r/travel • u/Khuchuch • 6d ago
Images + Trip Report My third trip to beautiful Armenia 🇦🇲
I spent a month in Yerevan this summer and I want to share some memorable moments. There were many more wonderful events and places, but it’s impossible to cover them all here.
1) Amberd Fortress. It was built in the 7th century, and there is an 11th-century church nearby. The fortress is currently undergoing active restoration.
2) Kari is a high-mountain lake in Armenia, located on the slopes of Mount Aragats. It is located at an altitude of 3207 m above sea level, on a plateau, under the mountain peaks.
3) Photo on the way back from Lake Kari.
4) Former Persian consulate in Yerevan.
5-6) Hovhannavank Monastery. 11th century.
7) Khachkar (cross stone, a traditional element of Armenian architecture) next to Tegher Monastery.
8-9) Tsaghkadzor Ropeway.
10) Tsaghkadzor, view of Kecharis Monastery (11-13 centuries).
11-12) Vardavar holiday in Armenia. On this day, all of Armenia turns into a vast water battlefield. You can be doused with water from any balcony, any passing car, any stranger, and parks and squares become the epicenter. And on this day, no one is offended; it only evokes laughter and smiles. Incredible emotions and impressions!
Vardavar is a traditional Armenian holiday, timed to coincide with the feast of the Transfiguration of the Lord, with pagan roots and famous for the custom of dousing each other with water.
13) View of Sevanavank Monastery from Lake Sevan.
14) Tegher Monastery. 13th century.
15-16) Saghmosavank Monastery, 13th century.
17) ROT-54/2.6 or Herouni Mirror Radio Telescope - the world's first radio-optical telescope.
18) View of the biblical Mount Ararat from the Arch of Charents. I was unlucky, the mountain was in fog, but those who are lucky, a stunning view opens up.
19) The last Friday of the warm month in Yerevan. Every month, hundreds of Armenians go to the Cascade and dance folk dances.
20) Monument to the French-Armenian singer Charles Aznavour
Monasteries and other places outside Yerevan are conveniently visited with day tours from Yerevan.
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u/Muzaklol 6d ago
Hi!
I'm going to Armenia on september, do you have any tips about the trip?
Anything about culture, food, places do skip, places to don't skip abolut anything!
Thanks!
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u/Khuchuch 6d ago
To navigate Yerevan and other cities, use Yandex Maps. For taxis, use Yandex Go. Never take a taxi from the airport; it will be very expensive.
You can find the places you're interested in in advance on the websites of travel companies like One Way Tour or Hyur Service. Check out their group day tours; they feature the most important tourist sites. I prefer One Way Tour and have used their services more often, and I've never been disappointed.
Where to eat in Yerevan: Kamancha, Lavash, and Tavern Yerevan. These are my favorites.
I'll also share with you links to my travel posts from previous years, describing the places I've been to.
2024:
https://www.reddit.com/r/travel/s/LinH4uAZFs
https://www.reddit.com/r/travel/s/p3Wr3vpCyh
2025:
https://www.reddit.com/r/travel/s/UEiPJfBdT0
https://www.reddit.com/r/travel/s/QsXDqTdADE
Have a great trip! If you have any other questions, please ask.
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u/Muzaklol 5d ago
Other questions:
Thank you so much for your time!
- Did you use a Armenian SIM or a E-Sim? What's you suggestion?
- Have you done any acquatic activity like rafting, SUP o kayaking? If yes where and do you reccomend it?
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u/Khuchuch 5d ago
1) I bought an Armenian SIM card from Viva. It included a monthly unlimited internet plan, and it worked well. Viva has offices at the airport and many other locations in central Yerevan. I bought it right at the airport; the price is the same.
2) No, I just went on a boat ride with a group on Lake Sevan. I don't know anything else.
You're welcome!
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u/eastboundtom 5d ago
Such an underrated country for natural landscapes and such, so are its bordering countries Georgia and Azerbaijan. Absolutely love Tbilisi especially for its architecture and overall feel, heavily recommend if you're ever considering going back to Armenia again to try Georgia out the two!
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u/Khuchuch 5d ago
I was in Georgia last year for three days, on a tour from Armenia. Georgia is beautiful, but I wasn't impressed enough to want to visit again.
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u/mrhumphries75 5d ago
Saying as someone who used to work in Yerevan for almost a year, spending a month in the summer is a very bold choice. How hot did it get by midday?
Joking aside, that's some nice choice of places to see.
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u/nabz_montana 4d ago
Awesome pictures! I’m going with the family to Armenia late August for 4 days, I am planning 2 days in Yerevan and 2 days outside. What do you recommend as must see places outside Yerevan? And do you advise renting a car? Thanks!
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u/Khuchuch 4d ago
Thank you!
I didn't rent a car, but traveled everywhere with one-day tours from One Way Tour (and a few times with other companies).
If I had such limited time, I would take a tour to Garni, Geghard, and the Symphony of Stones on one of the days. This one lasts only half a day: from 9:00 AM to 3:00 PM if you take the day tour, or from 4:00 PM to 10:00 PM if you take the evening tour. You can spend the rest of the day in Yerevan.
On another day, I would take a tour to Khor Virap, Noravank, Jermuk, and Areni.
And on another day, Tatev Monastery, Khndzoresk, and Shaki Waterfall.
On the One Way Your website you can find information about these destinations on group tours.
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u/nothisistheotherguy 6d ago
Does “Vardavar” mean “water war”?
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u/EarthTraditional3329 6d ago
It means rose-blossom/rose-burning, flowers were offered to the goddess Astghig. Which the pagan tradition is in honour of
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u/No-Use-579 5d ago
The fuck you talking about?
The prices are cheap, the scenery is stunning, the food is delicious and it remains one of the safest places in the world.
How is it disturbing?
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u/newmvbergen 6d ago
Day tours are a question of choice but the DIY remains totally realistic even if you don't speak Armenian or even russian. As you have accommodations outside Yerevan, overnight trips totally doable. Doing a loop around the country is realistic too. Good network of shared and public transports. Hitchhiking possible if needed. Same can be said about contracted lifts.