10-daagse Mountainbike reis Armenië

Armenië is een bergachtig land gelegen in de zuidelijke Kaukasus. Geografisch gezien behoort het tot Azië, maar cultureel en historisch voelt men zich meer met Europa verwant. Armenië is één van de oudste landen ter wereld en omvatte vroeger een veel groter gebied dan nu. De hoofdstad Jerevan werd gesticht in 782 voor Christus en is daarmee één van de oudste nog bestaande steden. Armenië is de eerste Christelijke natie ter wereld (sinds 301). Zowel qua natuur als qua cultuur heeft Armenië de reiziger veel te bieden. Het land herbergt talloze eeuwenoude bezienswaardigheden, maar is nog niet door het massatoerisme ontdekt. U zult naast de vele historisch interessante plekken ook uitgestrekte bossen in het noorden en rotsachtige landschappen in het zuiden kunnen bewonderen. Hier verheft de Bijbelse berg Ararat zich hoog boven het landschap. U zult kleine dorpjes bezoeken waar de tijd lijkt te hebben stilgestaan en u zult ontdekken dat de Armeense keuken met zijn vele verse producten bijzonder rijk en smakelijk is, evenals de wijnen en de fameuze brandy die hier vandaan komen. Ook voor vegetariërs is er voldoende keuze.

Op de mountainbike kunt u de natuur van Armenië nog intenser ervaren. U fietst door nationale parken, langs gigantische bergmassieven aan de hand van gedetailleerde routekaarten. Een unieke ervaring!

Day 1-2 Flight and transfser to hotel. Time to rest.

Day 3 Blue Sevan

The tour starts in Yerevan with a pre-tour briefing with organiser and other tour participants. Set off from Yerevan to transfer to the heart of Armenia, scenic Gegharkunik where Lake Sevan is located at 2,000 m above sea level. Free day to swim and boat, relax at lovely Marak Tsapatagh Hotel, assemble the bikes and prepare for your first ride tomorrow.
Overnight: Hotel at Lake Sevan, Meal plan: Breakfast

Day 4 Martuni Trail

After catching an early breakfast we get on our mountain bikes for the ride of Martuni trail (biking distance 30 km). We'll start the bike day on a winding dirt road through traditional villages of Martuni. Today's ride is a trial biking and easy introduction to prepare us for the days to come. We enjoy the scenic trail along the shores of the lake and the deep turquoise color of the water. Later rejoin the highway where our 4WD vehicle awaits us to transfer through awesome Selim Pass (2,400 m) with an ancient Caravanserai, an important trading post on the Great Silk Road. Continue to reach Vayk where we spend overnight in a small local hotel.
Overnight: Hotel in Vayk, Meal plan: Breakfast

Day 5 Mosrov Trail

This morning we transfer to Arpi Wine Market and get on the bikes to begin Mozrov trail biking. This is a real adventure for adrenaline seekers. We start by sections of sweeping single track through the beautiful landscape. After riding for several kilometers the track becomes less defined and rocky and we come to a spectacular plateau where the entrance of mystique Mozrov Cave is found. Continue to Mozrov village to meet the locals for a friendly chat and an optional lunch at a village home. There is time to admire the views and contemplate the two climbs before our final fast downhill (total off-road biking 15 km). Rejoining the main road we cycle for the last few kilometres to our hotel in Vayk.
Overnight: Hotel in Vayk, Meal plan: Breakfast

Day 6 Her-Her Trail

Wake up to the aroma of coffee and hot breakfast while the support vehicle is being loaded. We start early to beat the heat of the day. Today's ride follows a spectacular route of Her-Her trail. It starts with non-technical gravel tracks across high altitude plains and remote villages, is followed by hard climbs but the thrill of visiting this land of rugged beauty is ample reward. This is a hard but rewarding trip, with extended periods at high altitudes (biking distance 25 km), a real extreme biking day. Descent to the valley of Her-Her river and transfer to Sisian. Rest and overnight at friendly hotel in Sisian.
Overnight: Hotel in Sisian, Meal plan: Breakfast

Day 7 Camel Mount

Early breakfast and short transfer by Land Cruiser to the base of Camel Mount (3,300m). Start the 15 km mountain bike trail through the extraordinary boulder strewn moonscape to the 7-thousand year-old rock paintings. This is a long climb through landscape that contrasts so dramatically with what we saw on previous days and the ride offers unrivalled off-road adventure. As a reward we reach Sev Lake and get to see more than 2,000 rock paintings. After a while we start the downhill ride through wild and varied scenery. Transfer to Sisian from the foot of Camel Mount.
Overnight: Hotel in Sisian, Meal plan: Breakfast

Day 8 Tatev Trail

Early breakfast and drive about 40 km from Sisian to the start of today's biking. Start the Tatev trail, with a superb winding road through the spectacular scenery as we ride through cornfields and restful pastoral scenery en route to Tatev Monastery. We can have a short rest at the Devil's Bridge where locals come to bathe in the healing mineral water. Overall this is an excellent day's ride with a healthy mix of ups and downs. Most biking is on non-technical jeep tracks, rough and stony in places.
Overnight: Hotel in Sisian, Meal plan: Breakfast

Day 9 Vedi Trail

Transfer to Karakhach village to begin the ultimate off-road trail and a fitting finale to this Bike Adventure! We ride through weird and wonderful landscape, home to endangered Mongolian Trumpeter Finch, very remote and accessed by only a handful of locals. Some tracks are rough, rocky and steep in sections. Ascend on a dirt road to a pass at 2,400 meters, then down on single track to the road leading to Ararat Valley. At Vedi crossroads we load the bikes onto the Land Cruisers and drive to Yerevan. Enjoy the distant magnificence of biblical Mount Ararat as we drive Yerevan highway.
Overnight: Hotel in Yerevan, Meal plan: Breakfast

Day 10 Transfer to airport and flight

Included
* Activities: Road tours, escorted, nature, people
* Accommodation: Superior hotels and guesthouses
* Meals: breakfasts
* Mode of travel: Bikes, full support by 4WD vehicles
* Tour support: AdvenTour tour leader /driver fluent in English, cycling guide optional 
* All transfers in comfortable 4WD vehicles
* Travel permits in protected areas
* Luggage handling
* Cycling in Armenia information kit

22 mei
19 juni
11 juli
14 augustus
25 september

Prijs: € 1.649,-
inclusief compleet programma en vliegtickets
Toeslag 1-ps.kamer: € 125.-
Toeslag Half Pension: € 80.-
Toeslag Vol Pension:  € 130.-
Fietshuur: € 115.-

Niet inbegrepen
Visum, eventuele verzekeringen, optionele excursies.
 
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