Armenia: Birds & History - May 2026
Dates: May 16-30, 2026
Leader: Rafael Galvez
E-bird
Total Species: 181 birds
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Overall Summary
During this amazing and dynamic tour, we visited deserts, lush forests, alpine slopes, and ancient monasteries; feasted with chanters; toasted endemic wines; chanted with monks; and connected with warm, hospitable people proud of their lands and heritage. While VENT has been operating tours in the Caucasus region for several years now, this was the first-ever tour to feature Armenia, a small country with so much to offer in terms of natural diversity, history, and culture.
Highlights included birding the thawing slopes of Armenia’s Mt. Aragats, with clear views of snow-mantled Mt. Ararat across the Turkish border, while strolling through fields with countless emerging flowers of several species and colors, all the while pursuing several species of birds seldom seen elsewhere on the planet, including the stunning “Irania” (White-throated Robin) and the elusive Radde’s Accentor.
The tour started with a brief yet powerful introduction to the region in Armenia’s neighbor to the north, Georgia. While both Armenia and Georgia share some similarities—in terms of their wildlife and geographical dynamism, ancient cultures, the freshness and bounty of their food and wine, and their friendly people—they are also quite distinct from one another.
Our time in Georgia included a magical evening feast—or supra—overlooking the ancient capital of Tbilisi, amidst wine, toasting, and chanting, as well as three full days of birding and cultural exploration. The desert of Davit Gareji allowed us into monastic cells carved out of the mountain stone, while Pied Wheatears displayed. A supra at the Pheasant’s Tears cellars thrilled our palates with unusual wines, such as Amber Tsolikauri, while chanters captivated us with old Kakhetian and Ossetian melodies and droning voices.
We eventually reached Javakheti, strewn with dwarf volcanoes striped with snow and lakes teeming with waterfowl. Monks at the monastery in Sameba fed us and chanted for us after demonstrating how they preserve ancient texts and even rehabilitate raptors. The mountain passes took us to 8,420 feet, where we found our first Ring Ouzels, Mistle Thrushes, and Water Pipits.
Finally in Armenia, we transitioned from volcanic plateaus to forested slopes. We birded the lush canopies for Semi-collared and Red-breasted flycatchers, as well as the endemic breeding Green Warbler. The nearby monastic complex of Haghartsin rose from the greenery, giving historic context to Dilijan National Park’s hallowed gorges.
The landscape changed as we continued south along Lake Sevan, retracing the Silk Road and stopping at a caravanserai built during the 14th century, overlooking slopes alternating between the last remaining snows and blossoming flora. All the while, gatherers could be seen on the hills, collecting herbs for the table and market.
At Yeghegis, our hotel faced a river gorge and a steep mountain face where Eurasian Brown Bears and Bezoar Goats were frequently seen. Nearby, Eastern Black-eared Wheatears, Eastern Rock Nuthatches, and Chukars could be found. From there, we ventured in 4x4s up the steep switchbacks coiling around Mt. Gndasar. The rolling hills echoed with the fluting of Caspian Snowcocks reverberating from the crags above us. That afternoon, in the impressive narrow gorge of the Amaghu River, we visited the Noravank monastic complex, a 13th-century architectural marvel with exquisite stone carvings.
The following morning took us to the Armash Fish Ponds, where we found many key species for the region, including White-tailed and Spur-winged lapwings, White-headed Duck, Blue-cheeked Bee-eater, Menetries’s Warbler, and more. We had another 4x4 excursion that afternoon, up the arid Oorts Gorge, where we caught up with Finsch’s and Persian wheatears, Upcher’s Warbler, and Fire-fronted Serin.
The final three days were based out of Yerevan, an energetic capital bearing layers of its past, from medieval architecture through Soviet and modern structures, all teeming with life. People of all ages could be seen in the streets, using public transportation and entering stores and art centers, vibrant in their booming capital. We made sure to visit the wondrous Symphony of Stones, with its rhythmic sequence of basalt columns covering the cliffs, where hundreds of martins nested. We also spent some time at the compelling Armenian Genocide Memorial and Museum, which taught us about the spirit of perseverance of the Armenian people.
From the capital, we visited our final birding sites, including Mt. Aragats, from where we had unparalleled views of the legendary Mt. Ararat, nearly all white. Despite being just over the border in Turkey, Ararat overlooks Armenia and is of utmost significance to the soul of the nation. Abounding with natural wonders, flowers and insects, vast views, and the presence of many bird species, it left us with an unforgettable impression of the country. There, we finally caught up with the elusive Radde’s Accentor, along with Twites, pipits, and larks.
