Waterfalls west of the village outskirts, the upper Marmarik’s catchment area and Hankavan’s mineral water give the resort a range of natural and travel attractions. When planning, it is worth distinguishing the extensive river and protected-area landscape from the demanding access to a waterfall.
Marmarik Gorge and Protected Area
The resort of Hankavan lies in the Marmarik Gorge at an altitude of about 1,900 metres above sea level. Forests and shrubs cover the mountain slopes. The Hankavan Hydrological State Sanctuary is on the slopes of the Tsaghkunyats Range and covers 5,202.86 hectares in Kotayk. It follows the upper Marmarik’s catchment area from its sources to the hydrological point near Hankavan. The protected area lies at elevations between 1,947 and 2,370 metres. The elevation figures therefore refer to different areas: about 1,900 metres for the resort and 1,947 to 2,370 metres for the protected area.
Protected features include the upper Marmarik’s aquatic ecosystem, mineral spring outlets, and both living and non-living natural monuments. The river course and spring outlets are therefore as much a part of Hankavan’s natural character as its forested and shrub-covered mountain slopes. The protected area boundary follows the upper river’s catchment to the hydrological point near Hankavan; the area figure thus describes an extensive natural landscape, not just a single point.
Waterfalls and Demanding Access
About one kilometre west of Hankavan’s western outskirts, near the former Ararat children’s holiday camp, waterfalls lie along tributaries of the upper Marmarik. Several falls, up to five metres high, are close together on a right-bank tributary. The highest waterfall in the cascade is considered a scenic geological monument.
Reaching the large waterfall requires a climb of 300 metres in elevation on a path along the tributary. The route is considered difficult, a guide is recommended, and conditions may vary by season. The height of the falls and the climb describe two different aspects of a visit: the waterfalls’ height says nothing about the demands of access. Anyone considering this excursion should therefore take particular note of the climb described and the recommendation to use a guide.
The road section to the former Ararat children’s holiday camp was described as fully paved in 2022 and is relevant to hikers, cyclists and motorcyclists. Check road conditions before travelling.
Resort Climate and Mineral Water
The resort’s climate is considered mild. Long-term average temperatures are 16 to 18 °C in July and August; the average for January is −7 °C. The monthly averages provide a seasonal framework for travel planning and show the marked difference between the two summer months and January in winter.
The resort’s main therapeutic resources are considered to be its mountain climate and Hankavan’s mineral water. Both its location in the Marmarik Gorge and its mineral water thus shape the resort’s character. Climate and water are a distinct focus alongside the protected river area and the demanding waterfall excursion.
Churches and Historical Sites
A 19th-century Greek church is considered locally to be one of Hankavan’s notable landmarks. A cemetery lies beside the road leading into the village. Hankavan also preserves a church and monuments dating from the 7th century. The historical references therefore span the 7th to the 19th century, offering a cultural dimension alongside the natural and resort attractions. Travellers weighing different interests will find in Hankavan both traces of local history and landscapes, mineral water and waterfalls.
Discover more destinations: Tsaghkadzor, Byureghavan, Artavaz, Arzakan, Meghradzor, Karashamb, Abovyan, Aramus
For the main travel overview: Kotayk.
