Gegharkunik: Landscapes, Lake and Cultural Heritage
Accommodation in Gegharkunik
Gegharkunik brings together Lake Sevan, highland landscapes, historic monasteries and opportunities for activities on the water and on foot. When planning your trip, it is worth deciding on your main focus first: Would you like to explore the shores and water sports, visit cultural sites or take tours in the mountain landscape? The region offers different starting points for all of these.
File:Makenyats Vank, Makenis, Gegharkunik Province 01.jpg
Photo: Ավետիսյան91 via Wikimedia Commons, CC BY-SA 4.0
Lake Sevan and Highland Nature
Lake Sevan covers 940 square kilometers and accounts for almost a quarter of Gegharkunik’s area. Sevan National Park lies in the lake basin and protects highland ecosystems. There are 267 bird species in the national park and its buffer zone. Many of these bird species find habitat on the Artanish Peninsula; around 34 mammal species also live there. If you are interested in landscapes and wildlife, you can make these natural areas a focus of your trip.
Gegharkunik’s character is also shaped by its mountain ranges: the Gegham, Vardenis, Sevan and Miapor ranges lie between 2,500 and 3,500 meters. Mount Azhdahak, at 3,597 meters, is the region’s highest point and a dormant volcano. Several hiking trails lead to its summit. Because of its remote location, it is recommended that you reach the summit safely with guided jeep or hiking tours led by local guides or adventure travel operators.
Monasteries and Khachkars
Sevanavank on the Sevan Peninsula was built in the 9th century on the site of a 4th-century monastery that had been destroyed by Arab invasions. The monastery is also known as the Black Monastery. Hayravank dates from the 9th to 12th centuries and stands on a rocky outcrop above Lake Sevan. You can reach Hayravank by train to the city of Sevan, followed by a taxi to the monastery. The subregion Sevan is also useful for getting your bearings in the region.
Another destination for those interested in culture is the Noratus Cemetery. It contains more than 900 intricately carved khachkars, or cross-stones. A hiking trail leads from the cemetery to the Noratus Peninsula, running between the white cliffs of Noratus and a large pine forest. This makes it possible to combine a visit to the khachkars with a hike through the landscape.
Activities on the Water and Along the Way
Lake Sevan has sandy beaches, beach cafés and water sports, including along the shores near the city of Sevan and on the Sevan Peninsula. At Shorzha Beach, visitors can try windsurfing and water skiing. Kayak tours are offered on Lake Sevan and the Getik River; several tour operators run these tours around the Sevan Peninsula. ArmDiving offers scuba diving and freediving courses on Lake Sevan. These activities appeal to different interests, from paddling to diving.
There are also specific starting points for cycling and horseback riding tours: cycling routes lead from the village of Drakhtik on Lake Sevan through the Areguni Mountains to Kalavan; another cycling tour runs from Tsovagyugh to Kalavan. Horseback riding tours are currently organized in the Martuni area and in the village of Drakhtik. In winter, Lake Sevan is suitable for wild ice skating, when conditions allow.
Regional Cuisine
Local dishes include Gavar kyufte. To prepare it, ground meat, onions, egg and a little flour are seasoned with salt and then boiled. Ishkhan trout, a fish from Lake Sevan, is also recommended and can be tried grilled. These specialties add a culinary glimpse of the region to your trip.
You can put the places and activities that matter most to your trip at the center of your planning.
For the broader travel overview: Armenia.
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