Lake Arpi National Park

The Lake Arpi National Park in north-west Armenia was established in 2009 due to the joint efforts of the Armenian government, the support of the World Wildlife Fund and the financial support of the State Bank for Reconstruction of Germany. The territory of Lake Arpi is recognized as one of the most important bird habitats in the world. There have been registered 140 bird species and 670 plant species, many of which are included in the Red Book. The park lies at the altitudes ranging from 2,025 m to 3,196 m above sea level.

The aim of this park is to protect biodiversity, meadow-steppe, subalpine and wetland ecosystems of Javakhk-Shirak plateau and the Arpi Lake basin, as well as places for breeding and rest of migrating birds, and many natural monuments of Armenia. The Lake Arpi National Park is a mysterious gem located on the Ashotsk Plateau in the Shirak region in the northwest of Armenia.

The Shirak region covers the northwest of Armenia and borders with Georgia and Turkey. Compared to other regions, the territory of the Shirak is slightly elevated and the height of some points reaches 1,800-2,200m a.s.l. Therefore, the climate here is quite cool, if not cold. In winter, there are frosts of -20C (-4F) and can drop even lower, down to -40C (-40F). This is the coldest region in Armenia where snow lies all winter and even part of spring. The area is sparsely populated, the climate is severe, it is quite cold in winter and scorching hot in summer. But despite this, the skies are almost always clear and it is very sunny in Shirak. Natural landscapes are dominated by mountain steppes and alpine meadows. Northwestern Armenia reminds Iceland in some way. There are high mountain plateaus, hills, fogs, flocks of sheep and herds of horses. The only large river in Shirak is the Akhuryan, which is borderline with Turkey, it flows from Lake Arpi. The river hosts the largest water reservoir in Armenia.

Despite having gorgeous mountains, rivers, lakes and lava massifs, green flatlands, clean and healing alpine air, and divine nature, Shirak region is little known to tourists, which might be a blessing if you are seeking for some solitude and sinking in nature. This region is famous for its ancient history and is rich not only in natural beauties but also in man-made monuments. Here you can see the traces of ancient settlements and fortresses, Urartian cuneiform inscriptions, ruins of fortifications and castles, traces of bridges and other antiquities which are only a small part of the monuments left by the ancient inhabitants of these places – in a huge area stretching from Marmashen to Ani, the ancient capital of Armenia.

On the way to the Lake Arpi National Park, one can visit the monuments of the prehistoric era: excavations of an early Bronze Age settlement with many traces of cult objects in the village of Metz Sepasar.

Flora & Fauna

The Park is home to a huge number of endemic species from the Caucasus in general and Armenia in particular. Here grow orchids, gladioluses, irises, poppies, meadow saffron (Colchicum), cyclamen (Caucasian scilla rosenii), Siberian iris, alpine auriculata (also called a bear’s ear). If you manage to get here from late April to early July, you will see the Siberian iris and the Rosen woods blossoming, it is an endemic species for the Caucasus, with its large blue flowers. And in June-July, the whole area of the lake is covered with different kinds of gladioluses.

The forests consist of pine and poplar plantations, natural poplars in the Akhuryan River gorge. About 670 species of plants and 255 species of vertebrates are registered in the national park, many of which are included in the Red Book.

Of those 255 animal species, more than 10 are listed in the Red Book (otter, European marble polecats (Vormela peregusna), Darevsky viper and others). This is the only place for breeding curly pelican in Armenia. The park is home to a unique Dalmatian pelican, which only hatches on Lake Arpi in Armenia. This is also the only place in the world to find the Darevsky viper, well better not to encounter this poisonous serpent on your way. There are 30 mammal species, including European otter, ferret and brown bear.

The Park also hosts 140 bird species, the most famous of which are listed in the Red Book: curly pelican, gray crane, black stork, and common shelduck.

Among other birds, you can see Armenian gull, grey goose, European teal, little dabchick, white stork, mallard, red-headed bluebill, ruddy shelduck, red-capped dotterel, common snipe, fantail snipe, and double snipe, little tern and many others.

Major Hikes and Attractions

Lake Arpi

Lake Arpi, aka the Northern Beauty, is located on the high Javakheti plateau and has a volcanic origin. It is the largest lake of the Javakheti plateau in Armenia and the second largest in Armenia in terms of water resources. Until 1950, in its natural state, the Arpi area was 500 ha, but then the lake was blocked and a reservoir of 3100 ha was created. There are 6 rivers flowing into the lake, the largest of which is the Chikvi River. The Akhuryan River originates from Lake Arpi. Water is used for irrigation and for energy production. Carp and khramulya (Varicorhinus capoeta) breed here.

Lake Arpi today is a huge beautiful lake lying among mountains and gorges. Thanks to a 10-meter long spillway built along the Akhuryan River at the exit of the lake, the water level in the lake and the amount of water accumulated has increased.

Mountains

The territory of the national park also includes Mount Achkasar (3,196 m), the highest peak of the Javakhk Range, also known as the Kechut Range or Wet Mountains range. Mount Achkasar is 1km from the border with Georgia, climbing it is possible only with the permission of border guards.

It is easier to climb the nearby Mount Sevsar (2,943m), Ashotsk village, 20 km from Arpi. You can start climbing from the height of 2,043 m, where the village is located. The height difference is 900 m.

Sustainable tourism

The park provides conditions for ecotourism lovers: there is a visitor centre in Kazanchetsi community and a guest house in Berdashen community. The community centre organizes various ecotourism services, hiking, horse riding, bird watching and skiing.

Lakes and swamps of the Park are ideal places for bird watching. From May to July, you can see nesting birds, and in autumn and spring – resting of many migrating birds as well. The traditions of winter sports in Arpi are just beginning to revive. If you are looking for something genuinely pristine, this is the place to go. There is no artificial shine of luxury winter resorts. Tour operators organize cross-country skiing and winter hiking on the laid tracks from 1 to 10 km long.

How to get there

Location:
Armenia, Shirak Marz, Berdashen community, the Amasya region
Park director: +374-98-018007 (mobile)

Major Cities

Gyumri, the second-largest city in the country, is 40 km away. Here is the international airport of Shirak. The most famous attraction of the city is Armenia Gyumri Black Castle built in the middle of the 19th century during the Russian reign. There are wonderful panoramic views opening up from its walls. Other interesting places include the Museum of Folk Architecture and Urban Life and many impressive ancient buildings throughout the city.