Sunrise on Mount Khustup
"Sunrise on Khustup" is an unusual overnight journey to the south of Armenia, created for those who want to see the mountains of Syunik at one of the most beautiful moments of the day — sunrise. We leave Yerevan in the evening at 20:00 and drive through the night towards Kapan. The main goal of our journey is Mount Khustup, one of the most recognisable and majestic peaks of Syunik.
After the night drive the most adventurous part of the route begins. We change into off-road vehicles and continue along the mountain road. The jeeps take the group almost all the way to the final panoramic point, so there is no full, multi-hour hike to the top on this tour. After the jeep section there is a walk of roughly 400–500 metres over natural mountain terrain. That is exactly why the route suits active travellers who want to feel the atmosphere of real mountains but are not planning a difficult, long ascent.
Khustup is one of the natural symbols of southern Armenia. The massif rises above the surroundings of Kapan and stands out with its powerful rocky silhouette. This place holds a special position not only in nature but also in the history of Armenia: the name of Garegin Nzhdeh is closely linked with Khustup. In this journey, however, the main value of Khustup is the mountain itself — its silence, its scale, the clean air and the panoramas of Syunik.
We aim to reach the panoramic point before sunrise. In the darkness the silhouettes of the surrounding mountains gradually appear, the sky changes colour, and the first rays of the sun light up the peaks of Syunik. This is the main moment of the journey. There will be time to stop, to greet the sunrise, to take photographs and simply to enjoy the silence of the mountains. No city bustle. No crowds. Only the mountains and the beginning of a new day. After sunrise there is time for a short rest and a treat from Amaras Tour.
After the sunrise and the rest we return in the off-road vehicles, change back into the main transport and head back to Yerevan. The total length of the journey is about 18–20 hours. It is a long route, but most of the climb is done in off-road vehicles and the walking part is only about 400–500 metres.
"Sunrise on Khustup" is created for active travellers who love mountains, nature, off-road driving and unusual routes. You need to be ready for a night drive, mountain off-road sections, cool weather before dawn and a short walk on foot. No special mountaineering training is required.
This journey begins in the evening in Yerevan, continues through the night along the roads of southern Armenia and leads to the moment that makes the whole trip worthwhile — sunrise on Khustup.
Useful information
Booking
Participation in the tour is by advance booking. The number of places in the group is limited.
To book, let us know the date of the tour and the number of participants.
- WhatsApp / Telegram: +374 99 250 525
Once the booking is confirmed, your place in the group is secured.
Departure time and place
Departure point: Yerevan, 51 Mesrop Mashtots Avenue — the lower part of the Matenadaran, next to the Bus Voyage stop.
Please be there 10–15 minutes before departure.
The vehicle will have an AMARAS TOUR sign on the windscreen.
- Meeting time: 19:45
- Departure: 20:00
What is included in the price
- Transport Yerevan → Syunik → Yerevan
- Jeep tour to Mount Khustup
- Group guiding along the mountain route
- Meeting the sunrise on Khustup
- Bottled water
- A treat from Amaras Tour
Entrance tickets
There are no entrance tickets along the route.
All the natural sites in the programme are visited without any extra payment.
How the jeep tour works
This is an overnight jeep tour, not the classic hike up Khustup.
After the night drive from Yerevan to Syunik the group changes into off-road vehicles.
We cover the main part of the mountain climb in the jeeps, driving almost all the way to our final panoramic point.
On the off-road sections there may be shaking, stony stretches, climbs and descents — that is a natural part of the jeep tour format.
How much walking is involved
After the jeep section there is a walk of roughly 400–500 metres.
This is not a long trek, but the walk goes over natural mountain terrain. Expect stones, uneven ground and small climbs and descents.
No special mountaineering training is required, but participants should be comfortable with a little physical effort and with moving over mountain terrain.
What footwear you need
This route requires closed, comfortable shoes with a non-slip sole.
Open sandals, flip-flops, dress shoes and shoes with smooth soles are not recommended.
The best options:
- Trekking shoes
- Comfortable trainers with good tread
Even with a walking distance of only 400–500 metres, stones and grass can be damp and slippery at night or in the early morning.
How to dress
We arrive in the mountains at night and before sunrise, when the temperature is significantly lower than during the day.
Even if it is hot in Yerevan, it can be cold and windy on Khustup.
We therefore recommend dressing in layers:
- A T-shirt or base layer
- A warm jumper, fleece or sweater
- A windbreaker or warm jacket
- Comfortable long trousers
- Closed shoes
In the cooler season we also recommend bringing a warm hat. A warm layer is essential on this route even in summer — especially while waiting for the sunrise.
What to bring with you
We recommend a small, comfortable backpack containing:
- Warm clothing
- A personal snack
- Extra water if needed
- A hat
- Sunglasses
- Sunscreen
- Personal medication
- Wet and dry wipes
- A power bank for your phone
After sunrise it becomes much lighter and warmer, so layered clothing is more practical — you can take off the top layer you no longer need.
Food and snacks
A treat from Amaras Tour is included in the price of the tour.
The trip is very long, however — about 18–20 hours — so we strongly recommend bringing your own snack for the night drive and the way back.
It is best to choose convenient, light food:
- Sandwiches
- Fruit
- Nuts and dried fruit
- Cereal bars
- Any other snack you are used to
A full meal is not included in the price of the tour.
Overnight format
Departure from Yerevan is in the evening, so a significant part of the drive takes place at night.
We recommend resting well before the trip and bearing in mind that the journey as a whole takes almost a full day.
After we reach the Khustup area the jeep part of the route begins, and we aim to get up to the panoramic point before sunrise.
Weather in the mountains
Weather conditions on Khustup can change quickly.
Strong wind, fog, rain and a noticeable drop in temperature are all possible.
The condition of the mountain road also depends on the weather.
If conditions become unsafe, the route, the stopping place or the highest point we can reach may be changed.
The safety of the group is always the priority.
Who this tour suits
The tour is designed for active travellers who are comfortable with:
- A long night drive
- Mountain roads
- Travelling off-road in four-wheel-drive vehicles
- A short walk of about 400–500 metres
- Cool and changeable weather in the mountains
This is not a difficult climb of many kilometres, but the format of the journey requires readiness for a long drive and for mountain conditions.
Tour duration
The total length of the journey is about 18–20 hours.
During the night we head to Syunik, change into off-road vehicles, climb into the mountains and greet the sunrise on Khustup.
After the sunrise, the walk and the rest we return in the jeeps, change back into the main transport and head back to Yerevan.
The actual time of return may shift slightly depending on traffic, the condition of the mountain road, the weather and the length of the stops.
Route
- 1Yerevan
- 2Mount Khustup
- 3Jeep tour
- 4Sunrise in the mountains
- 5Yerevan