Barheev Steemians!

Almost a month ago, I posted The Magical Winter Trip To Georgia (Take me back to Caucasus) where I detailed our trip in one of the countries in Caucasus. Now, I am happy that I finally found myself back in a different country to explore another culture, similar foods and engaged with the people. I hope you will enjoy my second journey in the awesome land of Armenia.

My Husband booked our ticket in FlyDubai Website. He impulsively bought our ticket 2 weeks before our flight and because it's winter season and almost new year, we paid USD1,030 which is higher than the normal price. He also booked our accommodation at booking.com for as low as USD 68 for 4 nights (2 persons). Very cheap eh? :) If you are a Filipino, you are lucky as the visa is available upon arrival. As you know, applying visa is very tricky as you will not know if your application will be approved or not. Visiting countries with no visa application needed is a must go especially if you want an impromptu travel.

We did not opt to purchase tour packages via agencies as it will be more costly. A frequent traveller knows that booking your whole trip in an agency will be much costly. But if you don't want a backpacker style of a trip, then you can have your trip planned by the agency. :) Before, I had bad experienced when we purchased a tour package which includes flights and hotel. That's why we no longer want to purchase any tour packages.

We stayed at Prime Hostel which is located in Yerevan the capital of Armenia. In our previous travels, we learned that we should book an accommodation which is accessible to all kind of major transportation to lessen the expenses of riding a taxi. The good thing in Armenia is, riding a taxi is not a burden because the fare is very cheap for as low as Dram600 or USD1.25 dollars. You can also opt for Yandex, an Armenian kind of UBER where you will have the pleasure of riding expensive cars like Mercedez Benz for just USD1.25!

Our Hostel offers a tour package however it's quite costly if only me and my husband will pay the fee. Gladly, a Filipino girl who's also a tourist asked us if we wanted to join their tour so 5 of us can divide the fee. We happily agreed as the tour was a very good package for just USD16.50 per person (16.50 x 5 = USD82.50) and we were able to go to 4 different spots. Another tip: if you want to take tour packages ask people who wanna join so that it will cost you less. :)

Day 1

Tsaghkadzor Ropeway Skii Resort (First Stop)

This resort is an hour drive from Yerevan, the capital city of Armenia. If you are an adrenaline kind of person and loves to try or do ski and snowboarding, the slope of this place is so good. And if you are not scared of heights, ride their cable car going to the top and have an amazing full panoramic view of Armenia. Unfortunately, when we were here, the clouds covered Mount Ararat’s snow-cap that’s why we were not able to see it. Also, we were not able to go skiing as much as I want as we only have limited time. By the way, the price of the cable car is Armenian Dram 2,000 or USD 4. Quite cheap eh? If you are to do skiing and snowboarding, wear thick and warm clothes, gloves and shoes that won’t easily get wet. I suggest ski outfits so you won’t freeze your whole body out.

All the way up to the top :)

Leave your boundaries and challenge your fear of adrenaline :)

Sevanavank Monastery – Sevan Lake (Second Stop)

Frozen in the ski resort? We climbed our ass out to Sevanavank Monastery situated near the shoreline of Sevan Lake. By the way, this country does not have seashores so most of their seafood came from the lakes and one of the main suppliers is the Lake Sevan. So Lake foods. LOL. Okay back to the topic. Sevan region is said to be the first region of Armenia where Christianity spread. And in this region, Sevanavank Monastery is situated at the top of the hill which gives you a panoramic view of the Lake Sevan. This is why I love the Caucasus! Mountains are everywhere and it just gives justice to the beauty of Mother Earth.

Overlooking Lake Sevan

I can go up the hill everyday if the view will be like this!

Temple of Garni – The only Pagan Temple in Armenia (Third Stop)

Your travel to Armenia won’t be complete if you will not visit this temple as this is the only Pagan Temple in the country which is situated in the village of Garni. For the sustainability of this spot, an entrance fee of Armenian Dram 1,500 or USD 3.10 and you will be able to witness a place where you can find solace. From the gate, you will be able to see the temple and as you walk your way towards it, you will pass by in a very good pathway with beautiful landscapes. The temple was small but elevated and you have to take more than 5 steps to enable to come inside. The temple was surrounded by mountains also. The view is just perfect.

Beautiful Landscape

Detail of the Temple. With the big round foundations, I felt like I'm in Greece

The Ruins beside the Temple

Who wouldn't love this view? Notice the moon :)

Geghard Monastery (Fourth and Final Stop)

This monastery is half an hour travel from Garni Temple. By the way, it is listed in UNESCO's World Heritage Centre because of its remarkable rock-cut churches and tombs, is an exceptionally well preserved and complete example of medieval Armenian monastic architecture and decorative art, with many innovatory features which had a profound influence on subsequent developments in the region. This monastery is also situated at the foot of the mountains. It was like it was being hidden by the mountains.

The Famous Stairs up to the second Floor

The Cut Rock tombs and churches

The monastery is lying at the foot of the mountains and it will give you silhouette ambience.

If you are planning your trip into these places, some tour guides offer 2 sites in one day only but we’re lucky to go to all of these 4 places in just 1 day and the price was very cheap which cost $16.50 per person. By the way, it was a private tour and we were only 5 during the tour plus the driver and our tour guide. Imagining the distance and the roads, if this trip is in another country, it will cost us more than a hundred bucks!

