Gilan Village, Zhayrapor (Carved into a Rock) Church

Dogs Unknown

Features Wildlife

Route Characteristics
Best Time: April to November
Distance from Yerevan to Garni village: 26 km (37 minutes)
Cost from Yerevan to Garni village (by taxi): 2,700-3,000AMD
It is possible to get to Gilan village by the service cars of the Khosrov reserve.
Route Distance: 14 km
Route Duration: 4h 15m
Altitude (from Sea Level):1,584-1,874 m
Visible Trail Surface: 80%, 20% difficult to discern

Overview
After visiting the Garni temple in the village Garni and exploring its magnificence, the trail will then continue to Gilan village (8 km from Garni) in the “Khosrov Reserve”. From the entrance of the reserve, a car will take the visitors up to the starting point of the trail in Gilan village. It is also possible to spend the night in Gilan village and explore several other routes. For this purpose, arrangements can be made beforehand with a local family to provide an overnight stay and food.

Zhayrapor Church (Church Carved into a Rock)
Half of this medieval church is currently buried underground, and may be difficult to notice at first. Look for the front entrance of the church, it is ornately decorated.

How to Get There
In order to reach this route, the most convenient option is to get to the 1st block of Nor Nork, and from there to take minibus 268 or another bus leaving to Garni village.
In order to reach Gilan village from Garni village, a car should be ordered from the checkpoint near Garni village. The car will take you to the starting point of the run.
In order to get from Yerevan to Garni, it is advisable to take a taxi with a working meter (be sure the driver uses it), or agree on a price beforehand.

Price List in the Khosrov State Reserve
(Price per day)
khosrovreserve.am/
Guide 15,000AMD
Transport 15,000-20,000AMD
Horse 10,000AMD
Entrance ticket to the Khosrov reserve 2,000 AMD


©State Tourism Committee of RA

Flora
The flora within the Khosrov Reserve is plentiful – it includes around 1,800 species of plants, which constitute more than 50% of Armenia's flora, 146 of these are registered in the Red Data Book of the Republic of Armenia.
Fauna
It is quite possible to run this entire route without seeing any animals, however, the opposite is also true. The primary task of the Khosrov Reserve is the protection and breeding of species, which is strictly monitored and controlled. Usurian spotted deer, for example, was introduced to the reserve in 1,954. The birdlife of the reserve is especially abundant; about 142 species of birds can be encountered here, 66 of which (including Egyptian and black kite, griffon vulture, bearded vulture, golden and little spotted eagles, northern falcon) are registered in the Red Data Book of Armenia.