Ukhtasar — Secrets of the Ancient Petroglyphs
“Ukhtasar — Secrets of the Ancient Petroglyphs” is a journey into the highlands of Syunik, where thousands of ancient images carved into stone many centuries ago have survived among the volcanic landscapes. This is one of those routes where the road itself becomes part of the adventure. After Sisian we switch to off-road vehicles and head to places that ordinary tour transport simply cannot reach.
We leave Yerevan early in the morning and head south through Armenia’s mountain regions towards Sisian, one of the main historical and natural centres of Syunik. Once we arrive in the Sisian area, the real adventure part of the trip begins.
We board 4×4 vehicles and start the climb to Ukhtasar. The asphalt is left behind. Ahead lie dirt and rocky tracks, mountain streams, volcanic terrain and the vast open spaces of Syunik. As we climb, we move further and further away from villages and the usual tourist routes. This is where the true high-mountain Armenia begins.
Ukhtasar lies in the highlands of Syunik at more than 3,000 metres above sea level. The name is often explained as “Camel Mountain”, as the outline of one of its peaks resembles a camel’s hump. The area is known above all for its remarkable archaeological heritage: numerous petroglyphs preserved on volcanic rocks.
Ukhtasar’s greatest historical treasure is its rock art, created by the ancient inhabitants of the Armenian Highlands. On the stones you can see animals, hunters, human figures, hunting scenes and a variety of geometric and symbolic signs. A large share of the known images date back to prehistoric times. Here history is not behind museum glass. We literally walk among the stones on which people, thousands of years ago, recorded their lives and the world around them.
Near the petroglyph field lies a small high-mountain lake, surrounded by volcanic peaks and open mountain terrain. There is time here to rest, stroll and take photos. The silence, the lake, the ancient stones and the almost total absence of modern infrastructure give this place a very special atmosphere.
After the jeep ascent there is a walk across the Ukhtasar area. It is not a long classic climb, but the walk takes place at high altitude over natural rocky ground. We will explore the most interesting accessible sections with petroglyphs and learn what is known about their origin and meaning.
Along the jeep route we stop at the most beautiful accessible viewpoints. The Syunik highlands are on a completely different scale: volcanic peaks, open plateaus and kilometres of space with no towns or roads. After exploring Ukhtasar, we drive back down to the Sisian area by jeep, switch to our main vehicle and return to Yerevan.
“Ukhtasar — Secrets of the Ancient Petroglyphs” is for those interested in history, archaeology, mountains and genuine off-road travel. No special mountaineering experience is required. However, you should be ready for a long journey, high altitude, rough roads and a walk over rocky terrain.
This is one of the most unusual routes in our jeep collection: ancient history hidden high in the mountains of Syunik.
Useful information
Booking
Participation is by advance booking only. Group places are limited.
To book, please tell us the tour date and the number of participants.
Once your 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.
Look for the AMARAS TOUR sign on the vehicle’s windscreen.
- Meeting time: 06:45
- Departure: 07:00
What’s included
- Comfortable transport Yerevan → Sisian → Yerevan
- 4×4 jeep ride to Ukhtasar
- Professional mountain guide
- Group escort
- Visit to the petroglyph site
- Visit to the high-mountain lake
- Panoramic stops
- Bottled water
- Treat from Amaras Tour
Entrance tickets
No additional entrance tickets are required on the main programme.
How the jeep tour works
On arrival in the Sisian area, the group switches to 4×4 vehicles.
The rest of the ascent is over rough high-mountain terrain.
Be prepared for:
- Rocky roads
- Dirt sections
- Climbs and descents
- Uneven terrain
- Possible water crossings and muddy patches
- Prolonged shaking while driving
This is one of the most challenging off-road routes in our programme.
The walking part
After the jeep ascent there is a walk across the Ukhtasar area and around the petroglyphs.
The ground here is natural and mostly rocky. There may be short climbs and descents.
The programme does not include a long, mandatory multi-kilometre trek, but at altitude even light walking feels harder.
Professional mountain guide
The group is accompanied by a professional mountain guide.
The guide leads participants through the high-mountain part of the route, introduces the history and nature of Ukhtasar, sets the group’s pace and takes weather and road conditions into account.
In the high-mountain area, please follow the guide’s instructions and do not wander off from the group.
What footwear you need
Ukhtasar requires closed shoes with good non-slip soles.
We recommend:
- Hiking boots
- Good trainers with a deep tread
Flip-flops, open sandals, dress shoes and smooth-soled shoes are not suitable.
What to wear
Ukhtasar is a high-mountain route. Even in summer it can be cool and windy.
We recommend dressing in layers:
- T-shirt or base layer
- Comfortable long trousers
- Warm sweater or fleece
- Windbreaker
- Waterproof jacket or raincoat
- Hat
Warm clothing is essential even in summer.
What to bring
We recommend a small backpack with:
- Closed hiking shoes
- Warm sweater or fleece
- Windbreaker
- Raincoat
- Hat
- Sunglasses
- Sunscreen
- Personal snacks
- Personal medication if needed
- Wet and dry wipes
- Power bank
Bottled water is provided by Amaras Tour.
High altitude
Ukhtasar lies at more than 3,000 metres above sea level.
At this altitude some participants may tire more quickly or feel shortness of breath, a headache or weakness.
Don’t rush during the walking part.
If you feel noticeably unwell, tell the mountain guide straight away.
Petroglyphs
Ukhtasar is an open-air archaeological site.
Please treat the ancient images with care:
- Do not scratch the stones
- Do not write or carve anything
- Do not try to clean the images yourself
- Do not move the stones
- Do not leave litter
We come here as guests and must leave this place just as we found it.
Weather and season
Ukhtasar is a seasonal high-mountain route. Access depends directly on snow, rain and the condition of the off-road track.
Even in summer the weather can change quickly. Strong wind, fog, rain, hail and sudden drops in temperature are possible.
The route is checked before every trip. If the mountain road becomes unsafe, the guide and drivers may adjust the route or the highest point reached.
The safety of the group always comes first.
Food
Full meals are not included in the tour price.
As the trip lasts 14–15 hours, we strongly recommend bringing your own snacks.
Choose food that is easy to carry on the road and in the mountains: sandwiches, fruit, nuts, dried fruit or energy bars.
Bottled water and a treat from Amaras Tour are included.
Who this tour is for
The route is designed for active travellers who cope well with:
- Long drives
- Altitudes above 3,000 metres
- Extended off-road mountain driving
- Shaking during the jeep section
- Walking over rocky terrain
- Changeable mountain weather
No special mountaineering experience is required. If you get badly carsick on mountain roads, please keep this in mind before booking.
Tour duration
The whole trip takes about 14–15 hours.
The actual return time to Yerevan depends on traffic, the condition of the mountain road, the weather and the length of stops.
Whether the tour runs, and how far up Ukhtasar we can go, depends on the weather and road conditions on the day.
Route
- 1Yerevan
- 2Sisian
- 3Jeep ride
- 4Ukhtasar
- 5High-mountain lake
- 6Petroglyphs
- 7Viewpoints
- 8Yerevan