Chiva: Hotels and Accommodations

Agriculture, wine, and nature observation coexist in Chiva. The place is included in Armenia’s officially designated tourist destination “Areni.” The highlands of Vayots Dzor offer potential hiking, horse-riding, and mountain biking routes.

Agriculture and Culinary Experiences

Chiva is associated with horticulture and livestock farming; the main agricultural products are consumed locally and in Yerevan. Armenia’s OVOP initiative for tourism development was implemented in Chiva and Rind. Local stakeholders identified agrotourism as a possible option for local development in Chiva and Rind. The associated initiative was linked to a wide variety of fresh and processed agricultural products.

The Ghazaryan family’s beverage preparation methods are passed down through generations. Guest workshops include making cheese, gata, khorovats, dolma, and harissa, as well as baking tonir lavash. At the Ghazaryan family’s home, guests can crush grapes and learn how wine is made. In the guesthouse garden, visitors can pick fruit and vegetables by hand. The guesthouse serves homemade dishes prepared with locally grown produce.

Local Accommodation

The “Noravank” guesthouse in Chiva has been operating since 1999. In 2006, it was converted into a classic guesthouse. In 2019, the guesthouse was expanded with a gastrobar that enables wine tasting on site. The Ghazaryan family’s gastrobar is described as a place where approximately two tonnes of wine are produced annually. The guesthouse garden offers tastings of more than 30 types of fruit. Visitors can also visit apple and walnut orchards associated with the guesthouse.

Nature

The wildlife observation cabins were opened in Chiva as an ecotourism facility. They are connected to orchard areas where brown bears, bezoar goats, wild boar, foxes, and hares can be observed. The cabins accommodate two to three people and have internet access as well as a limited solar-powered electricity supply.

Other destinations: Vayk, Hermon, Areni, Jermuk, Aghavnadzor.

Anyone wishing to book a hotel in Chiva can then proceed to select accommodation.

To the higher-level travel overview: Vayots Dzor.