Trekking adventure on Mount Aragats – the highest peak in Armenia. Depending on your fitness level, you will hike either the southern (easier) summit or the challenging northern one. The tour is for intermediate and advanced hikers.
This tour requires PASSPORTS. Some of you may also need a VISA for this trip. Before booking please check the requirements of your nationality.
Dates: Anytime from July to October
Duration: 3 days/2 Night
Driving distance: 640 km
Trip difficulty: flexible; we will be aiming to reach two peaks of Mount Aragats. The southern peak hike is easy to moderate level for a regular, fit hiker. The northern peak is difficult and recommended for advanced hikers ONLY. You can choose which peak you will be aiming for (we will hike in 2 groups). Or you can entirely opt out of the climb, stay in the basecamp and enjoy the day.
Group size: Any size
Accommodation: Day 1. Shared dormitory rooms in a shelter,
Day 2. Twin/double / single rooms in a guesthouse.
Pick-up: 8:00 Hotel location
Drop-off: around 21:00 (Arrival time depends on the group’s hiking speed and traffic)
Price: 750 GEL per person in case of 5 participants.
Please confirm the exact number of participants, and we will provide the final price.
Trail parameters:
Difficulty: Moderate to hard, depending on which peak you will choose
Southern Peak – 9 km / 5-6 hrs / moderate level / min. elevation 3184 m.a.s.l. / max. elevation 3874 m.a.s.l.
Northern Peak – 16 km / 9-10 hrs / hard even for experienced hikers/ min. elevation 3184 m.a.s.l. / max. elevation 4090 m.a.s.l.
Equipment needed: a sleeping bag, A pad, hiking boots, and walking poles. If you lack any equipment, text us for rental or go to campshare.ge
Itinerary:
Day 1
Tbilisi – Sadakhlo Boder Crossing – Armenian Alphabet Monument–Kari Lake Aragats Mountain Base Camp
We will leave Tbilisi early in the morning and head to Armenia. After crossing the border, we will drive towards Mount Aragats and Lake Kari, which we will reach in the afternoon. We will spend the rest of the day acclimatizing to the altitude and getting ready for the next day’s hike. We will stay overnight in a shelter located at 3200 m.a.s.l. It’s a guesthouse-type dormitory space that also offers breakfast and dinner options. (food not included in the price.) Some of us might be sleeping on the floor. A sleeping bag is required. This is the only shelter there and we have no other options. if its full, we need to have our pads and sleep on carpet. Shelter is warm inside, have hot water and beds and blankets too. (not so clean)
Day 2
Aragats Mountain peak hike
We can make our own breakfast, Be ready at 7:00 and we will prepare our day packs and head in two groups towards the southern and northern peaks. Fit, advanced hikers can climb the northern peak of Aragats. North peak has another peak with has a cross standing on it. we DO NOT climb that peak since its extremely dangerous. Those who prefer fewer challenges can hike to the south summit. Once we finish hiking, we will return to Lake Kari and drive to a local guesthouse, where we will stay overnight. Village has nice restaurant and we can order dinner there.
Day 3
Sanahin Monastery complex – Haghpat Monastery Complex – Tbilisi
After a relaxed breakfast, we will slowly start heading back to Tbilisi. on the way we will stop at food courts for lunch. Time and energy permitting, we may stop to admire some of Armenia’s natural and architectural highlights: UNESCO-listed Sanahin and Haghpat Monasteries. We will reach the Armenian-Georgian border in the afternoon. Crossing the border. Return to Tbilisi. The end of the tour.
Inclusions:
- Transfers
- Sightseeing/hiking itinerary guided by an English-speaking guide
- Overnight in shelter at the Kari Lake, (no meals)
- Accommodation in a guesthouse based on shared twin/double rooms with breakfast.
Exclusions:
- Personal travel insurance
- Lunch and dinner
- Gratuities
Note:
Please check Terms and Conditions for our cancellation and insurance policy
HOW TO PREPARE FOR THE TOUR
MEETING TIME AND PLACE
We meet on Friday at 8:00 at your hotel Please be on time. In case of any delays, please inform your guide. Otherwise, the group will depart without you.
PASSPORTS & VISAS
Don’t forget to bring your passports. Otherwise, you won’t be able to cross the border. The passport must be valid.
Some nationalities require a visa to enter Armenia. You can check visa requirements here if you need one.
It is your responsibility to obtain all necessary documents.
WEATHER
Mountain weather changes often and fast. For this reason, it’s essential to follow the weather forecast closely. The weather forecast is here.
Please check it the night before the tour to be well prepared. Keep in mind that the weather may change during the tour.
CURRENCY
You can exchange your money for local currency at an exchange point right after crossing the border. Bring cash (USD or EURO or gel). ATM access is limited in Armenia and in many places you cannot pay with a credit card.
SIM CARDS
To ensure you have an Internet and phone connection, we recommend buying Armenian sim cards. Ucom sim has the best connection in the mountains. Roaming works in Armenia but it can be pricey.
ACCOMMODATION
On Day 1, we will stay at a mountain shelter on the right bank of Kari Lake. The shelter has a couple of simple dorms with several beds. The number of beds may not be sufficient for us, which means we might need to sleep on the sleeping pads on the floor. There are basic toilets and showers in the rooms. You can also order food here, although it’s rather average.
On Day 2, we will stay in a clean, cozy guesthouse at the foothills of Aragats.
WHAT TO WEAR
Please wear clothes appropriate to the weather. Hiking boots and walking poles are a must. Bring one set of warm clothes and one light summer outfit. Good raincoats, rain covers for backpacks, and another pair of shoes or sandals to wear in the evenings are a must.
Make sure to have a small backpack to carry essentials during the hike.
FOOD & DRINKS
We will stop at a local market to buy food supplies for the hike. We will also get some snacks for the long drive. The shelter offers food, but it’s not the best quality. It’s good to have extra supplies with us. We will also need some high-energy snacks for the hike. We will prepare our lunch before we go.
You must carry 1.5–3 liters of water for the hike. We can get water in the shelter. It must be full by the time we will be back. There are no water sources on the way to the peaks.
On Day 2, we will eat dinner at a guesthouse or restaurant.
On Day 3, we will have breakfast in the guesthouse, and we will eat lunch in a road café on the way to Tbilisi.
EQUIPMENT AND OTHER ESSENTIAL ITEMS
If you are prone to motion sickness, please have medicine with you. As for the equipment, you will need hiking poles, a sleeping bag, a headtorch (?), a raincoat, forks/knives/spoons/cups, sunscreen that protects you from the sun.
We also strongly recommend bringing a personal first aid kit, hygiene items, and water bottles.
If you lack any of those items, we recommend using or renting it.
GUIDE
We will send you guide’s contact details a few days before the tour. Please make sure to check your inbox and spam.
