As an explorer and travel blogger, I’m always looking for new ways to rediscover Armenia — even places I’ve already been to. This time, I decided to explore the Geghama Mountains not on foot, but by jeeping, and it turned out to be one of the most exciting adventures I’ve had in recent years.
It was a lovely, hot mid-July morning when we set off toward Mount Azhdahak, the highest peak of the Geghama range. I’ve been to Azhdahak three times already, but all previous visits were hikes. This journey was different — more extreme, more dynamic, and definitely more challenging:
Starting from Garni: Locals, Jeeps, and Confidence
This time, I was guiding local kids from the Garni region — energetic, curious, and eager to challenge themselves with something extreme. By 8:30 AM, five jeeps were lined up in the town of Garni, ready to go.
All the drivers were locals, which instantly gave us extra confidence. These guys are used to harsh terrain, unpredictable weather, and narrow mountain roads — exactly what Mount Azhdahak demands:
First Stop: Above Geghard Monastery
After about 30 minutes of driving, we reached a viewpoint above Geghard Monastery. From here, a breathtaking panorama opens over the Azat Gorge, with the monastery hidden deep inside the cliffs below. Standing there, watching the morning light fill the gorge, already felt like a reward — and our journey had only just begun.
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Higher Into the Mountains: Nomad Tents & Ancient Stones
The higher we drove, the cooler and more humid the air became. The dry July heat of Garni slowly disappeared, replaced by fresh mountain wind.
Along the way, we started passing tents of Yazidi and Kurdish families, who spend the summer months here with their cattle and sheep. These temporary camps are an essential part of the highland lifestyle — simple tents, animals grazing freely, kids running around, and the feeling that life here hasn’t changed much for centuries. Passing by these camps added a powerful cultural layer to our journey.
On the same route, we also stopped at massive volcanic rocks covered with ancient petroglyphs — one of the most fascinating parts of the Geghama Mountains.
Petroglyphs are images created by removing part of a rock’s surface by incising, pecking, carving, or abrading. The word itself comes from the Greek petros meaning “stone” and glyphein meaning “to carve”. Some petroglyphs seem to depict real events, while many others are entirely abstract. Certain theories suggest they were used to transmit information, while others link them to religious or ceremonial purposes.
Petroglyphs are found all over the world, often associated with prehistoric peoples. What makes the Geghama range truly special is the scale — over 12,000 petroglyphs have been discovered in this area alone. Almost every aspect of human life is reflected in them:
men hunting, fighting, dancing, cultivating land, worshipping fertility, maternity, ancestors, heroes, spirits, and even the concept of time. Animals are widely represented too — deer, leopards, and bezoar goats appear again and again on these ancient stones. Standing next to them, you feel a deep connection with people who lived here thousands of years ago.
Vishap Lake & The Slopes of Azhdahak
Midway, we stopped at Vishap Lake to take photos. The landscape here is surreal — vast volcanic plateaus, dark stones, and endless silence. This region never stops reminding me how raw and untouched Armenia still is.
From there, the road became narrow, bumpy, and demanding, slowly leading us closer to the slopes of Mount Azhdahak.
Parking at 3,100 m — Hiking the Final Stretch
After roughly 2 hours of driving, we reached the slopes of Mount Azhdahak and parked at around 3,100 meters above sea level. From here, we still had about 500 meters of elevation gain left — and that part had to be done on foot.
We started hiking.
The mountain is steep, wild, and surrounded by a landscape that honestly feels Martian — red volcanic stones, black ash, and traces of old eruptions everywhere. Even in July, we could still see leftovers of snow and ice scattered across the slopes. The weather kept changing. The peak itself was hidden in fog, appearing and disappearing like a ghost.
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Reaching the Summit — and the Crater Lake
After about one hour of hiking, we finally reached the top. Unfortunately, the crater lake wasn’t visible at first — thick fog covered everything.
Since the lake lies deep inside the crater, we decided to descend toward it. The wind was strong, and the fog rolled in and out every 2–3 minutes, creating a dramatic atmosphere.
And then — the moment I couldn’t resist.
As soon as the fog cleared, I undressed and jumped into the crater lake. Yes, the water was freezing cold, but the experience was unforgettable. Swimming in a volcanic crater at over 3,500 meters, surrounded by fog and silence — that’s something you don’t get to do every day.
We spent about an hour there, enjoying the views, the cold, the landscape, and the raw power of nature.
Picnic With a View & The Way Back
On the way back, after a short drive, we found a perfect flat spot with incredible views — ideal for a picnic. Sitting there, tired but happy, was the perfect ending to the adventure.
Eventually, we headed back down to Garni.
Final Thoughts
In total, the journey lasted around 8–9 hours, but it felt timeless. This jeeping trip to Mount Azhdahak was intense, emotional, and deeply rewarding — an experience I truly believe everyone should try at least once.
If you’re looking for something extreme, unique, and authentically Armenian, this adventure is for you.
👉 You can book this jeeping experience with us by contacting me directly through Whatsapp: +37499855414, Email me at: madeinarmeniatours@gmail.com or Simply contact me on Instagram.
