Armenian Alpinism and Rock Climbing

As Armenia is renowned for its mountainous terrain -- with 16 mountain ranges with 25 prominent peaks and a number of dormant volcanoes -- it is the ideal environment for partaking in extreme activities and sports such as alpinism (hiking, trekking, skiing, snowboarding, etc.) and rock climbing.  Think you’re not fit enough to participate in these activities or sports?  Don’t be put off, completely!  There are different levels of activities and sports for different levels of fitness, coupled with professional tours (with training) to ensure your safety (where necessary).

Armenian Alpinism and Rock Climbing

Hiking and Trekking

Hiking and trekking activities offer the active tourist a way of viewing crucial and fascinating parts of the country, far from the bustling civilisation and noise of the city, which cannot be reached by a vehicle.  You can spend your whole visit on one of these tours, or just a weekend during your visit.  Whatever you decide to do, it will be an experience not to be missed – with the opportunity to connect with nature in an unknown place.

Mountain Climbing

Are you a mountain climbing enthusiast or would you like to give it a go?  There are some easier routes available for the beginner or inexperienced, with the added benefit of an instructor/guide.  However, if you are a little more experienced and adventurous, there are a variety of routes to offer a maximum challenge (especially on Mount Aragats and Khutsup) and you can rent the necessary equipment for these climbs if you wish to do them solo.

Mountain Skiing

Enjoy skiing? Armenia is a fabulous place to take a skiing trip, especially at Tsahkadzor Skiiing Resort-Town.   It was at this town, in 1968, that the main USSR sports base was built, which trained athletes such as: Alekseev, Vardanyan and Lemeshev.  Today, it is a very modern and well-developed tourist destination, with pleasant hotels, delicious restaurants and heated elevators that will take you up to three levels up the mountain.

Snowboarding

Already an avid fan of snowboarding or do you want to give it a try?  These days, snowboarding is one of the most appealing winter sports, especially for a certain generation.  Seasoned snowboarders travelling to Armenia will not be disappointed, as there is a wide-variety of choices -- slalom, snowboard cross, free style, half-pipe, big year and slope style – offered at a number of resorts.

Freeriding

Looking for an authentic extreme experience?  Freeriding is not for the faint of heart – it is exceptionally perilous!  However, this is exactly why some people enjoy it: the thrill of descending down an unfamiliar slope, on fresh snow outside of tracked courses with the threat of potential hazards (avalanches, hummocks and unknown landscapes) at every turn.  Although Armenia is virtually unknown to free-riders, apparently the thrills to be found on Mount Aragat are second to none.

Helicopter Tour

If you really don’t feel courageous enough to tackle Armenia’s mountainous terrain on foot, ski or snowboard, but don’t want to spend your whole trip in the city, then why don’t you consider seeing it from the air?  A variety of tour providers will organise a helicopter tour for you and the bird’s-eye views are supposed to be enchanting.  These air excursions allow you to view the diversity of Armenia’s climates and landscapes whilst drinking in the stunning scenery.  Why would you miss it?

Henrikh Mkhitaryan - Armenian Footballer of the Year

Henrikh Mkhitaryan

Henrikh Mkhitaryan, who plays for Borussia Dortmund in the German Bundesliga, is the current recipient of the Armenian Footballer of the Year Award and has been awarded his country’s top footballing honour 4 times, in 2009, 2011, 2012 and 2013. He is described as indispensable by the Armenian national coach and has played for the Armenian league champions, the Ukrainian champions as well as the German title contenders.

Footballer of the Year
Like so many other professional footballing leagues Armenia has its own Footballer of the Year Awards. This is awarded annually to the very best professional footballer in the country.

The winner is voted for by coaches and officials from the Armenian Federation of Football, the managers from Armenian Premier League clubs as well as selected representatives from the media. Furthermore, each year there is a similar award the for the country’s top football coach.

