Backpacking in Armenia

• Backpacking in Armenia
• Budget
• Routen

Armenia, between Asia and Europe in the mountainous Caucasus region, is a dream for every backpacker when trekking and hiking tours are on the agenda. To a large extent, the former Soviet republic consists of mountain landscapes. Many areas lie more than 1000 meters above sea level. Medium mountain ranges have altitudes of 1800 metres. Despite the small size of the country, there is an impressive flora and fauna, with large forest areas in the south.

You will find deserted areas in the Gegham Mountains, for example, whose peaks reach 3000 and 4000 metres into the sky. You can travel freely in most of the country to discover the earliest Christian cultures and numerous religious sites. The Greek-Roman temple of Garni, the 4th century cathedral of Echmiadzin and the monastery of Chor Virap are UNESCO World Heritage Sites and give you a deep insight into the culture of the country.

You will only find tourist infrastructure in the capital and nearby tourist areas, as well as in the provincial capitals and main thoroughfares, but with some limitations.  Apart from these areas you will also search in vain for hotels, other overnight accommodations and restaurants. You will already be dependent on private contacts. Before you set off on your voyage of discovery through a particular region, you should get provisions in the big cities, as there are virtually no shops in the small villages.

The capital of the country is Yerevan and with about 1 million inhabitants the largest city of Armenia. After the end of the Soviet era, the capital experienced an enormous development. Instead of dreariness you radiate an indescribable atmosphere of departure. The Armenians who have returned from Syria and Lebanon are blowing a fresh wind through the country. Culture and modernity result in a sympathetic connection that demonstrates joie de vivre and a new beginning.

Backpacking in Armenia is very exciting as there is no public transport to take you through the country. There used to be a railway route that ran from north to south. But it is closed down. Nevertheless, you don’t have to worry about the transport. There will be more information about this later.

With the communication it is also such a thing. With English you won’t get very far. Therefore knowledge of Russian is a great advantage.  Russia is an essential ally and important trading partner for Armenia. The older people all speak more or less Russian, even the farmers in the small villages. You will only find good English skills in the tourist areas and in Yerevan.

Women who travel alone through Armenia like to be looked at funny and have it not exactly easy. This is due to the culture and status of the female sex, who are simply not yet ready to accommodate women courteously. Maybe there is a brother who could avenge bad behaviour.

You can get money in Armenia in Yerevan and the provincial cities at ATMs with your credit card. Before your journey through the country, you should stock up with large enough banknotes, otherwise there may be problems with change. The currency is the Armenian dram. You will not starve in Armenia. Because the Armenian cuisine, just like in other areas of the Caucasus, offers you nutritious, delicious delicacies that you should definitely taste.

Culture in Armenia

If Armenia is classified under Europe, that is not quite wrong and also not quite right. If you ask Armenians during backpacking whether their country belongs to the western or eastern hemisphere, you might get the answer: “To both! Moreover, Armenia is the navel of the world and the primordial site of civilization! In any case, the people do not lack national consciousness. This way of thinking has always ensured the survival of the Armenians. In the course of the centuries until today they never had it easy.

The oldest Christian country on earth, with its own denomination, language and writing, is Armenia. The Armenian state church is 20 years older than that of the Vatican. In order to get an idea of the culture, you should deal with the people and the art. The problems, longings and history are reflected in music, literature, films and paintings. For many centuries the people have been giving a face to thoughts in this way.

In Armenia, family and living together are of great importance. Children are very repektvoll opposite their parents, even if they are already grown up. The head of the family is the father. Women often do not work or stop doing so when they have a child. In modern families the grandparents are involved in the upbringing of the children so that both parents can go to work. During your backpacker trip you will experience hospitable and open-minded people, so that you will be warmly welcomed.

More Backpacking Information about Armenia

Travelling in Armenia is, in contrast to Western European countries, quite cheap, so that you get along very well with a daily budget of 40 to 60 euros and can cover all costs.

During your backpacker trip through the country you will get a lot of culture and unique landscapes. About 90% of the country consists of mountains, where you can not only go hiking, but also do exciting climbing tours. In winter it gets really cold. Until spring there is sometimes snow all the way to the valleys. Therefore you should choose your travel time well.

There are different possibilities to spend the night. For example, you can find accommodation for as little as 10 euros. At hotels you can also get great offers. The cheapest prices are around 14 Euros. On your journey through Armenia you can simply visit the country or get involved with the unique culture and old traditions. Yerevan offers you a cultural diversity as well as great shopping opportunities.

