Jeep Tour: In the Footsteps of Ara the Beautiful

This route brings together three very different sides of Armenia: medieval architecture, the deep Kasagh Gorge, and one of the country's best-known mountains — Arailer, or Mount Ara.

The mountain takes its name from an ancient legend about the Armenian king Ara the Beautiful and the Assyrian queen Shamiram. But this is not only a place of legends — Arailer is a large volcanic massif with an unusual landscape, cliffs, caves and magnificent panoramas of central Armenia.

We cover most of the mountain road in 4×4 off-road vehicles, and after that a real hike up the mountain begins.

After leaving Yerevan we head into the Aragatsotn region. The first historical stop is the monastery of Surb Gevorg in Mughni, an architectural complex largely dating to the 17th century. The church stands out for its decorative masonry of red and dark tuff, its beautiful dome and rich exterior decoration. For centuries the monastery has been an important spiritual center of the region.

The next natural stretch of the journey is the gorge of the Kasagh River. The river has cut through volcanic rock, forming a deep canyon with sheer walls. We stop at accessible viewpoints offering beautiful views of the gorge and the surrounding mountains of Aragatsotn, with time set aside for photos and a short walk.

Next we head to the main part of our journey. Arailer is an extinct volcanic massif lying between the Aragatsotn and Kotayk regions; its highest point reaches about 2,575 meters above sea level. From a distance, the mountain's outline is traditionally likened to a reclining figure. According to ancient Armenian legend, it was here that King Ara the Beautiful died in battle against the army of Queen Shamiram.

On the mountain's slope stands the unusual cave shrine of Tsaghkevank, whose name translates as the "Flower Monastery." Part of the shrine sits directly within a natural rock niche, and several folk legends and religious traditions are linked to this place. Inside the rock there is a natural spring whose water drips from the ceiling — Tsaghkevank has long been a site of pilgrimage. After visiting the shrine, the more active part of the journey begins.

We switch to 4×4 off-road vehicles and begin the climb along the mountain road. Depending on the season and weather, the route may include dirt track, rocks, ruts, steep climbs, uneven stretches, mud after rain and strong jolting. The jeeps take the group as high as possible to a safe, accessible point, but Mount Ara is not a route where a tourist can be promised the off-roader will carry them all the way to the summit.

After the jeep road ends, we continue on foot. The actual length of the walking section depends on the condition of the mountain road, the weather, the point the off-roaders manage to reach, the group's pace and the chosen viewpoint. The walk follows natural mountain terrain: expect rocks, grass, uneven slopes, ascents and descents. This is already an active part of the route, so a reasonable level of fitness is required.

The higher we climb, the more sweeping the view becomes. In clear weather, panoramas open up over the surrounding mountains, Aragatsotn, Kotayk and central Armenia. Time is set aside here for rest and photos. A professional mountain guide determines the most suitable point to stop, based on the group's abilities and the weather — our goal is not to tick off the "summit" at any cost, but to have a beautiful and safe mountain journey.

After resting, we begin the descent. We return to the off-roaders and continue down. Once the jeep section is over, we switch to the main vehicle and head back to Yerevan. Estimated return time is 18:00–19:00.

This route will especially appeal to those who love jeep tours, mountains, active travel, beautiful panoramas, Armenian history and legends, unusual natural sites and photography. It is a good middle ground between an ordinary excursion and a full mountain ascent. No special climbing preparation is required, but participants should be ready for walking on mountain terrain.