Aparan, a small town that is as severe as it is picturesque, lies at the foot of Mount Aragats, Armenia's roof. A small town in the high plateaus, buffeted by the winds, dry and freezing in winter, it is an ideal point of departure for climbing Aragats.

Europe

If someone were to ask you what Steve Jobs, Kim Kardashian and Princess Diana have in common, what would you answer? They are all of Armenian origin... of course! Sometimes more known for its famous expatriates than for itself, Armenia is a multifaceted country still widely unexplored and seldom frequented by Western tourists. But what riches are hidden there! From the capital Yerevan to the emblematic and legendary mountains (Mount Ararat, Mount Aragats), Armenia boasts churches and monasteries listed in the UNESCO list of world heritage sites, a thousand-year-old culture of incredible variety. With a rocky landscape of canyons and high plateaus, 90% of the land is situated above 1000 metres altitude to delight the soul of the lost wayfarer. Traveling in Armenia also means meeting a proud, hospitable and warm people, always overjoyed to be able to share with passing visitors and to assist them in discovering their country and its resources forged over several millennia more intimately. Don’t wait a moment longer, you too can create your tailor-made trip to Armenia. Բարի գալուստ Հայաստան (Bari galust Hayastan or Welcome to Armenia)!

Armenia

Aparan

The symbol of a country which recalls the riches of its history and the bitterness of its defeats.

Mount Ararat

Areni's excellent red wines  are produced in a small village in the south west of the country on the border with Azerbaijan

Areni

The ruin of the Amberd Fortress is 2300 m above sea level; it is a symbolic monument perched on top of a stony setting and at the foot of Mount Aragats. Just next to the Vahramashen church (11th century) is another architectural and scenic gem.

Amberd

Kobayr is an impressive ruined monastery perched in a breathtaking position at the edge of a cliff above one of the canyons so typical of the Lori region. The ruins are particularly evocative and fascinating, and some parts are veritable treasures of scared art. 

Kobayr

Albania

England

Greenland

Spain

Central America

Africa

North America

South America

Asia

Middle East

Oceania

It is a wonderfully rewarding feeling when you reach Kobayr at the end of the trail after leaving the <a href="/armenia/">Debed Canyon </a> at Tumanian and tackling the steep climb up to the plateau. The valley/plateau contrast is one of the most fascinating aspects of Lori. And the cherry on the cake? All the historical sites here, such as Kobayr. Who were the people that built a monastery from dressed stone at the edge of a precipitous cliff, and what was their aim in so doing? Was it for the purposes of self protection, and to be visible from all around at the same time? 
These overgrown ruins, blending in so well with the natural vegetation all around and bringing to mind the artistic refinement of mediaeval Armenia, made an immediate and strong impression on me when I first arrived at the site. Koabyr Monastery experienced its heyday between the 11th and 13th centuries, when the Bagratuni dynasty was at the height of its powers. It was carefully restored in 2006 after having been left to abandon at various times and the renovations carried out have not caused the ruins to lose their spiritual and traditionally authentic character, as can sometimes happen in such cases.
Enter the apse of the Katoghike Church and you'll discover a wonderful scene made up of of demolished yet well preserved dressed stones lying on the ground, still-standing columns, and magnificent wall frescoes that have survived the years. If you venture away from the monastery, you can get wonderful views of the ancient ramparts, which blend so well into the local landscape, and of the best-preserved sections of the buildings.

Kobayr is an impressive ruined monastery perched in a breathtaking position at the edge of a cliff above one of the canyons so typical of the Lori region. The ruins are particularly evocative and fascinating, and some parts are veritable treasures of scared art.

Kobayr Vacations

Kobayr: How to get there?

Kobayr: See when to go ?

Kobayr: For how long?

Kobayr: What to see nearby?