Sevan

Sevan is one of the most popular and visited cities in Armenia. A great merit in this, of course, belongs to the real pearl of Armenia Lake Sevan, which is the second largest alpine freshwater lake in the world (for reference: the honorable first place belongs to the South American Lake Titicaca). But I cannot describe the splendor of Sevan alone with dry facts: the picturesque mountains turning into alpine meadows, clean air, a sandy bottom and, of course, a magical azure hue of water, fascinate and captivate, forcing them to come back here again and again.

I really love water, the sea is my love forever, and in Armenia Sevan replaces the very sea with endless water surface for me. Is that the water in it is not salty. :)

For the first time I visited Sevan as a child: then I was only interested in the possibility of splashing in the water - so cold, and at the same time so attractive. Now I love Sevan for a completely different reason: for its views, as if having descended from the paintings of the Impressionists, for the opportunity to gather one’s thoughts while looking at the water surface, for pacification alternating with the cries of Sevan gulls, for amazing sunsets, and for new ones that have not yet been opened my attractions in the vicinity.

I hope my story will help you feel the spirit of Sevan, after which you will always want to visit this beautiful city!

How to get there

Sevan, and indeed the whole of Armenia, is very accessible to Russian tourists. Saying "affordable", I do not mean prices, I will dwell on them in more detail later. First of all, I mean the visa-free regime (by the way, you can now fly to Armenia using internal passports), as well as a large number of daily flights from Moscow and other major cities of Russia.

Also, buses from various Russian cities reach Yerevan every day; by the way, Sevan also captures the route of many. And, of course, do not forget about a completely independent trip to Armenia, which travelers increasingly choose: in their own car.

The only, but, in my opinion, a big minus is the lack of direct rail links between the Russian Federation and Armenia.

By plane

Flight to Yerevan or Gyumri

Sevan is located just 60 km from the capital of Armenia, Yerevan. There is no airport directly in Sevan; therefore, the nearest “air gate” is located exactly 75 km from the resort of Yerevan, Zvartnots Airport, which receives daily flights from Moscow, St. Petersburg, Sochi, Krasnodar, Rostov-on-Don and other Russian and European cities.

In addition, recently you can fly to Moscow from Moscow with the Pobeda airline, which operates flights to the second large Armenian city of Gyumri. Sevan is already separated from Gyumri by about 130 km, but the flight will be quite budgetary. Read more about how to get to Armenia here.

I’ll tell you how to get directly to Sevan from the airport.

How to get from the airport to the city

Taxi and private transfer, I am sure, are the most convenient ways to get to Sevan. First of all, because hotels can be located on different sections of the lake’s coastline, and even choosing intercity transportation, you still have to catch a ride or a taxi to get you directly to the hotel you need.

Considering that the average taxi price tag per kilometer is about 0.25 USD (100 Armenian drams / AMD), a trip from Yerevan airport to Sevan will cost you only 18-19 USD (9 000 AMD), and from Gyumri airport - 33 USD ( 16,000 AMD).

Ordering an individual transfer, which is offered by many local travel agencies and hotels, will be slightly more expensive. In this case, it will be about 45 USD if you start the trip from Yerevan, but then you are guaranteed to be met at the airport, and the trip will be as comfortable as possible.

By train

As I noted earlier, the direct railway link between Russia and Armenia is closed for an indefinite period. The reason for this is two regional conflicts: Armenian-Azerbaijani and Russian-Georgian. In this regard, I will tell you about the route by train to the lake in case you are already in Armenia.

From Yerevan

You can get to Sevan by train, or as I call it a “mega retro train,” if you are already in Yerevan. True, this option is possible only in the summer months. Every year, the schedule changes, so you need to pre-specify it. But usually trains from Yerevan to Sevan run from mid-June to early September, that is, in the highest season.

Train departs not from the Main Yerevan Station, which I talked about here, but from the Almast station, which is located in the north of Yerevan. You can get to this station by bus number 24.