Domestic League Success
After his success at Pyunik Yerevan, where he won four league titles, two league cups and the Armenian Super cup between 2006 and 2009, Mkhitaryan secured a move to Metalurh Donetsk in the Ukranina Premier League in 2009.

Big Money Moves
After 12 goals in 37 League appearances the giants of Ukrainian football took notice and a fee of €7.5 Million was agreed with Shakhtar Donetsk for his services in 2010. Three seasons and 37 goals later Henrikh Mkhitaryan’s reputation had gone international and a number of eye catching performances in European competitions saw the giants of European football come knocking on his door. In 2013, Borussia Dortmund paid €25 million to secure a transfer to the German Bundesliga and in the process broke their transfer record for a player.

Armenia National Team
On the international scene, Mkhitaryan made his debut with the national squad in a friendly against Panama in January 2007. Currently, he is considered to be one of the Armenia’s most important players.

During the qualifying matches for Euro 2012 he was the top scorer in Group B with six goals, however, despite Armenia’s failure to qualify for the championships Mkhitaryan was included in the UEFA Euro 2012 Qualifying Dream Team due to his impressive scoring record.

Honorary Citizen of Yerevan
In honour of his achievements he was awarded the "Honorary Citizen of Yerevan” in 2012 for his contribution to football and sport in Armenia.

Tsitsernakaberd: Memorial to Genocide

A memorial to a genocide does not really sound like a fun place to visit as a tourist, does it?  And you would be right...Tsitsernakaberd isn’t fun...it’s a touching and emotional journey; a place to remind you of the worst that’s inside all of us and, at the same time, a fitting tribute to the strength of a nation and its people.

Tsitsernakaberd

History

The memorial to the Armenian genocide is situated on a hill named Tsitsernakaberd, beside the Hrazdan River, outside Yereven (the country’s capital).  This hill, along with the two beside it, has great archaeological significance, harbouring remains of: an Iron Age fortress (traces of a castle and a wall, hundreds of metres long, from this fortress are still discernible on the smallest of the three hills); a stone-cut altar and large stone-covered graves from the 2^nd millennium BC; and apartments from Roman times, over which medieval constructions were later erected.

Construction

In 1965, one million Armenian people demonstrated in Armenia’s capital of Yerevan to honour the 50^th anniversary of the expulsion of hundreds of Armenian scholars from Constantinople, which symbolised the beginning of the genocide.  It was in direct response to this demonstration that construction of the Tsitsernakaberd Memorial began in 1966. Designed by the architects Tarkhanyan and Kalashian plus the artist Khachatryan, building was completed in 1967.

Design 

As you can see from the photograph, above, the memorial consists of two main parts: a 44 metre tall stele (or pillar) to signify the national spiritual rebirth of Armenians; a circle of 12 slabs (or low walls), which symbolise 12 provinces lost to modern Turkey with a 1.5 metre deep eternal flame (in the centre of the circle of slabs) devoted to the 1.5 million Armenians who were murdered during the genocide.  

There is also a hundred metre remembrance wall that borders the park to the memorial, on one side of which the names of towns and villages where massacres are known to have occurred are written.  On the opposite side of the wall, plates have been attached bearing the names of those who pledged to ease the suffering of victims of the genocide.

Since the original memorial was built, an alley of trees has been planted at the site to commemorate the victims and a museum has been added, which opened its doors in 1995 - built in to the side of the hill (so it does not detract from the memorial), whose mission it is to aid in preventing comparable disasters in the future.  After all, in the words of George Santayana:

                ‘Those who cannot remember the past are condemned to repeat it.’

Tours around the museum are available in four languages, including French and English.

Trip Advisor Ratings and Testimonials

The Tsitserbakaberd Memorial is ranked 2nd out of 28 Armenian tourist attractions on Trip Adviser, with 67 out of 83 independent reviewers giving it 5 out of 5 and 14 more giving it 4 stars out of 5.  Some of the guests said the following:

                ‘It is a monument, but also a great place to walk and relax.’

                ‘Very touching experience...’

