Birdwatching Armenia Tour

Armenia has an extraordinary 349 species of birds. By comparison, the whole of Europe has 550 species and the entire landmass of the former Soviet Union has 750. Of the 29 orders and 187 families of birds worldwide, Armenia is home to 18 orders and 58 families.

General Information

Photos
Detailed Sample Itinerary

Places Visited 

Yerevan, Dilijan, Sevan, Yeghegnadzor

Departure Dates 

Flexible and customizable for private departures.

Detailed Sample Itinerary 

Day 1

Arrive to Yerevan

Arrive to Yerevan

Day 2

Dilijan

Leave Yerevan and drive to Dilijan. Checking into our hotel in Dilijan for a one night stay, Spend the late afternoon birding in the forests around the town. Here we can see Middle Spotted Woodpecker [ssp. caucasicus], Red-breasted and Semi-collared Flycatchers, Green Warbler, Common Chiffchaf [ssp. Abietinus] and Hawfinch. Overnight in Dilijan

Day 3

Sevan

This morning we will have the opportunity to bird on the slopes of Tsaghkunyats Mountains, where Caucasian Black Grouse can be found. Other possible species include Lammergeier, Water Pipit, Alpine and Raddes Accentors, Siberian Stonechat [armenica race], Bluethroat, White-throated Dipper, Twite and Mountain Chiffchaff. Overnight in Sevan

Day 4

Yeghegnadzor

Today we will drive along the western shore of Lake Sevan and see the largest breeding colony of Armenian Gulls in the world and also see Black-necked Grebe and Ruddy Shelduck and then drive across the 2410m Selima Pass in the Vardenis Mountains to Yeghegnadzor for a two-night stay. En route, we will look for Lammergeier, Black-headed Wagtail, Blue and Rufous-tailed Rock Thrushes, Black-headed Bunting and Barred Warbler. Overnight in Yeghegnadzor

Day 5

Yeghegnadzor

This morning we will make an early start for Yeranos Mountains. We first climb through steep, arid rocky slopes before reaching the Alpine meadows with impressive cliffs towering above them. This is the haunt of our primary target, Caspian Snowcock. We will spend most of the day in the area looking for this impressive bird, together with other specialities of the mountains such as Red-fronted Serin, Wallcreeper, White-winged Snowfinch and Crimson-winged Finch. Overnight in Yeghegnadzor

Day 6

Yerevan

Today we visit the superb Armash Fishponds en route to Yerevan. Armash is simply outstanding for wetland species, attracting Pygmy Cormorant, Little Bittern, Purple and Squacco Herons and Black-crowned Night Heron. The reedbeds resound with calls of Caspian and Great Reed Warblers and the colonising Paddyfield Warbler, whilst open waters have Marbled and White-headed Ducks, as well as Ferruginous Duck and Red Crested Pochards. Whiskered, White-winged, Black and Little Terns hawk over the pools for insects, whilst water meadows and muddy areas have nesting Glossy Ibis and White-tailed Lapwing. The pools also regularly attract migrant Terek and Curlew Sandpipers and Red-necked Phalaropes. Armash is surrounded by semi-desert with Tamarisk, Camels Thorn and Sagebrush bushes. This unique habitat attracts Eastern Olivaceous, Mntriess and Upchers Warblers, together with European Rollers and European and Blue-cheeked Bee-eaters. Overnight in Yerevan

Day 7

Yerevan

Today we will visit two arid gorges in the Oorts Mountains and in outskirts of Vedi town. It will be necessary to travel by four-wheel drive vehicle, but we should be well rewarded with an array of superb species. These include, Chukar, Rufous-tailed Scrub-robin, White-throated Robin, Isabelline, Eastern Black-eared, Finschs and Red-tailed Wheatears, Eastern Orphean and Upchers Warblers, Eastern and Western Rock Nuthatches, Pale Rock Sparrow, Rock and Grey-necked Buntings. We will also be looking for Mongolian and Trumpeter Finches as well as for Bimaculated and Greater Short-toed Larks. Overnight in Yerevan

Day 8

Yerevan

Our final full day will be spent on the slopes of Mount Aragats, where we will have further chances to see many of the species seen earlier on the tour. In the afternoon, we will return to Yerevan, where we still have some birding to do in one of the city parks. Amidst the hustle and bustle of city life, two more highly sought-after species can be found breeding: Levant Sparrowhawk and Syrian Woodpecker. Overnight in Yerevan

Day 9

Departure

Check out, pick up to the Airport Zvartnots

Price

Price 

Orient Travel Armenia recommends the following guidelines for customized Festival Armenia tour packages excluding international flights:

  • 5-star: USD $200 - $1,000+ per person per day
  • 4-star: Minimum USD $150 per person per day
  • 3-star: Minimum USD $100 per person per day

The customized package will include accommodations, airport transfers and other transportation within Armenia, guided tours or activities, unique experiences, trip planning, and 24X7 support during your trip.

Please inquire for a custom quote. The price is customized based on final accommodation choices, travel dates, and other custom preferences.