How to get from the railway station to the lake

Trains arrive at the Peninsula station, which is located directly opposite the most tourist area of ​​Sevan with the towering monastery complex of Sevanavank.

Trains are not the fastest route option, since they are not fast, and if there are no traffic jams, it will be faster to get here by bus. But there is still a plus: trains reach Shorzhi, which I will talk about below.

So, you will reach the Peninsula station from Yerevan in about 1.5 hours (ticket price is 1.25 USD or 600 AMD), and to Shorzh station in 2 hours (ticket price is 2 USD or 1,000 AMD).

By bus

Either aerophobes or those who want to minimize the trip budget prefer to get to Armenia by bus. In fairness, it is worth noting that with the ever-increasing number of direct flights from Russia, the difference between the price of a bus and plane ticket becomes very insignificant.

Today, there are a huge number of companies that carry out bus transportation from many Russian cities to Armenia. In general, we can say that in season, buses run every day. Read more about this here.

On my own, I want to add that I do not recommend choosing this method from November to March, since the pass in Verkhny Lars, through which all transport from Russia to Georgia and Armenia passes, very often closes due to weather conditions, and there is a risk of being stuck there even for a few days.

From Yerevan

Buses from Russia almost always stop near the Yerevan station. You can find out more about him, and how to get from the station to the center of Yerevan here. In addition, the route of many transport companies lies through Sevan, so feel free to clarify this fact, and you can ask for a stop right near the lake.

I also want to note that there is a bus service between Yerevan and Sevan. I will say right away that this method is not the most convenient and fast, but economical. Buses to Sevan leave from the Northern Bus Station in Yerevan, which can be reached from the city center by buses No. 46 (fare is about 0.20 USD). As the name implies, the Northern Bus Station is located north of the center of Yerevan. Drive to it from the center, taking into account traffic jams, for about 25 minutes.

The building of the North Station is small, it is made of orange tufa (local stone of volcanic origin). There are a lot of intercity minibuses around the station, and you need to go to them after you get off at the necessary stop.

Already here you need to transfer to minibus number 317 or bus number 316, which will take you to Sevan. The fare for the bus will be about 1.25 USD, and for a minibus - 1.5 USD.

As I mentioned, this type of transport does not directly reach the lake and the hotels located on the shore.

How to get from the stop to the lake

The bus makes a stop in Sevan, you can see the exact place on the map below:

Therefore, you will need to catch a taxi to your destination. Some, by the way, agree with the minibus driver himself, and he goes further, to a small surcharge, to the lake.

By car

When traveling by car from Russia, there may be the same problems that I described in the section above. In addition, in the summer season, get ready for a long queue all in the same Upper Lars. And yet, if you decide to lay your own route in Armenia on your own, your own car will be most welcome.

From Moscow and St. Petersburg

The distance from Moscow to Sevan is about 2,200 km.

From St. Petersburg a little more - almost 3,000 km.

The road runs along the M4 “Don” highway, encompassing a number of large cities, including Rostov-on-Don, Pyatigorsk, Nalchik and Vladikavkaz. Further, after you pass Lars, the road will pass along the Georgian side.

hint: Sevan - time now 17: 02 October October Time difference: Moscow - 1 Kazan - 1 Samara & plus; 0 Yekaterinburg & plus; 1 Novosibirsk & plus; 3Vladivostok & plus; 6

When is the season. When is the best time to go?

I can definitely assure you that Sevan is beautiful at any time of the year. Of course, the traditionally Sevan season opens from mid-June and lasts until mid-September, when the air and water temperatures are the most optimal for swimming. However, who will turn their tongues to downplay the beauty of such beautiful lakes as Como, Garda and Lago Maggiore in Italy, the Austrian Lake Wolfganser or, for example, Lake Geneva, in the so-called "off season". So the beauty of Sevan does not know the time of year.

Perhaps the only fly in the ointment here is insufficient attention and support of local authorities, because Sevan has every chance to be on a par with the above resorts. But for now, unfortunately, the main emphasis is on the summer season, and the rest of the year Sevan is not crowded, which is why most hotels prefer to close.