                ‘...the Armenian Genocide Museum was very touching and emotional.’

      ‘Very beautiful memories...’

It may seem odd that a memorial to an extremely distressing part of Armenia’s history has become a top tourist attraction, but it may be valuable to view it as a spiritual and emotional experience that speaks volumes about the human condition.

Armenia at the Olympics

Prior to the dissolution of the Soviet Union and becoming an independent nation in 1991, Armenian athletes used to participate in the Olympics as representatives of the USSR (Union of Soviet Socialist Republics).   Although the independent National Olympic Committee of Armenia was formed in 1990, it wasn’t recognised by the International Olympic Committee until 1993.  Therefore, in Barcelona in 1992 (the first Summer Olympics to follow the country’s independence), Armenia participated as part of the Unified Team (the sports team of the former Soviet Union, minus the Baltic states).  

Armenia at the Olympics

Armenia’s First Independent Olympic Games

It wasn’t until 1994 that Armenia took part in the Olympics as an independent nation; it was in the Lillehammer Winter Olympic Games in 1994 (the first to be on a separate 4-year cycle from the Summer Olympics).  Two athletes (Joe Almasian and Ken Topalian) attended these Games to represent Armenia in the Two-Man Bobsleigh event, but, unfortunately, they did not bring home any medals for their country (having ranked 36^th, overall).

Armenia’s Summer Olympics Record

Since the country’s first independent Olympic entry, Armenia has attended 5 Summer Olympic Games: Atlanta in 1996, Sydney in 2000, Athens in 2004, Beijing in 2008 and London in 2012. 

In 1996, 32 athletes attended the Atlanta Olympic Games for Armenia, with Armen Nazaryan and Armen Mrktchyan bringing home a Gold and a Silver medal, respectively, in wrestling.

In 2000, 25 athletes attended the Sydney Olympic Games for Armenia, with Arsen Melikyan bringing home a Bronze medal for weightlifting.

In 2004, only 19 athletes attended the Athens Olympic Games, with, sadly, no medals won.

In 2008, 25 athletes attended the Beijing Olympic Games for Armenia, with Tigran Gevorg Martirosyan and Gevorg Davtyan bringing home three Bronze medals for weightlifting, Roman Amoyan and Yury Patrikeyev bringing home two Bronze medals for wrestling and Hrachik Javakhyan bringing home a Bronze medal for boxing.

Finally, in 2012, 25 athletes attended the London Olympic Games for Armenia, with Arsen Julfalakyan bringing home a Silver medal for wrestling, Atur Aleksanyan bringing home a Bronze medal also for wrestling and Hripsime Khurshudyan bringing home a Bronze medal for weightlifting. 

Overall, for a country with a relatively small population, Armenia send quite a number of athletes to each Summer Olympics and do relatively well in terms of medal haul.

Armenia and the Winter Olympics

Unfortunately, the same praise cannot be given to Armenia’s performance in each Winter Olympics.  Since Lillehammer in 1994, Armenia has attended four Winter Olympic Games: Nagano in 1998, Salt Lake City in 2002, Turin in 2006 and Vancouver in 2010.  However, despite sending as many as nine athletes to the Salt Lake City Winter Olympics, no medals were won.

Although, with the 2014 Winter Olympics in Sochi upon us, who knows what Armenia might attain!  I think we all need to watch this space....

The Monastery of Geghard

Wondering what there is to do in Armenia?  How about a trip to Trip Advisor’s top-rated Armenian attraction?  Situated in a backdrop of immense natural beauty at the entrance to the Azat Valley, in the Kotayk province of Armenia, The Monastery of Geghard (or fully Geghardavank) is a UNESCO World Heritage Site and an amazing, extremely well-preserved example of ‘medieval Armenian monastic architecture’.  A series of churches and tombs, it is deemed to be particularly exceptional because it is partially carved out of the adjoining rock and surrounded by immense cliffs. 

