7 riding days / intermediate /

Ride Overview

The 5-day horseback riding tour offers the beauty and diversity of the Stepanavan district, steeped in Armenian history and culture. Along the way, you will enjoy the song of native birds, and spectacular mountain scenery, Your lodgings are cozy guesthouses renowned for outstanding traditional cuisine. But you will also dine under the stars and fall asleep in a comfortable safari tent. This is a very special adventure on this horseback riding vacation.

Itinerary

Day 1: Arrive at Zvartnots airport and transfer to the northern Lori province of Armenia. To be acquainted with your horse you will be transferred to Lori Canyon Equestrian. Here you can help get the horses ready (if you don’t wish they will have been already saddled up). Here you will be welcomed with a traditional homemade Armenian meal and juice made of local berries. Overnight in Odzun guesthouse.

Day 2: Your journey starts with a trail ride through cornfields, then continues across the Dzoraget Canyon, an incredible natural abyss, surrounded by woods and high rocky cliffs. Along the way, you will explore partly survived medieval forts and churches, scattered along the river. Overnight in Arevatsag campsite.

Day 3: Early this morning you will uncover the 7th-century Hnevanq monastery. Next, your trail will switchback to the South Rim of the canyon. You will ride your trail passing by Kurtan and Vardablur villages. Along the way, visit the medieval Holy Cross church and have lunch in a beautiful lakefront picnic area. Your following trails lead uphill via pungent pine forests on the northern fringes of the Bazum Mountains. In the end, your multiday rides rides will pass the territory of Denropark Botanical Garden which provides the unique opportunity to study the adaptive characteristics of diverse plants. A fresh and healthy dinner will be provided in Dendropark restaurant. Overnight in camps.

Day 4: This morning has been left free to explore the taxonomic distribution of rare and common plants inside the territory of Dendropark. Following lunch, you will mount up and start your journey towards Stepanavan, one of the major resort towns of Armenia. You will stop at the St John church of the early 20th century. At sunset, you will reach Stepanavan via Pushkino village. You will be accommodated in Vahagn resort, hidden in dense forests flanking Stepanavan from the south.

Day 5: You will leave Stepanavan and continue your rides along the Sev River. Your today’s destination is the admire-impressive Lake of Urasar. You will feel real serenity envelop you as you ride around the water lilies lake. During this tour, you will also experience the natural scenery that is filled with a variety of birds, wildlife, fish, and other aquatic life. Camping in the Urasar village.

Day 6: This morning go on a gentle ride in the surrounding hills to admire some great views and panoramas. The trail leads you to explore the partially ruined Lori Fortress lying on the north rim of the Dzoraget Canyon. The fortress dates from the early 11th century and was used to control trade routes between Ayrarat valley and Tbilisi. Since the 12th century, Lori Fortress was the capital of the local Tashir-Dzoraget kingdom. This is when the stronghold gained the second line of walls and included various churches, baths, and even a mosque. Overnight in camps.

Day 7: After a short stroll inside the fortress, you will take your steed down the hill. Mount up again to continue along the river. Your route follows through the narrow gorge full of dramatic views, orchards, and natural caves. On the way experience some challenging rides and pass across multiday rides several cascading creeks flowing into the Dzoraget River. Afterward, the route follows a hairpin road that takes up the hill. Camping in Hovnadzor mountain hamlet.

Day 8: Your last day on the saddle starts with adventures through the varied scenery in the area. Your rides through grasslands open a spectacular view over the Bazum mountain range. Eventually, you will reach Ispir Hill where the scenery gets more and more incredible every time you come around the bend. From here, a descending path leads to the Holy Virgin church of the 6th century. Overnight in Odzun guesthouse.

Day 9: Transfer to Yerevan and take a stroll in the center of the city. Start from Matenadaran containing over 16,000 manuscripts that document the centuries-old history of the Armenian nation, art, literature, and sciences. Visit the Cafesjian Center for the Arts located in the Cascade Complex. The Center offers a variety of exhibitions, derived from the Gerard Cafesjian Collection of contemporary art. This collection of more than 5,000 works includes one of the most comprehensive glass collections in the world. The next stop is the Opera House, one of the greatest architectural compositions of the city. Afterward, reach Republic Square via Northern Avenue. From Republic Square, you will be transferred to the airport.

Ride Details

Dates: April to November

Trip pace: Moderate

Route type: Loop

Daily riding hours: 4-5

Distance: 101 km (62.7 mi)

Horses: Local,

Group Size: 2-10

Weight limit: 110 kg (240 lbs)

Languages: Armenian, English, and Russian

Price: AMD

PAX 2-4 5-7 8-10

PP Price 300.000 270.000 250.000

Included: horses, guide service, entrance fees, meals, accommodation Not included: airfare, all services are not mentioned as included

Pine Forest Rides

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