But let's still take a closer look at all four seasons in Sevan.

Sevan in the summer

As I mentioned, summer is the main season in Sevan. The main influx of tourists falls in mid-July and August. At this time, the hottest season (and the hottest both in terms of weather and in terms of prices). The air temperature in July-August can reach +30 ° С in the daytime (at the same time it’s still quite cool in the evening - about +18 ° С), and traditionally cold water in the lake warms up to + 22-24 ° С.

Also keep in mind that locals, mainly Yerevan residents, come to Sevan to swim on Saturday-Sunday, so finding a free hotel room is extremely problematic.

It is very important in summer to take sunscreen with maximum SPF on Sevan. The weather here is very deceiving. You will not notice how, hiding in the shade, you will earn yourself a sunburn, because even the wind burns in Sevan. And to become like Sevan crayfish on the first day of rest is a dubious joy. :)

Sevan in the fall

The bathing season in Sevan closes in mid-September, but the "Indian summer" in this season is especially bright. The sun is still quite gentle, but not scorching, and the greenery around is in no hurry to give way to autumn colors.

From late September to mid-October, autumn comes into its legal rights. The air temperature both in the daytime and in the evening jumps quite sharply, but basically keeps within +12 ° С. Therefore, at this time of the year, you definitely need to take warm clothes with you.

Perhaps the most unsuitable, in my opinion, month for a trip to Sevan is mid-November-early December. At this time, it is already quite cold and often unpleasant wind, especially directly near the lake. Autumn colors are already fading into the background, and the snow is still not tight enough on the mountains around to please the eye.

Sevan in the spring

Despite the fact that the beach season in Sevan begins in the summer, the majority of hotels open their doors from the end of April. I think this policy is associated with great interest in the resort during the May holidays. In fairness, it is worth noting that especially brave tourists manage to swim in the lake at this time of the year, amusing and surprising the locals. And this is at an average water temperature of no more than +15 ° C!

The weather in Sevan in May is comfortable enough for walking, but in the evening warm clothes will not hurt.

Sevan in winter

The lowest season at the resort begins in December and lasts until the end of March. Finding a working hotel at this time of the year is quite problematic, but I assure you that winter Sevan has a special magic, and it will pleasantly surprise you with its magical views. Especially if the air temperature is so low that the water in the lake becomes icy, as it was this year (which, incidentally, is a rather rare phenomenon).

The photo below only partially conveys all this beauty! This year, winter Sevan was a real paradise for photographers.

Therefore, do not spare time and take at least an hour or two to admire this picture painted by nature itself!

Sevan - monthly weather

hint: Sevan - weather for the months of January −7.6 February −6.5 March −3.0 April & plus; 3.5 May & plus; 8.6 June & plus; 12.5 July & plus; 15.8 August & plus; 15.8 September & plus; 11.8 October & plus; 6.6 November −0.2 December −5.2

What are the prices for vacation

Holidays in Sevan can be both very budgetary and quite expensive, in comparison with Armenian prices. Speaking of prices in general, I primarily mean accommodation, since the food here is quite cheap, however, as in the whole of Armenia.

Accommodation

The highest season in hotels is July and August. It’s interesting that it’s quite difficult for me to focus on prices in hotels, since here you can find hotels from the same category, where the cost of living can be as low as 50 USD for two with breakfast, and exactly twice as much. At the same time, having overpaid, you may not notice much difference.

If you are traveling in a large company, you can immediately book a large cottage or villa at the hotel. This will save your money enough, and at the same time you will get the same service as when booking a hotel room.

The most budget option would be the previously mentioned private rental cottages. Most of them you may not meet on the Internet and agree on the price and other issues with the owner already in place. The cost of such mini-cottages starts at about 20 USD per day.

