A guided journey by electric bike and on foot through the northern Armenian highlands, travelling west to east, discovering an ancient land with a complex history among monasteries and churches, snow-capped peaks and cities.
- Duration
- 6 nights
- How We Travel
- Electric biking & walking
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Activity Level
Graded between 1 (easiest) and 5 (most challenging). Click for more details
- Bike Type
- Full suspension electric mountain bikes
- Price
- £3,490 per person
- Group Size
- Maximum 12
Journey Highlights
- Cycle through dramatic landscapes, from deep gorges and snow-capped mountains to flower-filled meadows and deciduous forests.
- Visit monasteries, fortresses and peaceful villages dotted throughout the mountains.
- Dine on hearty, traditional cuisine. You’re sure to fall in love with lavash, a flatbread that completes any Armenian meal.
- Stay at a pioneering not-for-profit hotel that invests in programmes for children in rural communities.
- Discover a complex history and a warm welcome in Armenia’s two main cities: Yerevan and Gyumri.
Good to Know
- Armenian roads are a mix. Some are newly tarmacked, giving a smooth ride. Some are old, pot-holed and bumpy. We use full-suspension mountain electric bikes for the smoothest ride possible, but there are times when careful braking is required, which can become tiring.
- There are direct flights from London to Yerevan on Monday and Fridays. These flights offer a great opportunity to add on a couple of days exploring the city of Yerevan. There is also a daily Air France service via Paris.
- In Yerevan and Gyumri, we stay in hotels rather than guest houses. These are welcoming and perfectly situated to explore the cities.
Welcome to The Slow Cyclist
I fell in love on my first visit to Armenia. Ever since launching our Hidden Anatolia journey in Turkey's Taurus Mountains, I've been curious about the tiny landlocked country to the east. I knew immediately when I first visited that it was a special place to share with guests, the rugged mountains, high plateaus, river canyons and deep forests are perfect for exploration by bike. This nation has been defined by the rugged geography of the Lesser Caucasus, and the physical beauty is more than matched by the generosity and character of the people. The people I've met here are some of the most welcoming and hospitable I've ever met. In a land as untouched by tourism as Armenia, the experiences you have here are as authentic and unique as the land itself. I hope you love Armenia as much as I do.
Oli BroomFounder, The Slow Cyclist
The Journey
Our Armenia journey begins with an overnight stay in its lively capital, Yerevan. We then transfer to Gyumri, the second largest city known for its distinctive architecture, where we begin our cycle. We travel eastwards from a nearby village and over the next few days we discover this ancient region both on foot and by electric bike, exploring a rich array of landscapes, from grasslands to lush forests and meadows, rushing rivers to deep canyons. Pedalling along old Soviet-era roads and trails and walking across wildflower meadows and through vast forests, we will discover this traditional culture through the many people we meet along the way.
Is It For Me?
Our journeys are built around friendship, exceptional hospitality and the great outdoors. Slow Cyclists are curious travellers with a bit of juice in their legs, approaching our time on a bike - or on foot - as an opportunity to explore rather than test our fitness. That’s not to say we don’t pedal hard sometimes, just that we are often distracted by the food, history and people that make a place special. When we see something interesting, we tend to stop and take it in rather than race by. If this sounds like you, we're pretty sure you'll love your time exploring Armenia with us.
When to Go?
We welcome guests between June and September, when the snow has gone and the days are warm. With more than 90% of Armenia lying at heights of 1,000 metres above sea level, the summer temperatures in the mountains range between between 15 and 25°C, whilst Yerevan will see higher temperatures. June sees an abundance of wildflowers and emerald grasses, while autumn gives way to burnt amber grasslands and reds, oranges and yellows in the lush forests, as well as delicious autumn fruits. Temperatures drop quite a few degrees in the evenings. Rainfall is not uncommon in June, while July and September are slightly drier.
The Walking & Cycling
This journey is taken mostly by electric bike with some walking. For the cycling we use full suspension electric mountain bikes. Cycles are between 30 – 60 kms on a mix of old and newly surfaced roads, gravel roads and meadows. Some tracks can be tricky for those without experience due to loose gravel, broken tarmac and potholes. These can require concentration and become tiring, especially going downhill. Armenia is hilly so we will have a few steep climbs and descents. You'll need good balance and moderate cycling fitness. Our guides are on hand to help with any tricky sections and we have plenty of time to take it slow. On foot, each of the hikes are up to 10 kms, with some steep up and downhill sections on tracks and grass. A moderate level of fitness is required.