DAY 2

Khor Virap Monastery (First Stop)

This monastery which means deep dungeon is situated in Ararat province near the boundary of Turkey. Deep dungeon because it has an underground or pit where Saint Gregory, a Catholic religious leader was imprisoned and tortured. You can actually go down the pit but I got scared with the straight long stiff ladder. This monastery is one of the most visit tourist spots in Armenia because it was situated in the Ararat region and it will give you the full panoramic view of Mount Ararat. Unfortunately, The Mountain was not fully visible when we came here however, we still saw it and I fell in love to this mountain. Growing up, I was always told of Noah’s Ark and to finally see the mountain where the Ark landed after God flooded the world made me feel so fulfilled! If you wanted to see the Biblical Mountain of Ararat, I suggest go to this monastery.

Tatev Monastery (Second Stop)

Prepare yourself for a 4 and a half hour travel! But full your eyes with instagramable views while listening to local music. This trip was just so perfect and we cannot help our self to ask our tour guide to stop the car for a while for us to take pictures. :D

When we reach Tatev, we are not able to take the cable car going to the monastery as it was not functional that day. So our tour guide asked us to pay extra of USD15 each (we are 4 on this trip) for him to take us to the monastery. Thinking we travelled for hours and just back out, we agreed happily as the price is very cheap.

See that mountain behind me? Well, we came from the other side of that mountain.
Mama Mia, Dios Mio! I was not prepared for this additional almost an hour trip! From one mountain to another mountain! The road going down and up to the mountains was not cemented. It’s plainly dangerous for anyone to travel there. We have seen a group of tourists who did not continue going to the monastery as the road was very dangerous. But thank goodness that our driver who is also our tour guide drove safely.

Tatev Monastery is where St. Gregory was buried. Tatev monastery was built during the 9-13th centuries as an Armenian intellectual centre where philosophers, musicians, painters, calligraphers, and monks lived. This monastery’s teachers produced manuscripts for the whole Armenian world..

Beside St. Gregory's Tomb

As I go at the details of the monastery, I was amazed at how they beautifully carved the walls and stones!

Noravank (Third Destination)

This monastery is hidden in a canyon and if you will look closely to the mountains, the iron deposits from the mountains is very visible. Iron deposit is one of the mineral resources found in Armenia. From Tatev Monastery, we reached Noravank monastery past 5 and darkness starts to eat the surrounding. We were not able to explore the monastery and we just took few photos. Since it is far from the highway with no neighbouring houses, we felt scared and opted to go to our last destination of the day.

Areni Winery (Last Stop)

From the long day trip, dangerous road, we have to award ourselves with Armenian Wine! Caucasian countries are not just blessed with majestic views and mountains but also with natural resources such as land where they produced good quality of fruits such as grapes that they make for wine. But wait, in this winery, I have seen and tasted different types of fruit wines such as strawberry, pomegranate, peach, blueberry and more which is another first time for me.  I have a choosy tongue so I will stick to the original grape wine. :D I have also tasted a more than a hundred years old wine but again, I’ll stick to the younger one. Hahahahaha! I almost forgot to mention that Caucasian countries produced very cheap and flavourful wines. So to all wine lovers out there, you should visit the Caucasus.

Explore Yerevan

Yerevan is the capital of Armenia. The city itself is a resemblance to old European theme. I think because of the influence of the Soviet Union. The city is so beautiful, the roads, the parks and of course the foods. :)

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*Yerevan Cascade. The stairs going up is made of limestones. I'm not a sporty person and when you said 500 steps going up is one heck of a job for me.

Spectacular view of the city from the top of the Cascade

Cute structures and monuments while going up to the cascade. These ease my weariness of climbing up. :D

Monuments in the lowest part of Yerevan Cascade

Buy Souvenirs in this moving bus! Run out of cash? no worry they accept debit and credit cards :)

Republic Square

History Museum of Armenia located at the Republic Square

FOODS! FOODS! FOODS!

I always love and crave caucasian beef barbecues. In this countries, meats are very fresh and organic so living here would be very healthy. :)

Fresh from the oven Apple Pie with Vanilla Ice Cream

Organic Cheddar Vegetable Salad Sandwich

New Years Eve Dinner

Armenian Local Soup In Bread Bowl

Caucasian Beef and Chicken Barbecue. This is heaven for me.

Rice Lover? No worries :) as Armenians love rice too and they served it with a twist (topped with butter and vegetables)

Savour your cheesy tooth with khachapuri. It is like a pizza filled with organic cheese! I've tried this in Georgia and I'm happy that I was able to find it in Armenia. :)

Overall, I love our tours and stay here in Armenia. The people are so welcoming, some vendors even greeted us by saying “kamusta kabayan?” and “salamat po.” Travelling in a European type country for cheap prices is a very big plus for a backpacker like me. Foods are the best and you can find a very cheap accommodation for as low as USD50 for 4 days. Buy good quality giveaways as many as you want to give to your friends and family as the price is so cheap. I fell in love in this country and I am looking forward to my next trip here in Autumn. :)

With our new found Local friends

Thank you so much for taking your time to read my second journey in the Land of Caucasus. Wishing you all the best!

I Found Myself Back in Caucasus (Winter Escapade to Armenia)