By the way, which is noteworthy, the price of accommodation on the lake is absolutely independent of the area. I can even take the liberty and say that there are practically no divisions into more or less prestigious areas. The price in hotels in Sevan is formed depending on the status and stardom of the hotel itself and the services it offers.

Food

I’ll tell you more about the restaurants of Sevan a little lower, but it should be noted here that food prices in Sevan are more than acceptable, and the portions are simply huge.

Please note that in many cafes and restaurants of the resort you will not find a menu - prices will be spoken to you orally. It is important to clarify the cost of everything, including appetizers, otherwise at the end you can be told a tidy sum, and it turns out that, for example, the same appetizers for the price are almost higher than a huge portion of barbecue. Of course, such dishonest workers are extremely rare, but you should be careful not to spoil your impression of this beautiful resort.

Transport

Honestly, I have not seen public transport in the resort. If you need to go somewhere, you can use the hotel’s transport (the most expensive option) or ask for a taxi. In this case, an approximate guideline for the price for you would be 0.20 USD per kilometer.

You can also catch a ride and negotiate a price with the driver. Many locals often bring tourists and for free. For some reason, they often find themselves “on the road”, wherever you are going. :)

The main attractions. What to watch

Sevan is not only an amazingly beautiful lake.Once in these parts, one cannot deny the pleasure of touching ancient history and not visiting a number of beautiful sights, the main part of which are beautiful authentic monasteries and temples.

Before traveling, please note that it is preferable to take comfortable shoes. In summer, a hat and sunscreen are also required, as the Sevan sun can be merciless.

Top 3

Ayrivank Monastery

Many travelers during their trip to Sevan are limited to visiting only the Sevanavank Monastery, the main attraction of the city. However, in a little more inaccessible places, real treasures are hidden, one of which is the Ayrivank monastery (or, as it is also called Ayravank), which for me personally is of much greater interest.

Founded in the distant 9th century, the Ayrivank monastery complex impressed me with its contrast of the strict architecture of the building and the richly decorated vestibule. The fact is that at the time the monastery was being built, the architecture was kept in the most ascetic style. But the narthex was decorated according to the traditions of the 13th century.

And, of course, the breathtaking view of the lake, which opens directly from the church, cannot help but take your breath away!

Norashensky reserve and "Island of gulls"

For me, seagulls are one of the symbols of Sevan (without exaggeration).

In 1978, Lake Sevan was awarded the status of a national park with the aim of protecting water resources, flora and fauna, and the ecosystem as a whole.

The Sevan National Park includes a number of nature reserves with a strict environmental regime. One of the most famous reserves of the national park is the Norashensky Reserve, whose goal is to protect the unique breeding colony of Armenian gulls listed in the Red Book.

"Island of gulls" is simply a must to visit, because soon it may completely disappear. The fact is that with an increase in the water level in the lake, the island gradually goes under water, and probably soon the colonies of the Armenian gull, which are one of the largest in the world, will have to look for other islands of gulls.

The extinct volcano Armagan

If you are tired of standard routes and prefer to be where the average tourist does not step, then you certainly need to climb Mount Armagan!

Armagan is an extinct volcano at an altitude of 2,829 meters. From here, an indescribable view of Lake Sevan and the Geghama Mountains opens. But this is not the only thing that awaits you when climbing the mountain: a small chapel was built at the very top, and also a small lake of unique beauty with crystal clear water lurks.

Armagan is located near the city of Martuni. I advise you to develop such a route with a guide or a travel agent, it will be problematic on your own. But professionals will take you to the most beautiful places, part of the climb is even organized on horseback. In general, there will be enough emotions for a long time!

