What about getting a good portion of adrenaline by rushing through the Armenian Highlands? We highlighted the top 5 activities in Armenia.
Despite the fact that Armenia is the first Christian country in the world full of ancient monasteries and monuments, it is not a passive destination at all. Thanks to its high location with an average of 1800m above sea level, Armenia offers a range of activities that will show the country from a wild angle. The country offers lots of vibrant activities, such as diving, skiing, horse riding, biking, rafting, paddle boarding, and so on. However, here we have listed the most famous, top 5 activities in Armenia. This article will help to find the right activities, fully admire, and relax in Armenia.
While composing the list of “Top 5 Activities in Armenia”, we could not leave hiking aside, since Armenia is the perfect country for hiking. Due to its vibrantly changing terrain, stunning mountains, dense forests, and deep gorges, Armenia offers epic hiking trails throughout its terrain, where architectural and cultural gems can be found.
Some of Armenia’s best hiking spots are also major tourist attractions. Tatev Monastery is situated above the Vorotan Gorge and can be accessed by a rugged trail offering wide canyon views. The trail combines a challenging climb with a visit to a historic site, making it popular among serious hikers.
Besides Tatev, hikers can explore several trails. Dilijan National Park has lush forests and peaceful trails such as the Parz Lake loop. Mount Aragats, Armenia’s highest peak, has routes for both beginner and experienced climbers. The Khustup Mountain trail in the south is known for wide views of mountain ranges and valleys. These trails take visitors through Armenia’s wild highlands, where they pass ancient churches, lakes, and rural villages.
The best time for hiking in Armenia is May to October. Beginning in late May, the most beautiful part comes to life in the Armenian highlands, bringing life to the valleys, and flora, and decreasing the frequency of rains and wild winds. At this time, the hikers will have a fantastic opportunity to view the highlands in their true colors from the country’s highest mountains. At the same time, it is highly recommended to take warm clothes in any situation since sometimes those hiking reach up to the highest mountains of the country. Hiking in Armenia is highly recommended to try out and explore the land from various angles.
Rock Climbing
For rock climbing enthusiasts, Noravank Canyon and the basalt cliffs near Garni Gorge have climbing routes with beautiful scenery. Climbing tours are available for beginners and experienced climbers. Local professionals, who are familiar with the region’s geology, often lead these tours.
What about feeling like a bird for a while? That is what paragliding in Armenia will make us feel alike. Emerged in 1996, with more than 20 years of experience and history in the country, paragliding promises to give an adrenaline rush to those who want to discover the small and awesome country from a totally different perspective. By having 300 sunny days in a year, the sport can be practiced throughout the year, of course, under the control of professionals and guides. At the same time, due to its different heights, the practice can be offered from various magnitudes of heights, though experts offer to have it from 1300m up to 2800m above sea level. The flights can last a couple of hours. However, in case of longer flights, the trial will be changed by offering a 50km length with a 1-hour flight.
As mentioned beforehand, Armenia offers a variety of options for better hiking. In any case, Mt. Hatis and Mt. Gutan are the best places to have the flight since they are near the capital, Yerevan and their flights are longer and more enjoyable. While the other centers offer amazing views over the much larger and deeper gorges, canyons, and mountain ranges.
In addition to the above listings, Armenia is a perfect place to have horse riding here. Starting from ancient times Armenians have always been familiar with how to get along with horses, how to treat, how to ride, etc. By being mainly a sunny country Armenia offers amazing horse riding packages that will explore this small country and make us feel like an inseparable part of nature. The top horse-riding centres are located all around Armenia starting from the capital Yerevan up to small cities and villages in different regions. The tours in the regions are organized within hills, valleys, lakes, and rivers which make the tour more adventurous and interesting to try.
