Hiking, paragliding, rafting or leisurely horse rides, standup paddle boarding (supping), and magical hot-air balloon flights - explore Armenia in a way that suits you best.
Hiking
Every corner of Armenia is perfect for unforgettable hiking trips. You can choose the level of difficulty from slow one-hour walks to a full day of exploring the mountainous heights, with overnight camping.
Aragats
The highest point of Armenia is Mount Aragats, which has 4 peaks. Experienced hikers venture all four in only a day, while beginners are recommended to start with the easiest, the Southern Peak. From the foot of the southern slope, hikers walk to the village of Burogan, enjoying the magnificent scenery.
Garni
The hike to the gorge of Garni is also suitable for beginners since it takesless than two hours. The explorers start hiking near the pagan temple of Garni and continue to the picturesque gorge of Garni.
Mountains of Syunik
Among all of the regions of Armenia, Syunik is the richest with mountainous areas. Tskhus and Aretes mountains are especially suited for a hiking trip. As you reach the top of these mountains, you will find a lot of petroglyphs – ancient rock paintings. The oldest images date back to the 5th-4th millennia BC. They are considered to be the original form of writing.
Geghama Mountain Range
One of the most beautiful and inaccessible mountain lakes is located on the Geghama mountain range, on the top of Mount Azhdahak. The mountain has a volcanic origin, so the water fills the crater on its peak, forming a vibrant, crystal-clear lake. Also, the Geghama Range is rich with “vishapkars” - Armenian monuments of the megalithic era. “Vishapkar” in Armenian means "dragon stone". These stone slabs have a length of four to five meters. Since they were considered to be the protectors of water, the dragon stones are found near water sources.
Horseback Riding
Fans of horseback riding can go on a magical adventure through the hidden corners of Armenia. During the walk, you will be able to discover unexplored paths winding across impressive landscapes. The most exciting part is that these paths are impossible to reach with modern transport. The horse-riding trips also add to the usual relaxation we feel when surrounded by nature, as spending time and communicating with horses is known to have a calming effect. IThe pride of Armenian horse breeders is the Karabakh horse In the 19th century, this horse was of particularly high value in Russia and the Eastern countries. In 1956, the Queen of the UK received a Karabakh stallion, Zaman, as a gift. This breed is comparable to the Arabian and Akhal-Teke breeds in many qualities, but there is difference in size - Zaman is smaller i. Nonetheless, the Karabakh horses have well-developed muscles, a deep broad chest, strong legs, a graciously long neck, and large sparkling eyes. Today, unfortunately, the breed does not exist in the pure form, but Armenian breeders are making significant efforts toward restoring it.
Stables can be found in all corners of Armenia, but most notable, in Garni, Dilijan, and Dsegh. Some - for instance, in Aragatsotn - specialize in hippotherapy. At every stable, the horses are carefully trained to travel long distances, which is perfect for horse-riding trips.
We organize horseback riding tours in the colorful town of Dilijan and other stunning corners of Armenia, so that you can give in to the leisurely pace and enjoy exploring the hidden paths.
Paragliding
If you love the feeling of free flight, paragliding will suit you best. Paragliding has been evolving in Armenia for more than 20 years. This extreme sport can be perfect for beginners, nevertheless, as they can choose a tandem flight with an instructor. The newbie paraglider is guided by an experienced pilot, so there is no reason for worry and all the reasons to confidently lie back and admire the ravishing views. Feel free to choose the landscapes you want to fly over: the majestic peaks of Teghenis or the extinct volcanoes on the top of Hatis and Gutsan; the bright Ararat valley or the azure Lake Sevan among proud mountains.
Rope-jumping
If you’re not intimidated by the real extreme, try a jump down the Dzhoghki Dzor, an impressive natural monument located near the village of Areni. The name “Dzhoghki Dzor”means “the Hell’s Canyon” in Armenian. A free fall into a 65-meter deep canyon on an elastic rope - now that’s something that will stay in your memory forever!