As a German citizen you don’t need a visa for Armenia and can stay there for 180 days a year. What else you need to know as a backpacker can be found under Visa & Vaccinations.

Backpacker Budget in Armenia

Armenia is a relatively cheap travel destination, so you are well equipped with a budget of 40 to 60 euros a day. In the big cities you can use different means of transport, because even for a taxi the prices remain manageable. Regional products are cheaper than imported goods. In a simple restaurant you can get a meal for as little as 4.80 euros.

For a three-course menu for 2 persons in a middle-class restaurant you pay around 18 euros. If you want to have fast food from Mc Donalds in between, a Mc Meal or an equivalent Combo Meal will cost you 3.50 euros. You can get local beer in 0.5 litre bottles for around 0.90 euros, for 0.33 litres of imported beer you pay around 1.30 euros. Soft drinks such as cola are available for 0.53 euros (0.33 l) and water for 0.28 euros.

Taxi driving Bus driving in Armenia

Travelling in the cities with public transport for backpacking is quite inexpensive. For a One-Way-Ticket you pay only 0,18 Euro. If you want to stay longer in Yerevan, you should buy a monthly ticket for 11 Euros. Because it could hardly be cheaper. With a taxi you are also very cheap on the way. The starting rate is 1,10 Euro. Each driven kilometre is additionally charged with 0,18 Euro. The litre of petrol costs 0.69 Euro.

Over land you can also travel with so-called “shared taxis”, which you order free the day before. This type of travel works via a network of private dispatchers and is quite opaque for outsiders. You need a local trusted person who knows exactly which number to call. In case of doubt, ask your host or your hotel/hostel. Once you have been accepted into the system, you will be placed for further trips and also for overnight stays.

The advantage of the system lies in the fact that your trip has come about quasi on recommendation of acquaintances and not anonymously. That’s why even inexperienced backpackers won’t get ripped off, because you’re on the road within the framework of hospitality. For example, you pay 12 euros per person for a route from Yerevan to Kapan.

Bus travel in Armenia

Classic coaches, which will take you across the country, you will search in vain during your backpacker trip through Armenia, since there is no public transport between the individual cities. You’ll be offered marschrutkas, minibuses that don’t leave until they’re full. They take with them anyone who, despite the low height of the vehicles, has no problem standing. They drive not only in Yerevan, but also to different villages and sights and take you everywhere. The prices are between 0,18 Euro and 0,88 Euro, depending on the distance.

An alternative to driving a bus is hitchhiking. Often you don’t even have to hold your thumb to the wind. You are simply asked whether you want to be taken along.

Domestic fares in Armenia

There are not only no direct flights from Germany to Armenia, but also no domestic flights. The airline Sky Net plans to offer domestic flights on the routes Yerevan-Kapan, Yerevan-Gyimri and Yerevan-Stepanawan. However, there is nothing more to be found on the network.

Rail travel in Armenia

You can’t travel by train in Armenia. There was once a railway route from north to south. But this one has been closed for a long time.

Backpacker Route in Armenia

When searching for hiking trails and trekking routes you will find almost no maps.  Because there are no official or unofficial hiking trails or long-distance hiking trails. As a backpacker, you’ll have to find the trails yourself as you comb through the country. The locals often don’t understand you when you ask for hiking routes. However, there is an initiative that would like to boost individual hiking and backpacking tourism.

The APK Armenia initiative is very active in the southern province of Syunik. Among many other things, it offers marked hiking trails and a 3-day hike from Tatev to Kapan. For trekking you can use the Openstreetmap, which provides amazing coverage and correctly shows even the smallest forest paths. These maps are available for Garmin GPS receivers, for example. Track records of proven tracks are provided by wikiloc and GPSies, for example. You can get altitude data from the usual sources.

Armenia offers you cool plateaus and hot valleys, sleepy villages, rolling green hills, high mountains, Lake Sevan, and unique cities that exude a touch of the past glory of the Soviet era. Old meets modern. This is also reflected in the Armenian lifestyle. There is the Dilijan National Park and the Khozrov Reserve as well as several cultural and historical sites that will captivate you. What should you have seen during your backpacking trip?

