Horse Riding Tour Across the Dzoraget Canyon
Description
Immerse yourself in colorful nature when embarking on a riding experience through Armenian mountains and cantering across lush green gorges. The mountain forests and grasslands are full of biodiversity, and your trails along the verdant canyons, valleys, and countryside offer the best natural views as well as important historical sites. Picnic cuisine includes locally grown vegetables, native cheeses, bread, and wines, served under the shade of trees. The camping tents and guesthouses are located on scenic hillsides where you will explore centuries-long traditions of the local lifestyle.
Tour Options
Itinerary
Day 1: Arrive at Lori province and be welcomed with local food and drinks. To be acquainted with your horse you will reach the equestrian center, located on the shore of Lake Tsover, an impressive natural gem hidden in hilly forests. Here you have the opportunity for several outdoor activities, like paddling, archery, and fishing. Dinner and overnight in the lakefront wooden cabins.
Day 2: Start your ride through pasture lands towards the House-Museumof a prominent Armenian poet, H. Tumanyan, which is a vivid example ofan Armenian peasant house of the early 19th century. Next, a sinuous trail leads down the hill towards the Debed Ravine. After crossing the river over the bridge, your route follows towards the Dzoragyugh, a scenic village on thesouth hillsides of the Dzoraget Canyon. You will dine in a cozy restaurant and be accommodated in a comfortable guesthouse.
Day 3: You will ride down the scenic Dzoraget valley and continue towards Hnevanq, an impressive medieval sanctuary, located on the upper hillside rising above the valley. The construction of the monastery was sponsored in the 7th century by the representatives of Orbelians, derived from the glorious Mamikonyans princely family, the ancient leaders of military forces. Here you will also find medieval fortresses on top of steep rocky hills, between which the rapid and stormy river turns into a quiet backwater, creating the most exciting scenery of the valley. Next, trails lead to an amazing wooden campground hidden in lush forests.
Day 4: Today’s trail leads to the Antaramut hamlet. You will ride through the sinuous Old Stepananavan road passing by the Kurtan village. Along the way, you will find scenic falls hidden in the circuits of the village. Overnight in camps.
Day 5: Next morning, the descending pass takes you down the valley of Debed. Following lunch in a riverside restaurant, you will pass the river over the bridge and continue towards the same-named Debed village. It’s a picturesque settlement flanked by hilly forests and cascading water streams. Dinner and overnight in a local guesthouse.
Day 6: Your final day on the saddle you will mount up again and take a trail ridethat goes high into the mountains. To be rewarded by spectacular views, you willgain an altitude of 1600 meters. Afterwards, you can do some cantering along the ridge of Tsovaqar Mountain. Eventually, your final trail will take you down the hill towards Lake Tsover.
Day 7: You will be transferred back to the airport in time to meet your scheduleddeparture.
Highlights
What's included
Pickup Locations & Times
Contact us and send any location including your accommodation in the mentioned communities to be transferred to your starting point.
Traveller Ratings
Important Information
- Service animals allowed
- Public transportation options are available nearby
- Not recommended for travelers with spinal injuries
- Not recommended for pregnant travelers
- Travelers should have at least a moderate level of physical fitness
Reviews(2)
This was one of my best days in Armenia, although I have lived here for 2 months already. Our guide was very hospitable, kind, and helpful from the beginning to the end of the trip. We got to ride through a small village and see the canyon— this is a wonderful way to experience rural Armenia in a fun and warm environment. At the end of the excursion, we ate a home cooked meal and drank homemade vodka. If you can do this trip, please do so. Life-changing.
We missed the bus so went there late, but the host is very nice to us and offered to delay the trip. He also helped us a lot when finding taxi with the negotiation and giving us tips such as glide for the blue sharing taxi rather than the others, which are really useful.