Beaches. Which are better

I already mentioned a little about the beaches above, here we will pay more attention to them:

  • city ​​beachesmainly located on the north and northwest shores of the lake, where the maximum concentration of tourists. These beaches are sandy and sandy-pebble, with a smooth approach, but slightly moving away from the coast, you can feel a sharp deepening of the bottom in some places; on the territory of city beaches there is all the necessary infrastructure: changing rooms, toilets, as well as a cafe. True, for sun loungers you will have to pay an average of 10 USD (5,000 AMD);
  • a little further from the peninsula there are a large number private beaches. There are so many names that I did not remember a single one. Entrance to the territory of these beaches is paid. The price depends on whether you only need a deck chair, covered gazebo, and maybe even a house;

  • as I noted, my favorite sandy beaches are on the east coast, near Shorzhi. Due to the small number of tourists, the local nature has remained almost untouched, and crystal clear water is the best confirmation of this. There are a lot of free wild beaches;

  • west coast of Sevan famous for amazing views. Here, by the way, there is also the Norashensky Nature Reserve and the “Island of Gulls”, which you already know about. Many beaches on this coast belong to hotels, but there are also free ones. Just keep in mind that on the west coast a considerable number of rocky beaches, without a smooth approach. In principle, on the west bank, all the so-called non-privatized beaches lack infrastructure and special amenities. They are suitable for lovers of wild, unloved by tourists beaches.

Below you can see the map with the beaches I have indicated:

Churches and temples. Which are worth a visit

Sevanavank

The Sevanavank monastery complex is the main attraction and the most visited monastery of Sevan. Simple and ascetic, it is noteworthy in that it is completely built from massive blocks of black tufa, which is very difficult to carve, process and polish.

This medieval monastery was built at a time when Sevan was an island, not a peninsula, in 874, Princess Mariam, the daughter of the founder of the Armenian Kingdom of Bagratids, Ashot I Bagratuni.

The Surb Arakelots and Surb Karapet churches, as well as cells and theological seminary, have survived to our days, and a magnificent view of the lake and mountains opens from the observation deck of the complex.

Airrivank

About this monastery, built in the IX century, I have already described in more detail a little higher. Ayrivank is located on the western shore of the lake, on the outskirts of the village of the same name.

To find it, you need to turn onto the M10 highway, towards Gavar. Having passed the villages of Tsovazard and Lchap, it is better to ask the local people for a short way. I did so, so now I can’t remember the exact route. But it will not be difficult for you to recognize Airivank, since it is the only one that rises on a rocky cape on the very shore of the lake.

Makenis

Makenis Monastery (or Makeniats) is another significant attraction of Sevan, which is not so famous among tourists.

The monastery is located in the southern part of the lake, about 5 km from the coast, in the village of Makenis. In addition to its architectural significance, the monastery played a large role in the spread of written culture in Armenia and since the early Middle Ages has been one of the educational and religious centers of the country.

The complex consists of the main in the architectural ensemble of the church of Surb Astvatsatsin, a chapel and a vestibule. If you visit the monastery complex, be sure to also pay attention to khachkars, as well as interesting carvings on the church, in particular in the form of horses.

Vanevan

Another monastery, little known among tourists, hid from the heads among the Geghama Mountains. Built in the 10th century, Vanevan is located in the village of Artsvanist, on the edge of the gorge.

The main church of the monastery complex is the Surb Grigor Lusavorich church, which was built in 903. It is noteworthy that the church itself is built of roughly carved basalt, and the arches and domes are made of tuff.

In Vanevan you can enjoy absolute silence and unity with nature.

***

All these beautiful monasteries are functioning, and absolutely anyone can get here. Entrance to the churches and monasteries of Sevan is free, although donations are welcome. On Sundays, as well as on church holidays, services are held in monasteries, however, even at this time, tourists can enter the church if they wish. Taking pictures is also not prohibited.

Museums Which are worth a visit

There are not many museums in Sevan, but it is definitely worth a visit. It is especially nice that the entrance to most of them is free.

Sevan Museum of Natural Science

This museum will appeal to both adults and children. The museum has more than 700 exhibits showing: the flora and fauna of Sevan and its environs, the geological features of the place, as well as household and working tools that tell about the millennial history of the region.

The Sevan Museum of Natural Science is located in the city of Sevan, in the building of the Cultural Center. Accurate address: Sayat Nova, 14.

