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.

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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

Often referred to as the "Sea of Armenia", Lake Sevan has its place as part of the country's national heritage to the same extent that Yerevan and the monasteries do.

Lake Sevan

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Lake Sevan lies 1,900 metres above sea level and is 80 kilometres long and 30 kilometres wide, making it the largest body of water in the country. I remember the absolutely magical changing colours here, which, depending on the time of day, varied between deep blue, azure and turquoise, and, in combination with the surrounding volcanic mountains, lent the lake an incredibly picturesque appearance. Lake Sevan is one of the most popular summer holiday destinations amongst the inhabitants of Yerevan and the Armenian people. But despite this popularity, its large size makes it very easy to find a more secluded, private spot and get away from the crowds. Outside the summer holiday season, however, the area is virtually deserted. All things considered, this is definitely one of the essential places to visit <a href="/armenia/">on a trip to Armenia</a>.

Often referred to as the "Sea of Armenia", Lake Sevan has its place as part of the country's national heritage to the same extent that Yerevan and the monasteries do.

Lake Sevan lies just one hour by road from Yerevan and is a tempting place to come to escape the suffocating atmosphere of the capital in summer. At least that's what I thought when I went. I was in for a surprise when I first arrived: the beaches are truly wild and unspoilt here. If you want to go bathing, therefore, you have to make do with whatever you have to hand (which has its plus sides). I arrived at Lake Sevan from the south. I therefore got to see some of the scenery around it, and I must admit it's quite magnificent. If you intend to spend several days exploring the the lake on your <a href="/armenia/">trip to Armenia</a>, it's well worth doing a tour all around it. One last thing you need to know: the weather here can be very changeable, even in summer. When I went bathing one day, for example, It was very sunny at first, but then all of a sudden the sky clouded over and there was violent storm over the lake. If you're travelling as a backpacker (as I was), you need to be aware of the possibility of this happening.

Lake Sevan is one of the world's largest high-altitude lakes and is very popular amongst the Armenians themselves as a summer holiday spot.

Lake Sevan Vacations

Lake Sevan: How to get there?

Lake Sevan: See when to go ?

Lake Sevan: For how long?

Lake Sevan: What to see nearby?