Vayots Dzor: Wine, History and Hiking Trails

Vayots Dzor brings together a millennia-old winemaking tradition, medieval architecture and trails through gorges and mountain landscapes. The region appeals to travelers who want to spend their time exploring culture, nature or both. From Yerevan, Vayots Dzor is about two hours away by car or bus.

Wine tradition and local festivals

The Areni-1 Cave near the village of Areni preserves a winery that is more than 6,100 years old. Finds include fermentation vessels, a wine press and wine storage vessels. The winemaking facility dates to around 4000 BC and is considered the earliest known winery in the world. Three main caves extend more than 40 meters into the rock. Here, you can encounter the region’s winemaking history both in its archaeological spaces and at present-day events.

The Areni Wine Festival features wine tastings as well as traditional dances and music. The Gata Festival is devoted to the sweet pastry gata: visitors can taste it and take part in making it. Folk music, dances, local crafts and games round out the festival. Dates and venues may vary; check the details before your trip.

Monasteries, a caravanserai and collections

The 13th-century Noravank Monastery lies at the end of the Gnishik Canyon. The complex includes a mausoleum with the tombs of princes from the medieval Orbelian dynasty. Another landmark in the region’s history is the Orbelian Caravanserai, also known as Selim Caravanserai. It lies on the Vardenyats Mountain Pass, the former Selim Pass, between Nshkhark and Aghnjadzor, and is considered Armenia’s best-preserved medieval caravanserai. Spitakavor Monastery was known as a center of manuscript production in the 14th and 15th centuries.

In Jermuk, the Art Gallery, a branch of the National Gallery of Armenia, displays around 100 paintings and sculptures dating from 1920 to 1990. The Yeghegnadzor Geological Museum holds more than 12,000 artifacts excavated in Vayots Dzor, dating from the 10th to the 17th century. The two collections offer different ways to discover the region: one through art, the other through its archaeological finds.

Jermuk: Thermal Springs and the Arpa Canyon

Jermuk’s mineral-rich thermal springs flow through five taps at the Gallery of Water, with water temperatures ranging from 30 to 57 °C. Outside the town, heart-shaped hot springs lie in the forest, about five kilometers away. The walk there takes 40 to 60 minutes and involves several stream crossings; hiking conditions vary by season. Jermuk Waterfall is also part of the landscape, flowing down from the mountains into the Arpa River.

The Gndevank Trail follows old footpaths through the Arpa River Canyon to the 10th-century Gndevank Monastery. The monastery is in the Jermuk area, in the eastern part of Vayots Dzor. Those interested in caves will find lighting and other visitor facilities at Magellan Cave to make access easier. Access conditions may vary; check what is currently available before your visit.

Hiking trails and nature

The Old Bandit Road connects Gomk and Artavan. It follows a route that was probably once part of the Silk Road and is part of the Transcaucasian Trail route through Vayots Dzor. The region’s hiking trail networks combine newly built trails with old Silk Road footpaths; conditions on individual trails may vary. You can hike to Smbataberd Fortress from the villages of Artabuynk and Yeghegis. A short, easy hike leads from the village of Martiros to a waterfall.

The Bezoar Trail lies within the Arpa Protected Landscape and has two observation points where herds of bezoar goats may be visible. Sightings are not guaranteed. The protected landscape is home to 885 plant species, 39 mammal species and 190 bird species; 47 plant species are listed as endangered in the Armenian Red Book. The Arpa Protected Landscape also offers safari experiences with local rangers. Check whether relevant operators are available before your trip.

Traditional crafts are also part of the region’s visitor experience: willow weaving is practiced in Vayots Dzor, and visitors can learn basic weaving techniques. Alongside hiking, monasteries and wine, there are opportunities to observe nature and learn about a local craft.

Explore more destinations

Explore more destinations: Hermon, Jermuk, Vayk, Aghavnadzor, Chiva, Areni, Gegharkunik and Lori.

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