Vayots Dzor offers a unique glimpse into the history of wine: the Areni-1 Cave near the village of Areni is home to a winery 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. The cave comprises three main chambers that extend more than 40 meters into the rock.
Wine between archaeology and festival culture
You can also experience wine culture at events in Vayots Dzor. The Areni Wine Festival combines wine tastings with traditional dances and music. At the Gata Festival, visitors can sample gata and take part in making it; the festival also features folk music, dances, local crafts and games. Check the dates and event details before your trip.
The region’s historic routes offer another thread of discovery. Vayots Dzor lies along ancient Silk Road routes. The Old Bandit Road connects Gomk and Artavan and is part of the Transcaucasian Trail route through the province. Its route was probably once part of the Silk Road. The hiking network also links newly created trails with old footpaths. Conditions on the Old Bandit Road may vary.
Monasteries, caravanserai and collections
At the end of the Gnishik Canyon lies the 13th-century Noravank Monastery complex. It includes a mausoleum with the tombs of princes from the medieval Orbelian dynasty. Another historic site is the Orbelian Caravanserai, also known as the Selim Caravanserai. It is located at the Vardenyats Mountain Pass, formerly known as 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. You can hike to Smbataberd Fortress from the villages of Artabuynk and Yeghegis. If you would rather focus on historical finds than buildings, the Yeghegnadzor Geological Museum has more than 12,000 artifacts excavated in Vayots Dzor and dating from the 10th to the 17th century. The Jermuk Art Gallery is a branch of the National Gallery of Armenia and displays around 100 paintings and sculptures dating from 1920 to 1990.
Hiking and nature in the Arpa landscape
The landscape of Vayots Dzor ranges from desert-brown mountains and deep, narrow gorges to vineyards, pastureland, rivers, waterfalls and cliffs. The Arpa Protected Landscape is home to 885 plant species, 39 mammal species and 190 bird species. Forty-seven plant species are listed as endangered in Armenia’s Red Book.
The Bezoar Trail lies within this protected landscape. Bezoar goat herds may be spotted from two observation points, but sightings are not guaranteed. The Arpa Protected Landscape also offers safari experiences with local rangers. Check whether a provider is available before your trip. For a short hike, the Martiros Waterfall Trail leads from the village of Martiros to a waterfall; the route is rated easy and takes one hour.
Jermuk: thermal springs and waterfall
In Jermuk, mineral-rich thermal springs flow through five taps at the Gallery of Water, with temperatures ranging from 30 to 57 °C. Outside the town, heart-shaped hot springs are located in the forest. They are about five kilometers away and can be reached on foot in 40 to 60 minutes; the route crosses several streams. Walking conditions vary by season. For a shorter nature outing in town, Jermuk Waterfall flows from the mountains into the Arpa River.
Hiking and cultural history also come together around Jermuk: the Gndevank Trail follows old footpaths through the Arpa River Canyon to the 10th-century Gndevank Monastery. The monastery is in the Jermuk area. You can therefore choose different focuses for your trip, from thermal springs and a waterfall to a hike with a historic destination.
Planning your trip
Vayots Dzor is about two hours from Yerevan by car or bus. When choosing a hotel, consider which location suits your own travel plans rather than treating the various attractions as a fixed route.
Discover more destinations: Hermon, Jermuk, Vayk, Aghavnadzor, Chiva, Areni, Yerevan, Aragatsotn.
For the broader travel overview: Armenia.
