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- Haghartsin Monastery — A 10th-13th century forest monastery set in a mossy valley near Dilijan. The layered stone churches, tucked bell-tower and firry slopes give it a secluded, cinematic feel that’s hard to replicate elsewhere in Armenia.
- Goshavank Monastery — Medieval complex in the village of Gosh, famous for finely carved khachkars and the legacy of Mkhitar Gosh (medieval scholar and lawgiver). Walk the ruins, climb the little church tower and you’ll get quiet courtyards and an intimate sense of medieval scholarship and craftsmanship.
- Parz Lake (Dilijan National Park) — Small glacial lake surrounded by pine forest and ridgelines; perfect for a relaxed paddle, a picnic or a short loop hike. It’s a compact, photogenic mountain stop that feels a world away from the roads five minutes
- Haghartsin Monastery — A 10th-13th century forest monastery set in a mossy valley near Dilijan. The layered stone churches, tucked bell-tower and firry slopes give it a secluded, cinematic feel that’s hard to replicate elsewhere in Armenia.
- Goshavank Monastery — Medieval complex in the village of Gosh, famous for finely carved khachkars and the legacy of Mkhitar Gosh (medieval scholar and lawgiver). Walk the ruins, climb the little church tower and you’ll get quiet courtyards and an intimate sense of medieval scholarship and craftsmanship.
- Parz Lake (Dilijan National Park) — Small glacial lake surrounded by pine forest and ridgelines; perfect for a relaxed paddle, a picnic or a short loop hike. It’s a compact, photogenic mountain stop that feels a world away from the roads five minutes down.
- Dilijan Old Town (Sharambeyan Street & artists’ quarter) — Wooden architecture, artisan workshops, and cafés lining a compact pedestrian street. It’s where local craft culture is alive: painters, rug-makers, and small studios you can poke into between hikes.
- Lastiver Caves and Waterfalls — Hidden gem: a cluster of small waterfalls, cave shelters and cliffside nooks used by locals for day trips and overnight camps. The trails are short but rugged, and the place has a slightly mystical, off-the-beaten-path vibe most organized tours skip.
- Kirants Monastery — Hidden gem: a quiet 12th-century monastery set in a pine hollow with an atmospheric little cemetery and views down to the valley. It’s under-visited, especially in shoulder seasons, so you’ll often have it to yourself for slow exploration and photos.
- Aghavnavank Monastery — Hidden gem: a small, well-preserved monastery perched over a wooded gorge inside Dilijan National Park. The immediate setting—forest, cliffs and a narrow canyon—makes it one of the region’s more dramatic and serene medieval sites.
- Berdavan Fortress — Compact hilltop fortress with sweeping views over the Tavush hills and toward the borderlands. The climb is short, the battlements are atmospheric, and the panoramas—especially at golden hour—are a big part of why locals come here.
- Ijevan Market and Aghstev Riverside Walks — Real local life: a lively market selling regional honey, cheeses, seasonal fruit and handmade goods, followed by cafés and benches along the Aghstev River. Great place to taste Tavush’s flavors and watch daily life without the tourist gloss.
- Yenokavan Plateau and Adventure Trails — A high forest plateau with limestone outcrops, small caves and a scattering of eco-camps that run ziplines, short via ferrata routes and guided cave walks. It’s where Tavush’s outdoor-adventure pulse shows up—easy to combine with nearby monasteries and Lastiver hikes.
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Hi, I’m Johan (Netherlands 🇳🇱), the creator of TakeYourBackpack. Over the past decade, I’ve backpacked through 80+ countries across six continents, gaining extensive experience with independent travel, long-term trips, and overland routes.