🇦🇲 Armenia (Caucasus part 1)
This is part of a multi-country trip I had. See also: Georgia.
I went with a friend and two others, four of us boys sharing one car. To explore the sparse mountainous countries in the Caucasus region, a car was definitely needed.
Zvartnots
We spent our first night in Zvartnots technically, touching down at the airport just past midnight and spending the first night at hotel Altunyan.
We were unaccustomed to the driving and missed a turn, and were thus rerouted through the Alley of Glory, which was quite a trial to drive through.
Bumpy and narrow roads, darkness in some parts, with an apt name to boot, just the type of drive we needed at 1am after a series of flights.
Our hotel window faced south, so we had a nice view of Mount Ararat, which remained visible as we drove down to Khor Virap, en route to Areni.
Areni
Our check-in date was on the 4th of October, which just so happened to be the day of the biggest wine festival in Armenia, located in Areni.
Because we booked a shack on top of Noravank Gorge, Sareni, the only way up was through a mountain road which was closed off on this very day!
We contacted the folks and the manager, Vardges, led us to his restaurant, where we parked our car and took his jeep up another off-road way up to Sareni.
Arpa Protected Landscape
Lord, it was beautiful. We could just leave the hut and trek around, m
Probably the best spot for scenic pisses.
Lake Sevan
Garni, Geghard
We stayed for a night at Garni, in another "hidden garden".
We told the owner we were headed for Geghard monastery, and he gave us a chef's kiss and made the sign of the cross, so you know UNESCO got something good in store for you. Anyway, we grew weary of the monasteries after a while, and arrived too early (or maybe it was closed), so we enjoyed the entrance and left.
Yerevan
Finally, after a loop around parts of the country, our last stop was Yerevan.
Before heading for the airport, we had a few hours to kill, and frankly cut it too close, making it to check-in in the last minute.
In fact, too much time was lost trying to park. I learned my lesson the hard way: never try to drive or park in the city, least of all in a historical European city where the infrastructure was never meant for such density.
At one point, we got stuck in a narrow two-way alley, and a local got in our car to help us navigate the gridlock. Talk about hospitality!
Next up, Georgia!
Itinerary
We basically went to Areni, did a loop up to Lake Sevan without staying a night there, and stayed again in Garni before returning to Yerevan.
Costs
Armenia is slightly cheaper than Georgia, but also slightly less developed. Food-wise, we ate a lot, which was typically SGD 10-20 per meal.
Totals
Flights cost 1.6k for a multi-city trip. Singapore to Armenia with one stop in Doha cost about 600, and Georgia to Singapore with a stop in Doha cost 1000.
According to my friend who planned the trip, he snagged the tickets when the prices dropped to 1180 total (likely during the Israel-Iran exchanges). My fault for booking later than them, but oh well.
Rounded up to 2-3 significant figures, prices in SGD
- Flights: $1750
- Accomodations: $300
- Transport: $320
- Food: $275
- Attractions: $88
- Miscellaneous: $39