According to Plus-Size-Tips, Dilijan is a mountain climatic and balneological resort located in the Tavush region. It is located in a picturesque mountainous area covered with forests, in the valley of the Aghstev River at an altitude of about 1300 m, 110 km northeast of Yerevan. Dilijan is one of the most famous resorts in Armenia, where tourists are attracted by the healing mild mountain climate, clean air and mineral springs. The carbon dioxide-alkaline waters of Dilijan are similar in their properties to the waters of the resorts of Borjomi (Georgia) and Vichy (France). Sanatoriums in Dilijan mainly specialize in the treatment of lung diseases. For the prevention of such diseases, people came here in the 19th century. The rapid development of the resort took place in the middle of the 20th century, when, after the first anti-tuberculosis dispensary in Armenia was opened here, sanatoriums, boarding houses and rest houses began to appear. The sanatorium-resort area is located on the left bank of the Aghstev River. In addition to sanatoriums, there is an extensive forest park with an area of about 40 hectares.

Around Dilijan, on an area of ​​24 thousand hectares, there is the Dilijan Reserve, which protects rare for Armenia forest communities. The reserve was founded in 1958. Most of the territory of the reserve is located on the northern slopes of the Areguni Range, covered with deciduous forests, consisting mainly of beech, oak, hornbeam, ash, linden and maple. In addition, a relic yew grove has been preserved in the Akhnabad Gorge, where trees over 300 years old and about 20 m high grow. Brown bear, wolf, fox, badger, stone marten, weasel, lynx, forest cat, wild boar, deer and roe deer, there are also reptiles, reptiles and about 120 species of birds, among which there are many birds of prey. In the rivers and lakes of the reserve there are trout, khramulya, kurinsky barbel, kurinsky bleak and bystrianka. There are several dozen lakes on the territory of the reserve, the largest of which is Lake Parz (length 250 m, width up to 70 m, maximum depth 18 m). In addition to its conservation value, the reserve is the location of such historical monuments as the monasteries of Haghartsin (11th century), Goshavank (12th century) and Makaravank (10th century). Tombstones of the Bagratid family have been preserved in Haghartsin Monastery, in Goshavank – the destroyed crypt of the founder of the monastery, a prominent political figure – Mkhitar Gosh – and various khachkars, and in Makaravank – ancient bas-reliefs and ornaments.

From the city of Dilijan you can go to the “Pearl of Armenia” – Lake Sevan . From here, a tunnel was laid in the mountains to the city of Sevan, located near the northwestern shore of the lake.

Sevan (Armenia)

The city of Sevan is located on the northwestern shore of Lake Sevan and is the main tourist center of the region, from where all excursion routes start. In order to “cover” all the sights of Sevan, you will have to drive at least 200 km, and you can travel either by car, motorcycle or bicycle along the ring highway, or by boat on the lake itself. In the city of Sevan, tourists are offered hotels, rest houses, boarding houses and sanatoriums for accommodation. It is worth noting that on the northern coast of the lake in the vicinity of the city of Sevan, there are the main recreation areas with equipped beaches. Water in Lake Sevan even in summer it does not warm up above +18 degrees, but still in July and August many tourists flock here who want to swim in its crystal clear waters.

Sevan is the largest lake in Armenia (area – 1200 sq. km) and the largest source of fresh water in the entire Transcaucasus. The maximum depth of the lake is 86 m. It is believed that Lake Sevan was formed as a result of volcanic processes. 28 rivers flow into it, the largest is Maerik, and only one river flows out of it – Hrazdan. 88% of the water brought by the rivers evaporates from the surface of the lake, therefore, in order to maintain its level, an artificial source was created, which was removed from the Arpa River basin through a 48 km long hydrotunnel under the Vardenis Range. Lake Sevan surrounded by mountains with heights up to 3000 m and the national park of the same name. The area of Sevan National Park exceeds 100 thousand hectares. About 1,600 species of plants grow here, 20 species of mammals and about 180 species of birds, including migratory pelicans, flamingos, mute swans, screaming swans and cormorants. Valuable species of fish are bred in the lake for industrial fishing – Sevan trout “ishkhan”, pike perch, khramulya, barbel and whitefish. Many travel agencies arrange whole fishing tours here, however, it is worth remembering that it is impossible to fish in the lake without a license.

Around the city of Sevan on a small peninsula stands the Sevan Monastery. In ancient times, the peninsula was a small island, the remoteness of which attracted several monks in the 8th century. First of all, the territory of the future monastery was surrounded by high fortress walls, inside which in the 9th century the church of St. Karapet and the church of St. Arakelots appeared, which have survived to this day. Unfortunately, the walls of the monastery have not been preserved. In Armenian, the name of the monastery means “Black Monastery”, since all the local buildings are made of volcanic tuff. Among other historical monuments in the vicinity of Lake Sevan, it is worth highlighting the 9th century Ayrivank church and such ancient cities as the largest settlement of the Sevan basin – Gavar with the ruins of a fortress from the time of the state of Urartu, Lchashen, Noratus, Makenis, Vardenis and Martuni.