To the Summit of Mount Azhdahak
"To the Summit of Mount Azhdahak" is a real mountain adventure for those who want to step away from the classic tourist routes and see a completely different Armenia.
Our destination is Azhdahak, an extinct volcano and the highest point of the Geghama mountain range. Its summit lies at about 3,597 metres above sea level.
Most of the way is covered in off-road vehicles across high-mountain terrain.
As you climb, the familiar landscapes are left behind. The road passes through the open expanses of the Geghama Mountains, volcanic terrain and almost untouched nature.
There are no towns and no usual tourist infrastructure here — only mountains, open space and a road that itself becomes part of the journey.
After the jeep section, a walk of about 2 km begins. This is a high-altitude part of the route, so even a relatively short distance feels different from an ordinary walk: the altitude, the stony surface and the changes in terrain call for comfortable shoes and reasonable physical fitness.
The main reward is the scenery of Azhdahak. In the crater of the extinct volcano there is a small high-mountain lake, which has become one of the most recognisable features of this summit. In clear weather the height opens up sweeping panoramas of the Geghama range and the surrounding mountains.
This is a completely different Armenia — harsh, high in the mountains and almost without traces of civilisation.
People do not come to Azhdahak for a single photograph. Jeeps, off-road tracks, the climb on foot, a volcanic crater, a high-mountain lake and an altitude of almost 3,600 metres — all of it becomes one big adventure.
This route suits lovers of mountains, active holidays, off-road travel and wild nature.
The tour includes a walking section of about 2 km over high-mountain and at times uneven terrain, so participants need to take their physical fitness into account.
The route runs at a considerable altitude, where the weather can change quickly and the temperature, even in summer, can be significantly lower than in Yerevan.
The trip to Azhdahak depends on weather and road conditions. The safety of the group always remains the priority, so in unfavourable conditions the route or the highest accessible point of the ascent may be adjusted.
This is a journey for those who want to see Armenia above the usual roads — among volcanoes, clouds and true high-mountain landscapes.
Useful information
Booking
Participation in the tour is by advance booking. The number of places in the group is limited.
To book, you need to tell us the date of the tour and the number of participants.
Once the 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 there 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 in the price
- Transport along the route
- Jeep tour through the Geghama Mountains to Azhdahak
- A professional mountain guide
- Accompaniment of the group along the whole route
- The walking part of the route — about 2 km
- Bottled water
- Hot tea
- Coffee
- Local Armenian sweets and treats from Amaras Tour
Everything listed is included in the tour price and is not paid for separately.
Entrance tickets
There are no entrance tickets along the route.
No additional payment is required to visit the natural sites in the programme.
Professional mountain guide
The group is accompanied by a professional mountain guide who is familiar with the specifics of high-altitude routes.
The guide accompanies the group during the jeep tour and the walking section, keeps an eye on the pace, and takes the weather and the condition of the route into account.
We ask participants to follow the mountain guide's recommendations, especially when the weather or road conditions change.
Jeep tour to Azhdahak
A significant part of the route is covered in off-road vehicles over high-mountain off-road terrain.
Along the way there may be stony stretches, climbs, descents and shaking while the vehicle is moving. This is a natural part of the jeep tour format.
The condition of the mountain roads can change depending on the weather, so the final decision on whether individual stretches can be driven is made with the safety of the group in mind.
The walking section — about 2 km
The programme includes a walk of about 2 km across high-mountain terrain.
The surface is stony and uneven in places, with possible climbs and descents.
Despite the short distance, the physical effort may feel greater than on an ordinary walk because of the altitude.
The group covers the walking section at a comfortable pace, accompanied by the mountain guide.
Altitude and weather conditions
Azhdahak is a high-altitude route. The summit stands at about 3,597 metres above sea level.
The weather in the mountains can change very quickly. Even in summer it can be cool, windy or foggy here, despite hot weather in Yerevan.
In case of strong wind, thunderstorms, fog, precipitation or an unsafe road surface, the route and the highest accessible point of the ascent may be adjusted.
The safety of the group is always the priority.
What you must bring with you
- Comfortable closed shoes with good non-slip soles
- A warm sweater or fleece
- A windbreaker or a light waterproof jacket
- A hat
- Sunglasses
- Sunscreen
- A small personal backpack
- An extra snack if needed
Warm clothes must be brought even in summer.
Tea, coffee and local sweets in the mountains
During the journey there is a rest stop among the high-mountain scenery.
After the mountain road and the walk you can rest a little, drink hot tea or coffee and enjoy the nature of the Geghama Mountains.
For our guests we will prepare:
- hot tea
- coffee
- local Armenian sweets
- treats from Amaras Tour
All of this is included in the tour price and is not paid for separately.
Meals
A full lunch is not included in the tour price.
Given that the journey lasts 11–12 hours, we recommend bringing a small extra snack with you.
Bottled water, tea, coffee, local Armenian sweets and treats are provided by Amaras Tour.
Important to consider before booking
This is a high-altitude jeep tour with a walking section, so the route differs from an ordinary excursion.
You need to take into account:
- An altitude of up to 3,597 metres
- A walking section of about 2 km
- Travel over mountain off-road terrain
- Possible shaking inside the off-road vehicles
- Rapidly changing weather
- Lower air temperature at altitude
If during the ascent or the walk you feel weakness, a headache, dizziness, shortness of breath or any other decline in how you feel, you must tell the mountain guide immediately.
Duration of the tour
The tour lasts about 11–12 hours.
The actual time of return to Yerevan may vary slightly depending on the weather, the condition of the mountain roads, the pace of the group and the length of the stops.
The order of the route and the accessibility of individual high-mountain sections may be adjusted on the day of the trip depending on weather and road conditions.
Route
- 1Geghama Mountains
- 2Mount Azhdahak (3,597 m)
- 3Volcanic crater
- 4High-mountain lake in the crater