Ice Prince Cave and Rock Temple

Dogs Unknown

Features River/Creek · Views · Wildlife

This run is located on the border of the Kotayk and Ararat regions. After visiting the temple of Garni, you'll travel to the entrance of the Khosrov reserve, where a service car will take you to Gilan village, within the reserve. You can buy yourself some extra time to explore more sights by spending the night in the village; overnight accommodations and meals can be arranged with a local family. The return is by the same route.

There is an entry fee for the reserve, and Khosrov Reserve offers several additional services listed below (price per day):

Guide: 15,000AMD
Transport: 15,000-20,000AMD
Horse: 10,000AMD
Entrance ticket to the Khosrov Reserve: 2,000 AMD

Be sure to bring bottled water! For more information on the reserve, click here.

This great run allows visitors to explore the Temple of Garni, Gilan Village, Ice Prince Cave, and Rock Temple in a great day run.

In order to reach this route from Yerevan, the most inexpensive option is to get to Nor Nork 1st block and from there, take the minibus 268 (or another bus) toward Garni village. The cost by bus is about 250 AMD. At the checkpoint near Garni village, you'll have take a taxi toward the run's starting point in Gilan village.

Alternatively, you can also take a taxi from Yerevan to Garni Village, which would cost around 2,500-2,700 AMD. If you’re taking a taxi from Yerevan to Garni, be sure to take a taxi with a working meter (be sure the driver uses it) or agree on a price beforehand.

The best time to visit the area is April through November. The trail on the way out is mostly a gradual uphill with a few steeper sections especially near the end where you climb up to Ice Prince Cave. Be sure to take some time to run the short Zhayrapor Church Trail and Rock Temple Trail to explore all the area has to offer. Rock Temple is a small medieval chapel carved into a piece of a red rock. Crosses and icons have been carefully carved onto its walls.

The run ends at Ice Prince Cave. This cave is a natural monument in the Khosrov Reserve. It was previously referred to as a settlement. Some evidence claims that there was once a three-story church inside the cave, but today only a few walls remain preserved. The Ice Prince Cave is distinguished for its size and attractiveness. In winter, interesting icy vertical images cover the ground of the cave, and in summer, it hosts a magnificent view over the cliffs.

Flora: The flora in the Khosrov Reserve is plentiful, and includes around 1,800 species of plants, which constitute over 50% of Armenia's flora. 146 of these plants are registered in the Red Data Book of the Republic of Armenia. In the areas between Gilan and Kakavaberd, there are a variety of interesting plants, trees, and flowers, which vary depending on each microclimate.

Fauna: It is quite possible to run this entire route without seeing any animals. However, the opposite is also true. A primary task of the Khosrov Reserve is the protection and breeding of species, which is strictly monitored and controlled. Usurian spotted deer, for example, were introduced to the reserve in 1954. The most common animals include the Armenian mouflon, Bezoar goat, and some species of amphibious reptiles that can be encountered in great numbers in the summer months.