When is the best time to go on a hiking tour in Armenia?

Hiking routes in Armenia are available all year round. The best season for hiking and trekking is from mid-March to mid-November, when the weather is generally stable, temperatures are comfortable for longer walks, and mountain trails are fully accessible. In spring, the routes are full of green landscapes and flowering meadows. Summer brings dry and clear weather. In July and August, it can get hot in the lowlands, so treks are usually arranged in higher-altitude areas where temperatures are milder. Autumn offers routes under mild and comfortable conditions, making this season very convenient for travel. In winter, shorter routes and valley walks are available, which can be combined with visits to thermal springs or ski resorts, providing a more comfortable and varied active experience.

What level of physical fitness is required?

Most of our tours are designed for participants without any special mountaineering training. The average daily walking distance is 10–11 kilometres, with an elevation gain of up to 600–700 metres. These routes are suitable for travellers with normal physical fitness and basic hiking experience. For more experienced participants, we offer programmes that include ascents to mountain peaks such as Aragats, Azhdahak, Khustup, Dimats, and others.

How are guidance and safety organised?

All tours are led by professional and experienced mountain guides who know the routes, terrain, and safety procedures very well. Depending on the difficulty of the programme, the group is accompanied by a guide and a driver. For groups of more than six participants, the tour includes two guides equipped with radio communication. Each guide carries an individual first-aid kit.

What is included in the price of hiking tours?

One-day tours – the price usually includes transport services, the support of a trained hiking guide, bottled water, and entrance tickets to natural or historical sites (if they are part of the route). Multi-day tours – the price usually includes accommodation with breakfast (guesthouses, hotels, or tented camps, depending on the itinerary), transport services, the support of a hiking guide, bottled water, and entrance tickets to natural or historical sites (if they are part of the route).

How do I choose the right route?

Choosing the right route depends on your level of physical fitness, hiking experience, and the duration of the tour you prefer. We will help you decide by asking a few clarifying questions: how many days you plan to spend hiking, what level of difficulty is comfortable for you, and which sights you would like to visit. Based on your answers, we will select the best route, taking into account the season, weather conditions, and your personal preferences, so that your tour is both safe and comfortable.

Climbing the Extinct Volcano – Mount Arai

Location

Aragatsotn Region

Difficulty Level

Moderate

Elevation

2605 metres

Season

April to June, September to November

Elevation Gain

1000 metres

Safety

A professional hiking guide (instructor) will accompany you to ensure a safe and enjoyable experience.

Distance

11-12 kilometres

Meeting Point

Our team will pick you up from your accommodation and drop you off after the hike!

Mount Ara (Arailer)

Climbing the Extinct Volcano - Mount Ara

Mount Ara is a dormant volcano located in the Aragatsotn Province of Armenia, between the Hrazdan and Kasagh (also spelled Qasakh) rivers. It rises to 2,575.9 metres above sea level. The mountain has an unusual shape—its cone is uneven, with a flat top and a round, ring-shaped crater.

According to legend, the mountain is named after Ara the Beautiful, a famous Armenian king. The story tells how Queen Semiramis of Assyria fell in love with Ara after hearing of his beauty. She sent him a message, asking him to marry her and rule their kingdoms together. But Ara refused her offer.

Angry and heartbroken, Semiramis gathered her army and attacked Armenia. Even though she had told her soldiers to keep Ara alive, he was killed in a fierce battle at the foot of the mountain. From then on, the mountain was called Mount Ara, or Arailer. The nearby village of Arai-gyugh (“Village of Ara”) is said to have been built where the battle took place.

Some versions of the story say the mountain itself is the resting body of Ara the Beautiful. From far away, the shape of the mountain is said to look like a man lying on his back, with his hands placed on his chest.

Armenia is a country to fall in love with!

Tour Price: Hike to Mount Ara

(The price includes the transport vehicle — it stays the same no matter how many people join.)

1-3 pers.	4-6 pers.	up to 7 pers.
215 USD	275 USD	on request

What to Bring

hiking boots (not trainers),
comfortable wear,
warm layers (it can get chilly),
rucksack (30–40 litres),
trekking poles,
sunscreen,
sunglasses,
torch

What’s Included in the Price

Comfortable transport to and from the hiking spot

Bottled water

Raincoat (just in case!)

Not Included

Entry fees (if there are any)

Travel insurance

If you still have questions about the tour organization in Armenia, then it is very easy to contact us! You can order a call on the website, send an email or just SMS. We will get back to you shortly

Phone:

(+374 91) 01 56 60 (Viber, Whatsapp)

E-mail:

info@explorearmenia.am

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+37491 01 56 60

info@explorearmenia.am

Hiking and Trekking tours in Armenia