Dzhoghki Dzor isfairly easy to reach by car, but not everyone will be able to go down into the canyon. The gorge is located between high rocky cliffs, with a narrow river at the bottom. There’s another natural treasure hidden in the area - the Nare waterfall. According to the local legend, a group of hikers discovered the waterfall and decided to name it after Nare – the only female participant of the hike.
Flying a Hot-Air Balloon
If you prefer milder emotional swings, fulfill your childhood dream and fly in a hot-air balloon. Statistics say it is one of the safest means of flight. Every flight is carried out under the control of the Armenian aviation agency, of course. Just leave all your worries on the ground and enjoy the bird’s eye view on beautiful ravines and ancient temples.
Flying on a Helicopter
As Armenia is not a large country, destinations in different regions might seem in the reach of a hand. Of course, it actually takes quite some time to travel from one wonder to another, for instance, it will take 5 hours to drive from Yerevan to the majestic temple of Tatev. The road to the "southern gate" of Armenia, Meghri, will add another 2 hours to that trip. Therefore, we design our tours in a way that allows you to combine various means of transportation to reach your destination on time and experience a wide variety of emotions. For example, you can use a helicopter to reach remote places or you can take the flight simply for your own pleasure. A flight on a helicopter will grant you the opportunity to enjoy incredible views of the country and explore the landscape and its jagged silhouette. The duration of the flight varies from 15 to up to 150 minutes - it all depends on your preference.
StandUp Paddleboarding (SUP)
Here’s an activity that is a beautiful mix of wild emotions, precise movements, and love for water. In Armenia, you can enjoy standup paddleboarding in mountainous areas as well! Statistics show that you can learn to manage the surfing board in just 40 minutes! The destination is for you to choose: Lake Sevan, where you can take on either calm or wave-covered water, the Azat reservoir, which retains its unique beauty at any time of the year, etc.
Kayaking
Kayaking is growing in popularity in Armenia by day. One of the most attractive aspects of this sport is that kayaking doesn’t require any prior physical training, special skills, or abilities. All you need to do is keep your balance and paddle with the right technique. The experienced instructors will help you with the latter before you hit the water surface. The obligatory life jacket and the ergonomic shape of the kayak guarantee your safety on the water. The peculiarity of kayaking in Armenia is that riders practice on still water so that they can swim far from the coast, fold the paddle, and catch zen., Kayaking is mainly done on Lake Sevan or in the Azat reservoir, and occasionally, on Lake Arpi.
Rafting
If adding some thrill to your journey sounds like an exciting idea, then we recommend you go to a rafting session on the mountain rivers of Lori. Although this sport has only started to develop in Armenia, rafters have already identified their favorite spots – rivers Debed and Dzoraget in Lori. These rivers flow through gorgeous narrow canyons, adding special beauty to your extreme adventure. Don’t worry, you can choose a route with a comfortable level of difficulty and try rafting under the guidance of experienced instructors. This venture will be a great test of your abilities in extreme conditions and a fantastic recharge after the usual routine of working days.
Rope Parks
VereV Rope Park, located in the vibrant forests of Dilijan (namely, in the Dilijan National Park), is the longest rope park in Armenia. It includes 4 rope-bridge routes and a tall climbing wall. The park was founded to not only create an entertaining eco-zone but also preserve the natural wealth of the Tavush region. The park is surrounded by colorful woods and serves as a perfect setting for adventures.
Extreme sport is just one of the many ways to get to know Armenia. If you prefer a more hedonistic approach to your travel, topt for a tour that allows you to stroll slowly from one historical site to another, visit museums, uncover the taste of the Armenian cuisine, and pair the flavors with outstanding local wines.
We are always ready to organize a trip that is tailored to your own preferences, so that you can gain diverse experiences and return home with unforgettable emotions, bright impressions, and a strong desire to come back for more in the future.