Tsaghkadzor

Tsaghkadzor is one of the most dynamically developing resorts in Armenia. Despite its centuries-old history, it is as if still looking for its face and its own path, and rushes from its authentic roots to the image of a modern European town.

Perhaps this is what attracts me to Tsaghkadzor - a kind of “stone” in combination with a free spirit. And judging by the increasing number of tourists from year to year (and therefore the growing number of quality hotels), Tsaghkadzor is attractive not only for me.

In fairness, I should note that for me Tsaghkadzor is not the heart of Armenia, with its special magical spirit. You can include it in the tour route in Armenia for no more than a couple of days. The only exception is purely ski vacation. Just do not get me wrong, this does not mean that Tsaghkadzor does not deserve attention, and there is nothing to do here. Not at all! It’s just that Armenia itself is so multifaceted that with a possible dilemma, I would choose its more authentic corners.

The Teghenis Tsaghkadzor located in a picturesque valley at the foot of the mountain actually has a lot of epithets - “ski”, “youth”, “winter, and, as if in contrast,“ floral. ”By the way, from the top of the mountain in clear weather you can enjoy wonderful views of Lake Sevan and the biblical Mount Ararat.

So what is he really, Tsaghkadzor? Let's try to figure it out together.

How to get there

One of Tsakhkadzor’s undoubted advantages is its rather close location to the capital and to most of the sights of Armenia that are obligatory for visiting.

Thus, Tsaghkadzor can be considered as a “base” city where you can relax, breathe fresh mountain air and at the same time saturate your leisure time with interesting field trips that can be organized both independently and through travel agencies.

The nearest airport to Tsaghkadzor is in the capital of Armenia - Yerevan. About how to get to Yerevan, I spoke in detail in my article about Armenia, as well as here. But already how to get from Yerevan to Tsaghkadzor, I will briefly describe below.

Taxi

As I have repeatedly mentioned in my articles, in Armenia taxis are quite a popular and affordable way to get around. And therefore, in my opinion, this type of transport is the most convenient, and certainly the fastest way to get from the airport, or from the center of Yerevan to Tsaghkadzor.

The distance from the Yerevan airport to Tsaghkadzor is about 80 km, and each kilometer according to the average tariff of local taxis is about 0.20-0.25 USD (100 drams). Thus, we make a simple mathematical calculation and understand that on average the cost of a trip will be about 16-20 USD. Agree, by European standards, this is a negligible amount.

Transfer

Most hotels and holiday homes in Tsaghkadzor provide their guests with meeting services at the airport - in other words, a transfer. Of course, the price tag in this case will be higher (on average, we are talking about 30 USD) than if you just catch a taxi, but there are certainly pluses.

Firstly, in this case you will protect yourself from "excessive tariffs" by dishonest taxi drivers, as you will negotiate the price in advance, and secondly, you will be provided with a car at your discretion and preferences. From my own experience, I know that this is important, as I once encountered the problem of placing ski equipment in one of the taxis. As a result, the adventurous taxi driver somehow miraculously placed my luggage in his old Opel, but I had to go with my head bowed :)

By bus

Despite the fact that Tsaghkadzor is one of the most popular resorts in Armenia, intercity transport does not reach here. However, this problem also exists in other Armenian resorts, and the explanation for this, it seems to me, lies precisely in the availability of taxis.

Nevertheless, I will indicate a way to get to Tsaghkadzor by bus. Maybe someone will be useful.

So, the buses to Tsaghkadzor leave from a stop near the Relay Plant, which is about 10 minutes from the center of Yerevan, and two stops from Victory Park. You can get to this stop from the center by bus No. 13, 24, 32, 47, 58, as well as minibuses No. 2, 4, 21 and some others. The fare is 0.20 USD (100 AMD).

Next, you will need to transfer to minibus No. 278A, it is he who gets to Tsaghkadzor. Finding it will not be difficult, since it is from this stop that many intercity buses leave, you just need to find the right number or ask the drivers.

Buses depart only 2 times a day - in the morning at 11:30 and in the evening at 18:00. The fare is about 1.3 USD (600 drams).

Here is such an intricate route.

By car

It is quite convenient to get to Tsaghkadzor by your own or rented car. On the M4 highway, you will reach the resort in about 40-45 minutes, driving through the cities of Abovyan, Charentsavan, Hrazdan and the picturesque Lake Sevan. You can see the route map in the previous section.

