Syunik

• Shaki Waterfall in Syunik Province is 18 meters high.
• At 3,201 meters, Mount Khustup is the highest peak of the Katar Range in Syunik.
• The Legends Trail connects Goris and Kapan over 150 kilometers.
• The Goris Local Lore Museum houses more than 5,000 ethnographic and archaeological objects.

Arevik National Park lies on the southern slope of the Meghri spur of the Zangezur Range and in the watersheds of the Astghadzor and Nyuvadi rivers. Wildlife and bird watching are possible there. The Vorotan is the main water supplier for Syunik Province and also an important natural landscape in Armenia. These varied landscapes give nature enthusiasts several concrete starting points for planning a trip.

One distinctive natural destination is Devil’s Bridge: natural springs beneath the bridge increase the volume of water there. Numerous mineral springs form a natural pool where visitors can enjoy a healing bath outdoors. Those interested in active experiences can find canyoning adventures that pass through Vorotan Canyon and lead to Devil’s Bridge. Shaki Waterfall offers a different highlight: it is 18 meters high.

The Legends Trail connects Goris and Kapan over 150 kilometers. This distance is worth considering when planning your own trip; the route is very different from a single day-trip destination. Another trail leads from Tatev Monastery to Devil’s Bridge: visitors can hike the Devil’s Bridge Trail using the free HIKEArmenia app.

Elevation also shapes the range of nature experiences. Mount Khustup reaches 3,201 meters and is the highest peak of the Katar Range in Syunik. At Oughtasar, ancient rock paintings dating from the 5th to the 2nd millennium BC have been preserved at an altitude of about 3,300 meters. In the village of Antarashat, you can go horseback riding and enjoy views of Mount Tapasar. Alongside hiking and canyoning, options therefore include horseback riding and viewing archaeological traces in the landscape.

Karahunj, also known as Zorats Karer, is an archaeological site in the Syunik Highlands near the town of Sisian. Large, upright basalt slabs are arranged there in circles and rows. Those interested in regional collections can visit the Sisian History Museum, which has an ethnographic collection from Syunik featuring household items, traditional clothing, and textiles. The Goris Local Lore Museum houses more than 5,000 ethnographic and archaeological objects.

Other cultural connections range from traditional textile and carpet weaving to individual historic sites. The Mrgadzor Khach Church is in Old Khot. Baghak Kar, also called Baghakakar Fortress, is one of Syunik’s well-known fortresses. In Meghri, Pokr Tagh is the old quarter, with narrow cobbled streets and centuries-old houses carved into the rock. These examples illustrate different aspects of the region: archaeological sites, collections, crafts, and historic architecture.

Tatev Monastery can be reached by private or group tour, rental car, or taxi. Public transportation will take you to the nearby town of Goris. The Wings of Tatev cable car, also known as Tatever, connects the village of Halidzor with the village of Tatev, where the monastery is located. When looking for accommodation, it may help to first decide which places and experiences you want to focus on during your trip, rather than assuming that one location will suit every destination.

For regional orientation, explore these subregions: Goris, Kapan, Sissian, Halidzor, Tatev, Meghri, Ashotavan and Agarak.

How long is the Legends Trail?

The Legends Trail connects Goris and Kapan over 150 kilometers.

What collections can you find in Sisian and Goris?

The Sisian History Museum has an ethnographic collection from Syunik featuring household items, traditional clothing, and textiles. The Goris Local Lore Museum houses more than 5,000 ethnographic and archaeological objects.

How can you reach Tatev Monastery?

You can go by private or group tour, rental car, or taxi. Public transportation will take you to the nearby town of Goris.

For the main travel overview: Armenia.