About this experience
A dizzying trip awaits you to the highest point of Armenia, Mount Aragats. You will get acquainted with the history of the ancient Sagmosavank monastery, learn interesting facts about the Armenian language, visit the tomb of the creator of the national alphabet. By the lake, you will try a cult dish of local cuisine. And at the winery, you will learn about the wine production traditions in the region.
What awaits you
Legends and mysteries of Mount Aragats
Aragats is the highest peak of modern Armenia. Many legends about the mountain have been composed over the centuries, and Aragats still holds and preserves many secrets, which you will hear about on the tour. One of the giants of the Armenian Highlands is literally covered with natural and historical monuments.
Monastery of Psalms and Majestic Fortress
You will explore the Sagmosavank Monastery, located on the edge of the picturesque canyon of the Kasakh River. This is a unique monument to Armenian letters in stone, erected in honor of the 1600th anniversary of the alphabet invention. You will learn about the history of the monastery and then explore the fortress in the clouds of Amberd at an altitude of 2300 meters, which will impress you with its power. The views from Aragats of Mount Ararat and the Ararat Valley will be remembered for a lifetime.
Lunch at Lake Kari-Lich
Along a dizzying road, we will drive to Lake Kari-Lich, located at an altitude of 3200 meters. Surrounded by natural beauty, on the shore of the mountain lake, you will taste a cult dish - khash, which we will tell you about during the tour.
Picturesque Monastery and Tomb of the Creator of the Armenian Alphabet
After lunch, we will visit the village of Oshakan to see the tomb of St. Mesrop Mashtots - the creator of the Armenian alphabet. There, you will not only learn about the history of this saint, but also see the famous khachkars (carved stone cross-stones) made in the motif of the alphabet. And below the monastery in the canyon, you will be able to see a five-arched medieval bridge across the Kasakh River and visit a 10th-century wine cellar.
Winemaking in the Aragatsotn Province
(additional option)
You will visit the oldest winemaking center in Armenia, where vineyards are located at an altitude of 1200-1500 meters, and numerous sunny days make the wines of this region some of the best in Armenia. You will be able to see it for yourself on the tour! You will be offered to visit one of the wineries of your choice:
- Voskevaz Winery - one of the oldest in Armenia, will delight you with traditional wine aged in large clay amphorae - karases. The factory has repeatedly brought golden medals from various international wine festivals to Armenia.
- Armenia Wine Factory - one of the largest in Armenia, a good example of the restoration of centuries-old traditions of Armenian winemaking, a large number of quality table wines and a line of varietal wines that have already won worldwide recognition. The factory's territory is striking in its scale, and the wines - with their unique taste and quality.
Organizational Details
- Not included in the price: lunch at the lake, excursion to the winery/factory and tasting (10-20 euros per person depending on the tasting package)
- You need to book a tour to the wineries in advance, at least 2 days in advance, so it is desirable to quickly decide if you want to visit them. The factories are closed on Sundays.
Important Note
The road to Amberd Fortress and Lake Kari-Lich is open from late April to mid-November, in other times it is impassable due to abundant snow. However, from November to April, we also conduct this excursion, replacing Amberd Fortress with the tomb of Armenian kings in the village of Akhts and the ancient settlement of Agarak, and instead of Lake Kari-Lich, we visit the Ovanavank Monastery and the ancient town of Ashtarak with its numerous attractions.