If you rent a car, they will provide you with a full tank of gasoline. In the same "form" you must return it back. The average cost of gasoline in Armenia is 0.80 USD per liter, that is, you will spend about 10 liters or 8 USD on the road to and from Tsaghkadzor.

hint: Tsaghkadzor - time is 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?

Still, the majority of tourists associate Tsaghkadzor only with skiing holidays. In part, such a judgment is true, because the city is developing more precisely in this direction. But only partly! Indeed, in Tsaghkadzor there is something to be done not only in winter, but clean mountain air is useful at any time of the year.

The high season in Tsaghkadzor begins in late November and lasts until mid-March. Finding a free hotel room at this time is quite problematic, well, and the prices, of course, are much higher than in other months.

In the low season (that is, from April to October) in Tsaghkadzor there is no such influx of tourists, and many hotels make significant discounts.

Tsaghkadzor in the summer

Well, I’ll immediately make a reservation, in summer it’s good everywhere in Armenia :) Tsaghkadzor is no exception, and if in July-August there is real heat in Tsakhkadzor, then in Tsaghkadzor the average daily temperature ranges from +23 to +25 ° С. Therefore, many residents of Yerevan often run off over the weekend to the cooler Tsaghkadzor, which can be reached in just over half an hour.

It’s cool in the evening, the mountainous location affects it. Therefore, it will not be superfluous to grab clothes warmer.

Tsaghkadzor in the fall

Autumn Armenia has a special charm and mystery. Moreover, almost until mid-September (or even longer), the Armenian autumn is more reminiscent of summer: it is still warm and sunny. The same applies specifically to Tsakhkadzor, where there are so many sunny days in the year.

But since October it often rains, although the thermometer rarely drops below + 10-11 ° C.

In my opinion, the least favorable month for visiting Tsaghkadzor is November: the sun no longer warms, sometimes it is cloudy and windy. The ski season is also not yet open, because at this time there is not enough snow on the top of the mountain.

Tsaghkadzor in the spring

Few people know that the word "Tsakhkadzor" in literal translation from Armenian means "gorge of flowers." If you are lucky enough to be here in the spring, in particular in May, then you will understand why. The mountains and plains of Tsaghkadzor at this time were covered with a real floral carpet, and the air seemed to be saturated with the fragrance of wildflowers and the delicate aroma of meadow greenery. The most spectacular view opens from the mountain peaks, from where you can (and should) fully enjoy these excellent colors donated by nature itself.

Tsaghkadzor in winter

So we got to the main Tsakhkadzor season. Winter is the perfect time to visit this popular ski resort. The cold here is quite moderate, the average daytime temperature in January rarely drops below −10 ° C, which is also due to the large number of sunny days. On the peaks, of course, it is cooler, so you need to dress the same way as in any European ski resort.

It is worth noting that a solid snow cover is provided here for the entire ski season, which opens in early or mid-December and lasts until the end of March (or even longer).

In Tsaghkadzor in winter you certainly will not get bored! A wide selection of various services - spa, swimming pools, and, of course, skiing and snowboarding and other winter activities - will appeal to both adults and children.

Tsaghkadzor - weather for a month

hint: Tsaghkadzor - weather for the months of January −6.2 February −4.5 March ± plus 0.2 April ± 6.9 May ± 12.1 June ± plus 16.0 July ± 19.6 August ± plus 19.5 September ± 15.2 October ± plus 9.2 November ± 2.4 December −3.2

Areas. Where is better to live

One of the main advantages of Tsaghkadzor is its compactness: even from the most remote, by local standards, district of the city, you can easily reach the center even on foot. In principle, there is no definite division into districts: there is a center, and the rest of Tsaghkadzor, delimited by local names of streets or attractions.

Despite this, I’ll try to note several key locations.

Center

Personally, I most often choose hotels or houses near the Kecharis monastery. It is located in the center of Tsaghkadzor and is perhaps the main attraction of the city. From here it’s quite convenient for the two to walk to the cable car. In addition, the center has many banks, exchangers, shops, mobile phone stores and restaurants. I’ll talk about the latter a little later.

So, in the immediate vicinity of the monastery are hotels and cottage houses Kecharis, Russia, Splendor, Villadzor, Ripa and some others. Elegant and Marriott Tsaghkadzor hotels are also nearby (by the way, they are one of the best, in my opinion, in Tsaghkadzor).

