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

Tsakhats Kar is a beautiful lost monastery, hanging on to the mountain, above the Yeghegis Valley, in the superb Vayots Dzor region. A fine and elegant basalt church, a peaceful atmosphere, splendid views: an exciting place! 

Tsakhats

Albania

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Central America

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I must first say that the small region of Yeghegis is particularly seductive: the landscape is beautiful and balanced, mountainous, open and pleasant at the same time. It is one of my favourite places in the south of Armenia. With sites like the <a href="/armenia/">Smbataberd Fortress</a> and Tsakhats Kar Monastery, it has nothing to be jealous of the more visited regions in the country.
For those who love ecclesiastical Armenian architecture, the Tsakhats Kar Monatery has everything going for it. Although small and in partial ruin, the site is a real beauty. It owes this above all to its two picturesque churches: Sourp Hovhaannes (Saint Yoannès), a 989 basalt realisation, and Saint Karapet, also from the 10th century, the two of them mixing their ocre, orange and black tones which make up the specific Armenian colour chart.
Although they are partially in ruin, these two buildings emit a lot of spirituality. Around them, the ruins of the conventional buildings and the cemetery with its Khatchkars (richly decorated Armenian crosses) add to the grandeur of the site.

Tsakhats Kar is a beautiful lost monastery, hanging on to the mountain, above the Yeghegis Valley, in the superb Vayots Dzor region. A fine and elegant basalt church, a peaceful atmosphere, splendid views: an exciting place!

Tsakhats Vacations

Tsakhats: How to get there?

Tsakhats: See when to go ?

Tsakhats: For how long?

Tsakhats: What to see nearby?