Opening hours and visit: The museum is open Monday through Friday from 10:00 to 17:00, and on Saturday from 10:00 to 13:00. Free admission.

Noratus

This is a real open-air museum. In fact, Noratus, located in the village of the same name, is the so-called khachkar cemetery. Here is a unique collection of stone crosses. Almost 1,000 copies occupy an area of ​​7 hectares, and not a single ornament on khachkars is repeated.

Most khachkars of Noratus date from the 13th-17th centuries, and the most ancient is the khachkar of the 5th century.

The most unusual, in my opinion, khachkars are those that depict the life of local residents, for example, with scenes from rural life and even a wedding.

Here they will tell you an interesting legend, which reports: when Tamerlane’s troops broke into the village, local residents, realizing their small numbers compared to the horde of conquerors, put on khachkars clothes. The conquerors saw thousands of “warriors” and retreated without risking fighting the “armed soldiers”.

Noratus is located in the village of the same name on the western coast of Sevan, about 5 km from the city of Gavar. The road from the city of Sevan to the khachkar cemetery will take almost an hour (this is about 40 km). The easiest way is to take a taxi (calculation: 1 km = 0.20 USD) or a ride (if you're lucky, the locals will take you for free). If you get to Noratus from Yerevan, then from the Bus Station you can catch minibus No. 326 to Gavar, and then by taxi or on foot.

Visiting Noratus is free.

Sevan Botanical Garden

Another place in Sevan, where it will be interesting for both children and adults. Sevan Botanical Garden is already notable for being located at an altitude of 2,000 meters above sea level. The park features about 450 European and Asian plant species.

Opening hours and visit: The Botanical Garden is open for visits every day - from 09:00 to 18:00. The entrance is free.

Museum of Local Lore

In the museum, which is located in the city of Gavar, you can familiarize yourself with the general history of the region, find out interesting facts about Lake Sevan and the life of ordinary people, as well as admire paintings, antique carpets, ancient tools, anchor and bronze daggers and jewelry found at excavations.

The museum is small, but it contains about 8,500 exhibits telling about the history of the region, starting from the Stone Age to the present day.

Exact address: st. Zoravara Andranika, 32.

Opening hours and visit: open Monday through Friday - from 09:00 to 18:00. Admission is free; Russian-speaking guides also work.

Food. What to try

Go to Sevan and not try the local fish and crayfish, at least a crime. This is already a kind of ritual and a mandatory point, without which the impression of Sevan would be incomplete.

Of course, there are also many choices for meat-eaters, vegans, and sweet-tooths, so it’s unlikely that they will be able to leave Sevan with an empty stomach. I spoke in detail about Armenian goodies in my article.

The tourist areas of Sevan are not famous for the abundance of shops, so those who like to cook on their own will have to go to the city of Sevan or nearby Hrazdan (there is a large supermarket, the distance from the city of Sevan is about 20 km).

Holidays

Lake Sevan Day

There are few city holidays in Sevan. Nationwide are celebrated here as in other cities of Armenia. But among the local festivities, perhaps, I will mark Lake Sevan Day, which is celebrated on the last Sunday of August.

On this day in the morning, under the control of the employees of the national park, a kind of subbotnik (cleaning the coastline) is held, and in the evening many hotels have parties.

Armenian Sailing Championship

In addition, in mid-August, the Sailing Championship is held in Sevan.

Competitions last as long as 7 days, and about 30 windsurfers participate in them. If you do not participate, then at least look at the action is worth it.

Security. What to watch out for

All of Armenia and Sevan in particular are very safe for tourists. I can’t give you any special rules and recommendations, since everything is in order in this regard.

Perhaps the only thing worth mentioning is safety in water. Since there are places in Sevan with a rather uneven bottom, you should definitely pay attention to the buoys, especially for children.

Things to do

What I like about Sevan is that here you can easily combine an absolutely lazy holiday with various activities, mainly water activities.

