Trekking trip in The mysterious Mountainous Karabakh and the highest peak of the country – Mount Aragats (4095 m). TRIP DESCRIPTION

This trip is one of a kind. Not only will we conquer Armenia’s highest peak, namely Mount Aragats (4095 m), but also spend several days trekking in the most mysterious and inaccessible part of Armenia: in the .

Officially, the Mountainous Karabakh is a part emphasis on the mountains, which are wild of . The inhabitants of the Moun- and untrampled by mass tourism, and simply tainous Karabakh consider it an independent breathtaking! During our stay in Armenia, we country. But despite the fact that the Moun- will also get to know its culture and tradition, tainous Karabakh has its own government, and visit the most beautiful and famous pla- army, flag and foreign representatives, its in- ces: Lake Sevan, the Temple of Garni, the dependence is not recognized by any country , Khop Virap and Tatev Monasteries, in the world. You can only enter the territory of and the capital of Armenia: . During the Republic of Artsakh from Armenia, and the the whole trip, you will be accompanied by Armenians consider Artsakh (this is how they our team: a English-speaking trip leader and call the Mountainous Karabakh) as an insepa- an Armenian certified high mountain guide rable part of their country. The Republic of Art- (also trained in medical rescue in the moun- sakh is a peculiar place. In spite of the official tains), who will be responsible for your safety. ceasefire, the conflict between two nations is It is also important that we are going to help not settled. However, for tourist the place is you prepare every single detail of the trip. You completely safe, and, above all, highly intere- will get access to our private Facebook group sting. The Mountainous Karabakh is one of the for participant, where we can share our tho- oldest places which show a trace of humans. In ughts, motivate each other, exchange ideas, the Azokh Cave, among others, bones and utili- advice etc. Before the trip, you will take party ty goods of early men have been found; for the in an online training course, which will make locals, it is quite a reason to be proud. In the you even better prepare for your adventures Republic of Artsakh, you can also find many in Armenia. Additionally, of course, you can interesting monuments, natural hot springs ask us any questions via e-mail or our Face- and amazing cuisine. But we will put a special book page. The plan of the trip

Our starting point for this trip will be Yerevan Geghard monastery. In the evening, we will go in Armenia. You can reach it by plane from back to Yerevan, where we will have a dinner. your country. Of course, we can help you with Overnight stay in the guesthouse in Yerevan. finding a good flight connection or a transfer from other places in or Armenia, if you will come earlier. On the airport, you day will be welcomed by our trip leader. After you land and meet out leader, we will go to a guesthouse in Yerevan. We will have breakfast before 11 a.m. and take a rest after the flight. Next, we will take a trip to the most 01 beautiful and most famous places around Yerevan. Our first stop will be the biggest lake in the whole Caucasus, namely Lake Sevan, and the Monastery nearby. Next, we will visit the Temple of Garni and the day Trekking Trekking Total Total DISTANCE: TIME: CLIMB: DESCENT: 8 km 3,5 h 500 m 500 m

02 In the morning we will eat breakfast and Vorotan Gorge, where we will start a short leave Yerevan and start going the border trekking to see several abandoned villages, between Armenia and the Republic of with houses forged in the rocks. There, it Artsakh. On our way, we will visit of the is easy to imagine how people used to live most beautiful monasteries of Armenia, the in the caves. In the evening, we will have a Monastery, offering an amazing dinner and an overnight stay in a guesthouse view on Mount Ararat. Our next stop will in Goris, a town on the border between be one of the vineyards of Areni. It will be a Armenia and the Republic of Artsakh. great opportunity to try pomegranate wine, a symbol of Armenia. Next, we will visit the

Trekking Trekking Total Total day DISTANCE: TIME: CLIMB: DESCENT: 18 km 7-8 h 1200 m 1200 m

In the morning, we will have breakfast and of the highest and most beautiful mountains 03 cross the border with the Republic of Artsakh, in the Karabakh mountain range. In the and set out to our meeting with the amazing evening, we will have dinner and spend the nature of the region, as today’s goal will be night in a guesthouse in Shushi, which used to conquering Mets Kirs (2724 m), which is one be a capital of the Republic of Artsakh. day Trekking Trekking Total Total DISTANCE: TIME: CLIMB: DESCENT: 4 km 1,5-2 h 200 m 200 m

