Secrets of Ancient Lori

This route is a completely different Armenia. There won't be many of the popular tourist stops here. The real stars of the day are mountains, gorges, old monasteries, hiking trails and the almost untouched nature of Northern Armenia. In a single day we will see ancient Odzun, head into Arevatsag Gorge and discover monastic monuments hidden among the cliffs of Lori. It is a route for those who want not just to see Armenia through a car window, but to walk a little of it on their own feet.

In the morning an Amaras Tour car arrives right at the address you give us — your hotel, apartment or another place agreed in advance. There is no need to come to a shared meeting point. Once everyone is on board, we head north. Along the way the landscape gradually changes: the city falls behind, and mountain passes, forests and the deep valleys of Lori appear.

The Lori region is known for nature of a completely different character. There are more forests, green slopes, deep gorges and rivers. One of the region's defining natural features is the system of gorges formed by the Debed River and its tributaries. It was among these mountains that monasteries arose in the Middle Ages — monasteries that today still seem almost hidden from the outside world.

The first major stop is Odzun. The village sits on a high plateau above the gorge. Its main landmark is the famous Odzun Church, one of the most interesting monuments of early medieval Armenian architecture. The history of this place is tied to the earliest centuries of Armenian Christianity. The present church is generally dated to the early Middle Ages. Ancient Christian traditions are also linked to Odzun, including a tradition about the Apostle Thomas. But the church is not the only thing that draws attention: right beside it stands a rare stone memorial with two tall carved stelae, a type of monument almost never found elsewhere in Armenia.

Because Odzun stands on a plateau, it offers superb views over the surrounding mountains and the gorges of Lori. We leave plenty of time for a walk and photos. If you choose a professional guide, this is where a full historical story begins — about Armenia's early Christian architecture and the history of the region.

After the historical part we continue towards Arevatsag Gorge, where the more natural and active part of our day begins. Arevatsag is Lori without the usual tourist infrastructure: mountain slopes, cliffs, a river, open green spaces and roads winding through an almost untouched landscape. The gorge looks completely different depending on the season. In spring it is especially green, in summer richer mountain hues appear, and in autumn the slopes turn golden and reddish. The private format includes stops at the most beautiful and safe natural viewpoints. Part of the route is on foot. We don't rush, and the length of the walk can be adjusted to the guests' fitness. This is where the main advantage of a private tour is felt most — the program isn't tied to the pace of a large group.

The next historical part of the journey is Surb Nshan — the Holy Sign. Set among the mountain landscapes of Lori, medieval monuments like this look entirely different from monasteries standing beside main roads. Here the architecture literally becomes part of the surrounding terrain. When travelling with a professional guide, we explore the monument's history and architecture in detail, along with the role monastic centres played in medieval Lori.

One of the most unusual stops on our journey is the Horomayr monastic complex — a monastery above the abyss. It lies near Odzun, on the slopes of the vast Debed Gorge. What makes Horomayr special is its setting. This is not a single compact monastery: the complex has an upper and a lower part, set on different levels of the gorge. Some buildings stand on the edge of the plateau, while others are literally tucked away below, among the cliffs. The first written mentions of the monastery date to around the 7th century, but most of the structures you can see today belong mainly to the 12th–14th centuries. One of the complex's most important churches is Surb Nshan, built in 1187. The monastic ensemble kept growing over time, gaining further churches, chapels, a bell tower, khachkars and a monastic cemetery.

The most impressive part of the complex, Lower Horomayr, lies below the rim of the gorge, and the only way to see it is on foot. The trail follows the natural mountain terrain and in places descends quite steeply. That is why Horomayr can't be treated as an ordinary sightseeing drive: it is a historical site you have to walk to, and that is exactly what makes it so fascinating. The lower buildings of Horomayr are literally built into the side of the gorge — medieval walls on one side, a huge natural rock face on the other. Nearby are caves, khachkars and the remains of monastic buildings. Here you can see especially clearly how medieval Armenian architects used the natural terrain as part of their architecture.

How long the walking part at Horomayr takes depends on the option you choose. You can keep to the upper part and the panoramic views, while more active guests can walk down to the lower monastic complex. In places the trail is rocky and uneven, with descents and climbs, and it can be slippery after rain. For the full route you will therefore need comfortable closed shoes with good grip. In heavy rain or if the trail is unsafe, the descent to the lower complex may be dropped from the program.

After the active part we leave time to rest and stop at viewpoints. From the high sections of the route there are views over Debed Gorge, the mountain slopes of Lori, forests, the rocky canyon walls and small mountain villages — one of the most photogenic parts of the route. Once the program is over we head back to Yerevan, and at the end of the journey the car drops you off right at the address you give us. The whole journey takes approximately 12–13 hours.

This is a private tour of Lori combining car travel and walking, with a moderate activity level. The price is calculated individually and depends on the number of travellers, the car category you choose, the format — with a professional driver or with a separate professional guide — and any additional services. Standard, Comfort, Premium and Luxury car categories are available. Professional drone filming can be added to the journey on request.