of emotions!
The tour is mapped in a way not only to have an amazing winter experience, but also to allow you to encounter the variety of Armenian cultural heritage. These unique sites, with a vivid example of the only preserved pagan temple in the region - Garni, could easily top off your winter adventure bucket list!
Sometimes the best way of exploring the country is through the traditional cuisine. During this tour your taste buds will be spoiled with the genuine and authentic armenian cuisine by the most respected and demanded chef of today’s Armenia, Mr.Sedrak and, while tasting Churchill's favorite brandy, the legendary Ararat.
Reconnect with nature, enjoy views from high mountain peaks and discharge the energy you have accumulated by skiing down the mountains and slaying through the freshest virgin snow.
Itinerary
Welcome to Yerevan, the capital city of Armenia. Our tour guide will greet you and will help you with all the ground handling services. After a welcome briefing meeting with the tour guide, you will check in to your hotel.
Time to explore the Armenian capital, located in the shadow of the Biblical Mount Ararat, which is one of the oldest capitals in the world. You will have a nice stroll in the heart of the city, and explore Republic Square, Cascade, Opera House. Past the radio ‘‘Yerevan‘‘, we drive to the impressive Cascade - in the heart of the city. From here you have a wonderful view of the whole capital.
No city tour is complete without touring the legendary Cognac Factory. Get ready to challenge your taste buds while tasting the famous Armenian Cognac that Churchill loved immensely.
Visit Megerian Carpet factory with participation in traditional Armenian food preparation master class with one of the most demanded and famous chefs Mr. Sedrak Mamoulian.
After dinner, we'll have free time in Yerevan. Evening Yerevan is another highlight that should be added to your must-see list. Cafes and bars are full of locals at night. Join them for a glass of local Armenian wine. You’ll not regret it.
Accommodation
-
Overnight in Yerevan.
Included Activities
- Yerevan City - guided city tour
- Cognac Factory
- Megerian Carpet
Meals Included
- Lunch in Yerevan
- Complimentary welcome dinner
Important Notes
Due to specifications of Ski Touring gear we DO NOT provide equipment rental. Bring your own gear with you. What you need to have with you:
- Full Ski Touring gear and outfit
- Ski Touring Kit
- Walking sticks
- Safety Equipment (pieaps, shawl, zond)
- Warm hat, pants, jacket, gloves
- Sun glasses, sun cream
- Thermos
Get ready to climb the mountain Hatis. Wide horizon inspires and the slopes promise a magnificent ski tour. The snowy peaks and amazing views will shake your imagination.
Our skiing will be followed by a visit to the only preserved pagan temple in Armenia Garni, which lies on the edge of the Azat gorge.
Local family hospitality is waiting for us in the private house right in the village of Garni on the edge of the river Azat, where you can encounter a genuine interaction with locals.
Accommodation
-
Overnight in Yerevan.
Included Activities
- Ascend and descend on Mountain Hatis
- Garni Pagan Temple
Meals Included
- Breakfast at the hotel
- Lunch in Garni
- Dinner
Important Notes
Mountain Hatis - 2528m (450m ascent and 450m descent, moderate elevation, total duration is approximately 2 hours).
Mount Ara is a volcanic cone named after Armenian king Ara. It is around 20km to the northwest of Yerevan, a vast forest-free ridge with ideal, gently sloping ski slopes. We get to the summit in almost 3 hours. Biblical mount Ararat (5165m) decorates the southern horizon, and in the northwest, we see the four peaks of Mount Aragats.
Accommodation
-
Overnight in Aghveran on BB basis.
Included Activities
-
Ascend and descend on Mount Ara
Meals Included
- Breakfast at the hotel
- Lunch /lunch box/
- Dinner
Important Notes
Mount Ara: 2600m (900m ascent and 900m descent, moderate elevation, total duration is approximately 4 hours).
Today’s skiing destination is at Mountain Teghenis. First, we take the forest, and then the open areas to climb towards the summit. On the ascent we enjoy being able to set our energy on the pristine slopes.
Accommodation
-
Overnight in Aghveran on BB basis
Included Activities
-
Ascend and descend on Mountain Teghenis
Meals Included
- Breakfast at the hotel
- Lunch /lunch box/
- Dinner
Important Notes
Mountain Teghenis 2854m, (950m ascent, 950m descent, moderate elevation, total duration is approximately 4 hours).
The medieval church is the first stop on our program that will be followed by skiing.
After the tour, we will head to the Aghveran National Park, the country's national ski center.
Accommodation
-
Overnight in Aragats on BB basis.
Included Activities
- Ascend and descend on Mountain Eghipatrush
- Medieval church in Eghipatrush
- Aghveran National Park
Meals Included
- Breakfast at the hotel
- Lunch /lunch box/
- Dinner
Important Notes
Mountain Eghipatrush 2825m, (920m ascent and 920m descent, moderate elevation, total durations is approximately 3.5 hours).
What an exciting day! We move from the hotel by skidoos to 2700m altitude. Our ascent begins there. We will climb 1300m to reach the eastern summit of the highest mountain of the country (3940m). When the weather is clear, we can observe the most part of Armenia. Not only Ararat is visible from that point, but even the peaks of the Greater Caucasus - the Kazbek (5047m) in Georgia, are recognizable. We go down and a delicious dinner awaits us at the “Aragats'' Hotel. (The ascent to Aragats requires safe snow and weather conditions. If this is not the case, an alternative destination will be chosen, if possible).
Accommodation
-
Overnight in Aragats on BB basis.
Included Activities
-
Ascend and descend on Aragats Mountain
Meals Included
- Breakfast at the hotel
- Lunch /lunch box/
- Dinner
Important Notes
The highest mountain in Armenia, Aragats (east summit 3940m, 1200m ascent and 1800m descent, total duration is approximately 10 hours).
After collecting unforgettable memories in the Armenian mountains, it’s time to explore a bit of Ararat valley.
The legend testifies that Noah planted the first grapevine here after he descended from Mount Ararat. The Ararat valley plays an important role in the country's viticulture. That’s the most fertile area of the country. Your travel bucket list in Armenia is not complete without visiting one of the most famous monasteries in the country Khor Virap and having the closest view to the Biblical Ararat.
Another architectural masterpiece is waiting for us at the end of our picturesque road- Noravank Monastery.
Accommodation
-
Overnight in Vayk on BB basis.
Included Activities
- Ararat Valley
- Khor Virap Monastery
- Noravank Monastery
Meals Included
- Breakfast at the hotel
- Lunch /lunch box/
- Dinner
We continue towards the south of the country to the Vorotan mountain pass. This is the third highest pass in Armenia - about 2350 m high. Today's destination is the Vorotan summit 2780m. After a long rest on the top, we slowly go down.
Our journey continues along the Selim mountain pass that was part of the famous Silk Road. Here we approach the only well-preserved caravanserai from the 14th century and explore it. The view from there is another highlight of the day.
Return to the capital.
During our farewell dinner, we’ll enjoy legendary Armenian wine or cognac again.
Accommodation
-
Overnight in Yerevan.
Included Activities
- Vorotan mountain pass
- Selim mountain pass
- Selim caravanserai
Meals Included
- Breakfast at the hotel
- Lunch /lunch box/
- Dinner
Important Notes
Vorotan 2780m, (450m ascent, 650m descent, moderate elevation, total duration is approximately 2,5 hours).
Transfer to Airport. See you soon, Armenia!
Departure.
Included / Not Included
Price of the tour includes:
Transportation
Accommodations
Meals
Tour guide
Itinerary
Entrance tickets according to the program
Price of the tour does not include:
Travel insurance