Mount Ara (2577 m)

Skiing trail description
The extreme ski route of Mount Ara is located in the Aragatsotn province, only 36 km away from Yerevan. In February, March and April, the route is most convenient for a ski tour because the snow is well melted and frozen, making it likely to avoid a snowstorm. The ground roadway leads up to the chapel Tsakhkevank, settled on the foot of Mount Ara, where the ski tour begins. The route is interesting but a bit risky. The ski route is serpentine until the pick of the mount, where the high cliffs are opened from both sides. It is also possible to do paragliding flights on the unique Mount Ara.

Monuments description
On the inclines of the mountain is Tsakhkevank or Virgin Varvara monastery that is carved in the Mount Ara. Here the habitats celebrate Christian and Pagan holidays. There is a water source in this masonic monastery that is very useful and healing, especially for the eye. The amount of zinc in the water also has the ability to heal joints and muscle spasms.

Legend of Tsaghkevank or Virgin Varavara is presented to be the statue of Virgin Varavara. According to another legend, there was a virgin named Tsaghik (Flower). One of the Armenian princes fell in love with her and her beauty and wished to ravish her. Tsaghik was afraid of him so she run away to hide in the mountain. On the inclines of the mountain she met a shepherd who was pasturing the lambs. The Virgin girl asked him not to tell anybody of her whereabouts. Meanwhile, the angry prince was looking for Tsaghik to punish her. On the way he met the shepherd who became afraid of the Prince and told him the place of the Virgin. When the girl saw the Prince, she climbed the rock and threw herself down. At that moment, the betrayer was turned into rocks with his sheep. Tsaghkevank chapel on Mount Ara was named after the virgin girl Tsaghik. The water dropping from the roof of the chapel is supposed to be the tears of the Virgin. People take the water to treat themselves and the animals.
Visitors can also visit other sightseeing places of Aragatsotn marz, the Alphabet Park, Saghmosavank, and Hovhannavank.

Memorial Park named after M. Mashtots, is also known as The Armenian alphabet park. It is located in the Aragatsotn marz, on the left side of Yerevan-Aparan highway, in Artashavan village and on the eastern incline of Mount Aragats. The Armenian alphabet was created in 405-406 A.D. and is used in the Armenian written language. It was created by Archbishop Mesrop Mashtots to translate the bible, to spread Christianity, and to spread the divine logos all over Armenia. In 2005 the park was built on the occasion of the 1600th anniversary of the creation of the Armenian alphabet. There are all the ornaments of 39 letters of the Armenian alphabet. Each letter has a height of 1.5-2 meters. There is a tradition for those who visit this park, they should take photo with the first letter of his or her name. In the Alphabet Park there are monuments of Armenian honorable intellectuals, who did great patriotic and important works.

Saghmosavank is located in Saghmosavan village of Aragatsotn province. It is located on the edge of the deep canyon of Kasagh River. On the back side of Saghmosavank is the giant Mount Ara, on the western side is Mount Ararat and on the northern part of the church is Mount Aragats, the highest in Armenia (4095 m). The monastery is historically recorded since the 13th century, in 1255 a manuscript library was built in the monastery that has many khachkars on the western front. Also, it consisted of St. Sion, St. Maria churches, graves and library. S. Sion is the main church of the monastic complex that has domed architectural style. The architectural design differs from other libraries constructed in the same era. Тhere is an altar on the eastern side and holes on the walls.

Hovhannavank is located in Ohanavan of Aragatsotn province, on the right edge of Kasakh River with a picturesque view. The Mountains Ara and Geghama can be seen from the monastery. During the different historical periods Hovhannavank had a wide array of arable lands, gardens, pastures, oak, mills and villages. The monastery was built in the 5th-13th centuries. Hovhannavank was the prominent center of Armenian literature and had very rich manuscript library. Some of the manuscripts, which were written here, are preserved and inherited by our generations.

Fauna
It is possible to meet bears, wolves, foxes, wild rabbits during the winter on the inclines of the mountains.

Safety and Security
Sometime the Viva Cell mobile connection is available from nor Erznka village up to the highest peak of Mount Ara. In case of an accident, rescue services function in Armenia 24/7 and the number is 911. Beware of dogs in the village.

Trail technical parameters
Best period: January-April
Distance: 36 km from Yerevan,
Duration: 1 hour by car
Ski trail length: 8.7 km
Ski run: 4 hours
Altitude from sea level: 1800-2400 m
The best drink is hot tea

How to get to the Trail
The departure from Yerevan to Nor Erznka village of Aragatsotn province should be done by car (taxi), in order to reach the above mentioned ski trail. The reliable taxi cars are all over Armenia and with electronic counters that are quite affordable.