As mentioned before Armenia is famous for rafting in the rivers, too. Having emerged just 3 years ago, rafting got a frequent rise and popularity. The most famous rivers for rafting are Dzoraget, Kasagh, Tartar, and Debed. Despite the fact that the Debed is one of the craziest rivers in Armenia, it is the best destination for rafting. Of course, before going for rafting all the risks and difficulties should be taken into consideration. The trips to Armenia will not only fill you with a bunch of cultural and historical data but also with a good portion of adrenaline. While the activities we’ve outlined promise an adrenaline-filled experience, it’s crucial to address safety concerns for your trip to Armenia, especially when participating in extreme sports like paragliding or rafting
Being a landlocked country, Armenia does not miss the chance to amaze people with its diverse water activities. Armenia offers a variety of water sports, including diving, river rafting, and waterskiing, among others. However, paddle boarding has led to a subsequent rise of interest among the population. This is a fascinating blend of canoeing and surfing, combining the fun of both sports. Surely, the best place to try paddle boarding in Armenia is the lake Sevan, the largest freshwater body in Armenia. Other options are also the Azat and Spandaryan Reservoirs in the other parts of the country. Thanks to the professional teams, paddle boarding techniques will be briefly introduced to the participants, like how to stand on the board, to keep the balance, to hold the paddle, and where to go. Later after the practice, the fun will get started.
Besides Sevan, the Azat Reservoir near Khosrov Forest Reserve is a peaceful place for paddleboarding. The Spandaryan Reservoir in Syunik has mountain views. Trained staff usually provide safety equipment and beginner lessons.
However, significantly, the list of different activities in Armenia is not yet limited to this list. The country due to its diverse terrain offers more and more each time, so do not hesitate to travel to Armenia and explore the little pearl. By visiting Armenia and choosing our offered Adventure Tours to Armenia you will expose the country’s most interesting and important activities.
Armenia, known for its outdoor adventures, is also home to some of the world’s most remarkable historical and cultural landmarks. The Tatev Monastery, situated above Vorotan Gorge, offers visitors a blend of spiritual history and breathtaking scenery. Nearby, the Geghard Monastery, a UNESCO World Heritage Site, features rock-carved chambers and holds great religious significance. The Garni Temple, a rare example of Greco-Roman architecture in the region, stands in contrast to the surrounding Christian heritage.
Etchmiadzin Cathedral, in the center of the country, is considered the world’s oldest cathedral and a major center of the Armenian Apostolic faith. In the Lori region, the twin monasteries of Haghpat and Sanahin, both UNESCO World Heritage sites, stand against the backdrop of forested mountains, showcasing medieval architecture. Noravank Monastery, situated within narrow red rock canyons, reflects Armenia’s unique blend of natural beauty and history. These sites balance Armenia’s wild landscapes, offering travelers cultural experiences alongside outdoor adventures.
Armenia has a central place in Christian history as the first nation to adopt Christianity as its state religion. Beyond Etchmiadzin Cathedral and Geghard, the country has many sacred sites tied to ancient faith traditions. Pilgrims often follow informal routes connecting Armenia’s monasteries, many perched on cliffs or hidden in forests. These routes reflect medieval pilgrimages that once connected communities across the Armenian Highlands.
Khor Virap Monastery is one of the most revered pilgrimage destinations. Its underground chamber once held Saint Gregory the Illuminator, who later converted Armenia’s king, leading to the nation’s adoption of Christianity. If you’re drawn to Khor Virap’s significance, our Armenia pilgrimage tour includes a visit to this holy site and other sacred landmarks, such as Etchmiadzin Cathedral, which has shaped the nation’s Christian heritage.
The monastery overlooks Mount Ararat, which is deeply connected to Armenian identity as the biblical resting place of Noah’s Ark. Mount Ararat lies beyond Armenia’s borders, but its towering presence remains a spiritual landmark for Armenians worldwide.
Other sacred sites include Holy Shoghakat Church, tied to early Christian martyrs, and Tatev Monastery, where medieval scholars taught theology, astronomy, and philosophy. The monasteries of Haghpat and Sanahin display medieval architecture and preserve illuminated manuscripts and relics from Armenia’s early Christian period.
At Cascade Travel, we plan high-adventure trips across the Caucasus. Our team has local knowledge and years of experience leading travelers through Armenia’s rugged terrain. We make sure every hike, flight, ride, or paddle is safe, memorable, and well organized. If you’re traveling to Armenia, let our team show you the country’s most exciting, beautiful, and culturally rich places. Contact us if you’re ready to start planning your next adventure.
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