Armenia: Birds & History

Blue-cheeked Bee-eater © tahirsphotography/Shutterstock

A multi-themed tour offering an unusually diverse bird life in a stunning mountainous landscape steeped in ancient history. Features a plethora of regional avian specialties in a rich variety of habitats, with added emphasis on cultural experiences with Armenian art, music, and culinary tradition.

Armenia sits at the confluence of Europe, Asia, and the Middle East, and offers a variety of geographical terrains ranging from semidesert to deciduous forests, juniper steppe, and alpine mountain meadows. Its crucial placement along the continental corridor between the Black and Caspian seas offers an unusually rich diversity of flora and fauna, while necessitating important trade routes that connected ancient empires to East and West. This multi-themed departure is ideal for those focused on seeing bird species that are difficult to find elsewhere in the Western Palearctic, while open to experiencing the rich cultural heritage of the region.

During the spring, birds return to breed in the slopes, canyons, and marshes of Armenia from north Africa, the Middle East, and south Asia. A surprising variety of raptors can be found in the northern canyons, including Egyptian Vulture, Lammergeier, and Booted and Lesser Spotted eagles. Near the spectacular volcanic giant Mt. Aragats—believed to be the landing site of Noah's Ark—we will search the slopes for Persian Wheatear and Crimson-winged Finch. Caspian Snowcock and Blue Rock-Thrush are possible in the rocky crags. Around the shores of Lake Sevan, a giant highland lake at 7,000 feet, we find gulls, shorebirds, and waterfowl, while rocky gorges in the area hold Finsch’s Wheatear, Eastern Rock Nuthatch, Rufous-tailed Scrub-Robin, and Desert Finch. Wetlands to the south attract Ruddy Shelduck, White-headed and Ferruginous ducks, a broad assortment of grebes and waders including White-tailed Lapwing, Collared Pratincole, Armenian Gull and countless White-winged Terns, Dalmatian Pelican, Pygmy Cormorant, and the stunning Blue-cheeked Bee-eater. The marshy edges and scrub hold Paddyfield, Moustached, and Menetries’s warblers, while Radde’s Accentor and White-throated Robin may be found in nearby rockier terrain.

Our 14-day itinerary is designed to highlight the premier birding landscapes in Armenia and the nearby border regions of Georgia. For practical purposes, and to reduce driving, the tour begins in Tbilisi, Georgia and ends in Yerevan, Armenia. The trip is overland in 4x4 minibus with experienced drivers and local cultural guides, in addition to VENT tour leaders.

We will visit various sites of importance to Armenia’s natural and human histories, including sites with Neolithic stone art, fortified settlements from the Iron Age, a Roman-era Hellenic temple, remote medieval monasteries, and sacred monuments and manuscripts from the dawn of Christianity. Nearly every promontory bears the traces of ancient fortifications, while every village abounds with legends of supernatural deities and local heroes. Armenians are proud of their delicious regional cuisines, and we will enjoy a fantastic variety of food with local wines. Music and dance, which have long been central to the identity of Armenians, will also be a feature of this itinerary, as we seek out amateur and professional performances along the tour route. Armenian traditional music is renowned and comprises sacred and secular compositions interpreted with a variety of instruments including the oud, zither, hand drum, and the duduk—a haunting woodwind that is the national instrument.

Throughout the tour, we will be treated to the best of Armenian hospitality, and hosted by local experts to traditional musical performances, history, and wonderful food during the most beautiful time to visit, when fields are mantled with wildflowers, crisp air allows for stunning panoramas, and birds abound. The tour includes a welcome feast and chants in Tbilisi, and birding in the Lesser Caucasus of Georgia. This multi-themed program promises an unforgettable travel experience.

A combination of ancient settlements and remote wilderness regions through a wide diversity of habitats; comfortable conditions throughout, with accommodations in good hotels and guesthouses; food and wine excellent; travel by 4x4 vehicles; physical demands from light to moderately strenuous; weather varies from mild and dry to hot and lightly humid.

The Khor Virap Cross and Mount Ararat © John Graham