A protected heritage monastery in the wooded north of Tavush, where weathered stone tells a long, quiet story.
An old monastery in the hills
Mshkavank is a listed monument of Armenia's cultural heritage, set in the forested landscape of the Tavush region in the country's northeast. It is one of the many monastic complexes raised in stone across the Armenian highlands — solid, restrained in ornament, and built to outlast the centuries it has already seen. Lichen-marked walls and the surrounding woodland give it an air of timeless seclusion.
A one-day food tour: the Areni-1 cave with 6,100-year-old winemaking artefacts, a tasting at a family winery, and lunch by the red cliffs of Noravank.
Why it stays with you
The appeal of Mshkavank is in its atmosphere: the cool of old stone, the green hush of the forest, and the sense of standing somewhere that has held its ground for ages. Reaching it through Tavush's wooded ridges is part of the pleasure, and the quiet on arrival feels well earned.
An off-roader, driver-guides, and access to places an ordinary car can’t reach: Satani Kar (the natural bridge), the Vorotan gorge, hot springs.
Plain, durable, and deeply still — this is faith carved into the Armenian highlands.
This is mountain-forest terrain where weather changes fast, swapping clear skies for mist or rain in minutes. Check the forecast for the nearest settlement before you travel, and pack sturdy footwear and a warm layer.
A one-day trip north: Alaverdi in the Debed canyon, Sanahin and Haghpat — both on the UNESCO list. Lunch by the river.
From Yerevan to this place a car or transfer is the most convenient — public transport reaches most Armenian places rarely. Plan a day for the road plus at least half a day for the place itself.
Stay nearby
Where to stay if you're going for a day or more
Riverside cabins in Gosh
Six separate cabins by the river, each with a fire pit. Goshavank is a 5-minute walk away, plus the forest trails of Dilijan park.
Old Dilijan — the Shamiryan guesthouse
A 19th-century craftsmen’s wooden house, restored by local masters. Forested Armenia at the doorstep, bicycles in the garage.
An eco-lodge in Yenokavan
Wooden cabins in a meadow, 10 minutes from the Dilijan–Ijevan road. Forest trails in the morning, spa and dinner by the fireplace in the evening.