Armenia possesses all the intrinsic values for tourism development. The country’s main tourist attractions are its splendid mountains, beautiful forests, LakeSevan (set in the mountains at more than 2000 meters above sea level), an Olympic skiing base in Tsakhkadzor, many archaeological sites, churches, monasteries, historical monuments, as well as health spas based on medicinal spring waters. One can also enjoy various tourist activities such as water sports, winter skiing, mountaineering, caving, hiking, horseback riding and fishing. There are also opportunities for ecotourism, which include educational/recreational field trips for bird watchers and botanists.
MOUNT ARARAT
Dominating the skyline of Armenia’s capital, Yerevan, the magnificent Mount Ararat rises from a flat plain offering a clear glimpse of both peaks from almost all high spots across the city. It is widely believed that Noah’s Arc landed on Mount Ararat from which the life has started. Although currently located in the territory of Turkey, it is the national symbol of Armenia and has been revered by Armenians as their spiritual home throughout centuries. Mount Ararat is often depicted by Armenian artists on paintings, obsidian engravings and other artifacts. The best view of the Mount Ararat is from the surroundings of the monastery of Khor Virap and ruins of the ancient city of Dvin dating back to the second century BC.
ARMENIAN CHURCHES AND MONASTERIES
The Armenian landscape is interspersed with a range of ancient and dramatic churches, mostly set against staggering backdrops of gorges and hillsides. Armenian churches, fortresses and monasteries are masterpieces of architecture. The most important among them is the Echmiadzin Mother Cathedral – the religious center of Armenians located about 20 km from the capital, Yerevan. The Cathedral, the oldest Christian temple, was found in 301 and is one of the first churches in the Christian World. Among with other important churches from the architectural and historical point of view are the monastery of Geghard (10-13th c.), Hripsime Church in Echmiadzin (7th c.), Haghartsin monastery (13th c.), Haghpat monastery (10th c.), Dadivank Monastery (1st c.), Tatev monastery (9th c.), Noravank monastery (13th c.), Sanahin monastery (10th c.) and others.
KHACHKARS OR CROSS STONES
Khachkars or Cross Stones express Christian faith and high esthetics taste of the Armenian nation that was the first one to officially adopt Christianity as the state religion in 301 AD. While spreading Christianity in Armenia, St. Gregory the Illuminator used to put wooden crosses in the places of pagan shrines as well as where Christian churches were to be built. As the wooden crosses could be destroyed easily, the stone crosses replaced them later. Khachkars are the unique manifestation of Christian Armenian national art which in its Christian form and type has no other equivalent in the world. Many of the Armenian Khachkars are now located in the territory of Azerbaijan, Turkey, Syria, Lebanon, and other countries. To learn more about these unique creations of Armenian architecture please visit the following sites:
Karahunge (Stones with Voice), or alternatively, Zorats Karer (Powerful Stones), which is situated at a height of nearly 1,750 meters, in a plane area near the town of Sisian, 200 kilometers south-east of Yerevan, is believed to be an ancient observatory quite similar to English ancient stone temple and observatory Stonehenge. Scientist and radio physicist Paris Heruni explored Karahunge proving that it used to be a pagan temple, a university and a powerful observatory, which functioned more than 7,500 years ago, and more than 3,500 years before the Stonehenge in England. Karahunge is made up of hundreds of vertically standing basalt stones of which 84 stones have holes measuring 4-5 centimeters in diameter and prepared with care, pointing in different directions. The 80 stone telescopic tools have preserved their precision and could be used for work even today. The position of the rocks and the holes on each stone lead the scholars to believe that Karahunge served as an observatory where solar and lunar eclipses were predicted and a calendar was created. To get more information about Karahunge theres an interesting article from ArmeniaNow.com.
ARMENIAN ROCK CARVINGS
Armenia is rich with ancient rock-carvings or petroglyphs – the images carved or pecked into a rock face using stone tools. Five large Rock Art areas are well known and nearly 20 thousand carved rock pieces have been discovered so far in the vicinity of the Geghama and Vardenis Mountain Ranges (2500-3200 m above sea level), in the Syunik Mountains (3000-3400 m) in the south of the country, on the slopes of Armenia’s highest peak Aragats (1100-4094 m), and on the slopes of Navasar. Almost all aspects of human life are reflected in Rock-Art. Most images depict men in scenes of hunting and fighting, cultivating land, competing and dancing. Different animals, especially goats, deer and panthers, as well as the mythological creatures – “vishaps” (dragon-like steles) are pictured. Some rock images reflect the adoration of maternity, the ancestors, heroes, spirits, fertility and time. Geographic elements are also featured: rivers, lakes, springs etc., followed by astronomical bodies and phenomena: the Sun, the Moon, stars, stellar constellations and starry sky, comet, and lightning. The petro glyphs of Armenia,occupy a unique place in the country’s cultural heritage from the ancient world by their great number,styles and diverse content.. Based on the historical-cultural comparison with other archaeological monuments, the rock carving activity of Armenians is admitted to have lasted from 5th up to the 1st Millennia BC.