Sport base

Tsaghkadzor is definitely one of the most athletic cities in Armenia. In addition to the ski school, there is a large Sports Base (Tsaghkadzor Main Sports Complex). Little is known that it was built specifically for preparations for the Summer Olympic Games in Mexico City. In those years, only leading Soviet athletes could gain access to the Tsaghkadzor sports base, and today the doors of the complex are open to everyone.

At present, Sportbaza is also a first-class hotel, which is ideal for both family vacations and sports gatherings, as was originally intended.

The complex has a large Olympic pool, halls for athletics and wrestling, a special large hall for practicing basketball, volleyball and football, and other gaming halls. A five-kilometer ski run is located next to the Sports Complex, while its high location (about 2000 meters above sea level) gives an additional load for training, after which it will not be superfluous to visit the local spa.

Cableway

Of course, many tourists prefer hotels as close to the ski lifts as possible. In this regard, Alva and Tsaghkahovit hotels are best located.

Other areas

If you prefer more secluded places, then in Tsaghkadzor you will have a fairly large selection. To get to the cable car in this case also will not be any there, because the vast majority of local hotels offer a shuttle service. For example, recently in Tsaghkadzor a new hotel that attracted me opened - Ararat Resort Tsaghkadzor. It is located right at the entrance to the city, and its location is considered remote from the cable car, but this "remoteness" is approximately four kilometers.

At the same time, keep in mind that remoteness from the ski lifts and the city center is not always a guarantee of a low price - it all depends on the category of the hotel and the services offered. For example, in the very center there are many guest houses and cottage villages that offer fairly budget accommodation.

I'll tell you a little more about prices below.

What are the prices for vacation

As I have already noted, the highest prices for holidays in Tsaghkadzor fall in the winter. So, we will focus on this season.

Accommodation

The average price in 4 * hotels in December-January varies between 65-80 USD for two with breakfast, in the "five" the price tag will rise to 120-130 USD for two. You can compare the cost of different offers and choose the most profitable option, for example, here. It’s convenient to book a room you like at "Booking". In Tsaghkadzor there are also quite a lot of good enough "three rubles" and guest houses. Their average price in the season ranges from 30-45 USD for two with breakfast, depending on the services offered.

A good way to save your budget is not to book hotels, but private apartments. In season, a lot of locals offer tourists to rent a house. Of course, the conditions here will not be the same as in hotels, but this way you can save from 30 to 50% of the cost.

I would advise families or large companies to take a closer look at apart-hotels and cottages, of which there are many in Tsakhkadzor. They often have several rooms, and the price per person is much lower than if you book, say, several double rooms.

Food

As for food and transport, in Tsaghkadzor their prices are almost the same as in Yerevan. For example, a fairly solid dinner will cost about 10-15 USD per person. Read about Tsakhkadzor cafes and restaurants below.

Transport

When arriving in Tsaghkadzor, keep in mind that there are not as many taxis in the city as in Yerevan. More often here you can meet the so-called "private traders" who have their own rates. Therefore, bargain calmly and remember that throughout Armenia the average price tag for a taxi is approximately 0.20 USD (100 drams) per kilometer.

The main attractions. What to watch

Compared with Yerevan and, for example, Dilijan, in Tsaghkadzor there are not many places that may interest tourists. Here, a big bet is made on the most important attraction - Mother Nature, and of course, on sports and entertainment.

But since you are in Tsaghkadzor, you definitely need to see all its beauties.

Top 3

As I have already noted, Tsaghkadzor is not so rich in sights. Nevertheless, once you are here, you simply must see the main ones, so as not to pass the time at the hotel, even the most fashionable one.

So my top 3:

  1. Kecharis Monastery Complex - A real business card of Tsaghkadzor. The complex includes four ancient churches, two chapels, a narthex, as well as several unique cross-stones (stone crosses). The monastery territory itself is very well-groomed and cozy: here you can often see families with children for a walk. You can read my more detailed story about the monastery below.
  2. The top of Mount Teghenis. A treasure given by nature, Mount Teghenis is beautiful in itself. But to get to the top of it, you will need an additional incentive, namely the anticipation of that breathtaking view that will open before your eyes as soon as you find yourself at the peak. Plains, steep slopes, seemingly tiny Lake Sevan, and, of course, the majestic Ararat - this beauty is not far from Stendhal syndrome.
  3. Molokan community. I don’t know how much the Molokan community can be called a tourist attraction, but if you want to see a completely different Tsaghkadzor, then you are right here. Molokans are Christians, a special ethnographic group of Russians who live according to their own convictions and charter. This is a very interesting and hospitable people who settled in Tsaghkadzor back in 1845. The community also has a Molokan Prayer House.

