The elevation of Armenia varies from 370 to 4090 m above see level. Such variation creates diversity of the landscapes on different altitudes. In Armenia it is possible to start driving from the semidesert, then pass the thin juniper forest, deciduous forest, and reach the subalpine meadows during one hour. During the 8 day trip it is possible to see over 190 bird species. Different landscapes have own diversity of birds. While the semidesert is occupied by Wheatears, Rock-nuthatches, and Buntings, etc., the forests inhabits by Woodpeckers and Flycatchers and the subalpine zone is occupied by Acceptors, Wallcreepers and Snowcocks. In all types of landscapes we can find rocky gorges with huge cliffs, where it is possible to observe Vultures, Falcons, Rock-thrushes etc. In arid regions, the area near rivers occupied by riparian forests, where Levant Sparrowhawk and Syrian Woodpecker breed.
The Sevan lake, which is situated on the 2000m above see level is the second biggest high-mountain lake in the world. That lake is occupied by the biggest colony of Armenian Gull. Another fabulous area for the waterbirds is Armash which lies at the foot of the Biblical Ararat Mountain, where Noah run his arc to ground.
If you choose Armenia for the birdwatching, it will be unforgettable for you, but also it will support conservation of rich and fragile Armenian nature.
DAY ONE
Today we leave Yerevan and drive to Dilijan, where we will spend the rest of the day. After checking into our hotel in Dilijan for a two-night stay, we will spend the late afternoon birding in the forests around the town. Here we can see Middle Spotted Woodpecker (ssp. caucasicus), Red-breasted and Semi-collared Flycatchers and Green Warbler.
DAY TWO
This morning we will have the opportunity to bird on the slopes of Tsaghkunyats Mountains, where Caucasian Black Grouse can be found. Other possible species include Lammergeier, Water Pipit, Alpine and Radde’s Accentors, Siberian Stonechat (armenica race), Bluethroat (magna race), White-throated Dipper, Twite and Mountain Chiffchaff.
DAY THREE
Today we will drive along the western shore of Lake Sevan and see the largest breeding colony of Armenian Gulls in the world and also see Black-necked Grebe and Ruddy Shelduck and then drive across the 2410m Selima Pass in the Vardenis Mountains to Yeghegnadzor for a two-night stay. En route we will look for, Black-headed Wagtail and Barred Warbler.
DAY FOUR
This morning we will make an early start for Mount Gndasar. We first climb through steep, arid rocky slopes before reaching the Alpine meadows with impressive cliffs towering above them. This is the haunt of our primary target, Caspian Snowcock. We will spend most of the day in the area looking for this impressive bird, together with other specialities of the mountains: Wallcreeper, White-winged Snowfinch and Crimson-winged Finch.
DAY FIVE
Today we visit the superb Armash Fishponds en route to Yerevan and. Armash is simply outstanding for wetland species, attracting Pygmy Cormorant, Little Bittern, Purple and Squacco Herons and Black-crowned Night-heron. The reedbeds resound with calls of Caspian and Great Reed Warblers and the colonising Paddyfield Warbler, whilst open waters have Marbled and Ferruginous Ducks and Red-crested Pochards. Whiskered, White-winged, Black and Little Terns hawk over the pools for insects, whilst water meadows and muddy areas have nesting Glossy Ibis and White-tailed Lapwing. The pools also regularly attract migrant Terek and Curlew Sandpipers and Red-necked Phalaropes. Armash is surrounded by semi-desert with Tamarisk, Camel’s Thorn and Sagebrush bushes. This unique habitat attracts Eastern Olivaceous, Ménétries’s and Upcher’s Warblers, together with European Rollers, and European and Blue-cheeked Bee-eaters. Four nights in Yerevan.
DAY SIX
Today we will visit two arid gorges in the Oorts Mountains and in outskirts of Vedi town. It will be necessary to travel by four-wheel drive but we should be well rewarded with an array of superb species. These include Lammergeier, Chukar, Rufous-tailed Scrub-robin, White-throated Robin, Isabelline, (Eastern) Black-eared and Red-tailed (chrysopygia race) Wheatears, Eastern Orphean and Upcher’s Warblers, Eastern and Western Rock Nuthatches, Pale Rock Sparrow and Rock Bunting. Also we will be looking for Mongolian Finch and Grey-necked Bunting, although we may see many of the birds from yesterday again, like Bimaculated Lark, Finsch’s Wheatear and Trumpeter Finch.
DAY SEVEN
Our final full day will be spent on the slopes of Mount Aragats, where we will have further chances to see many of the species seen earlier on the tour. In the afternoon we will return to Yerevan, where we still have some birding to do in one of the city parks. Amongst the hustle-bustle of city life, two more highly sought-after species can be found breeding: Levant Sparrowhawk and Syrian Woodpecker.
DAY EIGHT
Flight from
General Information The weather can be highly variable from below freezing with snow in the mountains through to hot in the semi-deserts. The amount of physical effort required is generally easy to moderate although it may be necessary to walk up some steep grassy slopes to view high altitude species if the snow level is high. There are no compulsory health requirements and nearly the whole area is pleasantly insect-free, except of Armash fish-ponds where some mosquitoes occur. Accommodation standards are generally good with en-suite at all locations except in Dilijan and Yeghegnadzor where bathrooms are shared. Visas are required. The areas we visit are entirely safe but do be prepared for extra security measures at checkpoints.
For leaving the Armenia in airport you should be prepared for paying 10000 Armenian drams (about 15£) as a departure tax.
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