We ended the tour with a final feast, heaping with tasty traditional food and plenty of wine, accompanied by two musicians playing their mournful woodwinds—the duduks of Armenia—made from the wood of apricot trees. The apricot symbolizes warmth and resilience to Armenians, and the duduk’s wavering resonance lifts the emotional weight of centuries of sorrow and survival. We made a resounding final toast to the spirit of the people of the Caucasus and to our own willingness to persist in our search for the wondrous offerings of our planet.
In Georgia, we were hosted and accompanied by Dato Beridze. In Armenia, by Levon Harutyunan and Rosseana Badalyan.
Day-by-Day Summary
May 17 – Optional morning in Tbilisi, Georgia, along cobblestone alleyways with wood-carved balconies, to the National Botanical Gardens and the Mtkvari River. That evening, we had a feast overlooking the ancient city. The Kashueti Singers accompanied us for an evening heaping with traditional food, wine, toasting, and song.
May 18 – From Tbilisi, we traveled toward the desert and monastery of Davit Gareji, stopping at lakes, badlands, and Udabno for coffee. Then eastward toward the Kakheti wine region and the medieval fortified town of Sighnaghi. Our feast in the old cellars at Pheasant’s Tears Winery was filled with toasting and sampling Georgian wines, serenaded by the Zedashe Ensemble.
May 19 – First were the forests near Kumisi Lake. Then we continued toward southern Georgia and the highland plateaus of Javakheti. At the village of Sameba, at the St. Constantine and Helen Monastery, we visited with monks Ekvtime and Giorgi, who document ancient chants and chanted for us. We then climbed the Paravani Pass, arriving at the picturesque Martuni Riverside Hotel.
May 20 – First was nearby Vachiani Lake, full of birds. We continued exploring the many lakes and wetlands of the region, including the vast Khanchali, Madatapa, and Bughdasheni lakes.
May 21 – We first stopped at Kumurdo Cathedral before arriving at the Bavra border crossing. Once in Armenia, we visited Arpi National Park and then continued toward Dilijan, arriving at Escapes Hotel.
May 22 – First were the forests of Dilijan National Park, followed by Haghartsin Monastery. Lunch was at Carahunge Restaurant. In the afternoon, the Margahovit Valley provided some open-country birding, followed by more forest birding along the Parz Lake Road.
May 23 – From Dilijan, we traveled southward along the western shore of Lake Sevan, stopping at the marshes and breeding colonies of Norashen National Park. We stopped at Noratus Pond before lunch in the town of Martuni. We continued south along the ancient Silk Road, stopping at the Orbelian Caravanserai. We reached Yeghegis, where we stayed at Arevi Hotel.
May 24 – We descended to the lowlands, where we rode in 4x4 trucks up the slopes of Mt. Gndasar. Lunch was at Harsnasar Restaurant. We then explored Noravank Monastery.
May 25 – Our first stop was the Armash Fish Ponds. After a picnic lunch, we climbed aboard 4x4 trucks and went up Oorts Gorge for more spectacular birding. Then, continuing north to Yerevan and checking in at the Nova Hotel, we walked to the nearby Gata Tavern for dinner.
May 26 – Republic Day celebrations in Yerevan. First was the Symphony of Stones, followed by the Hellenistic Garni Temple. Lunch was at the nearby Sergey’s Place. We then visited the Armenian Holocaust Memorial and Museum. Some of us visited the Vernissage Market. Dinner was at Ararat Tavern, with live Armenian music.
May 27 – We birded the summit road up Mt. Aragats. Lunch was by Amberd Fortress, and then we stopped near the town of Aragatsotn. Dinner was at Dolmama Restaurant.
May 28 – We drove south to Vedi, visited agricultural areas, and had a picnic lunch. The arid slopes also provided interesting natural history. We then visited Khor Virap. Our final dinner was accompanied by duduk musicians playing Armenia’s national woodwind instrument.
May 29 – Departures.
Wildlife Seen:
Eurasian Brown Bear
Golden Jackal
Red Fox
Bezoar Goat
Asia Minor Souslik
Caucasian Squirrel
Strauch's Race runner
Paralaudakia caucasia
Natrix tessellata
Caspian Turtle
Taurus Frog
Snake-eyed Lizard
Small Tortoiseshell
Aeschremon disparalis
Small White
Omophlus lepturoides
Mylabris marginata
Ground Lackey
Seven-spotted Lady Beetle,
Canthophorus melanopterus
Blue Blowfly,
European Firebug
Xeropicta derbentina
Georginapaeus hohenackeri