Churches and temples. Which are worth a visit

Kecharis Monastery

The central attraction of Tsaghkadzor and its jewel is the Kecharis Monastery Complex. It can be seen on most tourist cards of the city.

The complex, dating from the 11th-13th centuries, consists of four churches, a narthex and two chapels.Home - Church of St. Gregory the Illuminator - built in 1033. It is noteworthy that the exterior of the church is quite restrained, but inside you will see a spacious vaulted hall crowned with a dome. The Church of St. Gregory the Illuminator is one of the demonstration buildings of the period of developed feudalism in Armenia.

In the second half of the 12th century, a vestibule was added to the western facade of the church, which belongs to the early structures of this type.

South of the Church of St. Gregory the Illuminator is a small church of the cross-domed type Surb Nshan (Holy Sign). It is interesting for its cross-stones (stone crosses). But between the churches of the Holy Sign and St. Gregory the Illuminator, you will see a dilapidated chapel, which once served as the tomb of the founder of the Kecharis monastery complex - Grigor Magistros Pakhlavuni.

The third, and in my opinion, the most luxurious church of the complex is Katogike, which was erected in the period from 1203 to 1214. To the east of the church, a khachkar, very original in its artistic value, was placed.

It is also worth noting that today Kecharis Monastery is the main vicarious church of the Kotayk diocese of the Armenian Apostolic Church.

Church of St. Harutyun

If you noticed, I mentioned above that the Kecharis monastery complex consists of four churches, but so far I have indicated only three in the story.

The fact is that the last church of the complex - the church of St. Harutyun (Resurrection), dating from 1220 - I would like to separate somewhat from the rest.

Firstly, it is located at some distance from the main complex. To be more precise, about 150 meters across a small road. Honestly, for a long time I did not even know that the church of St. Harutyun is part of Kecharis. Many tourists do not immediately notice it, because of which the church is not too crowded with visitors.

Entrance to the church is possible only from the western side, there is also a small porch.

An unconditional bonus is also a beautiful view from the church courtyard, since the Church of the Holy Resurrection is located on a hill, among dense forests.

Museums Which are worth a visit

The house-museum of the Orbeli brothers

The house-museum of the Orbeli brothers, in my opinion, is undeservedly deprived of attention. Meanwhile, the museum is very informative and interesting.

The middle brother (Leon) is a doctor who continued the work of physiologist Pavlov in studying the genetics of higher nervous activity and animal behavior. It was in the house where Leon was born, and the Orbeli Brothers Museum was founded in 1982.

The younger brother, Joseph, chose history, participated in the excavations of the medieval Armenian capital Ani, and also for many years was the director of the Hermitage.

Such a different kind of activity of the brothers could not but reflect on the museum, which contains unique exhibits and their personal items.

Here, what I like is a very homely cozy atmosphere, while the museum has a rather impressive collection. Among more than 1700 exhibits you will find many manuscripts, books, personal items and photographs of these extraordinary people.

At the same time, the entire exposition is divided into two parts: the first presents information on the scientific and social activities of the Orbeli brothers, and the second, the memorial, contains antique furniture and other personal items.

Here is just a wonderful library and art gallery.

I would also like to note the guide of the museum - it is clear that a person loves his work very much and therefore very interestingly and enthusiastically talks about the history of the Orbeli dynasty, the customs of the family, their activities and much more.

Therefore, I recommend a visit to the house-museum of the Orbeli brothers with a guided tour.

Entrance to the museum costs a little more than 1 USD (500 drams), and a guided tour will cost about 4 USD (2000 drams).

By the way, unlike most museums in Armenia, the Orbeli Brothers Museum can be photographed as much as necessary without prior permission.

What to see in 1 day

If the main purpose of your visit to Armenia is not skiing in Tsaghkadzor, and you are here only a day, then I will tell you how to spend it as productively as possible.

