Join the Transcaucasian Trail team for a cultural journey across the Lori and Tavush regions of Armenia.
This September, join us in Armenia on a gentle-paced cultural adventure through forested trails, ancient monasteries, and charming mountain villages. This unique 11-day itinerary is perfect for those who want to experience the rich heritage, cuisine, and landscapes of Lori and Tavush—with shorter daily hikes, hands-on cultural experiences, and plenty of time to slow down and savor it all.
Each day, we’ll walk through the gorges and monasteries of Lori and Tavush, while enjoying the most unmissable cultural experiences and hand-picked overnight stays. You’ll discover what makes the provinces of Lori and Tavush special, exploring the monuments that illuminate some of their long and checkered history, as well as seeing first-hand the work of some of the innovators who are reimagining what tourism in the modern-day region could look like.
You’ll carry your daily provisions and personal items in a small day-pack, with your luggage transported by 4×4 between our rural guesthouses and homestays in villages along the route.
This is more than just a hike— it’s an opportunity to support the development of sustainable trails in Armenia. By joining this fundraising trek, you’ll directly contribute to the expansion and maintenance of the Transcaucasian Trail while experiencing the beauty and history of Armenia firsthand. All proceeds from your participation are invested directly back into our work in the region, helping ensure the future of this world-class long distance trail.
At a Glance
Dates: September 20 – 30, 2026
Duration: 11 Days / 10 Nights
Start & End Point: Yerevan
Travel Style: Hiking, Culture & Nature
Accommodation: Guesthouses & Hotels
Difficulty Level: Easy (daily hikes 6–13 km)
Tour Price: $3,150 (USD per person; based on double occupancy)
Discover Armenia’s rich culture along some of the oldest, newest, and most spectacular sections of the Transcaucasian Trail.
Over the past 9 years, we have worked with a wide range of partners to develop the Transcaucasian Trail across Armenia – resulting in a border-to-border route taking in the country’s best scenery. Now, we’re excited to take you to one of the very first trail work locations along the entire TCT – originally constructed in 2017 in the forests of Dilijan – as well as newly developed routes linking Lori’s magnificent canyons.
The Debed, Dzoraget, Pambak and Marts canyons are all packed with ancient, forgotten footpaths between villages and historic monuments. When our team set out to rediscover and map them all out, we discovered a much bigger network than we expected. With plenty of help from our partners and collaborators, the last six years have seen many of these trails cleared, rebuilt, way-marked and signposted – a massive effort, and one that continues into today.
During our 7 days exploring these sections of the TCT, we’ll trek along the edges of deep canyons offering spectacular panoramic views and through the autumn colors of Dilijan’s forests. Along the way, we’ll visit ancient monasteries, modern ecotourism initiatives, and remnants of Armenia’s Soviet heritage.
Daily distances will vary between 7-14km, passing through varied terrain, from rocky paths carved into the gorge-sides to secluded monasteries nestled deep in the forest. We’ll carry personal items, packed lunches, and other supplies in our day-packs, with our overnight bags shuttled between destinations by our 4×4-equipped support crew.
At night, we’ll stay in local guesthouses and small hotels, enjoying the best of local cooking and hospitality. On the final day of hiking, we’ll travel back to Yerevan – and then we’ll celebrate together with a well-earned final dinner.
As with all of our fundraising treks, 100% of the profits go back into our work in the local area, helping ensure the future of this world-class long distance trail.
The grandmother who read our coffee cups… The young women who plied us with cucumbers across their garden wall as we walked past… The innkeeper who taught us how to make a traditional Armenian beef stew… Rarely have I travelled to the heart of a people in this way. The TCT Armenia trek was a voyage rich in both human and geographical discovery, and I longed to return as soon as I had left.
–Anastasia, 2024 fundraising trek participant
Explore Armenia’s mountain heritage.
Get ready to discover all that Lori and Tavush have to offer while you travel historical paths that connect monasteries and monuments through the region’s forests and canyons.
Our itinerary is active, but at a relaxed pace and distance. We’ll hike every day, with a mix of shorter cultural days and longer days with more time on the trail. But you’ll have a delicious home-cooked meal and a cozy bed at the end of each day. We will be staying in family-run guesthouses, and we’ll have luggage deliveries every day, so we don’t have to carry all our stuff. Read the itinerary below for more information about distances and elevation gain. If you are wondering about the difficulty of the hikes or the fitness level required, feel free to send us an email at [email protected].
Itinerary
Day 1, September 20: Yerevan – Hagphat | Culture & Welcome
📍 Yerevan → Haghpat | 🚐 Transfer to Haghpat | 🏨 Guesthouse in Haghpat
- Meet in Yerevan and enjoy a scenic 3-hour transfer to Haghpat village.
