Trails of Ancient Lori
This route is for those who want to see a different Armenia: far from the classic tourist roads, among the gorges, cliffs and ancient monasteries of Lori.
During the day we have a walking route of about 12 kilometres ahead of us, along with historical monuments and impressive views over the gorge of the Debed river.
The first stop is Kobayr Monastery, one of the most unusual medieval monastic complexes in Northern Armenia.
Kobayr stands on the slope of the Debed gorge. The monastery's history begins in the 12th century, and a significant part of the surviving buildings dates from the 12th–13th centuries.
The medieval frescoes preserved here are of particular value. Set among cliffs, vegetation and ruins, the walk up to the monastery itself becomes part of the impression this place leaves.
The route then continues to Horomayr, a monastic complex literally built into the harsh landscape of the Lori gorge.
Horomayr consists of several structures placed at different levels of a rocky slope. The main part of the surviving complex dates from the medieval period, and its unusual location makes Horomayr one of the most impressive and hardest to reach monastic monuments of Lori.
The character of our route is felt especially strongly here: history is not separated from nature, and to see it you have to walk to it.
Along the way we will visit the church of Surb Nshan, another historical monument on our path.
The small ancient churches and monastic buildings of this region are rarely part of standard tourist programmes, so this route lets you see Lori far more deeply than an ordinary sightseeing excursion would.
The final historical stop is Odzun, one of the ancient settlements of the Lori region.
Here stands the famous Odzun basilica, one of the outstanding monuments of early medieval Armenian architecture.
The existing church building is mostly attributed to the 6th–7th centuries. The temple is built of pinkish tuff and stands out for its austere proportions and monumental architecture.
Next to it is an unusual early medieval memorial monument with stone arches and carved images, one of the characteristic historical details of the Odzun complex.
After the long walking route, it is here that our journey through ancient Lori comes to an end.
"Trails of Ancient Lori" is an active walking route that differs from our classic group excursions.
It suits travellers who enjoy walking and exploring little-known historical sites, mountain trails, gorges and ancient monasteries.
About 12 km are covered during the day, so the route is intended for participants with normal physical fitness who are ready for prolonged walking over natural terrain.
Useful information
Booking
Participation in the excursion is by advance booking. The number of places in the group is limited.
To book, please let us know the date of the excursion and the number of participants.
Once your booking is confirmed, your place in the group is secured.
- WhatsApp / Telegram: +374 99 250 525
Departure time and place
Departure point: Yerevan, 51 Mesrop Mashtots Avenue — the lower part of the Matenadaran, next to the Bus Voyage stop.
Please be at the meeting point 10–15 minutes before departure.
The vehicle will have an AMARAS TOUR sign on the windscreen.
- Meeting time: 07:45
- Departure: 08:00
What is included
- Comfortable transport along the route
- A professional guide
- Guided commentary in Armenian, Russian or English
- Accompaniment during the walking part of the route
- Bottled water
- A treat from Amaras Tour
There are no entrance tickets along this route.
The walking part of the route
This is an active walking tour. The walking part is about 12 km in total.
The route runs through natural terrain with ascents and descents, stony paths and uneven sections.
The excursion requires normal physical fitness and suits participants who are comfortable with prolonged walking.
The pace of the group is set by the guide, taking into account the character of the route and the overall safety of the participants.
Footwear
The right footwear is especially important on this tour.
We recommend trekking shoes or other comfortable closed shoes with a good non-slip sole.
Ordinary city shoes, shoes with smooth soles and open footwear are not recommended for this route.
What to bring
- Comfortable shoes with a non-slip sole
- A sweater or windbreaker
- A hat
- Sun protection
- A small backpack
- A personal snack for the road
Bottled water is provided by Amaras Tour, but for a long walking route you may bring extra water if needed.
Weather and route conditions
The walking part runs through the open natural terrain of the Lori region.
Weather conditions may change during the day. After rain some sections of the path can be wet and slippery.
In unfavourable weather or route conditions the programme may be adjusted by the guide for safety reasons.
Meals
Meals are not included in the price of the tour.
Since the excursion is long and includes about 12 km of walking, we strongly recommend bringing a light, convenient snack with you.
Time for rest is provided during the day.
Visiting the monasteries
The programme includes historical monasteries and churches, so we ask you to keep to a respectful style of dress and behaviour.
Clothing that covers the shoulders and knees is recommended.
Duration of the tour
The total duration of the tour is about 13–14 hours, including the drive from Yerevan and back, the stops and the walking part of the route.
The actual time of return may vary depending on the pace of the group, traffic and weather conditions.
The order in which the locations are visited may change for organisational reasons or because of the condition of the trails, without changing the main programme of the tour.
Route
- 1Kobayr Monastery
- 2Horomayr Monastery
- 3Surb Nshan Church
- 4Odzun