  • 08:00-09:00. I advise you to start the day in Tsaghkadzor (and in any other Armenian resort) no later than 08:00. Armenians love to sleep, and at this time many resorts are just waking up - you will have the opportunity to be in some privacy. After a cup of coffee, you can reach the cable car and be one of the first to climb to the top of the mountain slopes. If you are in Tsaghkadzor in the winter, then, of course, a couple of hours should be devoted to skiing or snowboarding. If you happen to be here in the warm season, you can just take a walk on the peaks, breathing in the fresh mountain aroma and enjoying beautiful views.
  • 13:00. In the open air, appetite is known to inflame with double strength. Therefore, I advise you not to resist and dine in one of the restaurants or taverns of the city, where there are always the freshest and most delicious national dishes.
  • 15:00. After lunch, you should definitely visit Kecharis Monastery. You can spend no more than half an hour on it, but I advise you to stay here a little longer. Take a look at each of the four churches, one of which, as I noted above, is located at some distance from the main complex.
  • 16:00. If I find myself culturally small, then be sure to visit the interesting Orbeli Brothers Museum.
  • 17:00. As soon as it gets dark, the Tsaghkadzor cable car closes. Therefore, you have a chance at the end of the day once again to climb to the top and enjoy the beautiful local sunset.
  • 19:00. Dinner after a busy day, and, of course, SPA - to recover and continue to conquer other picturesque cities of Armenia the next day.

What to see in the surroundings

Tsaghkadzor has a very good location relative to most of the main attractions of Armenia. That is why, relaxing in this lovely resort town, you can easily combine a relaxing leisure time with a couple of three field trips.

So, what can be seen in the vicinity of Tsaghkadzor:

  • Yerevan. The capital of Armenia has countless must-visit places. But even if you do not have time to visit them all, you can just walk along the beautiful central streets of the city. Be sure to check out Republic Square, Cascade, the square near the Opera House, or sit in one of the many cozy cafes. You can read about the most interesting sights of Yerevan here. The distance to Yerevan is about 60 km, you can get there by transport, as I said above or by taxi.
  • Sevan. You can enjoy the views of Sevan both from the height of mountain peaks, and from close range. You can get to the lake in just 20-25 minutes by taxi, while paying about 8-8.5 USD.
  • Pagan Temple Garni and Geghard Monastery located respectively at 65 and 75 km. from Tsaghkadzor. These are one of the most popular tourist routes recommended for visiting by me and thousands of tourists. By the way, you can read more about Garni in my article.
  • Dilijan - Another paradise in Armenia. You can get to it in an hour (about 60 km.) And besides the city itself, you can also visit the medieval monasteries of Haghartsin and Goshavank.
  • After rich tours, it will not be superfluous to relax and improve your health in the thermal springs of the Ankavan balneological resort, which is only 30 kilometers from Tsaghkadzor. Entrance to the territory of thermal waters costs about 4.2 USD
hint: Routes to neighboring cities Tsaghkadzor - Yerevan 43 km

Food. What to try

In Tsaghkadzor, however, as in the whole of Armenia, there are no problems with food. Restaurants with fresh and tasty food are for every taste, you can only choose from a huge variety of dishes. Details about traditional Armenian cuisine I already wrote here.

In the cold season, you should definitely try meat dishes: barbecue, kebab, hashlama, dolma (including vegetarian), warm soup saved, and the most daring - morning hash. In summer, this splendor can be diluted with fresh vegetables, fruits and herbs. Well, and of course, do not forget about pita bread - a thin bread cake in which you can wrap almost any filling (Armenians really like to put local cheese, herbs, as well as cucumbers and tomatoes).

For sweets, I recommend trying gata, baklava, sujuh and local dried fruits.

In addition to the variety of delicious dishes, you will certainly appreciate the prices in restaurants. So, a hearty lunch will cost about 5-7.5 USD, and dinner - 10-13 USD, per person. Dinner with a glass of wine will cost 13-16 USD, per person.

Self catering

There are a lot of apartment hotels or cottages for rent in Tsaghkadzor, so many tourists are also not averse to cooking something on their own (for example, the same barbecue in the courtyard of their own house).

In Tsaghkadzor, in the city center, there are several small grocery stores. Unfortunately, I don’t remember their names, but they are not difficult to find - they are all located within walking distance from most hotels. In these shops there are essential products, but if you need more choice, it is better to go to Yerevan. In the capital of Armenia you will find a huge number of supermarkets and markets. You can also go to the nearest town of Hrazdan, which is about 5 km from Tsaghkadzor.

Recommended Places

So, let's figure out which restaurants and taverns in Tsaghkadzor you need to visit so that you have even more pleasant memories from this resort city.

