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'll cover a hiking route of about 12 kilometers, taking in historical monuments and stunning views of the Debed river gorge.

The first stop will be Kobayr Monastery — one of the most unusual medieval monastic complexes in northern Armenia.

Kobayr is located on the slope of the Debed gorge. The monastery's history begins in the 12th century, and much of the surviving structures date to the 12th–13th centuries.

Of special value are the medieval frescoes preserved here. Thanks to its setting among cliffs, vegetation and ruins, the path to the monastery itself becomes part of the experience of this place.

The route then continues to Oromayr — a monastic complex literally built into the harsh landscape of the Lori gorge.

Oromayr consists of several structures set at different levels of the rocky slope. Most of the surviving complex dates to the medieval period, and its unusual location makes Oromayr one of the most impressive and hard-to-reach monastic monuments in Lori.

Here the character of our route is especially palpable: history is not separated from nature — to see it, you have to walk to it.

During the trip we'll visit the Church of Surb Nshan — another historical monument along our way.

The small ancient churches and monastic structures of this region rarely feature in standard tourist programs, so the route lets you see Lori in much greater depth than during a typical sightseeing excursion.

The final historical stop will be 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 dated to the 6th–7th centuries. The temple is built of pinkish tuff and stands out for its strict proportions and monumental architecture.

Nearby is an unusual early medieval memorial monument with stone arches and carved reliefs — one of the distinctive historical details of the Odzun complex.

After the long hiking route, it is here that our journey through ancient Lori comes to an end.

Who this tour is for

"Trails of Ancient Lori" is an active hiking route that differs from our classic group excursions.

It will suit travelers who love walking, exploring little-known historical sites, mountain trails, gorges and ancient monasteries.

Over the course of the day you'll cover about 12 km, so the route is designed for participants with normal physical fitness and a readiness for prolonged walking over natural terrain.