Armenia trip plan by Mark Sukhija

In September 2011, we'll be visiting Armenia for the first time. We'll be travelling with (but not courtesy of) Kudu Travel.

On our trip to Armenia we will be visiting:

Yerevan

1. Yerevan. - We'll be visitng the Erebuni Forteress, the Matenadaran Library and view Mt Ararat from the Cascades. We'll visit the Genocide Memorial and Museum, the National Gallery and the Historical Museum. We'll also visit Echmiadzin Cathedral (dating from the 5^th century), the UNESCO-listed Monastery of Geghard and the Garni temple. Walk at Kari Lake on Mt Aragats.

Goris region

2. Khor Virap - where St Gregory the Illuminator was imprisoned.

3. Karahunj - an astronomical observatory.

Jermuk

4. Tatev Monastry - which is comprised of several churches dedicated to various saints. We'll stop on the journey from Goris to Jermuk.

5. Jermuk - We'll talk along the Arpa River gorger to the Monastery of Gnedvank which was founded by Princess Sophie. Armeniapedia described the site as a "true marvel in that mountainous region" and the main church was built in 936 and is dedicated to St. Stephen

Tsapatagh, Lake Sevan

6. Yeghegis Village - where we will visit the Zorats church.

7. Selim Caravanserai - which served as accomodation for travellers heading in and out of the Selim mountains.

8. Hayravank Monastery which dates from the 9th to the 12th century and khachkars which are memorials usually with a cross and botanical motifs

Lori Region

9. Dilijan Nature Reserve - the Natural Park, in North Eastern Armeni, occupies 24,000 hectares and is well reputed for it's forest landscapes and biodiversity.

10. Goshavank - is a monastic complex dating from the 12^th and 13^th Century and includes several ecclesasitcal buildings - including one dedicated to St Gregory the Illuminator.

11. Kobayr Church ruins - Originally built by princes from a junior line of the Bagratuni family. The church was later converted into a Chalcedonian monastery and houses many inscriptions in Georgian.

12. Haghpat monastery - dates from the 10^th century and is currently UNESCO World Heritage listed along with the Monastry of Sanahin

13. Sanahin we will view a MiG-21 fighter plane which was designed by Artem Mikoyan, a Soviet plane designer who originated from Sanahin

Further reading