LAKE SEVAN
The jewel of Armenia, Lake Sevan, is the largest alpine high mountain freshwater lake in the Caucasus region and in Armenia Highland. The lake takes up 5% of Armenia's surface area and is about 2,000 meters above sea level. Sevan, with its turquoise water, pure air and sandy beaches is a popular resort in the summer. The lake has always been famous for its Ishkhan fish (trout) which graced many Lords’ tables in old times. Among interesting sites in Sevan is the monastery on the rocky peninsula found in 874 AD by King Ashot I and his daughter Mariam. The lake area has been rapidly developing over the past decade with many luxury hotels and resorts built recently to provide the most convenient accommodation, services and amusement activities.
SKIING IN TSAGHKADZOR
Tsaghkadzor (Flower Canyon) is a resort town in Armenia often called little Switzerland for its lush greenery and high hills. The resort is famous for its ropeway taking tourists up the hills to enjoy the nature and scenery in the summer, while offering skiing and sledging activities in the winter. The 3-level rope-way is 4382 meters long and is located 1900-2940 meters above the sea level.
HEALTH SPAS
With its variety of climatic conditions, natural resources and over 500 natural springs, Armenia has a great potential for health tourism. A number of the country’s health spas used to receive the highest number of tourists from the former Soviet countries when compared to the other Soviet republics. Some of the resorts have been recently renovated to conform to international standards. The most famous spas are in Jermuk, 170 km from Yerevan and 2000 meters above sea level, as well as in Dilijan and Arzni regions. While enjoying fresh air and spectacular nature, one can also treat cardiovascular and gastro enteric diseases, cholecystic inflammation, diabetes mellitus, skeletal-locomotion apparatus, nervous system, lumbago, gynecological and other diseases. The methods of treatment are based on natural spring water of the area using hydrotherapy, enema, gargles, douching, mineral water baths and inhalation, and physiotherapy.
PRACTICAL INFORMATION
A foreign citizen needs a visa to get to Armenia. The 21-day visa can be obtained from the Consular Services of the Embassy of Armenia in Cairo. For visa application and procedures, please visit the Consular Affairs page.
The most convenient way to reach Armenia is by air. Major international carriers such as British Airways, Air France, Aeroflot, Austrian Airways, Czech Airlines, Syrian Arilines, and Lufthansa fly to Yerevan, the capital of Armenia. The Armenian national carrier, ArmAvia, also has connections from Armenia with major European and Middle Eastern cities. There are land connections with Georgia and Iran. Information about flights schedule can be obtained from the site of the Zvartnots International Airport in Yerevan.
Information regarding hotels, tour operators/travel agents, and places of interest in Armenia can be found on the Armenian Tourism Development Agency site. Other tourism related websites are in the Links under the Tourism heading.
Dominating the skyline of Armenia’s capital, Yerevan, the magnificent Mount Ararat rises from a flat plain offering a clear glimpse of both peaks from almost all high spots across the city. It is widely believed that Noah’s Arc landed on Mount Ararat from which the life has started. Although currently located in the territory of Turkey, it is the national symbol of Armenia and has been revered by Armenians as their spiritual home throughout centuries. Mount Ararat is often depicted by Armenian artists on paintings, obsidian engravings and other artifacts. The best view of the Mount Ararat is from the surroundings of the monastery of Khor Virap and ruins of the ancient city of Dvin dating back to the second century BC. 
Karahunge (Stones with Voice), or alternatively, Zorats Karer (Powerful Stones), which is situated at a height of nearly 1,750 meters, in a plane area near the town of Sisian, 200 kilometers south-east of Yerevan, is believed to be an ancient observatory quite similar to English ancient stone temple and observatory Stonehenge. Scientist and radio physicist Paris Heruni explored 
Armenia is rich with ancient rock-carvings or 
The jewel of Armenia, Lake Sevan, is the largest alpine high mountain freshwater lake in the Caucasus region and in Armenia Highland. The lake takes up 5% of Armenia's surface area and is about 2,000 meters above sea level. Sevan, with its turquoise water, pure air and sandy beaches is a popular resort in the summer. The lake has always been famous for its Ishkhan fish (trout) which graced many Lords’ tables in old times. Among interesting sites in Sevan is the monastery on the rocky peninsula found in 874 AD by King Ashot I and his daughter Mariam. The lake area has been rapidly developing over the past decade with many luxury hotels and resorts built recently to provide the most convenient accommodation, services and amusement activities. 
With its variety of climatic conditions, natural resources and over 500 natural springs, Armenia has a great potential for health tourism. A number of the country’s health spas used to receive the highest number of tourists from the former Soviet countries when compared to the other Soviet republics. Some of the resorts have been recently renovated to conform to international standards. The most famous spas are in Jermuk, 170 km from Yerevan and 2000 meters above sea level, as well as in Dilijan and Arzni regions. While enjoying fresh air and spectacular nature, one can also treat cardiovascular and gastro enteric diseases, cholecystic inflammation, diabetes mellitus, skeletal-locomotion apparatus, nervous system, lumbago, gynecological and other diseases. The methods of treatment are based on natural spring water of the area using hydrotherapy, enema, gargles, douching, mineral water baths and inhalation, and physiotherapy. 
