8 – Day Armenian Adventure

The morning starts with some curvy roads after which we ride towards the mountains surroundings
of Yerevan. Set in these gorgeous mountains is the Amberd Fortress. On the way to the fortress we see
nothing but a few local shepherds with their flocks that only come here to graze during the summer
months. Life up here seems like it has not changed a bit over the last decades. The fortress stems from
the 10th Century and is located on 2300 meter above sea level. This makes for some spectacular views.
Afterwards we descent from the gorgeous mountain roads towards lower lands. Soon Yerevan pops up.
The outskirts as Soviet as you can imagine. Yet the center is modern with plenty of sights to discover and
cafes to take a break and have a zip of life in Armenia’s capital. Especially with the shepherds in mind this
is truly a different world.

Distance Covered: 160 KM
Riding hours: 3
Average speed: 50 KM/H
Highest point: 2300 M

A gorgeous yet long riding day ahead. We leave the big city behind us and ride towards the
Noravank Monestary. Set secretly between the cliffs this 13th century is not just a charm for those solely
into culture. The nature around is stunning. After we head down South. With an optional small 20 km
gravel loop we get closer to the Iranian border, clearly visible by the traffic on the road. The roads here

get more and more mountainous and windy by the second. We reach the 9th century Tatev Monastery,
truly a remarkable place overlooking the mountains and valleys. We spend the night at some cottages
near Harsnadzor. Amazing views accompanied the premises’ lush green territory.

Distance Covered: 265 KM
Riding hours: 5.5
Average speed: 50 KM/H
Highest point: 1900 M

We head towards Goris from where we make a loop Azerbaijan, once we return from the loop we
visit a women collective that makes 100% natural wool woven products. A beautiful and meaningful
initiative to visit. We have lunch here as well. We head back North with a small overlap of the day before.
Nevertheless, pretty soon we take some gravel trails bringing us to beautiful viewpoints as the sun begins
to set. We end up in Jermuk. A resort town and also name bearer of the country’s most widely spread
mineral water.

Distance Covered: 190 KM
Riding hours: 4
Average speed: 50 KM/H
Highest point: 2000 M

From Jermuk we can either take a gorgeous gravel trail leading us through an impressive valleys or
take the paved road that brings to a legendary road sparked with Silk Road remains. We ascent towards
its peak where we will find the Orbelian Caravanserai. It marks how ancient the road we just rode is. The
remains are from the 13th century but the complex is believed to be much older. This was a place for weary
traders, merchants and other passerbyers travelling the Silk Roads. Later on with countless hairpins we
climb up to heights of 2500 meters. On the way only a few villages, shepherds and ruins. Things get better,
we are climbing this much since we are yet to see one of the biggest Alpine lakes of Eurasia. Lake Sevan
has it all and is set at the backdrop of snowcapped mountains. We stay at a luxury boutique hotel, the
Tufenkian Tspapatagh. Relax at the pool and recover while enjoying the amazing views.

Distance Covered: 190 KM
Riding hours: 3.5
Average speed: 55 KM/H

Highest point: 2300 M

We start riding alongside the seemingly endless lake Sevan. Where the lake ends the mountainous
Tavush region embarks. Naturally we do not go for the fastest but more for the highest and most windy
ones. The green sloping mountains, its peaks and far views accompanied with early Autunm colors make
this one the most favorite rides in Armenia. Two mountains passes to climb up on and descent. Plenty
places to take in the views. Other than that almost no other traffic and a few raptors flying above us.
Simply a paradise for any motorcycle enthusiast. After the mountains ride a special place for lunch: Dilijan,
known as a spa resort with many historical houses and plenty of handcraft places to buy authentic
Armenian artifacts. After Dilijan we head north, slowly getting closer to the Georgian border.

Distance Covered: 240 KM
Riding hours: 4.5
Average speed: 50 KM/H
Highest point: 1850 M

We take the curvy roads going up to Georgia. Shortly after crossing the border we will ride on the
main roads, Rustavi is up next. Through this Brutalist Soviet-era town we end up in Georgia’s semi-dessert.
Leaving some adventurous dirt trails behind us we visit the Davit Gareja Monastery. A rock-hewn complex
which is inhabited by monks until this day. We pass by gorgeous roads and salt lakes before end up in
Sagarejo, our final destination of the day.

Distance Covered: 230 KM
Riding hours: 4
Average speed: 55 KM/H
Highest point: 1100 M

From Sagarejo onwards we start heading for the dense forests of the Sabaduri national park. From
here on we head for the beautiful twisty roads leading up to the Didgori Battle Memorial. Amazing views
paired with excellent riding over freshly poured asphalt. Afterwards we head for Asureti, a village that as
settled by German settlers. The influences of this are clearly visible by the exterior of the village. We rest
at the an old train station that exposes some of this very interesting exchange of cultures. We are up for
our last ride back to HQ. More curves up until the edge of the city. From here it is around 20 minutes until
our HQ.

Distance Covered: 240 KM
Riding hours: 4.5
Average speed: 55 KM/H
Highest point: 1600 M