Explore the dramatic landscapes of southern Armenia on this exclusive 8-day supported trek!
The first supporters’ trek of 2026 will take you on an 8-day adventure through Vayots Dzor – the heart of Armenia’s wine culture, wilderness, and wonder. This journey blends scenic hiking with rich culture and warm local hospitality. From the famous Areni vineyards and the medieval Noravank Monastery to remote mountain lakes, forest trails, and Silk Road relics, you’ll uncover hidden corners of Armenia while hiking ancient paths that once connected merchants, monks, and mountain tribes. Experience breathtaking gorges, fascinating legends, and authentic encounters with locals who keep centuries-old traditions alive.
You’ll carry your daily provisions and personal items in a small day-pack, with your overnight camping gear transported by 4×4 between beautiful wild-camping sites in the mountains and 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 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.
Trip Highlights
🌿 Hike through some of Armenia’s most spectacular landscapes, from deep gorges to high-altitude peaks.
🏰 Visit Noravank Monastery, Old Martiros village, and Spitakavor Church among many other historic sites.
🏕️ Spend nights in welcoming guesthouses, a lakeside campsite, and charming small hotels.
🍇 Enjoy Armenian traditional cuisine, local wines, and cultural experiences.
🧳 Luggage transfers ensure you can hike light each day.
At a Glance
Duration: 8 Days / 7 Nights
Start & End Point: Yerevan
Travel Style: Cultural & Hiking Adventure
Accommodation: Hotels, Guesthouses, Camping
Difficulty Level: Moderate (daily hikes 5–15 km)
Tour Price: $2,450 (USD) per person
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
A unique opportunity to explore the Transcaucasian Trail in Armenia!
How do we know this experience is one-of-a-kind? Simple: we explored, mapped and designed this route ourselves. Nobody else knows it like we do!
Starting in 2016, we sent our trail explorers to the far south of Armenia every year, in search of the perfect hiking route. Then, between 2017 and 2021, huge shared construction efforts resulted in these dramatic sections being opened to hikers for the first time. Since then, we’ve continued to improve the route– and now we get to show you our very favorite cultural and scenic highlights we’ve found along the way.
This is an exclusive opportunity to experience first-hand the fruits of our labors, and help ensure the trail’s future at a critical junction.
You’ll be accompanied by members of the team who explored, mapped and rebuilt the historic paths you’ll be walking on, who’ll share their stories of how this pioneering project came to be – and what the future holds for the Transcaucasian Trail.
This experience combines stunning natural beauty with the best of local hospitality.
The Caucasus region is famous for three things: gravity-defying mountain landscapes, a stunning richness of biodiversity, and some of the most welcoming people on Earth! We combine all three for the most authentic experience possible.
Itinerary
Day 1, April 26: Arrival | Wine, Culture & Welcome
📍 Yerevan → Areni | 🚐 Transfer: 2 hours | 🏨 Hotel in Areni
- Meet & greet in Yerevan before transferring to Areni (2 hours)
- Winery visit and wine tasting
- Cultural walk in Areni village
Day 2, April 27: Hike Gnishik Gorge & Noravank Monastery | Gorges, Monasteries & Legends
📍 Areni → Gnishik → Noravank → Areni | 🥾 13.5 km | ⛰️ +406m / -912m | 🏠 Guesthouse in Areni
- Begin our hike through the Gnishik Gorge, a stunning canyon with sheer red cliffs.
- Explore the ruins of Amaghu village and visit the legendary Noravank Monastery.
- Visit Jafar Gorge, which locals like to say is the birthplace of the villain Jafar from Aladdin!
Day 3, April 28: Artavan – Hayeli Lake Loop | Camping near “World Map” Lake
📍 Areni → Artavan → Hayeli Lake | 🥾 6 km | ⛰️ +331m / -339m | 🚐 Transfer | ⛺ Camping Overnight
- Short hike to Hayeli Lake, a hidden alpine lake famous for its reflections resembling a world map.
- Pass through the ruins of ancient settlements and enjoy a peaceful afternoon surrounded by nature
- Camp overnight under the stars
Day 4, April 29: Artavan – Kapuyt – Gomk | Ancient Trails & Rock Arches
📍Hayeli Lake → Artavan → Kapuyt → Gomk | 🥾 13 km | ⛰️ +727m / -799m | 🏠 Guesthouse in Gomk
- Follow ancient Silk Road routes through Armenia’s remote highlands.
- Admire the medieval khachkars (carved stone crosses) near Kapuyt village.
- Climb the dramatic cliffs near Kapuyt and admire the striking basalt rock arch.
- Hike through oak forests before reaching the site of an old Silk Road bandit stronghold.
- End the day with an optional horseback ride.
Day 5, April 30: Gomk – Martiros | Lakes, Churches & Scenic Views
📍 Gomk → Martiros → Yeghegnadzor| 🥾 15 km | ⛰️ +551m / -411m | 🚐 Transfer | 🏨 Hotel in Yeghegnadzor
- Hike from Gomk to Martiros, one of the region’s oldest settlements.
- Visit Old Martiros village, its cave church, and the picturesque Chumov Lake.
- Enjoy breathtaking views across the valley and visit Gomk’s old church before transfering to Yeghegnadzor.
Day 6, May 1: Vernashen – Spitakavor Hike | Sacred Trails
📍 Yeghegnadzor → Vernashen→ Spitakavor → Yeghegis | 🥾 5 km | ⛰️ +576m / -23m | 🏠 Hotel in Yeghegis
- Short but rewarding hike to Spitakavor Church, a white-stone 14th-century monastery hidden in the Srkghonk River Gorge.
- This serene location is surrounded by wildflowers and dramatic cliffs — perfect for photography and quiet reflection.
Day 7, May 2: Smbataberd Fortress Hike | Fortresses & Ancient Monasteries
📍Yeghegis → Smbataberd Fortress → Yeghegis | 🥾 8.5 km (+3.5 km optional) | ⛰️ +333m / -430m | 🏨 Guesthouse in Yeghegis
- Hike to Smbataberd Fortress, one of Armenia’s best-preserved medieval fortresses overlooking the Yeghegis valley.
- Visit the nearby Zorats Church and enjoy an optional 3.5 km hike to Tsakhats Qar Monastery, a hidden gem with breathtaking views of the canyon.
Day 8, May 3: Return to Yerevan via Selim Pass | History & Sevan Lake
📍 Yeghegis → Yerevan |🚐 Transfer | 🏠 Hotel in Yerevan
- Transfer to Yerevan with cultural stops along the legendary Selim Pass, once part of the Silk Road.
- Visit Orbelian Caravanserai, a 14th-century travelers’ inn built for merchants and pilgrims.
- Continue to Lake Sevan, one of the largest high-altitude lakes in the world, for free time and lunch before arriving in Yerevan.
What is Included
- Accommodation: guesthouses, hotels, camping gear and equipment. All accommodation is in shared twin rooms.
- All the meals during the tour: breakfasts, boxed lunches, dinners
- Trail snacks
- English-speaking guide
- Transfers and transportation
- All entrance fees and wine tasting
- Luggage transfers
What is Not Included
- Flights to and from Armenia
- Personal expenses
- Travel insurance
Cost:
$2,450 USD per person
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
