Vardenyats mountain pass – Selim caravanserai-Taratumb

Mountain biking trail description
This trail is located on the Vardenyats mountain pass of Vayots Dzor province and starts from the Selim caravanserai. Historically this pass and caravanserai were located on the “Silk Road”. The panoramic view shows the summit of the Biblical Mount Ararat. The ending destination is Taratumb village.

Monuments description
Selim caravansary is one of the standing monuments on the Silk Road which is constructed in the 13th century by Cesar Orbelyan.
Before the bike riding, bikers can visit Areni 1 cave, Noravank Monastery and Spitakavor church.

Areni 1 cave the oldest winery in the world 6th millennium BC
The worldwide known 5500 years old leather shoe was discovered here. The age of the shoe was defined in the scientific laboratories of Oxford and California.
Noravank Monastery constructed in the 13th-century, located in a narrow gorge made by the Amaghu River. The gorge is known for its tall, sheer, brick-red cliffs, that made the terrain incredibly wonderful.
Spitakavor monastery constructed in the 14th-century and consider as a Armenian monastic complex. The Monastery is located on the slopes of Teksar mountain and has a difficult terrain, but the monastery can be reached either on foot or with an all-terrain vehicle. It is about 8.4 kilometers (5.2 mi) from the University of Gladzor's Museum and Tanahat Monastery and about 6 kilometers (3.7 mi) to the Proshaberd fortress

Flora
The region is very rich with wild and colorful flowers. Some species are included in the Red Book of Armenia.

Fauna
The province is known due to the rare endemic animals such as bezoar goats, mouflons, Caucasian bears, wild pigs, panthers etc. Here bikers can see snakes and other reptiles.

Safety and Security
The mobile connections of Ucom and Viva Cell-MTS functions without interruptions. In case of emergency, call 911 or 112. Be aware of leashed-off dogs in the villages.

Technical parameters
Best period: April-October
Distance: 154 km from Yerevan
Duration: 2 hours 15 min
Bike trail length: 21.1 km
Ride duration: 5 hours
Altitude from see level: 2343-2468-1621 m
Take bottled water with you

How to reach to the trail
First of all, the bikers must reach to Selim caravansary. Please, use taxi service with taximeters.