Guide to Jirvez and Hankavan

There are very interesting places in Armenia that are not popularized by the travel agencies and not visited by locals that often. Jirvez and Hankavan are perfect examples of such underrated places. In fact, there are many interesting things to see and explore in these areas of Armenia.

Jirvez is very close to Yerevan, about 7 miles from the downtown. It is the place where most Armenians have their "dachas" - the summer vacation homes.

Jirvez is an interesting place because of incredible landscapes and nature. You can find endemic plants and beautiful flowers during the spring months in the mountains. In summer, the area is pretty dry and only green plant is probably Armenian capers with good smelling flowers.

One of the best places to stop and explore valleys and mountains of Jirvez is the arch shaped overlook on the road to Garni. You can go down and explore nature below the overlook and if you have 4X4 vehicle, then you can drive up the mountains and see even more interesting places. Jirvez has amazing nature and fresh air filled with the smell of oregano and wormwood plants.

To get to the Hankavan from the Jirvez you can take an old road to the Sevan Highway and then continue towards Hrazdan. Hankavan is about 50 miles from the Yerevan and it is located in Kotayk region of Armenia. The roads in Hrazdan are in a very bad shape, but do not be afraid, once you get on the highway to Hankavan you will drive on a smooth surface. The road to Hankavan, like all roads in Armenia, is very scenic. It follows Marmarik River that runs below the Pambak mountain range. On your left side you will see forest mountains and on the right site, mountains covered with the steppe vegetation. When you drive towards Hankavan, the Pambak mountain range will be on the right site of the road.

In Hankavan, most interesting places are located around Artavaz Village. First place of interest is the forest in front of the village. You will find old, Soviet era resorts and Yerevan State University camp just below the forest mountains. The Hankavan forest is not very humid and home to the unique insects and vegetation. If you reach the top of the mountains you will see sub-alpine meadows and very cold natural springs.

The second place of interest is Tezhler Mountain. The mountain is behind the Artavaz Village and it is one of the highest peaks of Pambak mountain range. Tezhler Mountain reaches 3101 meters (10174 feet) above the sea level and it is easy to climb. Once you reach the peak, you will be amazed by the view from the mountain. To start exploration, the road from the village will take you there, but you will need a 4X4 vehicle. Then, park the car near the mountain slope and continue hike to the top.
The small, clear stream that comes from the mountain and merges into Marmarik River is home to the very testy Brook trout. The hike to the Tezhler Mountain is very safe, just be careful not to step on Steppe viper that could be hiding between rocks on the western slope of the mountain. Technically, it is possible to cross the Pambak Range and arrive near Fioletovo Village of Lori region, but you might need two days to do so. The roundtrip hike to the mountain will take around 8 hours. Once you are on top of the mountain, you will enjoy the magnificent view and fresh air.

Marmarik River valley is surrounded by the unique and various ecosystems. You will see a forest, alpine meadows, river valley, rocky and steppe mountains, as well as wetlands. The area around Hankavan is known for its marble deposits and below the mountains you will be able to find old, abandoned mines. Most of the region's population is farmers, some of the people of the surrounding villages originated from the ancient Greeks, who came to Armenia around 356 BC.

The region is also known for its unique wildlife, such us endangered species of birds, like Caspian ular and Caucasian grouse. The Pambak Range is also inhabited by Brown bear, Bezoar goat and other animal species. The animals in Armenia are very illusive and it is hard to find them in the forest.

Next interesting destination is an old dam of Hankavan. Just few miles from the Artavaz Village you will find an incredible view of the river valley. Be careful driving pass the dam, the road ends abruptly and you may end up in the gorge. The dam will be renovated and filled with the water in the next couple of years. It will help to irrigate nearby farm lands, although it could have negative impact on ecosystem of the region.

The Hankavan and Jirvez are interesting and unique destinations. You will enjoy the landscape and diversity of Armenian nature, explore various ecosystems and see the ancient villages. One day is enough to visit both destinations, but if you plan to hike or climb the mountains then try to arrange overnight stay in Hankavan. To see more images of Hankavan and Jirvez, visit our Landscapes and Diversity sections.