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

Ardvi is a small Armenian village in the charming region of Lori, perched on the edge of the magnificent Debed Canyon. Above the village, you'll find a partially ruined monastery, one of the most beautiful historic monuments in the region. 

Ardvi

Albania

England

Greenland

Spain

Central America

Africa

North America

South America

Asia

Middle East

Oceania

The Lori region is worth more than its weight in gold. As you're heading from Stepanavan to Alaverdi, you need to take the road in Aygehat that leads up towards the plateau (the region is made up of a canyon and plateau) in order to reach the little village of Ardvi. It feels like the end of the world, lost on a volcanic plateau that overlooks the valley.
Home to 200 people, Ardvi is a typical Armenian market town with houses built from volcanic stones that vary from pink to black. And, it was only a bit further on that I came across a stunning site. Hidden and nestled amongst the hills, at 50m from a aerial view of the <a href="/armenia/">Debed Canyon</a>, the Surp Hovhannes Church is a step back in time.
The church is in partial ruin, but presents a sombre yet imposingly elegant sight. Apart from its huge portico, the Surp Hovhannes Church is a twofold construction, with two wooden portals that make it look like two chapels that have been glued together. Its clock tower, with its rickety circular roof, forms a separate building. With its rural air, the church was a cultural centre during the Middle Ages.

Ardvi is a small Armenian village in the charming region of Lori, perched on the edge of the magnificent Debed Canyon. Above the village, you'll find a partially ruined monastery, one of the most beautiful historic monuments in the region.

Ardvi Vacations

Ardvi: How to get there?

Ardvi: See when to go ?

Ardvi: For how long?

Ardvi: What to see nearby?