Armenia: Beyond the Silk Road

Following a successful ‘reconnaissance’ trip with some adventurous hikers in 2011 (and no other trekkers were encountered on the entire trail), this unusual group trip is now a firm part of the Walks Worldwide programme for 2012.

This is a trekking and cultural journey through Armenia’s landscapes and history and includes a straightforward ascent of Aragats South peak, Armenia’s highest mountain.

Armenia lies on the crossroads between East and West and for a relatively small country has more than its fair share of diverse landscapes watched over by mighty Mount Ararat just across the border in eastern Turkey (once within the borders of Armenia, and lost during the war).

Dramatic canyons, volcanic formations, turquoise lakes, lush forests, expansive highlands and spectacular mountains rising to over 4000m all help to create unique ecosystems and varied climatic zones.

The country is home to a rich abundance of flora and fauna too including the Caucasian leopard, wolf, lynx, bear and Asian wild sheep. Here amongst these wild landscapes nomadic Armenian shepherds and Yezidi Kurds can still be encountered. Armenia has always been a place of collisions between the great empires of antiquity and middle ages. Rome, Persia, Byzantium, Arabs, Seljuks and Mongols have all passed through and left their mark.

Armenia possesses a wealth of UNESCO World Heritage sites too including ancient monasteries and churches. The Silk Road passed through Armenia and Marco Polo is known to have travelled over Armenia's Sulema Mountains describing how the locals lived amongst the rugged landscapes.

This is a trekking and cultural journey through Armenia’s landscapes and history.

The trips depart on 3 June, 8 July & 9 September & cost from £1245 pp.

This includes all transportation, 9 nights’ accommodation (3 & 4 star hotels), all meals, baggage transfers and an English speaking guide. Fully-bonded, Walks Worldwide can book flights on request.

For more information, visit walksworldwide.com.