Bordering Georgia and Turkey, the regions of Northern Armenia are among the most lush in the country and prove quite ideal for outdoor adventures. Thick forests of oak and pine give way to bare plains, and a variety of ancient monasteries and ruins can be found around the countryside.

The Lori region in many ways feels intertwined with neighboring Georgia, demonstrating the fluid cultural exchange that has come from millennia of shifting boarders and shared empires. It is the ideal region to connect outdoor activity with history, hiking between the many churches and monasteries, with very few fences to restrict your path and plentiful trails to guide you.

Plan your hike, whether strenuous or leisurely with a private Ker and Downey guide to ensure that you experience your ideal blend of adventure, education, and relaxation. Our hiking guides will show you a whole new meaning of the word “picnic” with luxurious spreads waiting for you at the most picturesque stopping places on your hike. You’ll feel as though you are dining in a private restaurant, with the natural world as your host.

The hamlets of northern Armenia capture the ambiance of time gone by, fostering craftsmen and musicians.

A favorite among the tiny towns is Dilijan, called the “Armenian Switzerland” due to its forested, sloping landscape and quaint architecture. Visit Sharambeyan Street, lined with little shops and museums, a restored historic district that preserves the provincial spirit of the region.

To get a more panoramic view of the area, set out for the Ani Overlook. From this ideal viewpoint you can look into Turkey and see the medieval capital of Armenia, known as the city of 1,001 churches. Chosen for it’s ideal defensive posture, the city eventually fell to invading armies, and now stands as monument to the past, still full of religious architecture like churches, cathedrals, and a mosque, and civic works like bridges and ramparts, telling the story of Armenia’s glorious, yet volatile past.