Ijevan.
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Overview

Ijevan is a city in Northern Armenia.

Understand

Just 25 minutes north of Dilijan, Ijevan has a much different feel. More of a real town, built along a river, and less of the forested resort feel. The market along the highway is the biggest in the area, and very active. There are some really cool buildings, and nice parks and homes in town, with the river and cafes a great place to stop and enjoy the local scene. There is a Tourist Information office in town, though you shouldn't count on them having an English speaker on hand necessarily.

Get in

Destinations: Yerevan – Minibuses run from its northern bus station (3 hr, 1,500 dram, hourly). Dilijan – The Yerevan minibuses pass by here along their way (300-500 dram, 40 min from Dilijan). Direct connections from Dilijan are at 09:15 and 10:15. Vanadzor – A few buses (700 dram, 1½ hr).

See

The town is very nice to explore on foot. Some cool old Soviet architecture, from the old hotels to the chess house are quite cool. Many old homes are of a very nice traditional style, and the river is quite good aside from the litter. There is even a sculpture park, an old Ferris wheel needing repairs, and a semi-abandoned botanic garden. Aside from just exploring a bit on foot, there isn't much in the way of specific sites. It is just a pleasant town with some good places to explore in the region.

Ijevan Local Lore museum. Small ethnographic museum.

Makaravank Monastery. The biggest monastery near Ijevan (if you count Goshavank as part of Dilijan's turf), this purple and green stone complex in the forest above the village is a popular spot for a picnic.

Yenokavan Canyon. This canyon is a like a time machine, where once you are past the top of the village, traces of modern life disappear. You are left with beautiful cliffs, forests, rivers, cascades, caves with deep carvings resembling Mayan or Aztec work, and a small camping area with a tree-house, a tiki-style bar, and other shelter made from the sticks and logs of the canyon. It is an awesome place where a guide will take you in, and set up your camping and food for you. Just call!

Srveghi Monastery. This red brick monastery is covered in the Shamshadin section surrounding Berd, but it's quite close to Ijevan.

Holy Mother of God Church. This 7th-century Armenian church in the ruined Azeri village of Askipari, is in Azerbaijan. Armenia now controls the territory now and the church is easily seen from the new highway, which is wholly in Armenia.

Churches around Ijevan. Some smaller and less significant or impressive churches in the area include the village churches of Gandzakar and Yenokavan, the smaller monastery or Moro-Dzoro near Lusahovit, and Ijevan's own smaller new church.

Kirants and Acharkut villages Visiting the following monasteries can be done via Kirants and Acharkut villages, following the mud road through the lush forest along the river, you first come to the turnoff to Arakelots Monastery on your right, then to the bridge on to your left to get to Deghdznuti Monastery, then further past the bridge is Kirants Monastery. All three are well worth a visit, and combined it is an awesome day.

Arakelots Monastery. 13th-century monastery. It was abandoned after Armenian genocide of 1915 and then blown up in 1960s. Today it's no more than ruins.

Kirants Monastery. 8th-century Armenian monastery.

Do

Ijevan Wine-brandy factory. There is also a shop selling jams, wines and juices.

Carpet weaving. Try this and other Armenian handicrafts (crochet, embroidery) with Telik Handmade. Hasmik Margaryan created Telik Handmade to restore the centuries-old traditions of Tavush traditional carpet weaving, embroidery and other handicrafts, making them applicable in modern life. One of Telik’s goals is not only to rediscover the art of threads, but also to help improve the quality of life of women living in Ijevan and nearby villages by creating sustainable employment opportunities for them. Their brand, Telik, now attracts international attention and their workshop has become a tourist attraction in Ijevan. The carpet-weaving class allows you to work with a small, partially woven carpet with a design from the Tavush region. You will finish the craft activity and take it home as a souvenir. You may also try your hand at needlework techniques, such as embroidery or crochet.

Woodcarving. Learn with Vahe Mayilyan, who is a fourth-generation woodcarver and hiking guide from Tavush. Combining his intimate knowledge of woodcarving with his longstanding love of nature, he offers an exciting variety of workshops and hiking tours that demonstrate the natural beauty and traditional culture of the mountains, forests, and villages surrounding Ijevan.

Horse riding – Organised by Apaga resort, see below.

Buy

The tourist information office sells some local handicrafts, from wood carving to small carpets. There is also a local wine factory you might be able to visit and pick up some wine from and some excellent homemade fruit vodkas called oghi that you can sample and buy at the farmers market along with preserves, dried fruit, nuts and honey.

Ijevan Shuka (Central Market). Great farmers market. Fresh produce, dried fruits and nuts, local homemade fruit vodkas to taste and buy.

Eat

There are a few places in town to get some food, near the market (shuka).

Sleep

Hotel "Otevan". Free WiFi, on-site bar, private parking. Rooms come with flat-screen TVs and private bathroom.

Hotel Mosh. 8 moderately small rooms equipped with cable TV, computers and kettles. Some of the rooms have a separate seating area. Also some rooms have a private bathroom, others - only shared bathroom. There is a shared kitchen at the property. Probably, not the most perfect option.

Guest House Anahit. Typical guest house with OK rooms that come with TV, seating area, Wi-Fi. Bathrooms are shared or private. Nicely decorated outdoor common area, fully equipped shared kitchen. Very high ratings on a booking sites.

B&B Kamar. Simple, a bit smallish rooms are equipped with a TV, wardrobe. Hotel has a fully-equipped kitchen, luggage storage, ironing service and laundry.

Dok Hotel. It has adjacent bar and restaurant.

Geghetsik Rest-House. This building is on a hillside, looking out over a forested landscape. It is 5 km from Ijevan. Visitors can avail themselves of the many mountain hiking trails in the area. Amenities: The bed, wardrobe, chair, cold water, heating, bathroom, toilet, TV set (in some rooms) and 2 TV sets general in the lobby, hot water is also available at certain hours.

Apaga Hotel. Upscale hotel located in the picturesque area near Ijevan with a superb views over nearby mountains. It consists of about ten detached houses with 22 rooms in total. Most of the rooms offer mountainous view, and all of them have private bathrooms. Hotel has sauna, restaurant, barbecue facilities, a stable with 45 horses. They organise horse riding. WiFi.

Park Village Lastiver. Extremely bizarre hotel located in a forest, offering small cottages placed on top of a trees. Facilities are extremely basic (e.g. no electricity) but, hey, they literally allow you to live on a tree. Horse riding, cycling and fishing are offered by the owners.

Mayisyan Kamurdj Hotel. Surrounded by forest this hotel offers an outdoor pool, restaurant, garden, children's playground and a terrace. Big and decent rooms are all equipped with a flat-screen TV, air conditioning, refrigerator, private bathrooms.

Milena Guest House. 2-story house with 4 bedrooms, 8 beds, has 3 balconies with picturesque scenery.