Route 1: The classic (15-20 days)

• 3 days Yerevan. Immerse yourself in the pulsating life of the capital and enjoy both tradition and modernity.
• 3 days hiking through Syunik province from Tatev to Kapan and discovering historical buildings.
• 3 days exploring Kapan and hiking to Halidzor Castle.
• 2 days to climb Kapans local mountain, Khustup
• 3 days Yeghegnadzor, walk through the province of Vayots Dzor and discover breathtaking vegetation.
• 2 days visit Noravankh Monastery and explore the spectacular, picturesque mountain valley.
• 2 days to discover Lake Sevan and visit the Genocide Museum

Route 2: Backpacker Intensive Trip (up to 30 days and more)

• 4 days Yerevan. Immerse yourself in the pulsating life and enjoy tradition and modernity.
• 3 days hiking through Syunik province from Tatev to Kapan and discovering historical buildings.
• 3 days exploring Kapan and hiking to Halidzor Castle.
• 2 days to climb Kapans local mountain, Khustup
• 4 days Yeghegnadzor and the province of Vayots Dzor walk through and discover breathing evening vegetation
• 3 days visit the Noravankh monastery and explore the spectacular, picturesque mountain valley.
• 3 days to discover Lake Sevan, visit the Genocide Museum and relax
• 3 days visiting the monastery of Geghard in the upper Azat valley and exploring the landscape
• 2 days to explore the basilica and archaeological site of Jereruk
• 2 days in Dilijan National Park you will encounter breathtaking landscapes and wildlife.
• 2 days in the Chosrow Reserve to discover unique plant species

Travel times in Armenia

The predominantly mountainous Armenia offers you snow until spring and a lot of heat in the summer months. From the temperature point of view June is a good travel time. However, it can also rain a lot this month.  This is true for the southernmost province of Syunik, where you will find unique green vegetation. The best time to travel is July and August, as your backpacker trip at this time is usually stable weather, especially if you want to go trekking. You just have to accept the heat in the plains. When packing, don’t forget to bring rainwear.

Backpacker accommodation in Armenia

In Armenia there are a number of accommodation offers to choose from on your backpacker trip through the country. There are different hotels in the cities that can be used as accommodation. If you choose a house of higher class, you will also pay for it properly. An overnight stay in a 5-star hotel quickly costs 100 euros and more.

Especially in the cities, hostels are a good alternative, where you can stay quite cheaply. Unfortunately there are only 20 hostels, which are limited to the cities Yerevan and Tsaghkadzor. A look at the Hostelworld hostel page will quickly tell you what an overnight stay will cost you. Therefore the prices for a bed in a hostel are as follows:

• Yerevan 5 -11 Euro
• Tsaghkadzor 15 Euro

A look at the prices of hotels and motels is often also worthwhile and therefore a good alternative to staying overnight.

Motels on exit roads and motorways

Especially in the bigger cities of Armenia you may find motels, but certainly smaller cheap hotels. Sometimes you get more luxury than in youth hostels at similar prices. Breakfast is often included in the price. Motels can usually be found on the entry and exit roads to cities or motorways. Smaller, cheaper hotels can be found in the city centre as well as outside. It is therefore worth comparing prices.

Camping in the countryside

The good thing about Armenia is that you can pitch your tent wherever you want. This has the unique advantage that you don’t have to pay anything and you can choose a wonderful place in the wonderful landscape. But there are also great campsites with swimming pools, clean sanitary facilities, where you can stay for a few days. The price for a campsite and 2 persons starts at 12 Euro.

Backpacker Trips & Tips in Armenia

During your backpacker trip the country offers you an indescribably varied landscape with high mountains, no villages and a handful of bigger cities. So you can travel the country and immerse yourself in the culture of Armenia. The country has a distinct history that you will encounter everywhere. The people are very friendly towards travellers, so you will quickly be accepted into the community.

In Armenia people like to eat well. The main meal is dinner, where different delicacies are served. Women find it a little harder to connect, especially when they travel alone. This is due to the status women have in Armenian society. The man is the head and the provider of the family and the women take care of the education of the children.

Backpacker Highlights in Armenia

The capital Yerevan is one of the most remarkable places in Armenia, where the old culture combines with the modern and becomes a special highlight for you as a backpacker. The old and modern architecture is impressive and elegantly blends into the whole cityscape. At every corner there is something new to discover. Therefore you should take yourselves for this city calmly somewhat more time.

Another unique highlight is Noravankh, one of the most beautiful monasteries in Armenia. It lies in the gorge of Amaghu on a rock. From a distance, the stones of the building appear almost reddish. The largest building is the mausoleum church Surp Astvatsin (Holy Mother of God). The main church of the monastery is Surp Karapet, the Anabaptist church. The monastery is built on old walls, rocks and ruins and offers you a deep insight into the Catholic faith of the Armenians.

