Things to Do in Ararat Region: Khor Virap, Dvin and the Wild South

Khor Virap is why people come to Ararat Region. It's the reason to stay longer that most visitors miss — ancient capitals, a 1,700-year-old forest, canyons cut into red rock, and some of Armenia's best birdwatching. Here's what to actually do at each, and how to combine them.

What are the best things to do in Ararat Region?

The essential half-day is Khor Virap — the church, the dungeon descent, the view toward Mount Ararat — set within the ruins of ancient Artashat. A full day adds Dvin. With more time: a properly organized excursion into Khosrov Forest, the fortresses around Urtsadzor, Azat Reservoir and Angels' Canyon, birdwatching at Armash Ponds, and — for serious adventure — Hell's Canyon.

Khor Virap

Start here, and don't rush it. The monastery — Saint Astvatsatsin Church, the Saint Gevorg Chapel, defensive walls and monastic buildings — sits on the spot where tradition holds Gregory the Illuminator spent 13 years imprisoned in an underground pit for preaching Christianity, before his release and the king's conversion led Armenia to adopt Christianity as a state religion in 301 AD. Khor Virap means "deep dungeon."

Descend into the pit itself. A narrow metal staircase drops about six metres into the actual chamber — steep, enclosed, genuinely atmospheric. It's not for anyone with limited mobility or claustrophobia, but for most visitors it's the single most memorable thing at the site, and it's free.

Then go for the view: Mount Ararat, 5,137 m, rises less than 20 km away — clear mornings give the best chance, and it can vanish behind haze even on an otherwise fine day, so never build an itinerary around guaranteeing it.

Khor Virap stands inside the ruins of ancient Artashat, founded by King Artashes I in the 2nd century BC — walk beyond the monastery walls and the wider archaeological landscape (fortifications, residential quarters, water systems) makes clear this was once a major capital, not just a monastery site.

Dvin

Ten minutes' drive gets you to one of Armenia's most important — and most overlooked — archaeological sites. Dvin was a major capital of early medieval Armenia, a real centre of government, trade, crafts and international commerce at its height. What survives are the foundations of churches, palaces, residential structures and fortifications, walkable without crowds. For anyone who wants Ararat's history to go beyond a single monastery, this is the stop that delivers it.

Khosrov Forest State Reserve

One of the oldest protected landscapes in the world, with two dates worth keeping straight: the forest was set aside as a royal hunting ground by King Khosrov III (Khosrov Kotak) around 334–338 AD — a roughly 1,700-year tradition — while its formal legal status as a State Reserve dates only to 1958. Both matter; neither tells the whole story alone.

This is a regulated reserve, not a park you wander into. Access needs arranging in advance, and a guided hike with a local ranger is genuinely the best way to see it properly — worth doing right rather than attempting as a casual stop.

Inside: Astghik and Vahagn Waterfalls, named for figures from Armenian mythology and best reached as part of a longer guided route; Kakavaberd ("Partridge Fortress"), on a high ridge above the Azat gorge, protected on three sides by cliffs, with towers still standing 8–10 m; and Aghjots Monastery (also called Saint Stephen Monastery of Goght), a 13th-century complex in an isolated mountain setting, quite different in character from Armenia's roadside monasteries. The wildlife is real too — bezoar goats, brown bears, birds of prey, and recorded sightings of the endangered Caucasian leopard.

Fortresses around Urtsadzor

Near the village of Urtsadzor: Tapi Fortress (also Gevorg Marzpetuni Fortress), mainly 10th century, with vaulted buildings and a 13th-century church, and Urtsi Fortress, whose construction began around the 4th century and continued into the medieval period. Both are quiet and rugged, and combine well into a dedicated history-and-adventure day around Urtsadzor rather than being tacked onto a Khor Virap visit.

Azat Reservoir and Angels' Canyon

Azat Reservoir, beneath the red and ochre Yeranos Mountains near Lanjazat, is one of the region's most photogenic spots — good for photography, picnics, hiking, and increasingly popular paddleboarding (check weather, water conditions and operator availability beforehand).

Angels' Canyon, near Vedi, cuts through striking red, layered rock, with a longer loop route of around 11 km for hikers who want the full walk. Spring and autumn are the seasons to do it — summer heat here is serious. Watch for eagles and tortoises among the wildlife adapted to this dry terrain.

Hell's Canyon

For genuine adventure: tall red cliffs, narrow passages, caves, and a reputation as one of Armenia's better rock-climbing destinations. One route runs from around Tigranashen, climbing toward Tezhkar Mountain before descending through the canyon. This isn't sightseeing — go with appropriate equipment, experience, or a qualified local guide.

Armash Ponds

Armenia's premier birdwatching destination: an extensive network of fishponds and wetlands drawing pelicans, herons, cormorants, grebes, swans, geese, ducks, rails and — for spring visitors especially — species like Marbled Teal and Pygmy Cormorant. The strongest windows are April–June and September–October, when migration brings the numbers up considerably. For anyone with a genuine birding interest, this is one of the most valuable single stops in the region.

Nearby, the village of Surenavan is known for its white stork nests, built on rooftops, utility poles and other tall structures — a small, authentic photo stop rather than a headline attraction, and a nice way to break up a longer drive.

Wine, fruit and craft

Ararat's vineyards get less international attention than Areni's, but the region has its own real viticultural tradition, built on strong sun, dry conditions, volcanic soil and mountain irrigation. A well-chosen winery — vineyard walk, cellar visit, tasting — is worth adding to a food-and-culture day rather than being included just because it's nearby.

Roadside fruit stands are one of the simplest, most genuine local interactions in the region: apricots, peaches, grapes, mulberries, plums, apples, pears and melons depending on season. For craft, the village of Yuva keeps traditional pottery alive, and Dashtavan is known for its tonir-makers — the underground clay ovens used across Armenia for baking lavash — worth seeing as a proper arranged visit.

One important distinction: Areni belongs to Vayots Dzor, not Ararat Region. The classic route — Yerevan → Khor Virap → Areni → Noravank — links the two naturally, without backtracking, but they're separate regions.

Paruyr Sevak House-Museum

A specialist stop for literature-minded travelers: the house-museum of Paruyr Sevak, one of Armenia's most important 20th-century poets, with his personal belongings, manuscripts and photographs on display.

How to fit it together

• Half a day: Khor Virap, the dungeon, and ancient Artashat.
• A full day: add Dvin, lunch, and seasonal fruit or a winery.
• Two days: add Khosrov Forest (arranged in advance), Tapi Fortress, Azat Reservoir and Angels' Canyon.
• Three or more: Armash birdwatching, Hell's Canyon, Kakavaberd, Aghjots Monastery, and the region's rural crafts.

What to combine it with

The natural onward route from Khor Virap is south into Vayots Dzor, toward Areni and Noravank, without backtracking. Both Khor Virap and Dvin work as day trips from Yerevan without changing accommodation. Nature-focused travelers can also combine parts of the wider Azat Valley with Garni and Geghard in neighbouring Kotayk — worth knowing that these sights sit either side of a regional boundary, even though they share the same river system.

When to go

March–May is excellent across the board — Khor Virap, hiking, orchards in bloom, and bird migration at Armash. June–August is hot and dry; do Khor Virap and the archaeological sites early, and save canyon walks for cooler hours. September–October is one of the strongest windows overall, for wine, fruit, migration and comfortable hiking. November–February is quieter and colder, but Khor Virap remains genuinely atmospheric — snow can sharpen the contrast toward Mount Ararat rather than hide it.