Budgetary

  • Karas. Karas is more like an eatery, something like "King Burger", but with a national character. It is always quite crowded, which indicates the availability of prices. But the quality of the products and the taste are also at a fairly high level, as evidenced by the constant awards of this restaurant chain. Address: st. Orbeli brothers, 8.
  • "Caucasian Captive". The restaurant of this network is also in Yerevan, and is considered one of the best in its segment. It offers visitors dishes not only of Armenian cuisine, but also of the countries of the Caucasus and Asia. Address: Orbeli Brothers St., 20, next to the Kecharis Hotel.
  • "Gentlemen of fortune" - Another atmospheric restaurant, located right next to the "Caucasian Captive." On the menu, they are somewhat similar: in both places it is very tasty and quite budgetary. The interior of the restaurant, as in the case of the "Caucasian Captive", recalls the adventures of the heroes from the famous movie.
  • Pandok "Old Yerevan". Restaurants of this network are in many cities of Armenia. The interior of the Tsakhkadzor Old Erevan, in principle, is not remarkable, but the food is quite tasty, and the portions are invariably large.
  • Ararat. Restaurant Ararat positions itself as a bakery. Most of the dishes here are prepared in a special oven - tandoor, and each table is in a separate wooden house. The restaurant is located at the entrance to Tsaghkadzor, in a cozy park area among coniferous forests. Exact address: st. Mher Mkrtchyan, 54.

Mid level

  • Cappuccino Lounge Cafe. Located on the ground floor of the Kecharis Hotel, the Cappuccino Lounge Café has become a good replacement for the Jazzve Café, which has been operating here for several years. It’s nice to both have a cup of coffee and try a full dinner. The cuisine is mostly European.
  • Burmunk. In the translation of the Armenian “burmunk” means “aroma”. Here, the aroma of pine trees gives way to the aroma of succulent barbecue. Generally, in this restaurant, which is located in the middle of the forest, in the immediate vicinity of the Marriott Hotel and close to the Cable Car, the main emphasis is on meat dishes. It is very cozy here: small cottages have privacy in the lap of nature, and my special love is the summer terrace. Address: Tandzahbury, 9.
  • Kchuch. Kchuch restaurant has been recently opened, but has already managed to earn excellent fame. And I must say, there is something! In general, in my opinion, this is one of the best restaurants in the city, ideally combining Armenian, Caucasian, Asian and European cuisines, and what delicious tandoor bread is here - you can eat at least just that! And what is doubly pleasant, the restaurant is made in the form of cozy cottages on the forest edge, just a two-minute walk from Kecharis Monastery. Exact address: Harutyunyan, 8.

Expensive

  • There are so many expensive restaurants in Tsaghkadzor. As you already understood, most establishments (especially with national cuisine) are quite affordable. Among the more expensive, there are already real restaurants, mainly with European cuisine. Among them is a restaurant Brasserielocated at the Marriott Tsaghkadzor Hotel. It has a very beautiful interior, pleasant serving and a delicious a-la carte menu.
  • Another restaurant of this class - Royalelocated on the territory of the eponymous entertainment center, including a cafe, club, casino, and, in fact, a restaurant. The rather pathetic atmosphere, however, does not detract from the chef.

Security. What to watch out for

Tsaghkadzor is a very safe city, like all other cities of Armenia. Here you can safely go out on the street even late at night and walk alone. Crime in the city is almost at zero.

The only thing you should be careful when walking: sometimes young people scamper on ATVs, and the central streets are quite narrow, and in some places are devoid of sidewalks. This is perhaps the only warning that can be mentioned when talking about Tsaghkadzor.

Things to do

As I have already said, Tsaghkadzor is one of the most sports-oriented cities in Armenia. Therefore, various activities in the city can be found enough for every taste and age.

Since Tsaghkadzor is primarily a ski resort, the main occupation of city guests is skiing and snowboarding. But I will talk about this a little later.

I already mentioned the opportunity to professionally engage in various sports in the Sports Complex. In addition, other winter activities are very popular in the city. So, for example, an ice rink is poured on the main square every year, which the kids really like. Also, the mountainous location of the resort allows you to organize impromptu entertainment. I really like the descent from the mountain on an inflatable sled or inside large inflatable balls. Experienced athletes will find this a child’s fun, but for those who are afraid of heights (like me), this is a very extreme entertainment. Moreover, the descent is quite steep, and the speed is developing quite a lot.