The Monastery of Geghard

The Original Structure

Originally, the monastery was known as Ayrivank (translated as ‘Monastery of the Cave’) because, when founded in the 4^th Century AD by Gregory the Illuminator, it was at the site of a pre-Christian hallowed spring inside a cave.  Ayrivank Monastery apparently comprised of religious buildings alongside well-equipped accommodation and service installations but, unfortunately, nothing from the initial structures have survived to the present day – it was severely damaged by earthquakes, as well as being ransacked and the structures burnt down by the Arabs in the 10^th Century. 

Brief History of the Present Structure

Now,I don’t want to give you too much information, otherwise you’ll have no incentive to visit.  So, the following is merely a taster: Inscriptions in parts of the monastery have been dated back to the 1160s.  However, the main church in the monastery dates back to 1215 and was built under the patronage of the two brothers, who were generals of Queen Tamar of Georgia (credited with taking the majority of Armenia back from the Turks).  It was named Geghard (or Geghardavank) meaning ‘Monastery of the Spear’ after the spear brought to Armenia by the Apostle Jude (known as Thaddeus in Armenia), which is purported to have wounded Jesus at the crucifixion.  This spear made the monastery a popular place for pilgrimages by Armenian Christians over the centuries and it is also the only relic or work of art, housed here, to have survived over the centuries.  It is now housed at Echmiadzin Monastery in a special gilded silver case that was made for it in 1687.

The Complex Today

The complex consists of: The Katoghike Chapel (the main church), The Vestry (or gavit), Rock Cut Church with Spring, The Zhamatun, Rock Cut Church past The Zhamatun, Upper Jhamatun and The Chapel of Saint Gregor (the Illuminator).  You can reach the complex via a paved road, which leads to a parking lot.  From there, you must walk up to the monastery and this is one of the most fascinating and vibrant experiences whilst visiting this structure, for the path is lined with women attempting to sell you their delicious, traditional Armenian delicacies and a group of musicians, who play for money.  All of this before you have even entered the complex and had the pleasure of soaking up its history and culture.

Trip Advisor Ratings and Testimonials

As previously mentioned, The Geghard Monastery is ranked first out of 28 Armenian tourist attractions on Trip Adviser, with 211 out of 248 independent reviewers giving it 5 out of 5 and 34 more giving it 4 stars out of 5.  Some of the guests said the following:

                ‘Very authentic...’

                ‘Amazing atmosphere...’

                ‘Fascinating cave monastery...’

                ‘The pearl of Armenia...’

                ‘Unexpected miracle...’

Ultimately, this seems as if it is a ‘can’t miss’ destination whilst visiting Armenia.

Yerevan Hostel

Yerevan Hostel

Want a cheaper alternative to either a hotel or a Bed and Breakfast?  If you are a student or just on a very strict budget, you may want to consider a hostel.  Yerevan Hostel is in the centre of Armenia’s capital city, just 3 minutes on foot from Republic Square – idyllically situated if you want to be at the heart of all that Yerevan has to offer.

Arrival Information

Check in at the hostel is from 2pm and checkout is between 9am and 12pm.  All children under 7 years of age stay free of charge when using existing beds, whereas older children will be charged 4500 AMD each night for an extra bed.  Pets are allowed upon request, but there may be charges.  The hostel accepts payment by Visa, MasterCard and American Express, but they reserve the right to pre-authorise a card and supplements will have to be paid for, separately, during your stay.

Services and Amenities

The Yerevan Hostel is extremely basic when compared with hotels and Bed and Breakfasts, but it is also inexpensive and comfortable.   The range of services offered by this hostel, include: a 24-hour front desk, express and private check in and checkout, currency exchange, a tour desk, an airport shuttle service, a shuttle service for a surcharge, free public parking nearby, free wi-fi in all areas,  luggage storage service, laundry/ironing service, a gift shop, breakfast in your room, a designated smoking area, newspapers, safety deposit box, vending machines, ski storage, games room, library, seating area with a sofa, TV, DVD player and CD player.