- Visit the iconic Haghpat Monastery, a UNESCO World Heritage site, and experience village hospitality and culture.
Day 2, September 21: Haghpat – Kayan Fortress – Akner
📍 Haghpat – Kayan Fortress – Akner | 🥾 7.5 km | ⛰️ +365 m / -271 m | 🏠 Guesthouse in Sanahin
- Hike through lush hills and ancient forest paths toward Kayan Fortress and Dsevank Monastery, enjoying panoramic views over Debed Canyon.
Day 3, September 22: Sanahin Station – Hagvi
📍 Tatev | 🥾 11 km | ⛰️ +511 m / -201 m | 🏠 Guesthouse in Hagvi
- Descend into the tranquil forests of Lori, passing through old village paths and reaching Sedvi Monastery and Fortress, hidden deep among the trees.
Day 4, September 23: Hagvi – Odzun
📍Hagvi – Odzun | 🥾 7.5 km | ⛰️ +336 m / -241 m | 🏠 Hotel in Odzun
- A scenic village-to-village trail through the rural plateaus of Lori. Visit Odzun Monastery, known for its impressive basilica and panoramic views.
Day 5, September 24: Odzun – Kobayr | Transfer to Dilijan
📍 Odzun – Kobayr – Dilijan | 🥾 9.2 km | ⛰️ +170 m / -525 m | 🚐 Transfer to Dilijan | 🏨 Hotel in Dilijan
- Hike along the Debed Canyon ridge to discover Horomayr and Kobayr Monasteries, dramatically built into cliffs.
- Hike along an ancient trail.
- Transfer to Dilijan (2.5 hours).
Day 6, September 25: Free Day in Dilijan | Rest & Explore
📍 Dilijan| 🏠 Hotel in Dilijan
- Enjoy a relaxing day in Dilijan, the “Little Switzerland of Armenia.”
- Explore local craft shops, cafes, or short forest walks at your own pace.
Day 7, September 26: Haghartsin – Dilijan Hike
📍Dilijan| 🥾 13.5 km | ⛰️ +806 m / -767 m | 🏨 Hotel in Dilijan
- Hike along a scenic forest trail connecting Haghartsin Monastery and Dilijan town. The hike offers panoramic views from Shamakhyan block and serene forest paths.
Day 8, September 27: Parz Lake – Gosh
📍 Dilijan |🥾 8 km | ⛰️ +298 m / -435 m | 🏠 Guesthouse in Gosh
- Follow the first official Transcaucasian Trail (TCT) section in Armenia, connecting Parz Lake to Gosh Village and the beautiful Goshavank Monastery.
Day 9, September 28: Gosh – Gosh Lake – Khachardzan
📍 Gosh – Gosh Lake – Khachardzan|🥾 9.5 km | ⛰️ +445 m / -611 m | 🏠 Guesthouse in Khachardzan
- A forest trail leading to Gosh Lake, surrounded by pristine nature and mountain views. Descend through the Khachardzan River Gorge to the village.
Day 10, September 29: Khachardzan – Aghavnavank Monastery – Aghavnavank
📍 Khachardzan – Aghavnavank Monastery – Aghavnavank|🥾 9 km | ⛰️ +320 m / -429 m | 🏠 Guesthouse in Aghavnavank
- Walk through oak forests to Aghavnavank Monastery, one of the oldest in Tavush, and continue to the nearby village surrounded by forested hills.
Day 11, September 30: Hidden Waterfall Hike & Return to Yerevan
📍 Dilijan |🥾 3.5 km | ⛰️ +161 m / -161 m| 🏠 Guesthouse in Gosh
- Finish the journey with a short forest hike to a hidden waterfall.
- Transfer back to Yerevan (approx. 2 hours).
What is Included
- 10 nights’ accommodation in either guesthouses, hotels, or camping. Shared twin rooms in guesthouses and hotels. Accommodation on Day 11 is not included.
- All meals: breakfasts, lunchboxes & dinners
- Trail snacks
- Cultural experiences during hiking days (national dances masterclass, food masterclasses)
- English-speaking guide
- Transfers & transportation
- Entrance fees
- Luggage transfers during hiking days
What is not Included
- Airfare to Armenia
- Personal expenses
- Accommodation the night of Day 11
Cost:
$3,150 USD per person
(See price in GBP / EUR / AMD)
Includes 1-year membership of the Transcaucasian Trail Association.
Already a member? Did you know your fee counts towards your place on this trek? Find out more
