Jeep Tour: Lake Akna — Heart of the Gegham Mountains

"Lake Akna — Heart of the Gegham Mountains" is a high-mountain journey to where the asphalt ends and a completely different Armenia begins.

Ahead of us lie the off-road tracks of the Gegham highlands, volcanic scenery, alpine meadows, and the trip's main destination — the high-mountain Lake Akna, situated more than 3,000 metres above sea level.

This route is for those who want to see Armenia's genuine wild nature without a long, many-kilometre climb on foot.

From Yerevan we set off towards the village of Sevaberd, where the high-mountain part of our journey begins.

Here the ordinary road gradually comes to an end, the group transfers into off-road vehicles, and a real jeep adventure begins.

In 4×4 off-road vehicles we begin the climb into the Gegham Mountains.

The route runs along dirt and rocky mountain roads through volcanic terrain.

As we gain altitude, settlements are left far below, and vast open spaces appear all around.

The Gegham Mountains are of volcanic origin. Here you'll find extinct volcanoes, craters, lava formations and high-mountain lakes.

During the ascent there are stops at beautiful panoramic viewpoints for rest and photos.

We gradually climb to an altitude of around 3,000 metres above sea level.

The landscape here is already completely different: alpine meadows, volcanic peaks, rocky stretches and an almost total absence of urban infrastructure.

It's in this part of the journey that the scale of the Gegham Mountains is felt most vividly.

The main point of our route is Lake Akna, situated at an altitude of about 3,032 metres above sea level.

The lake lies in the central highland part of the Gegham Mountains, on the border between the Kotayk and Gegharkunik regions.

Akna is fed by snowmelt and spring water.

Volcanic mountains rise around the lake, and in the warm season alpine meadows surround its shores.

In clear weather the mountains are reflected in the calm surface of the water, creating one of the most beautiful high-mountain landscapes in the region.

After arrival there is time for a short walk, rest and photos.

There is no lengthy mandatory climb in the program — we cover the main mountain distance in off-road vehicles.

You can stroll along the accessible part of the shore, see the surrounding volcanic peaks, and simply relax amid high-mountain nature.

On the way to the lake and back we will stop at the most beautiful accessible spots of the Gegham highlands.

There is almost no mass tourism here.

Just mountains, volcanic terrain, alpine meadows, a high-mountain lake and endless space.

After resting by Akna, we return by off-road vehicle to the main road and head back to Yerevan.

"Lake Akna — Heart of the Gegham Mountains" will suit lovers of mountains, nature, off-road travel and unusual high-mountain places.

No special mountaineering training is required.

That said, you should take into account the altitude of over 3,000 metres, mountain off-road terrain, changeable weather and short walks over natural terrain.

The route is especially suited to those who want to see high-mountain Armenia without a difficult, many-hour trek on foot.

This is a journey to where familiar Armenia stays far below — right into the heart of the Gegham Mountains, to Lake Akna.