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Experience the historic Silk Road in Vayots Dzor.


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Map Key

13.4

Miles

21.6

KM

Singletrack

8,077' 2,462 m

High

5,324' 1,623 m

Low

837' 255 m

Up

3,190' 972 m

Down

6%

Avg Grade (3°)

28%

Max Grade (16°)

Dogs Unknown

E-Bikes Unknown

This trail is accessible only during warm seasons.

Need to Know

Safety and Security:
The mobile connections of Ucom and Viva Cell-MTS functions without interruptions. In case of emergency, call 911 or 112. Be aware of off-leash dogs in the villages.

How to reach to the trail:
First of all, the bikers must reach to Selim Caravansary. Please, use taxi service with taximeters.

Description

Biking trail description:
This trail is located on the Vardenyats Mountain Pass of Vayots Dzor Province and starts from the Selim Caravansary. Historically this pass and caravansary were located on the Silk Road. The panoramic view shows the summit of the Biblical Mount Ararat. The ending destination is Taratumb Village.

Monuments description:
Selim Caravansary is one of the standing monuments on the Silk Road which was constructed in the 13th Century by Cesar Orbelyan. Before the bike riding, bikers can visit Areni 1 Cave, Noravank Monastery, and Spitakavor church.

Areni 1 Cave the oldest winery in the world 6th millennium BC. A 5500 year old leather shoe was discovered here. The age of the shoe was defined in the scientific laboratories of Oxford and California.

Noravank Monastery was constructed in the 13th Century, located in a narrow gorge made by the Amaghu River. The gorge is known for its tall, sheer, brick-red cliffs, that make the terrain incredibly wonderful.

Spitakavor Monastery was constructed in the 14th Century and is considered an Armenian monastic complex. The monastery is located on the slopes of Teksar Mountain and has a difficult terrain, but the monastery can be reached either on foot or with an all-terrain vehicle. It is about 8.4 kilometers (5.2 mi) from the University of Gladzor's Museum and Tanahat Monastery and about 6.0 kilometres (3.7 mi) to the Proshaberd Fortress.

Flora:
The region is very rich with wild and colorful flowers. Some species are included in the Red Book of Armenia.

Fauna:
The province is known due to the rare endemic animals such as bezoar goats, mouflons, Caucasian bears, wild pigs, panthers etc. Here bikers can see snakes and other reptiles.

Trail technical parameters:
Best period: April-October
Distance: 154 km from Yerevan
Duration: 2 hours 15 min
Bike trail length: 21.1 km
Ride duration: 5 hours
Altitude from the see level: 2343-2468-1621 m
Take bottled water with you.

Shared By:

State Tourism Committee Repub…

Trail Ratings

  5.0 from 1 vote

#1

in Taratumb

#4967

Overall
  5.0 from 1 vote
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Trail Rankings

#1

in Taratumb

#7

in Armenia

#4,967

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1 Views Last Month
38 Since Dec 4, 2018
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Photos

Selim caravansary
Dec 4, 2018 near Madina, AM
Selim mountain pass
Dec 4, 2018 near Madina, AM

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