Jeep Tour “Smbataberd — the Fortress Above the Gorge”
“Smbataberd — the Fortress Above the Gorge” is a journey into the mountains of Vayots Dzor, where the history of Armenia meets a genuine off-road adventure.
The main point of the route is the medieval fortress of Smbataberd, set high on a mountain ridge between deep gorges. To reach it we leave the ordinary tourist roads behind and continue by off-road vehicles.
From Yerevan we set out for one of the most beautiful mountain regions of Armenia — Vayots Dzor. The road runs among mountains, gorges and small settlements, gradually bringing us to the historic area of Yeghegis. It is here, on a high mountain ridge, that the main goal of our journey stands.
Yeghegis is one of the historic settlements of Vayots Dzor, and in the Middle Ages it held great political and cultural importance. In the 9th–13th centuries the area was closely tied to the princes of Syunik, and later to the powerful Orbelian family. From here the mountain part of our journey begins.
We switch to off-road vehicles and begin the climb along the mountain track. The route runs over dirt and stony stretches with ascents and turns. As we gain altitude, ever wider views open over Vayots Dzor, the Yeghegis valley and the surrounding mountains. Here the road is already part of the adventure. The jeeps take the group as close to the fortress as possible, after which we continue with a short walking section.
Before us appears one of the most impressive medieval fortresses of Vayots Dzor — Smbataberd. The fortress stands on a naturally protected mountain ridge: deep gorges surround it on several sides, and access to the fortifications was historically controlled by powerful defensive walls. Smbataberd served as an important defensive stronghold of the princes of Syunik, and in the Middle Ages it was further reinforced under the Orbelians. Massive basalt walls, defensive towers, gateways and the remains of inner structures have survived to this day.
One of the most impressive features of Smbataberd is the scale of its fortifications. The fortress walls stretched for about one kilometre, and some surviving sections of walls and towers reach a height of around 8–10 metres. Walking inside the fortress you can see the remains of dwellings and utility rooms and imagine what a serious defensive structure Smbataberd was many centuries ago.
But Smbataberd impresses not only with its history. From the height of the fortress wide views open over the gorges, the mountain ridges and the Yeghegis valley. Time is set aside here for walking, resting and photographs. The silence, the old fortress walls and the mountains all around create an atmosphere completely different from classic sightseeing routes.
After exploring the fortress we return to the off-road vehicles, descend the mountain track and head back to Yerevan.
“Smbataberd — the Fortress Above the Gorge” suits those who want to combine the history of Armenia, the mountains and a jeep adventure. The route is especially interesting for lovers of medieval fortresses, beautiful panoramas, photography and unusual places far from the mass tourist trails. No special mountaineering training is required, but you should be ready for off-road driving and a short walk over natural mountain terrain.
This is a journey into an Armenia that cannot be seen from the window of an ordinary tour bus: a mountain track, an ancient fortress and the panoramas of Vayots Dzor.
Useful information
Booking
Participation in the tour is by advance booking. The number of places in the group is limited.
To book, please tell us the date of the tour and the number of participants.
Once the booking is confirmed, your place in the group is secured.
- WhatsApp / Telegram: +374 99 250 525
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 at the meeting point 10–15 minutes before departure.
The vehicle will have an AMARAS TOUR sign on its windscreen.
- Meeting time: 07:45
- Departure: 08:00
What is included in the price
- Comfortable transport along the route
- Jeep ride to Smbataberd fortress
- A professional mountain guide
- Accompaniment of the group throughout the route
- Visit to Smbataberd fortress
- Panoramic stops in the mountains of Vayots Dzor
- Bottled water
- A treat from Amaras Tour
Entrance tickets
There are no entrance tickets along the route.
Visiting the fortress and the natural sites requires no additional payment.
How the jeep ride works
After the main part of the drive the group transfers to off-road vehicles and begins the climb towards Smbataberd.
The mountain track follows natural terrain. There may be dirt and stony stretches, ascents, descents and bumpy driving.
The off-road vehicles take the group as close as possible to the accessible point near the fortress.
The accessibility of some stretches depends on the weather and the condition of the mountain track.
The walking section
After the jeep section there is a short walk to the fortress and around its grounds.
This is not a difficult multi-kilometre hike, but the mountain terrain has to be taken into account.
Along the way you will meet:
- Stones and uneven ground
- Short ascents and descents
- Stretches with no level surface
- Slippery spots after rain
The walk also continues directly across the fortress grounds, where the surface is natural and uneven in places. No special mountaineering training is required.
A professional mountain guide
The group is accompanied by a professional mountain guide.
He stays with the participants during the jeep section and the walk, tells the history of Smbataberd and the region, keeps an eye on the pace of the group and takes the condition of the mountain track and the weather into account.
Please follow the guide's instructions, especially on the stretches near slopes and fortress walls.
What footwear you need
For this route we recommend closed, comfortable shoes with a non-slip sole.
The best choices are:
- Trekking boots
- Comfortable trainers with good grip
Flip-flops, open sandals, dress shoes and shoes with smooth soles are not recommended. After rain the stones and soil can be slippery.
How to dress
For the trip we recommend comfortable sports or hiking clothes.
It is best to dress in layers:
- A T-shirt or light base layer
- Comfortable trousers
- A jumper or fleece
- A windbreaker or light jacket
- A hat
Even in summer we recommend bringing a windbreaker or a light warm layer. On the open mountain ridge by Smbataberd it can be considerably windier and cooler than in Yerevan.
What to bring with you
We recommend bringing a small, comfortable backpack:
- Closed non-slip shoes
- A windbreaker
- A warm jumper
- A hat
- Sunglasses
- Sunscreen
- A small personal snack
- Personal medication if needed
- Wet and dry wipes
- A power bank for your phone
Bottled water is provided by Amaras Tour.
Safety near the fortress
Smbataberd stands on a high mountain ridge, so care is needed near some of the viewpoints and slopes.
We advise against going close to the edges of the cliffs on your own, climbing onto unstable parts of the old walls or straying far from the group for photographs.
Be especially careful when moving about in strong wind, fog or after rain.
Meals
A full lunch is not included in the price of the tour and is paid for separately.
As the trip lasts about 11–12 hours, we recommend bringing a small personal snack.
Bottled water and the treat from Amaras Tour are included in the price.
Weather in the mountains
The weather in Vayots Dzor and right by Smbataberd can change quickly.
There may be:
- Strong wind
- Rain
- Fog
- A drop in temperature
- Changes in the condition of the dirt road
In unfavourable weather or road conditions the mountain guide and the driver may change the point the off-road vehicles drive up to, or an individual section of the route. The safety of the group is always the priority.
Who this tour suits
The tour is designed for travellers who want to combine history, nature and a jeep adventure.
No special physical or mountaineering training is required.
You should, however, be ready for:
- Driving on mountain off-road tracks
- Bumpy driving during the jeep section
- A short walk on foot
- Uneven, stony terrain
- Changeable mountain weather
If you suffer badly from motion sickness on mountain roads, please take that into account before booking.
Duration of the tour
The total duration of the tour is about 11–12 hours.
The actual time of return to Yerevan may vary slightly depending on traffic, weather conditions, the state of the mountain track and the length of the stops.
The order of the programme and the furthest accessible point the off-road vehicles can reach may be adjusted on the day of the trip according to weather and road conditions.
Route
- 1Yerevan
- 2Vayots Dzor
- 3Yeghegis
- 4Jeep ride
- 5Smbataberd Fortress
- 6Panoramic viewpoints
- 7Yerevan