For the conservation regime, Shikahogh Reserve and Plane Grove Sanctuary are allowed only for ecotourism, cultural/historical and scientific/cognitive tourism. Apart from rich natural heritage, local environment still retains the old rustic Armenian traditions and customs, caves and ruins of abandoned settlements, fortresses and churches.

Shikahogh is one of handful places in Armenia where the pristine broadleaf forests have survived. Rugged terrain, numerous crystal-clear streams, cliffs and deep gorges create an inimitable landscape. Flora and fauna of this area represent a unique combination of European and Asian species with great diversity of relicts and endemics.

Mountainous terrain demands for good physical capacities of tourists. Tours can be arranged for individuals and small groups (up to 5 persons in the Mtnadzor area and up to 10 persons elsewhere in the reserve and sanctuary), on foot or horseback. The period from June to October is the best for visitations. Most of the routes are suitable only for hiking and horse riding, and off-road vehicles can be used only within very limited areas. Duration of each tour is limited to one day. Overnight stay inside the reserve and sanctuary is prohibited and arranged in local villages which also hold tourist attractions (traditional livelihoods and customs, churches). 

The visitors are offered 5 routes (see the map of the Ministry of Nature Protection adapted by the authors of this website).

How to get there

The central office of Shikahogh Reserve is located in the Shikahogh village. If you travel from Yerevan by car, mini-bus or taxi, lead to Kapan town and then turn left before the tunnel at the entrance to Kapan. Or, if you travel from Iran, Shikahogh village is located right at the newly constructed motorway from Meghri to Kapan. Directions to Shikahogh Reserve are well marked by road signs.

Route 1. Shikahogh village – yew grove

The route begins at the church of the Shikahogh village (late medieval times), passes through the ancient settlement of Karktor and the picturesque canyon of the Shikahogh River and reaches the waterfall and yew grove (20 ha) at a distance 3.5 km away from the village. Then the route extends to the subalpine meadows over the dirt road (8 km) which can be moved on foot, horseback or, by the roadblock, by vehicle.

Tour duration is about 8 hours. Meals and living are arranged in the Shikahogh village.

Route 2. Srashen village – Nerkin Hand village – Plane Grove Sanctuary

The route begins in the Shikahogh village and extends by vehicles to the Srashen village (St. Hripsime Church, 17-18th centuries) and on foot to the only in southern Armenia natural grove of the oriental beech Fagus orientalis. Then, by vehicles tourists visit the church in the Nerkin Hand village (18-19th centuries) and continue their way on foot to the bridge over the Tsav River and Plane Grove Sanctuary.

Tour duration is about 8 hours. Meals and living are arranged in the Nerkin Hand village.

Route 3. Shikahogh village – waterfall – ruins of Kemants settlement

The route begins in the Shikahogh village, extends by vehicles to the Tsav village, then on foot 2 km westwards from the village to the Chrik site on the right bank of the Tsav River. Here the river flows over a narrow canyon and forms a beautiful 10 m high waterall. After the waterfall, the route passes 0.5 km until reaching the ruins of the Kemants settlement on the left bank of the Shishkert River. 

Tour duration is about 6 hours. Meals and living are arranged in the Tsav village and/or temporary tent camp in Kemants.

Route 4. Tsav village – Ksajur site – ruins of Mazra settlement

The route begins in the Tsav village, stretches 9 km westwards to the left of the Kapan-Meghri motorway and reaches the medieval bridge of height ca. 10 m. A mineral spring located near the bridge is a comfortable place for leisure. After the bridge, the route extends through the forest and, after 1 km, reaches the ruins of a small medieval church. The mineral spring spurting from beneath the church basement is believed to heal the scabies. The traces of settlement and tombstones are scattered nearby. Further, the route runs to the south-west along the right bank of the Mazra River and reaches the ruins of the Mazra settlement.

Tour duration is about 8 hours. Meals and living are arranged in the Tsav village.

Route 5. Tsav village – ruins of Sananlu settlement – Mtnadzor area

The route begins in the Tsav village and is directed towards the ancient settlement of Sananlu, then along the Mtnadzor River southwards to the abandoned Mtnadzor village and the church. The Mtnadzor area is retaining the virgin oak forest, one of the most picturesque and untouched parts of the reserve where wildlife (roe deer Capreolus capreolus, wild boars Sus scrofa, brown bears Ursus arctos) can also be spotted.

Tour duration is about 8 hours. Meals and living are arranged in the Tsav village.

The website was created in 2009 as part of the project “Biodiversity Protection and Community Development: Implementing Ecoregional Conservation Plan Targets in South Armenia”. The project was implemented by WWF Norway and WWF Armenia with the financial support of the Norwegian Government.

© Shikahogh State Reserve