Sevan & Dilijan Tour 2025 Review: A Deep Look at Lake Parz & Haghartsin

You know, when people talk about seeing Armenia, your mind almost instantly goes to pictures of Yerevan’s pink buildings or maybe the temple at Garni. And that makes sense, as a matter of fact, because those places are pretty great. Yet, there’s a whole different side to this country that you really only find when you head out of the city. We actually discovered that the true heart of the place, or at least a big piece of it, is found on the road north into the Tavush province. So, a day trip that takes in Lake Sevan, the green town of Dilijan, Haghartsin Monastery, and the calm of Lake Parz is pretty much a perfect snapshot of this other Armenia. Honestly, it’s a day packed with gigantic blue bodies of water, deep green forests, and some seriously old stone places that have seen a lot. I mean, it’s a real break from the city and gives you a feel for the country’s natural side that you sort of just can’t get anywhere else.

A Morning by the ‘Blue Pearl’: Sevanavank Monastery

Alright, so our day really kicked off with a sight that is pretty much impossible to top: the enormous Lake Sevan. You can literally see why they call it the ‘Blue Pearl’ the second you lay eyes on it; I mean, the color is just that intense. This big lake, which is one of the largest high-altitude freshwater lakes in the world, more or less looks like an ocean sitting among the mountains. To get to the main attraction here, Sevanavank Monastery, you have to go up a pretty long flight of stairs on a peninsula. To be honest, that climb is a little bit of a workout, so you might be breathing a little heavy by the time you reach the top. Yet, every single step you take just opens up an even better panorama of that massive, shimmering water below. The view is arguably one of the best you’ll find in the whole country.

When you finally get to the top, you find two simple, dark stone churches, which are the main parts of the Sevanavank monastic complex. These structures, Surp Arakelots and Surp Astvatsatsin, have a very old and weathered feel, you know? They have been standing there for centuries, so they’ve seen kingdoms rise and fall, which is just kind of a wild thought. You can definitely feel a sense of toughness and history just by standing there. Inside, they are very simple and a little dark, with the faint smell of old stone and incense sort of hanging in the air. The real experience, however, is actually just being outside, with the wind always whipping around you and the endless blue of the lake stretching out in every direction. It’s a very exposed and elemental place, and it’s a great way to start your tour with a bit of a wow moment.

A Breath of Fresh Air in ‘Little Switzerland’: Dilijan

Okay, after the wide-open spaces of Sevan, our next stop felt like stepping into a completely different world. We sort of drove down into the forested valleys and arrived in Dilijan, a town that almost everyone calls ‘Little Switzerland.’ And you know, for once, the nickname is pretty accurate. All around you are these thick, green wooded hills, and the town itself is full of houses with charming balconies and red-tiled roofs, so it really does have that sort of Alpine town atmosphere. The air here just feels different, a little bit cooler and fresher, filled with the smell of pine trees and damp earth. It is basically the complete opposite of the dry, sunny highlands around Yerevan and Sevan, and the change is very welcome.

The main point of interest for most visitors is a little section of Sharambeyan Street, which has been very nicely restored to show what the town looked like in the 19th century. So, you can walk along this cobblestone street and look at buildings with beautiful carved wooden balconies. Some of these buildings are now workshops for local craftspeople, which is really great to see. You can actually poke your head into a studio and watch a potter shaping clay on a wheel, or see a woodworker carving intricate designs. As a matter of fact, it feels like a very living museum. Frankly, it’s just a lovely place to slow down, wander around a bit, maybe have a strong Armenian coffee at a small café, and just soak in the extremely peaceful vibe of the town before you head off to the next spot.

Echoes of Time: The Hidden Haghartsin Monastery

Now, just when you think you’ve seen the best of the area, the trip takes you to Haghartsin Monastery, and honestly, this place was kind of a showstopper for us. I mean, to get there, you have to leave the main road and go down a long, winding path that cuts directly through the Dilijan National Park. The monastery is literally tucked away in a small, sheltered clearing, surrounded by a thick wall of trees. So, it genuinely feels like you are finding something that has been hidden from the world for a very long time. The setting is what really makes it special; unlike Sevanavank, which stands boldly against the sky, Haghartsin is sort of hugged by the forest, which gives it a completely different, much more intimate feeling.

The complex itself, built between the 10th and 13th centuries, is actually a collection of several buildings, including three churches and a famous refectory. The stone has this soft, mossy look, and the architecture is just beautiful, with fine details that have somehow survived all this time. The refectory, or dining hall, is particularly impressive with its amazing arched ceiling—it’s considered a masterpiece of Armenian architecture, and you can sort of picture monks eating their meals there hundreds of years ago. By the way, there’s another point of interest here that you should definitely not miss. Right near the main buildings stands a gigantic, gnarled walnut tree that is apparently almost as old as the monastery itself. It’s a living piece of history, and just standing under its branches adds another layer to this already amazing place.

A Quiet Moment at Lake Parz

Alright, so the very last stop on this day trip was a small, unassuming spot called Lake Parz. That name basically means ‘Clear Lake’ in Armenian, and it’s a perfectly fitting description. After the huge, almost overwhelming scale of Lake Sevan, Lake Parz is something quite different. This one is very little, really, nestled cozily in a dip in the forest, not too far from Haghartsin. It’s the kind of spot that almost demands that you take a deep breath and just slow down for a minute. The water is a deep, dark green color, reflecting the dense woods that come right down to its edge. In some respects, its calmness is its biggest attraction.

Honestly, Lake Parz provides that quiet moment of reflection you don’t realize you need until you have it. It’s not about grand history; it’s about a simple, beautiful spot in nature.

At the end of the day, you can choose your own kind of experience here. For instance, if you’re feeling a bit adventurous, there are some activities like a zipline that goes right across the water, or you can rent a small rowboat and paddle around. But, to be honest, the best activity here might just be doing nothing at all. There is a simple path that goes around the lake, and just taking a slow walk along it, listening to the birds and the sound of the wind in the trees, is a pretty much perfect way to process everything you’ve seen during the day. It’s a very peaceful and reflective place, and it offers a nice, gentle end to a tour that is full of big sights and lots of history. It sort of clears your head before the drive back.

Practical Tips for Your Tavush Province Trip

So, if you’re thinking about doing this day trip yourself in 2025, there are definitely a few practical things you might want to keep in mind to make it all go a bit smoother. I mean, a little preparation can make a good day into a great one.

Footwear is a big deal: You really should wear some very comfortable walking shoes or sneakers. That climb at Sevanavank is no joke, and you’ll be on your feet quite a bit exploring the monastery grounds, so your feet will thank you.
Dress in layers: As a matter of fact, the weather in Armenia can be pretty unpredictable, and it can change really quickly between the high, windy shores of Sevan and the cool, damp forests of Dilijan. So, it’s a very good idea to bring a light jacket or a sweater you can easily take on or off.
Stay Hydrated and bring snacks: You know, while there are places to buy water and food, especially in Dilijan, the stops can be pretty far apart. So, having a bottle of water and a few snacks with you is always a smart move, just in case.
Consider your transport: You could technically rent a car and drive yourself, but honestly, the roads can be a bit tricky if you’re not used to them. Anyway, hiring a driver for the day or joining a small group tour is often a better choice because you can just relax and look out the window instead of worrying about directions.
Bring cash: A lot of the smaller shops, cafes, and stalls, especially those selling local crafts or snacks, may not accept credit cards. So, having a little bit of local currency (Armenian Dram) on you is pretty much always a good plan.

Read our full review: Sevan Dilijan Tour Review 2025 Full Review and Details

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