So, let's see what you can do in Sevan, in addition to swimming and visiting interesting sights:

  1. FishingWell, this is, perhaps, from the most elementary. Many hotels offer their own fishing equipment. I think lovers of such leisure time will appreciate the opportunity to go fishing on the shore of Sevan. It will be especially pleasant right on the spot, on the fire, to cook kebabs of fish caught with your own hands. In hotels, this service is free, you only have to pay for equipment rental (prices need to be specified in a particular hotel). But if you want to book a tour from Yerevan, then the cost will be a little more than 100 USD, however, this amount will include transport, equipment and a boat, a briefing, as well as a picnic on the lake. The most convenient area for fishing is the village of Lchashen on the west coast, which is suitable for both beginners and more experienced fishermen.
  2. Jet skiingPerhaps, all Sevan hotels offer this opportunity. This is the most popular type of outdoor activity here. Even if you are in Sevan for just a few hours, you can rent a scooter on Zepyur Beach, which is located right next to the Harsnakar Hotel. The standard rental price for a water scooter is around 20 USD (10,000 ADM) in 15 minutes. But often there are discounts and promotions. You can also try to bargain if you rent a scooter for a longer period. They are reluctant to discount the price, but you can save a little. In addition to scooters, catamarans, water skis and pedalos are also for rent.
  3. Catamaran walkAnother popular activity among tourists in Sevan is a catamaran ride. Typically, the cost of such a trip includes watercraft training, a catamaran lunch, and crayfish gathering competition. Prices of these are specified in travel agencies upon request. They depend on the number of people, as well as the availability of additional services and excursions. But you can also rent catamarans; almost all hotels provide them. Cost - about 20 USD for half an hour.
  4. Sailing ship "Cilicia"Recently, everyone who visits Sevan can enjoy its views directly from the ship "Cilicia". This sailing ship is an exact copy of the merchant ship of the time of the Cilician kingdom, reproduced in manuscripts, mock-ups and miniatures, which are today stored in the Matenadaran Museum. Therefore, "Cilicia" is like a time machine that instantly takes us to the 13th century. The construction of Cilicia took more than 11 years, and it has already managed to visit 25 countries of the world and 67 cities, including Athens, Beirut, Venice, Naples, Genoa, Syracuse, Nice, Barcelona, ​​Lisbon, London, Amsterdam, St. Petersburg, Sochi and others! Now the ship will delight visitors to Sevan, it has become a kind of museum on the water. During the tour, you can not only contemplate the beauty of Sevan, but also learn many interesting historical facts related to the ship, and crew members will tell you about travels around Europe, which in themselves have become unprecedented, because never before in the history of world navigation no vessel 7 seas did not sail, literally ringing Europe. By the way, they pay great attention to the development of sailing in Armenia. The base of the Yerevan Sailing Club operates in Sevan, and in mid-August the Armenian Windsurfing Championship is held. So if you are in Sevan at this time, you can watch an interesting sight.
  5. Hot air balloonIf the views of Sevan from land and water were not enough for you, then you can also enjoy the beauties of the lake from the air by ordering a balloon flight. Such an opportunity is provided in several regions of Armenia, and Sevan, in terms of entertainment, is one of the most interesting. Ballooning is possible both in winter and in summer, and the maximum number of people in a basket should not exceed 4. By the way, flights are carried out exclusively with the permission and control of the civil aviation of Armenia. Pleasure is certainly not cheap, but impressions of the views of Armenia from a bird's eye view will last you for a long time. The cost of a balloon flight over Sevan starts from 150 USD. The general flight program lasts about 4-5 hours, and it includes the process of preparing the ball for flight, the flight itself (about an hour), graduation after the flight, and refreshments directly in the air. The whole process is filmed on a GoPro camera.

Extreme sports

Recently, extreme sports have tightly entered the life of Armenian youth. That is why extreme clubs open one after another in different parts of Armenia, which attract an increasing number of supporters every year.

This trend is not spared, and Sevan, visiting which extreme lovers will also be able to find activities to their liking.