Another highlight is the monastery Chor Varip between the cities Artaschat and Ararat, in whose background the mountain Ararat with a snow-covered summit majestically rises into the sky. To the foot of the mountain stretches a flat landscape, whose vegetation is coined by large heat in the summer.

Backpacker Insider Tips in Armenia

When visiting the village and monastery of Tatev, a ride on the Tatev tramway to the village of Halidsor is a special insider tip. This is a cable car that leads over the Vorotan gorge at Goris.  The two villages are located at 1,546 and 1537 metres respectively. The cable car spans the gorge over a distance of 5.75 km and overcomes a height of 321 to 500 metres. During the 11-minute drive you will experience a wonderful view of breathtaking vegetation.

Another insider tip is the Vorotan Gorge itself. The river Vorotan flows through it, over which a natural sand-lime brick bridge spans. It was created by the hot, sulphurous springs. The 30 metre wide bridge is also known as the Satan Bridge. No wonder! Because sulphur and fire as well as the yellowish-light green colour of the water suggest the entrance to hell.

Food & Drinks in Armenia

The Armenian cuisine is a special highlight for gourmets, as it is colourful, tasty and influenced by a variety of culinary directions. Nevertheless, it remains unique. Where in other countries of the Caucasus corn and Azerbaijani rice is used, wheat is used in Armenia. Typical is the use of flour mixtures consisting of potatoes, corn and wheat.

Basic foodstuffs are yoghurt, bread, eggplants and lamb. The main features of Armenian cuisine are quite similar to the oldest cuisine in Asia and the oldest cuisine in Transcaucasia. Armenian soups are made from tomatoes, a mixture of lemon and eggs or yoghurt, garlic and onions and seasoned with various herbs. The most famous soup in Armenia is Bosbash. It consists of vegetables, fruits and lamb.

Food in Armenia

A speciality is Lavash, a flat bread from the highlands of Armenia, which is baked with coal in a “tonir”, an oven set into the ground.  The light, airy bread is served in Armenia with almost all dishes. Another delicacy not to be missed is Harissa, a traditional Armenian dish made from chopped chicken meat and crushed wheat grains. The dish is typically eaten with butter and cumin, sometimes with Aleppo pepper.

Another delicacy comes from the Arzach region and is called Jingyalov Hatz. It is prepared with more than a dozen herbs and grasses, which are laid flat on a dough base and then baked. Vegetarians will love this dish if they bite into the warm dough with the juice of the fresh green.

Armenian cuisine has another traditional dish that is very popular. Ghapama is prepared in a hollowed out pumpkin and consists of rice, fruits and spices. In terms of taste you will experience an indescribable potpourri of aromas that will enchant your palate.

Drinking in Armenia

In Armenia you can enjoy a variety of alcoholic drinks on your trip. The oldest alcoholic drink in Armenia is wine. In the Areni region, the oldest winery with a proud age of 6100 years was discovered. You get red wine, white wine and rosé, but you can also enjoy delicious beers.

Brandy is known in Armenia as cognac, which belongs to the kings of alcoholic beverages. Stalin is said to have sent this brandy crate by crate to the British primer, because he appreciated the fine drop. The brandy is made from grapes. The pure wine distillate gets its round taste and the typical amber appearance by maturing in wooden barrels.

All these fine delicacies, however, are nothing against black spirits, which are available at every drinking feast. In the national language it is called “aragh” or “oghi”. The high percentage is made from typical local fruits such as peaches, apricots, cornel cherries and apples. Untrained people should keep their hands off it. For drinking festivals, the black roasted is a real treat for the palate and will be remembered for a long time.

Backpacker Visa und Vaccinations in Armenia

No visa is required for your backpacker trip through Armenia. From the day of entry you can stay in the country for 180 days. However, it is important that you have valid entry documents. According to the Foreign Office, the entry requirements are as follows:

• Passport: Yes
• Provisional Passport: Yes
• Identity card: No
• Temporary ID Card: No
• Passport for children: Yes, with photograph

Annotations

As in any other country, Armenia is subject to stricter security regulations. You should also be aware that the country is located in a seismically active zone and that earthquakes can occur at any time.

Medical Information & Vaccinations for Armenia

Special vaccinations are not necessary when backpacking through Armenia. Nevertheless it is advisable to have the standard vaccinations of the Robert Koch Institute up to date. In principle, medical care is guaranteed. However, in many cases it does not meet European standards. In an emergency, you will always be cared for, and you will have to pay cash for treatment. In any case, it is worth taking out a repatriation insurance policy.