If you love adventure and enjoy nature, you should try a hiking tour with the Arpa Environmental Foundation through the untouched natural beauty of Noravank Canyon within the Arpa Protected Landscape. Professional hiking guides will help you discover deep gorges, majestic mountains, historic ruins, and much more. Three easy-to-moderate hiking trails are available.
The 2.8 km Noravank trail connects the old settlement of New Amaghu - now in ruins - with the Noravank Monastery complex. The trail runs through the canyon, famous for its red rocks, endangered flora such as juniper forests, and endangered fauna such as leopards, lynx, and bears.
The 5.8 km Chukar trail starts from Khachik village, crosses the Bezoar Trail, and takes you to the Old Amaghu amid biodiversity and medieval khachkars. During the hike, you will also have the rare opportunity to see the Noravank Monastery from high above.
The 3.1 km Bezoar Trail will take you one of the highest poins of the Arpa Protected Landscape, from which you can admire the stunning scenery of the canyon and the Noravank Monastery. From a vista point on the way, you might be able to spot through binoculars some wild Bezoar Goats, known for their striking horns.
Hiking the Noravank Canyon may help you stay helathy and fit while exploring this rich ecosystem.
Meet your host
The mission of the Arpa Environmental Foundation is to manage and protect 6,000 hectares of protected land in Vayots Dzor region. The Arpa Protected Landscape is the first community-managed protected area in Armenia. The Foundation has developed a number of trails for guided hiking, biking, and horse-riding tours, and offers safari-style jeep tours through the protected highlands. In addition, the Foundation may offer camping experiences in the protected area or arrange overnight accommodations in a network of B&Bs in the region. In 2017, the Foundation opened a tourism visitor center in Yeghegnadzor, where travelers may find information about the protected area, arrange guided tours, rent bicycles and camping equipment, and browse a small craft shop.