Find out more about our activity levels here.
Food & Drink
Armenian cuisine is steeped in tradition. It is considered one of the oldest in Asia, its recipes are hearty and rich in flavour, and are always created using locally grown produce. Ghapama is a celebratory dish of pumpkin stuffed with rice, spices and dried fruits; it even has a song dedicated to it. We'll also try aveluk, a traditional Armenian wild mountain sorrel, commonly dried and braided for year-round use in nutritious soups, salads, and pies. We’ll try many dishes unique to the region, including Armenia's favourite sweet treat, gata, and everyone’s favourite khorovats (an Armenian BBQ). Armenians are not big tea drinkers, favouring compotes and hot drinks made from wild mountain herbs, but no day starts without Armenian coffee. Sometimes we will eat in the open, at other times in private homes, traditional kitchens and small guest houses.
Flora & Fauna
Armenia may be a small country, but it is incredibly rich in flora and fauna. The country has over 3,500 plant species, from semi-desert shrubs to aquatic flora. In spring and summer the grasslands are blanketed in orchids, gladioli and irises. The wild poppy fields near Gyumri are particularly spectacular. And there is a huge range of wildlife to spot, too. The country is home to an abundance of rare species, from bezoar goats to Caucasian leopards, grey wolves and Eurasian lynx. Spring and autumn see migratory birds passing through, including flamingos, pelicans and raptors.
Itinerary
Day 1 - Wednesday 26 August - Arrival
Transfer 30 minutes
We will transfer you from Zvartnots International Airport straight to the Grand Hotel Yerevan, where you can catch a good night's sleep at the start of your Armenian adventure.
Day 2 - Thursday 27 August - Yerevan to Gyumri
Morning transfer 2.5 hours - Afternoon cycle 39km
We leave Armenia's capital after breakfast and drive to Gyumri, Armenia’s second largest city and no less charming, a cultural hub located in Northern Armenia close to the borders with Turkey and Georgia. We’ll stop for a light lunch at a local restaurant. After lunch we’ll hop on our bikes for a warm up ride loop through the villages and hills surrounding Gyumri. We’ll cycle on mostly tarmac with some gravel sections, mostly flat, this ride is an introduction to e-mountain bikes and the ever changeable condition of Armenian roads. We’ll end our ride at the majestic 10th century Marmashen Monastery on the banks of the Akhuryan River. We’ll transfer a short distance to Gyumri arriving in the early evening, we’ll check into our hotel and, if there’s time, walk to Vardanants Square. Dinner will be at a small family owned restaurant in the city.
Day 3 - Friday 28 August - Gyumri to Stepanavan
Morning cycle 38 kms - Afternoon cycle 25 kms
Bidding farewell to urban Armenia, we’ll take a short transfer before jumping on our bikes near the village of Musayelyan. At 2,000 metres above sea level, this is the highest point on our journey through Armenia’s highlands. We’ll cycle along an old Soviet-era road, passing through expansive steppe and alongside rolling hills. After lunch in a village west of Stepanavan, named in 1923 to honour the Bolshevik leader Stepan Shahumyan, we’ll cycle along a river observing the wildlife and birdlife and through meadows to reach the town itself. Tonight we’ll stay in a modern, family owned guest house and enjoy dinner cooked by the family.
Day 4 - Saturday 29 August - Stepanavan to Debet
Morning walk 7 kms - Afternoon cycle 30 kms
After breakfast we’ll continue our journey into a very different landscape on foot, through forested hills and meadows to Pushkino. There we will hop on our bikes and cycle along the southern edge of the Dzoraget river gorge. The gravel road is barely used, and a little rough in places so patience and concentration is required (there is the option of taking a smooth tarmac road much of the way too). After lunch we cycle out of the gorge and descend across another - the Debet river canyon - to our accommodation, a simple and comfortable small hotel in the village. Dinner will be with our friends at their guest house, which is a short walk from the hotel.
