Goris and Tatev

Tatev

A ninth-century monastery on the edge of the Vorotan Gorge, in a position chosen for defence and unimproveable for a view. The Wings of Tatev cable car runs 5,752 metres from Halidzor across the gorge and holds the Guinness record for the longest reversible aerial tramway. The crossing takes about twelve minutes; the switchback road takes about forty.

Goris itself

A small town of stone houses in a bowl of eroded rock pinnacles. Old Khndzoresk nearby is an abandoned cave settlement in a cliffside, reached across a swinging footbridge, and people lived in it within living memory rather than in antiquity.

Be realistic about the drive

Four hours each way from Yerevan on mountain road. That is why our southern itineraries put a night here and usually pair it with Jermuk or Areni rather than turning round the same day.

How long to give it

One night. Goris is four hours from Yerevan, so this is not a day trip.

When to go

Average daytime high, night-time low and rain days for Goris, from five years of recorded observations rather than a forecast or a brochure.

Comfortable months: Jul to Sep.