04 In the morning, we will have breakfast and State Historical Museum of Local Lore. While then visit a place called Katarot. It is the upper exploring the city, we will also see the famous part of the Hunot Gorge, from which we can “We are our Mountains” monument, also admire an amazing view on the whole gorge. known as “Tatik-Papik”. During our walk in Next, we will go down the Hunot canyon the city, we will get to see everyday life of the and see the waterfall called “the Umbrella”. people of Republic of Artsakh. In the evening, The place is a true natural masterpiece. a dinner and overnight stay in a guesthouse After trekking in the Hunot Canyon, we in Stepanakert. will go to Stepanakert, the capital of the Republic of Artsakh, and visit the Artsakh

day Trekking Trekking Total Total DISTANCE: TIME: CLIMB: DESCENT: 05 12 km 5 h 600 m 600 m In the morning, we will have breakfast and Karabakh peak, Dizapayt (2478 m), which head to the Monaster y, which is the is going to be our trek’s goal today. In the first Armenian school, founded by Mesrop evening, a dinner and overnight stay in a Mashtots, the inventor of Armenian guesthouse in Stepanakert. alphabet. Next, we will go toward next day Trekking Trekking Total Total DISTANCE: TIME: CLIMB: DESCENT: 06 18 km 7-8 h 1100 m 1100 m In the morning, we will have breakfast and of Gandzasar, famous for its monastery with then start trekking through the defense relics of St. Zechariah (father of John the towers of the Mountainous Karabakh to Baptist). From 1400 to 1816, it was a place of the Kachaghakaberd Fortress, situated on residence of Armenian catholicos (head of a rocky cliff and offering a wonderful view church). on its surrounding. In the evening, a dinner and overnight stay in a guesthouse in a town

Trekking Trekking Total Total DISTANCE: TIME: CLIMB: DESCENT: day 3 km 1,5 h 200 m 200 m

In the morning, we will have breakfast and you can find so many (more than 800) historic 07 then visit the . Next, i.e. stone crosses, which date we will go to our starting point for a short back to the 9th century AD. In the evening, a trek to the Handaberd Fortress, with a dinner and overnight stay in a guesthouse in magnificent view on the surroundings. After Yerevan. the trekking, we will head back to Yerevan. On our way, we will make a stop to visit the Noratus village, with a medieval cemetery. There is no other place in the world where day After early breakfast, we will leave Yerevan peak to push for: the highest northern peak and head to Mount Aragats (4095 m). We will (4085 m) or the lower southern one (3879 m). reach the Kari Lake (3200 m) with off-road After coming back to Yerevan, you will have cars, and from there we will start trekking some free time to rest and see the city. We 08 towards one of the peaks of the Aragats will have a dinner together. Overnight stay in volcano. Depending on group’s abilities and the guesthouse in Yerevan. preferences, we will decide which of Aragats

Northern peak Trekking Trekking Total Total DISTANCE: TIME: CLIMB: DESCENT: 4095 m 26 km 12 h 1500 m 1500 m

Southern peak Trekking Trekking Total Total DISTANCE: TIME: CLIMB: DESCENT: 3879 m 12 km 7 h 700 m 700 m

We will spend all day in Yerevan. We will the evening, we will have a dinner together. day visit all the most important places in the Overnight stay in the guesthouse in Yerevan. capitol of Armenia: The Armenian Genocide Museum and Monument, Republic Square, the Cascade, the Ararat Museum. We will go 09 for some shopping to the local market. In

Early morning, we will go to the airport, from stay in Yerevan and transportation to other day where you will go to your country. If you want places in Armenia or Georgia. to stay in Yerevan, you don’t have to check- out from the guesthouse until 12:00 pm. Of 10 course, we can help you organize extended PRICE FOR THE TRIP PER PERSON: 1290,00 EURO

Method of payment:

ST 290 EURO ST 1000 EURO 01 paid to our bank account 02 paid to our bank account at least 14 installment upon signing up. installment days before the start of the trip. XX supervision of a English- XX all transportation mentioned in the plan; speaking leader and an Armenian guide during the trip; XX all entrance fees mentioned in the plan, wine tasting in a vineyard in Areni; XX help in organizing the trip; online consultation (email, Facebook) regarding XX gifts from our company: physical preparation, buying proper T-shirt, mug, magnet. equipment, organizing flights to Armenia and anything else connected with the trip;

XX access to a private Facebook group, where we can share thoughts, information, advice, motivate each other etc;

XX an online training course before the trip, which will help you to prepare The price better for yours adventures in Armenia includes and the Republic of Artsakh; XX accommodation mentioned in the plan in two and three people rooms with private bathrooms;

XX all breakfasts and dinners mentioned in the plan; Available dates for open groups in 2020:

04.07.2020 - 13.07.2020

21.09.2020 - 30.09.2020 SIGNING UP, ADDITIONAL QUESTIONS, CONTACT: Whatsapp/Viber +995 593583596 e-mail: [email protected] • facebook: Mountain Freaks - Mountain Travel & Adventure Agency