Ultimate Mount Khustup Trek & 4x4 Off-Road Expedition

A rugged, high-altitude wilderness experience centered entirely on conquering the legendary Mount Khustup with 4x4 off-road thrills.

Travel Plan

Start Point: Yerevan

The Armenian Wine Capital

The expedition begins as you depart the capital and journey south to Armenia's renowned wine village. Explore historic traditional cellars and enjoy an exclusive tasting of indigenous premium red wines before hitting the rugged mountain trails.

Spandaryan Reservoir

Leave the standard tourist routes behind and continue your 4x4 off-road adventure to the massive Spandaryan Reservoir. Stop to take in the vast, pristine water reserves and capture the breathtaking alpine environment.

Tatev Monastery & Aerial Cable Car

Board the world's longest non-stop reversible aerial cable car to cross the deep river gorge. Spend the afternoon exploring the ancient architecture and hidden defensive passages of the medieval 9th-century Tatev Fortress perched on the cliff edge.

Kapan City Basecamp

Transfer to a comfortable local hotel in the southern city of Kapan. Rest, recharge, and prep your expedition gear for the ultimate high-altitude mountain push the following morning.

Mount Khustup Summit (3,201m)

The absolute crown jewel of the tour. Navigate steep, rugged slopes in our comfortable 4x4 vehicles before a pre-dawn high-altitude trek to the 3,201-meter peak of Mount Khustup. Witness a breathtaking panoramic sunrise above the clouds and visit the historic Garegin Nzhdeh monument during your descent.

Melik Tangi Bridge & Thermal Springs

On the return drive to Yerevan, discover the 19th-century Melik Tangi Bridge, perfectly framed by striking vertical basalt rock formations. Unwind and recover from your mountain trek by swimming in the nearby 37°C natural thermal pools before concluding the ultimate Armenian off-road adventure.

End Point: Yerevan

The Khustup Expedition Concept

For adventure travelers visiting Armenia, this expedition purposefully bypasses standard city walking tours to deliver a rugged, high-altitude wilderness experience.

The core concept fuses an epic mountain summit trek and intense 4x4 off-road thrills with authentic Armenian cultural landmarks and premium viticulture. Led by a professional on-ground execution team—including our expert drivers and mountain guides Gor, Vardan, Tigran, and Abraham—this itinerary guarantees a seamless and safe push through challenging, steep terrains in comfortable, air-conditioned 4x4 SUVs.

Key Expedition Highlights

Because capturing the adventure is paramount, the entire route is optimized for spectacular visual content creation to document deep canyons, ancient bridges, and dramatic sunrises.

• The Summit of Mount Khustup (3,201m): A high-altitude ascent of this sacred "hermit" mountain, culminating in a breathtaking panoramic sunrise above the clouds.

• Medieval Tatev Fortress: Explore the 9th-century Tatev Monastery, accessed via the "Wings of Tatev," the world’s longest non-stop reversible aerial cable car.

• Post-Trek Recovery at Natural Hot Springs: Recover at a 25-meter single-span stone arch bridge and natural thermal springs that maintain a constant 37°C temperature.

• The Armenian Wine Capital: Tour traditional cellars and enjoy an exclusive tasting of premium Armenian red wines.

• High-Altitude Reservoir: The massive 1939 Spandaryan hydro-engineering marvel holding 257 million cubic meters of mountain water.

Day 1: Off-Road Canyons & Cultural Exploration

Morning & Midday: Depart the capital and travel south to Armenia's renowned wine village to taste exclusive indigenous red wines, then continue the scenic off-road drive to the Spandaryan Reservoir.

Afternoon & Evening: Board the aerial cable car to cross the canyon, spending the afternoon exploring the ancient architecture of the 9th-century Tatev Monastery before resting at a comfortable local hotel in Kapan.

Day 2: Mount Khustup Sunrise Summit & Thermal Springs

Pre-Dawn & Morning: Depart early in 4x4 off-road vehicles to navigate the steep approach to Khustup, executing the high-altitude trek to the 3,201-meter summit for a panoramic sunrise.

Afternoon & Evening: Return to the hotel to refresh, then drive back toward Yerevan, stopping at the 19th-century Melik Tangi Bridge to swim in the nearby 37°C natural thermal pools before concluding the ultimate mountain adventure.

What's Included

• Professional guide
• Professional driver
• 4x4 off-road vehicle
• Bottled water
• Drone photography
• Wine, coffee, gata

What's Not Included

• Lunch and dinner
• Personal expenses
• Entrance fees
• Masterclass/Degustation

Frequently Asked Questions

• How long is the tour and where does it start? It is a 2-day off-road expedition from Yerevan to southern Armenia, centred on summiting Mount Khustup (3,201 m) at sunrise, with an overnight in Kapan.
• What are the highlights? A wine tasting in Armenia's wine village, the vast Spandaryan Reservoir, the 9th-century Tatev Monastery via the "Wings of Tatev" cable car, the pre-dawn Khustup summit sunrise above the clouds, and 37°C natural thermal springs by the Melik Tangi Bridge on the return.
• Is accommodation included? The itinerary includes an overnight at a comfortable local hotel in Kapan; confirm accommodation details when booking, as meals are not included.
• How fit do I need to be? This is a rugged, high-altitude expedition with a pre-dawn trek to 3,201 m. The 4x4 handles the steep approach, but a good level of fitness is important for the summit push.
• Is this a 4x4 tour? Yes. Comfortable, air-conditioned 4x4 SUVs handle the steep, rugged terrain, led by experienced drivers and mountain guides.
• What is included in the price? A professional guide, a professional driver, a 4x4 off-road vehicle, bottled water, drone photography, and wine, coffee, and gata. Lunch, dinner, entrance fees, and any masterclass/degustation are not included.
• When is the best time to go? The warmer months, when the high-altitude summit is accessible and the thermal springs and reservoir are at their best.