Paragliding

From July to September, lovers of "high" sensations can feel like a Sevan gull during a paraglider flight.

The flight is carried out together with the instructor, which is called a tandem, so even beginners can experience the thrill. The flight lasts about half an hour, and the launch pad is located at an altitude of about 2,300 meters in the village of Tsovagyukh.

By the way, if you are not afraid and want to diversify your flight, you can ask the instructor to do a couple of tricks, for example, a slide, a spiral or a flip through the wing.

The cost of a flight, which also includes shooting with a GoPro camera, starts at 130 USD.

Alpine diving

Diving in the largest lake in the Caucasus has recently attracted the attention of real extreme people. Why real? Yes, because even professionals do not always risk practicing this type of rest. Diving in Sevan is not the easiest.

The fact is that the lake, in fact, is divided into two parts: Small Sevan and Big Sevan. And, if Big Sevan has a flat and shallow bottom, then Small Sevan is characterized by a complex and deep bottom with uneven and indented shores, where the largest volume of water is concentrated. The deepest point of Sevan is located near the foot of the Areguni ridge.

Diving is carried out only with an experienced instructor and only after training and getting used to.

Souvenirs. What to bring as a gift

In Sevan, in principle, a familiar souvenir set. National dolls, wood and semiprecious stones, jewelry, and edible ones — dried fruits, preserves and aromatic honey — all this can be found mainly in the central tourist area of ​​Sevan, near the Sevanavank Monastery.

You can read more about gifts and interesting Armenian souvenirs in this my article.

How to get around the region

Sevan - holidays with children

Sevan is a great choice for families with children! The cleanest air and water, hotels with slides and game rooms, several interesting museums, which I told you about above, will brighten up children's leisure.

The only thing to keep in mind is that not all hotels and restaurants are ready to provide a children's menu, so you will need to choose from what you have, or ask the chef to cook separately for the child if there is a problem with the food.

Also, be sure to stock up on reliable sunscreen: it will be needed in Sevan like nowhere else.

Ski vacation

Few people know that Sevan has recently been a ski resort. A few years ago a cable car was built here to please skiers and snowboarders.

Of course, Sevan as a ski resort is not yet as advertised and popular as Tsaghkadzor. It is also inferior to the latter in size, and, in principle, comparing them is not very correct. But, believe me, skiing in Sevan will give you great pleasure: the views alone are worth what! And the prices here are much lower than in Tsaghkadzor.

The Sevan cable car is located in the village of Tsovagyuh, at the foot of the Pambak Range, in a place called Mashtotsner.

It is very modern, in perfect condition, and its length is 1,130 m.

Ski passes

I used the Sevan cable car seat only once and took a daily subscription, which a year ago (in 2016) was half as much as in Tsaghkadzor. That is, a daily card costs about 10 USD (5,000 ADM). Ski rental costs the same.

As far as I know, so far they only provide daily ski passes, which can be purchased right next to the cable car, as well as in the Akhtamar Hotel, 2 km away. The opening hours of the cable car are from 10:00 to 17:00.

Trails

Sevan ski slopes - a real paradise for professionals. There are two tracks here:

  • serpentine, which stretches for 2 km;
  • a real black track, which even in Tsakhkadzor can not be found. Its length is 1.2 km.

There is a fair amount of virgin snow here for freeride lovers, as well as several gentle slopes for inexperienced skiers and children. For them, there is a training school, which is located in the aforementioned hotel "Akhtamar".

The height of Uryatstap Mountain, on which the chairlift is built, is 2,324 m, and as for the route itself, its length is 1,130 m, with a height difference of up to 400 meters.

By the way, about the Akhtamar Hotel: since it is built on a mountain ridge, amazing views open from its windows!

Therefore, not only alpine skiing lovers can choose it, but also connoisseurs of secluded relaxation with "picturesque" views.

Watch the video: Sevan - ''Kurdo #2'' prod. Tkay (March 2024).

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