Mount Ararat Climb and Excursions in Ani, Kars, Mush, Erzrum, Van, Akhtamar (8 days)

In the morning we will depart Yerevan to drive to the Armenian-Georgian border. We will pass through the town of Gyumri, cross the border at Bavra point and enter Javakhq in Georgia. After Akhalkalaki we will come across Khertvisi fortress towering above the convergence of Parvana and Kura (Mtkvari) rivers, they say it was the favorite castle of Queen Tamara (12-13 cc.). After a short rest we will go on to the Georgian-Turkish border. Passing the beautiful mountains and forests of the Ardahan region we will arrive in Kars, walk its narrow streets, see the medieval stone bridge of “Vardan”, the remnants of the house, where Yeghishe Charents, a celebrated Armenian writer lived, and the imposing Church of Apostles (10th century). We will ascend to Kars fortress, once a stronghold of the Armenian capital, the seat of Bagratouni kings. Continuing the route we will reach the town of Dogubayazit and stay there for the night.

A car/minibus will take the group to 2200 m., the point from where they will start climbing Ararat hiking to the camp at an altitude of 3200 m. The baggage will be taken to the camp on horseback. Lunch and dinner on the route or in the camp. Overnight in tents in 3200 m. camp.

The group will continue climbing Ararat hiking to the camp at 4200 m. The baggage will be taken to the camp on horseback. Lunch on the route, dinner in the camp. The group will arrive to the camp in the afternoon and rest in tents till midnight.

After midnight the climb to the summit of Mount Ararat begin, from 4200 to 5165 m. The group will leave the baggage in the camp and take small backpacks for water and other necessary items. The distance of the route is approx. 14 km., duration - about 6 hours. At dawn, the group will reach the summit of Mount Ararat and stay there for 40 minutes. Afterwards they will descend to 4200 m. camp, rest, then down to 3200 m. camp and rest again. The group may decide to stay in camp or further descend to Dogubayazit and stay overnight at the hotel.

In the morning we travel to Van, where we visit the ancient Urartian fortress Tushpa/ Van (9th century BC) that has impressing cuneiform inscriptions and tombs of Urartu kings Argishti and Sarduri. Passing through the town we will stop by the rock-cut door of “Sasna Tsrer” legend’s hero Junior Mher. We will then drive up the Varaga mountain to Varagavanq church complex (which locals call “Seven Churches”), the archbishopric seat of medieval Vaspourakan Kingdom. Then we will head to the turquoise Lake Van and take the boat to Aghtamar Island. The latter hosts the unique Sourb Khach cathedral (10th century). It used to be a museum until September 2010, when a Sunday Service/Liturgy was held in the church, the first time after a century in Historical Western Armenia, now it is the only operating Armenian Church in this region. We will taste the famous “Vana tarekh” fish, the only fish specie found in Lake Van, and enjoy swimming and resting on the beach. We will return to Van for overnight accommodations.

In Moush we tour the old quarter and the remnants of St. Marine church. Then we head toward the fascinating Moush valley, Taron county in historical Tourouberan princedom. We come to the medieval Murat/ Souloukh bridge on the Eastern Euphrates river (Aratsani or Murat), an important site related to the Armenian national-liberation movement against the Ottoman Empire. Here one of its leaders, Gevorg Chaush, died. We will then visit the remnants of “Msho Soultan” Sourb Karapet cathedral, once the second important (after Ejmiatsin) religious center of the Armenian Church with wonderful architecture. Now it is all in ruins inside a Kurdish village, many houses of which are built from the fine-cut cathedral stones. Leaving Moush valley we will pass over Bingol and Palandoken mountain ranges, a historical region called Highland Armenia. We reach Erzurum (historical Karin), the largest city in Eastern Anatolia. In Erzrum we will see the Byzantine Theodoupolis fortress (5th century) that was several times conquered by the Russian army and Armenian volunteers in the wars of the 19-20th centuries, the renowned medieval medreses (theology schools) - Chifte Minare. We will see the 19th-century building of the Sanasarian Armenian College - once the most important education center of the region. Leaving Erzurum we will drive toward Kars. By the road to Kars we will see the medieval fortress of Basen (Hassan-Kala), and then make a stop by the old “Shepherd’s Bridge” (“Hovvi Kamurj”) at the confluence of the Araks River tributaries. From here we travel to Sarikamis through beautiful natural landscapes (mountains and forests). Time permitting we may make a tour of Sarikamis and see old Russian barracks, Tsar's Hunting Palace, Russian Church (now a Mosque). Overnight in Sarikamis or Kars.

In the morning we visit legendary Ani, the magnificent capital of the mighty Armenian kingdom of the 9-11th centuries, which was once called “the city of one thousand and one churches”. Located on the Great Silk Road Ani used to be the largest religious, trade, and cultural center on this Europe and Asia crossroad. We will experience the power of the medieval city walls and towers, glorious cathedrals, palaces and mosques that are still standing after a millennium. Then we will head toward the border, enter Georgia, Javakhq, then Armenia, pass through Gyumri and return to Yerevan.