Tsakhats Kar Monastery, Smbataberd

Hiking trail description
Tsakhats Kar monastic complex and Smbataberd Fortress are located in the Vayots Dzor province, 6 km northeast from Artabuynk village.
The panoramic vistas from the monastic complex offer views of a number of villages in the Vayots Dzor province, against a backdrop of snowy mountain peaks rising above the fog – magnificent silhouettes against the sky – including the Biblical mountain, Ararat.
This hike departs from Artabuynk and goes past the Tsakhats Kar Monastery and the Smbataberd Fortress, winding through canyons and past rivers.
The route returns via the same path.

Monuments description
Within its walls, the unique khachkars (cross stones) and animal engravings at the renovated Tsakhkats Kar Monastery are reminiscent of Armenian architecture of the 10th-13th centuries.
Several of the churches within the complex have been destroyed or fallen into disrepair throughout the ages. Split into two groups of buildings, the churches sit in gardens donated to the complex in 1020, that have grown around them, absorbing the arable land that surrounds the complex. The monastery was founded either by Father Stepanos, or by Father Vardik (according to Stepanos Orbelyan, a historian from the 13th century), in 1041, during the reign of King Gagik B.
The monastic complex, which used to be a renowned cultural and educational centre, consists of several churches which are located in two separate sides. On one side are St. Hovhannes Church and a chapel built in hard granite, and St. Astvatsatsin Church (10th century). On the other side are St. Karapet Church and a smaller St. Hovhannes Church built by Father Vardik.
Smbataberd Fortress sits atop a high cliff, hard to reach from three sides. To the east and south, lie the Yeghegis Canyon, and on the west is the Artabuynk Canyon. A wall divides the fortress in half, with a hall laid out under polished basalt arches and remains of the citadel, residential quarters and water reservoirs on either side. It used to receive water via an aqueduct that stretched two kilometres from the monastic complex.
Almost 1km long, it was once an important fortress for Yeghegis and the surrounding villages, keeping Armenians safe from Persian invasions as far back as the 5th century. It is surrounded by towered walls, with towers between 8-10 metres high and 3-5 metres wide, which are slotted together and fasted by calx mortar.

Excavations in the Area
Nearby, though not part of this hike, is the Areni 1 Cave, where the world’s oldest leather shoe was found in 2008. Scientists from Armenia, Ireland, USA, Israel and the UK studied the shoe, in Oxford and California, and concluded that it dates back to the Chalcolithic Era, 5,500 years ago! Although older sandals have been found in the USA, and elsewhere, this is the oldest leather shoe (as opposed to one made of vegetable matter). It is a (EU) size 37 shoe.

Flora
Known for its cold winters and hot summers, during the summer months, the mountain slopes of Vayots Dzor are coloured with a variety of flowers and shrubbery, while the lower, wetter valleys are abundant in species of reed. The forests are home to several species of pear trees and two species of juniper trees, and the fields are littered with flowers including yellow ascension, dark purple wild tulips, yellow bellflowers, rosehip and wild rose bushes, and herbs such as sage, chamomile, raspberry, and perennial.

Fauna
This area is home to a rare species of goat, the bezoar, that can climb up near vertical cliffs, and the Armenian mouflon. Many of the species of the area are endangered, protected within the bounds of Khosrov National Park and Vayots Dzor’s and Zangezur’s Highlands. There are also a number of bears, wild boars, grey wolves, red foxes, wild rabbits and many types of reptiles including lizards, frogs, and snakes. The Lebetine viper is endemic to this region. Caucasus is a considered one of the hot points of world’s 25 allocated places with its 500 types of animals.

Safety and Security
Mobile telephone coverage is available at times throughout the hike, and the 911 emergency service operates throughout Armenia in case of any accidents.
Although there are potable fresh water springs nearby, be sure to bring bottled water!

Technical parameters
Distance: 138 km from Yerevan
Duration: 2 hours 20 minutes
Best period: April to November
Hiking trail length: 10 km
Walk duration: 3 hours 30 minutes
Altitude from Sea Level: 1,666-2,050m
Existing Trail Surface: 100% existing

How to Get There
In order to reach this hike, the most convenient option is to take a taxi from Yerevan to Artabuynk. It is advisable to take a taxi with a working meter (be sure the driver uses it), or agree on a price beforehand.