Armenian birds
Day 1: arrival
Transfer to hotel.
Day 2: City tour- Yerevan parks
Day 3: Yerevan – KhorVirap – Armash – Noravank – Yeghegnadzor
Visit KhorVirap Monastery - famous pilgrimage destination and from where you may admire the stunning view of the Mount Ararat. Situated in the arid and salty semi-deserts of the Arax Valley, is one of the best known birding sites in the country. This is the largest fishery in the area with over 20 ponds where various Carp species are farmed. There is much marginal vegetation in places and reed-beds can be extensive providing excellent habitat for a range of water birds during the breeding season, passage periods and winter. With the loss and degradation of other wetlands in Armenia this site is becoming increasingly important and thoroughly deserves official protection. Breeding species include Pygmy Cormorant, Great Crested Grebe and ducks including Ruddy Shelduck, Red-crested Pochard, Ferruginous Duck and small numbers of Marbled Duck.
Several pairs of White-headed Duck and Blue-cheeked Bee-eaters are found to be regular breeders here. Larger wading birds are common and include Glossy Ibis and White Stork as well as Little, Black-crowned Night, Squacco and Purple Herons and Little and Cattle Egrets. White-tailed Plover and Savi`s Warbler are recent colonists, Collared Pratincole, Kentish and Little Ringed Plovers also breed. A good range of wetland warblers is possible in the reed-beds here with Cetti`s, Sedge and Moustached, Paddyfield, Reed and Great Reed all present. Other passerines include Bearded Reedling, Lesser Short-toed Lark, ‘Black-headed’ Wagtail and a thick-billed race of Reed Bunting.
On the way visit to the Monastery Noravank-one of the most splendid monuments of medieval Armenia, built on a location of a significant natural beauty. The monastery is overhanging in the gorge of the river. Between the 12th and 14th centuries Noravank monastery was the residence of the bishops of Syunik. This Important Bird Area, set among breathtaking scenery and in an important biodiversity area, has open woodlands, steep vertical hillsides, caverns and abundant rocky stags. These terrains and the area's altitude (1200 to 2700 meters) create nesting areas for a variety of bird species, over 190 species of which have been recorded in the area and a number of which are listed in the International Red Data Book of Endangered Species.
Species of conservation concern supported at the site include Short-toed (Circaetusgallicus) and Golden Eagles (Aquila chrysaetos), Bearded (Gypaetusbarbatus) and Egyptian Vultures (Neophronpercnopterus), Eagle Owl (Bubo bubo), Lanner (Falco biarmicus) and Peregrine Falcons (Falco peregrinus), as well as Semi-collared Flycatcher (Ficedulasemitorquata) and European Roller (Coraciusgarrulus). Pallid Harrier (Circus macrourus), Lesser Kestrel (Falco naumanni) and occasionally Greater Spotted Eagles (Aquila clanga) are observed during migration. Transfer to Yeghegnadzor. Overnight in Yeghegnadzor.
Day 4: Yeghegnadzor–Sisian –Tatev –Goris
Sisian we drove on the high plateau towards Goris, with as observations from the carlong-legged buzzard(3),commonkestrel(2),lesser grey shrikeand frequentlybee-eaterandcommon rosefinch.Driving up through relatively dry grasslands and extensive grainfields,common rosefinch,linnet,sky, crestedandshort-toed
lark,isabellineandnorthern wheatearandcommonstonechatcould almost non-stop be observed. We also saw several hoopoes,common kestrelandmagpie. Next destination is Tatev Monastery searching for Griffon and Egyptian Vultures, Snake and Lesser Spotted Eagles, as well as Stonechats, and other Passerines. Transfer to Goris. Overnight in Goris.
Day 5: Goris–Khndzoresk –Hermon
Transfer to village Khndzoresk – troglodyte village, where one can observe Griffon Vulture, House Martin, Blue Rock Thrush, Western Rock Thrush, Raven, Rose-colored Starling, Golden Oriole, Linnet. Next destination is Hermon. Overnight in Hermon.
Day 6: Hermon – Sevan–Dilijan – Yerevan
Heading south to Lake Sevan + exploration of its shores – plenty of stops here.Targets : Armenian gulls, and whatever ducks, waders, terns, gulls, herons, warblers and wagtails can be found in this seazon.It seems the wooded valleys are just wonderful and there are plenty of birds, such as Semi-collared and Red-breasted Flycatchers, Eurasian Nuthatch, Green warbler, Hawfinches, Green, Great and Middle Spotted Woodpeckers, and some raptors. Return to Yerevan. Overnight in Yerevan.
Day 7: Yerevan – Aragats – Yerevan
Trip to Aragats. Another relaxing day in the mountains in search of some birds we didn’t observe before as there are: Bimaculated Lark, Siberian stonechat, White-throated robin, Horned lark and especially the raptors: eagles and vultures.
Day 8: Yerevan – Garni – Geghard – Yerevan
Transfer to Garni. The pagan temple of Garni is the only survived monument from Hellenistic period in Armenia. The temple is dedicated to the God of the sun Mithra and was built in the 2nd half of the 1st c A.D. during the reign of king Trdat I. Regarding birding here we can observe Western Rock Thrush, Lesser Grey Shrike, Tree Sparrow, Goshawk, Wood Pigeon, Alpine Swift, Crested Lark, Next stop is Gueghard – cave Monastery – UNESCO’s world heritage. The monastery was renamed Gueghard, which means "lance". According to the facts the monastery was the depository of one of the relics of the Armenian Apostolic church: the lance that one of the roman guards had used to pierce the rib of crucified Christ. Observed birds here are Chough, Golden Eagle.
Day 9: Depart
Transfer to Airport
End of our service
P.S. The program can be modified on the spot according to technical or unforeseen circumstances.
HOTELS / 4-6 pax / 7-9 pax / 10-12 pax / 13-15 pax / 16-18 pax / 19-21 pax / SGL SUPLHotel 3* / 815 € / 679 € / 602 € / 561 € / 563 € / 541 € / 124 €
Hotel 4* / 850 € / 714 € / 637 € / 596 € / 598 € / 576 € / 164 €
THE PRICE INCLUDES
Accommodation at hotel in Yerevan (05 nights) – B/B in DBL room
Accommodation at hotel in Yeghegnadzor (01 nights) – B/B in DBL room
Accommodation at hotel in Goris (01 nights) – B/B in DBL room
Accommodation at hotel in Hermon (01 nights) – B/B in DBL room
Mini bus or bus with air-conditioning + 1 bottle of water (0.5) per day per person
FB (+ lunch + dinner)
Mineral water, tea or coffee during all meals
Guide during whole tour
Entrance fees for all visits mentioned in the program
THE PRICE EXCLUDES
Air ticket
Beverages other than those mentioned in the section "price includes"
Personal expenses