You will also get an unforgettable experience while flying on a zip-line. This entertainment consists of three stages:

  • flight from the starting point (distance of about 500 meters);
  • further 150-meter climb on foot;
  • Finally, a return flight (about 650 meters).

The altitude at the highest point reaches 130 meters, and the cost of one flight is about 20 USD, (10,000 drams).

Snowmobiling is also very popular in Tsaghkadzor, and you can ride with the breeze with both an instructor and yourself. The rental price for one time is about 10 USD, and for a day - starting from 40 USD and higher.

Approximately the same prices apply to rental ATVs, which in the summer, many use as transport for trips to nearby cities. In my opinion, it is very convenient, given the frequent off-road conditions in some Armenian regions.

In addition, in the warmer months, you can organize walking, cycling or horseback riding around the city and the outskirts of Tsaghkadzor.

For those who prefer a relaxing stay, many hotels have a SPA, sauna, as well as billiards, bowling and table tennis.

Shopping and shops

A full-fledged shopping should not be expected from Tsaghkadzor - there are practically no shops here, except for small souvenir shops. Shopping is worth going to Yerevan.

You can read more about shopping and stores in Armenia in my article.

Bars Where to go

I have not seen individual bars in Tsaghkadzor. All of them are located at the hotels: Marriott Tsaghkadzor, Golden Palace, Multi Rest House, Russia and others who often organize theme nights with invited local and foreign artists. For the same reason, local bars are rarely visited. Perhaps only those Armenians who come to rest in Tsaghkadzor for a weekend go there.

Clubs and nightlife

Many clubs, discos and bars in Tsaghkadzor are located at hotels. Separately, perhaps, it is worth mentioning once again the Royale Entertainment Center, which includes restaurants, a club, a bar, a lounge area, a hookah room and a casino. By the way, the latter is quite popular in Tsaghkadzor. It and Royale (along with the Casino Senator, located at the Golden Palace Hotel) are the most sought after gambling clubs in the city.

Extreme sports

So we got to the main thing - winter sports in Tsaghkadzor. The ski season in Tsaghkadzor opens from mid-December and lasts until the end of March. Most importantly for skiers, one and a half meter snow cover is guaranteed during this period.

The most important thing, in my opinion, is that Tsaghkadzor is ideally suited for both children and adults, as the ski area is located between the heights of 1966 and 2819, which include 15 routes of different complexity. I’ll tell you more about them below.

You will get to the desired height on the modern three-level chairlift Leitner, while admiring the beautiful mountain scenery. By the way, the Italians reconstructed the cable car a couple of years ago. In addition to it, there are also ski tows in the ski area.

On the territory of the ski center there are also several rental points for ski equipment and sports accessories. A daily ski rental costs about 10 USD (5000 drams), and a snowboard rental costs about 14 USD (7000 drams). You can also rent glasses or a helmet. The cost of each is approximately 4.2 USD (2000 drams).

Importantly, there is also a school for beginners and children on the territory, as well as a medical center and a rescue service.

By the way, in Tsaghkadzor in winter there is a rather long daylight hours: from approximately 08:30 to 18:00. It is on this schedule that the lifts work.

Souvenirs. What to bring as a gift

In the shops of Tsaghkadzor you will find almost the same souvenirs as in the Vernissage or other souvenir markets and shops in Yerevan.

You can read more about gifts, interesting products of Armenia here.

How to get around the city

As I noted above, Tsaghkadzor is a fairly compact city. Therefore? coming here, I still prefer to walk.

There is no public transport in the city, the only such "transport" can be a taxi.

Snowmobiles and ATVs are very popular in Tsaghkadzor. Some tourists also rent a car from Yerevan. Although, in my opinion, this option is only relevant if you want to travel around the country on your own, and not spend most of the time in Tsaghkadzor.

Taxi. What features exist

Most of the taxis in Tsaghkadzor are private traders. You can of course meet cars and transport companies. This will be the most acceptable option for you, since they all work at a fixed rate: the first 3-4 km - the minimum rate is about 1.2 USD (600 drams), then - 0.2 USD (100 drams) for each kilometer.

Private traders, as a rule, raise prices, so you can bargain with them, since you already know the approximate rates. In principle, in the city, the cost of the trip rarely exceeds 1.6-1.8 USD (800-900 AMD).

Keep in mind that drivers in the city accept cash only. There are practically no taxis where credit card payments are possible.