Day 5 - Sunday 30 August - Debet to Ahnidzor
Morning cycle 6 kms - Afternoon cycle 30 kms
After breakfast, we’ll ride a short distance to the nearby village of Dsegh, once home to the 'Poet of All Armenians', Hovhannes Tumanyan. After visiting his former home, we’ll wind our way along another quiet old road and along the river Marts. Tonight we'll stay in a guest house in the small village of Ahnidzor.
Day 6 - Monday 31 August - Ahnidzor to Atan and Yerevan
Morning walk 6 kms - Afternoon cycle 28 kms - Transfer 3.5 hours
Our simple guesthouse in Ahnidzor sits within a wild and forested landscape, unfenced and unexplored. We’ll set off on foot in Ahnidzor, climbing up and over the hill to Atan, passing grazing horses and shepherds, with views across the surrounding mountains and these remote and once isolated villages. From Atan, we’ll make our way by bike gently downhill to Marts, where we will have lunch in a small guesthouse, before concluding our ride with an 8km ride to the Dzoraget Gorge, where we will be met by our transfer vehicle which will take us back to the Grand Hotel Yerevan, where our journey began. Our final dinner will be at one of our favourite restaurants in Yerevan.
Day 7 - Tuesday 1 September - Departure
Early this morning or after breakfast, we will drive you to the airport and say our goodbyes.
Extensions
If you would like to extend your time with us, contact us and we'll be happy to help.
Practical Information
Guiding & Support
Our attention to detail sets us apart. You will be accompanied throughout by a member of The Slow Cyclist team from the UK who will act as your host. In addition, you will be looked after by two of our local guides, who will introduce you to Armenia's complex history, culture, traditions and politics. We are sure you will become firm friends by the time you leave. Finally, your bags will be driven ahead each day and a support vehicle will be on hand (although never too close) in case you need a lift.
Accommodation
Rural tourism is very new to Armenia generally, and this corner of the country in particular. That said, you will be perfectly comfortable throughout, staying in a mix of hotels, guest houses all with a touch of local charm. To help you get a good night's sleep we provide luxury pillows in addition to those provided by the guest houses. Rooms are generally en-suite, although one of the cabins is not. Wi-Fi or a good 4G connection is available each night. If accommodation is listed in this itinerary it is as a guide and where required any substitutes will be of similar quality. Lodging is based on twin or double sharing although a single supplement is available.
Bikes & Safety
We take your safety seriously. You must wear a helmet when cycling and we cannot accept bookings from anyone unwilling to wear one. The bikes you'll be riding with us are electric bikes. You will be given a brief lesson in how to use them effectively before we start cycling. If you have any technical issues during your time with us, from squeaky brakes to punctures, please let us know and we’ll fix it. And finally, please don’t worry if you feel you are too slow or too fast for others in the group. We have a guide at the front and one at the back precisely for that reason. Please remember, we're not here to race; this is a journey to take time over.
Packing & Reading
Well in advance of your travels we will send you an online Information Pack including various details you need to know in advance. This will include a suggested packing list but also a reading list, should you wish to soak up Armenia's literary history before you arrive.
We partner with Trust My Travel so that, in accordance with travel industry regulations, your funds are 100% protected.
Pricing & Booking
Price
£3,490 per person
Extras |
|
|---|---|
| Single occupancy supplement | £475 |
We are often told how nice it is that almost everything is paid for up front. So, while you are with us you can forget about your wallet, relax and enjoy yourselves. Included are:
- Group airport transfers (1 x arrival, 1 x departure)
- Support vehicle and luggage transfers
- TSC host & 2 x English-speaking local guides
- All accommodation, meals, snacks & drinks
- All activities
- Full suspension electric bike and helmet hire
- 100% financial security
- Donation to a local cause that is aligned with our values
- Flights
- Personal costs
- Tips (optional, of course)
- Travel insurance
- Visas (if required)
For private groups a 30% non-refundable deposit is required from the group leader and, thereafter, from each member of the party. A minimum of 50% of the party are required to book and pay their deposit within one month of the group leader. The balance is due 10 weeks before the departure date.
If you are travelling on one of our Scheduled Journeys, we require a 30% non-refundable deposit on the core trip price (i.e. not on any extras) at the time of booking. The balance is due 10 weeks before the departure date.
