ARK Camp(17مارچ)

If you ever have time while you are visiting Armenia to do some camping and hiking, you must visit ARK in Kapan!

We came to Armenia to stay in Yerevan and see the country. We wanted to do some camping and were very fortunate to get a recommendation from a friend to visit ARK Camp.

We easily rented a 4x4 in Yerevan and drove to Kapan, making stops along the way to see monasteries at Khor Virap, Noravank, and Tatev. There are plenty of places to stop for food and petrol along the way making the journey an easy one. The 4x4 is strongly recommended for the roads from Tatev to Kapan. A sedan could do it - but you would have to be very careful and go slow.

We arrived late into Kapan, but the folks at ARK were there to receive us, and we had tea with them and other guests and volunteers. After tea and a visit to the pub, we were all friends and the next day our adventures began.

We drove with one of our ARK hosts to visit many different hiking trails in the Kapan region, as they worked with a GIS team to mark, map, and identify camps, water sources, and other important locations along the trails in the Shikahogh State Reserve less than an hour from town.

We saw the most beautiful mountains, valleys, waterfalls, streams, meadows, forests, flowers, orchards, farms, villages, and people that Armenia has to offer. We drove, we hiked, and most importantly we laughed and smiled during the entire journey. Along the way we encountered some cyclists from Belgium on a tour through Armenia to Iran, and stopped to talk with a few villagers to learn more about the area.

We stopped for a late lunch on the way back down the mountain in a flower filled meadow near a rushing snow melt stream. After our journey was complete, we ate the best khorovats (barbecue) in Kapan before going back to camp.

ARK Camp is 10 minutes outside of the city, but you would never be able to tell it was so close to the city. The sleeping arrangements are spacious wooden bunks or open spots for you to pitch a tent. There is a proper kitchen outdoors and a proper toilet. The entire camp is built to sustainable standards, made using recycled materials, and is beautiful and charming. We were too tired to stay up and continue to socialize, but I could tell that it would be a wonderful place for recounting a day's adventures.

Go to Kapan! Visit the wonderful people and the beautiful countryside. You will not be disappointed and will be grateful you found one of Armenia's gems!!

i like this camp , and this region , i just stayed one night , because i want to go to yerevan , but i plan a another trip to kapan and this campsite for this summer.

Great atmosphere for relaxation or adventure

Not really suitable for cyclists. It is at the top of a very steep hill. We struggled to get up here only to find it closed.