This easy loop in the beautiful Vayots Dzor Province will take you from the semi-abandoned village of Old Martiros and back. There are lots of cultural artifacts and natural sights along the way!

Old Martiros is a semi-abandoned village that dates back to the year 1283. There’s even a khachkar (traditional Armenian cross-stone) in the village where its founding is recorded! As you make your way out of the village, a signpost will direct you to the rock-hewn Holy Mother of God Church, also known as Martirosats Monastery. This little church has been carved out of the mountainside below the peak of Mt. Nazar (2,446m). As you continue on the loop, you’ll pass Chumov Lake, an idyllic lake with a natural island (“chim” in Armenian refers to the island in the middle of the lake). As you make your way around this loop, take in the stunning landscapes of the Vayots Dzor Province!