Cycling Across Armenia

10 days / 9 nights

cycling

Arrival/departure point:	Yerevan - Yerevan
Cycling distance per day:	about 50 - 80 km
Road surface:	asphalt
Activity level	professional

Day 1: Arrival / Tsaghkadzor (Cycling distance 20-25 km)

Arrival in Yerevan. Transfer to Tsaghkadzor. Accommodation at the hotel. A short rest.

After breakfast start a cycling tour around Tsaghkadzor. An easy ride on bicycle in the vicinity of Tsaghkadzor which is located in a picturesque valley on the eastern slope of Mt. Teghenis to 1845 m. above sea level. "The Valley of Flowers" Tsaghkadzor in contrast to many other resorts is attractive in both winter and summer times.

Lunch, dinner at the hotel in Tsaghkadsor.

Day 2: Tsahkadzor - Village Bjni - Tsaghkadzor (Cycling distance 55-60 km)

After breakfast the route leads us in the direction of the villages of Bjni and Aghveran. Aghveran is one of the picturesque towns of Armenia and is famous for its mild climate and picturesque landscapes of the surrounding mountains. Visit the village of Bjni, which is on the right bank of the River Hrazdan. There lie the ruins of the fortress of 9-10cc, which you will climb up by foot.

Lunch
Dinner and overnight at the hotel in Tsaghkadzor
The amplitude 1750m - 1500m - 1750 m.

Day 3 : Tsakhkadzor - Lake Sevan - Dilijan (Cycling distance 60-70 km)

After breakfast we cycle to the resort town of Dilijan. Visit unique Sevanavank Monastery (9^th c.) on the peninsula which used to be an island. Next we cycle up to the monastery of Goshavank. Goshavank lies Above the River Aghstev. Here you can see unique Armeninan "khachkars" (cross stones).

Picnic lunch
Dinner and overnight in private houses in the town of Dilijan
Rise 200-550m.

Day 4 : Dilijan - Lake Sevan (Cycling distance 50-55 km)

After breakfast, you will go in the direction of the hotel Tsapatagh on bicycle. The path leads through the main highway along the beach of Lake Sevan. Half of the route is possible to go by minibus provided by us. (It is still possible to bike this route but it's a bit difficult as it covers a long distance cycling 90-95 km)

Picnic lunch
Dinner and overnight at the hotel Tsapatagh in Sevan.
Rise 200-550m.

Day 5 : Lake Sevan - village Areguni - Martuni town (Cycling distance 70-80 km)

After breakfast, we cycle from hotel Tsapatagh through the village Areguni in the direction of the city of Martuni. Mainly, the route leads through the main highway along the beach of Lake Sevan. Cars pass these roads very seldom so you will mainly cycle on local roads.

Picnic lunch.
Overnight and dinner at the hotel in the city of Martuni.
Rise 200-500 m.

Day 6 : Martuni town - Selim Pass - Yeghegnadzor city (Cycling distance 60-70 km)

After breakfast we drive 5-6 km on bus from Martuni. Visit the intact medieval Selim Caravanserai, an important trading center on the Great Silk Road. The Selim caravanserai was built in 1332 by Prince Chesar Orbelian. Selim is an excellent example of the Armenian secular architecture of the Middle Ages. We continue the tour into the city of Yeghegnadzor.

Picnic lunch.
Overnight and dinner at the hotel or in private houses in the city Yeghegnadsor.
200-500 m increase.

Day 7: Yeghegnadzor - Noravank Monastery - Garni village (Cycling distance 70-80 km)

After breakfast we drive from Yeghegnadzor to visit the monastery of Noravank ("New monastery"). After exploring the area we cycle to Garni. The route leads through the main highway. It is advisable to go half of the trail by bus provided by us.

Picnic lunch
Dinner and overnight in Garni in private houses.
Rise 150-250m.

Day 8: Garni Village - Monastery Geghard - Yerevan city (Cycling distance 55-60 km)

In the village of Garni you will visit the Hellenistic - pagan temple Garni (1c. AD). The citadel and pagan temple Garni is a picturesque temple from the Hellenistic period and an impressive piece of ancient Armenian architecture. It was built in the first century AD by the Armenian king Tiridad and was dedicated to the god of sun. Continue cycling to Geghard cave monastery (13th century).

Picnic lunch.
Dinner and overnight at the hotel in Yerevan.
200-250 m increase.

Day 9 : City tour in Yerevan

City tour around Yerevan. Lunch in a local restaurant. Visit to the Tsitsernakaberd Memorial Park and the Museum of the Victims of Genocide. In the second half of the day your main attraction will be either Erebuni Fortress or Armenian Brandy Factory.