Vehicle rental

Directly in Tsaghkadzor, there are no car rental companies. Some hotels cooperate with similar companies, but they are all located in Yerevan.

The most popular car rental shops in Armenia are Sixt, Hertz, Naniko and Caravan. The minimum rental price for a passenger car with a manual gearbox is approximately 30 USD. The cost of renting luxury SUVs starts from 100 USD. You can compare prices and choose the best option in advance on the Internet (for example, here).

To rent a car, you will be asked at any company for a passport, driver’s license, as well as a deposit in case of damage to the car. The amount of deposit in each company is different.

Tips for motorists

Frankly, some roads in Armenia are in rather poor condition. But, fortunately, this does not apply to the road to Tsaghkadzor. Locals joke (or maybe not joke) that local ministers and the main ski enthusiast, the country's president, often drive along this route. Therefore, the road leaves a good impression :)

Be that as it may, the main thing is that there are no special problems for motorists. The only caveat - on the M4 highway, before reaching Sevan, there is a section of the road called the local “Tea House” (because of the tea houses here), where, unfortunately, accidents are not uncommon. This segment is quite even, but precisely because of this, many begin to scorch, and accelerate to almost 200 km / h. So be careful anyway.

In Tsaghkadzor itself, due to narrow roads, there are problems with parking. However, they are easily solved thanks to the many restaurants and hotels with equipped parking.

Tsaghkadzor - holidays with children

Tsaghkadzor is one of the ideal options for families with children. Little travelers certainly won't get bored here.

Almost all hotels, in addition to sports fields and swimming pools, also offer a large selection of entertainment for children. In winter, children feel great at the central skating rink, and, of course, they are always happy to ski.

By the way, everything is normal with safety here too: qualified instructors look after the children, and if they wish, they also help to take the first ski “steps” to young extremals. At low altitudes, there are all conditions for the safe skiing of children without the threat of more experienced skiers and snowboarders.

Ski vacation

Tsaghkadzor today is in no way inferior to many European ski resorts. Of course, we are not talking about luxury resorts.

If the main purpose of your visit to Tsaghkadzor is a ski vacation, then you need to know a few facts about the resort of Tsaghkadzor:

  • The main plus for many when choosing Tsakhkadzor is the minimum number or complete absence of queues. And this applies both to the ski lifts, and to the actual descents. Personally, I like that I can ride without fear, that someone more experienced will carry me away.
  • In Tsaghkadzor, the weather is very comfortable. Cold enough only at high altitudes
  • I also really like that the resort is almost always sunny. Gloomy days are rare. However, it is worth considering that it is advisable to use a sunscreen with an SPF of at least 30. This is especially true for children.

Ski passes

If you are only traveling through Tsakhkadzor, then you can purchase a one-time card, the cost of which is about 4.2 USD (2000 drams).

However, I advise you to take a name card that is valid for 5 years. It will be cheaper. There are several options:

  1. Daytime map. Allows you to use lifts up to 10 times. Cost - about $ 20 (10000 AMD)
  2. One day ski pass. With this card you can use the lifts an unlimited number of times a day. Cost - about 25 USD (12000 AMD)
  3. Treday ski pass. Price - 60 USD (29000 AMD)
  4. Five day ski pass. Cost - approximately 97 USD (47000 AMD)
  5. Weekly ski pass. Price - 125 USD (60,000 AMD)
  6. Dnine day ski pass. Cost - about 172 USD (83000 AMD)

For children under 10 years discounts apply:

  1. One day card - 18.5 USD (9000 AMD)
  2. 3 day ski pass - 50 USD (24000 AMD)
  3. Five day ski pass - about 72 USD (35000 AMD)

Trails

As I noted above, the tracks in Tsaghkadzor have different levels of difficulty - for every taste and sports training.

The coolest tracks (black and red, located at the very top, as well as virgin land for freeriders) are designed for professionals.

In the middle of the slope there is a blue track of medium difficulty, and at the very bottom - a green track for beginners and children.

The maximum length of the ski run reaches 8 km, there are also steep serpentines and the so-called "gutter" for extreme sports.

Below you can see a map of the slopes and the skiing region.

Closest to the ski lifts is the Alva Hotel, which has recently joined the Best Western chain. Just 200 meters from the Cable Car, the luxurious Golden Palace Hotel Resort and SPA is also located.

Watch the video: Tsaghkadzor Summer 2017 (March 2024).

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