Please make sure you are familiar with our Standard Terms & Conditions before booking.
You will receive two emails shortly after booking. First, a payment receipt, then a second email explaining next steps. Within two working days you will then be contacted by a member of our Guest Services team who will look after and advise you in the lead up to your travels
We partner with Trust My Travel so that, in accordance with travel industry regulations, your funds are 100% protected.
Flights
You are responsible for booking your own flights and they are not included in the cost of the trip. There are direct flights between London Luton and Yerevan Zvartnots International Airport every Monday and Friday. These flights offer an excellent opportunity to extend your time in Yerevan; we can book extra nights at the Grand Hotel Yerevan. There are also daily Air France flights from London Heathrow (or other UK regional airports) via Paris to Yerevan. If you would like help researching and booking your flights we recommend contacting Liz Rees, who helps many of our guests with their supplementary transport requirements. Please let her know your departure dates and preferred airport. Her contact details are liz.rees@travelcounsellors.com or +44 7816 936876.
Transfers
We will provide one transfer for the group on arrival and another on departure. If you require alternative transport options because you are arriving or leaving earlier or later please contact our team on +44 1865 587 994 and we can arrange this for you at an additional cost. If you're interested in planning an onward journey, we recommend contacting Liz Rees who can help with flight and train arrangements.
Protect the Planet
We are thrilled that increasing numbers of our guests are choosing to get to and back from their Slow Cyclist adventure in creative ways, for environmental reasons. We understand that this may not be practical, but urge you to consider doing so if you can make it work. Of course, you can undertake the research and book yourself, or Liz Rees can organise your journey for you.
Armenia has existed in some form since the 5th century BC, when it was a territory spreading across modern-day Eastern Anatolia, the South Caucasus and part of Iran. Since then, it has had a varied and turbulent history, frequently oscillating between Byzantine, Persian, Mongol or Turkish control, as well as periods of independence. In 301 CE, Armenia became the first nation in the world to embrace Christianity as its official religion. However, converting its citizens to the new religion often involved coercive and violent measures. A key part of Armenia’s history lies in its language and alphabet. Mesrop Mashtots was working as a translator in the Armenian royal chancellery at the end of the 4th century BC, and realised that much of the resistance to Christianity came from the unfamiliarity of the Greek and Syriac translations of the Christian liturgy and theology. He created a new phonetic alphabet to help Armenians adapt to the written form of a language they were already speaking. The letters were designed in very distinctive shapes, dissimilar to the lettering of other written languages of the time. The unique language and alphabet gave a new identity to the Armenians. Armenia's 20th century history has often been painful. In 1915 it is estimated that 1.5 million Armenians were killed in the Armenian Genocide. In 1918 Independent Armenia emerged from the demise of the Ottoman Empire but was incorporated into the Soviet Union four years later. It is estimated that during the second half of the 20th century a third of all Soviet military electronics were designed and produced in Armenia, and it was also home to the secret Yerevan Computer Research Institute, which employed thousands of highly skilled workers. Recent Armenian history is defined by three major events: a catastrophic earthquake in 1988 that killed almost 25,000 people; the collapse of the USSR in 1991, known in Armenia as the ‘dark years’ when food was limited and the electricity network was almost completely destroyed; and the most recent conflict with Azerbaijan, over the mainly Armenian-inhabited Nagorno-Karabakh region. In 1991 Armenian declared independence and the modern republic began.
Unique Experiences
Travel is so often commoditised and unimaginative. We are the antidote, taking time to create beautifully crafted, one-of-a-kind experiences to places that excite us.
Community & Connection
We cherish personal relationships and friendships and seek to strengthen cross-cultural bonds, respecting and supporting those who enter our orbit. All must feel our impact is positive.
Dedication to Excellence
We design experiences with passion, flair and innovation. We seek continual improvement, to offer the best experience possible.
Care for the Planet
We travel with a light footprint and we seek ways to protect and celebrate Earth’s biodiversity and ecosystems.
Charitable Giving
Each year, we donate 1% of our revenue to a variety of causes across our destinations and in the UK, each aligning with our values.
Where It All Began...
It all began with a 28,000km cycle to Australia. Founder Oli Broom fell in love with watching the world roll by under his wheels and wanted to share that joy with others. Read more.