Hiking in Azhdahak

Have you ever heard about Azhdahak?

Azhdahak  is a volcano in Armenia, one of the highest peaks of Geghama mountain range (3597 m high.)

It was a sunny Sunday morning when I, along with my colleagues, went red mount tripping.

We took a minibus to get from Yerevan to the volcano we had to climb.

The road was not one of the best ones but the desire of hiking was enough to forget about all the inconveniences.

On the way we stopped to see a river and petroglyphs - engravings on the rocks. I wonder if one can ever decipher these exquisitely shaped figures...Not far from petroglyphs, downside, was a small river and beautiful flowers at the riverside.

Soon, we reached the place where a long-way exciting hiking started. Our guide told us to drink some water in order to fill ourselves with energy.

Also being warned that the weather may be cold, we have taken warm clothing. Yet, despite snow,  the weather was warm and even hot in some places.

The hiking opened pictorial landscapes one could ever dream about - snowy peaks, red sands and green sights!

After an hour of walk in snow and stony mount, we stopped to have some lunch and get rest. That was extremely important as we still had to climb a lot.

Once the lunch was finished, the guide warned us that we were going to climb the highest peak now and those who aren't able to continue their trip are better to stop.

We all continued hiking and reached the peak of the red mount in approximately two hours. I looked down and couldn't find the right words to express my feelings...

It was so beautiful, I saw lake Sevan, mount Ararat and Aragats. Standing on the highest peak of Geghama Mountain Range and enjoying the amazing sights of the Armenian land, was one of the best feelings I have ever experienced.

But it was already late and we had to go down which was much easier than climbing, though the guide warned us that the risk of falling was higher.

Soon we arrived in a hot city and started to miss that green and snowy places which impressed us greatly.

If you ever decide visiting beautiful Azhdahak, take warm clothes, water and something to eat and be ready to walk a lot to see this picturesque place.

It's worth it!