Guest Rooms

This hostel four different room rates available: Mixed Dormitory, Comfort Double Room, Standard Double Room and a Family Suite with a Balcony.  Room rates start at a very inexpensive 4,630 AMD per bed in a dormitory per night to a very reasonable 22,489 AMD for the Family Suite per night (for a family of four).  Each dormitory provides: 40 square metres of space, air conditioning, soundproofing and some even have a flat screen TV.  The double rooms have: 30 square metres of space, air conditioning, flat screen TVs and iron/ironing board.  Finally, the suite has: 100 square metres of space, a balcony, a city view, air conditioning and a flat screen TV.

Trip Advisor Ratings and Testimonials

Yerevan Hostel is ranked as number 7 out of the 41 Bed and Breakfasts/Inns on Trip Advisor (ratings are given by independent guests).  It received 4.5 out of 5 stars from reviewers on Trip Adviser, although this rating is not broken down.  Some of the guests said the following:

                ‘Would go back anytime.’

                ‘Maybe the best [Youth Hostel] in Yerevan.’

                ‘Great location, nice staff.’

    ‘Awesome hostel!’

On the whole, this hostel seems to offer a bargain alternative.

Hin Yerevantsi Boutique Hotel Yerevan

Hin Yerevantsi Boutique Hotel Yerevan

You want a smaller and more intimate place to stay in the heart of Yerevan?  Then there is always the Sayadan family-run Hin Yerevantsi Hotel.  The hotel’s name translates as ‘Old Yerevaner’, due to the fact that it is located on one of the oldest central streets in Yerevan.  Since this hotel is family-owned and run, they do their very best to ensure that all of their guests get the very best experience possible.  The hotel itself is in a nice, quiet, secluded part of the central city, with the Opera House only 200 metres away, Republican Square a 10-minute walk away, a number of restaurants and cafes within a two-minute walk and bus stop (providing connections around Yerevan) only 50 metres away from the hotel.

Arrival Information

Check in at the hotel is from 2pm and check out is at 12 noon.  All children under the age of 12 stay free when using the beds that are already in the rooms.  Pets are not allowed.  The hotel accepts American Express, Visa and MasterCard payments, but reserves the right to pre-authorise these before you arrive.

Services and Amenities

Hin Yeravantsi does not provide the more modern services and amenities of the larger hotels (such as a gym or spa), but it still offers enough for a more than comfortable stay.  Its range of services include: airport shuttle; shuttle service, for a surcharge; free onsite public parking; breakfast in your room (if requested); room service; laundry, dry cleaning and ironing services; free wi-fi, in all areas; outdoor pool (seasonal); garden and children’s playground.

Guest Rooms

This hotel only has two rooms (or suites) available for rent, both of which are non-smoking: the Studio (for 2 adults) or the Superior Studio (for a family of three).  Room rates start at a very reasonable 26, 458 AMD per night and rise to 34,396 AMD per night (as of January 2014), depending on the conditions chosen when booking.  Each suite features: a kitchen, with microwave, coffee machine, kitchenware, refrigerator, stove top and an electric kettle; a living/dining area with dining table, seating, a sofa and flat screen TV with both cable and satellite channels; a bedroom, with a wardrobe/closet; a safety deposit box, soundproofing, heating, air conditioning, mosquito nets and an iron/ironing board.

Trip Advisor Ratings and Testimonials

Hin Yerevantsi is ranked as number 3 out of the 41 Bed and Breakfasts/Inns on Trip Advisor – quite an achievement as the ratings are given by independent guests.  It received 5 out of 5 stars from reviewers on Trip Adviser, although this rating is not broken down.  Some of the guests said the following:

                ‘Hidden estate in the city center.’

                ‘A hidden jewel!’

                ‘Stay here when in Yerevan!!’

‘The amenities and our experience at the Hin Yerevantsi Hotel just keep getting better and better!’

Overall, this little boutique hotel seems to be a hidden but welcome gem in the centre of Yerevan.