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Armenia and Artsakh Adventure on the Janapar Trail

Join Trails For Change NGO for a 6 day Mountain Bike tour/fundraiser


All funds raised go to trail improvements on the Janapar Trail




This trip includes 5 days of riding the Janapar Trail. Along the way you will see magnificent scenery, incredible historical points of interest and meet wonderful friendly people. The ride is a total of 150 miles (240 km) most of which is in Artsakh (formerly know as Nagorno Karabakh) This is a very mountainous region with lush green forests.

Typical weather for this time of year is warm and dry but a light rain coat is advisable just in case.


This is a fully supported trip with the goal of raising funds to improve the trail and the lives of the people of Artsakh through eco tourism. Funds will be used to purchase and install trail signage, tools and materials to work on the trail and hiring locals for trail maintenance and repairs. Each participant is required to raise a minimum of $1200 dollars. Not only do you get an awesome adventure but you also get to help us do something very positive.

The full trail assessment report is available for your review if interested.

Approximately $600 from each participant will be used to cover trip expenses and the remainder will be used for the trail repairs.

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Each rider will be set up with their own fundraising campaign page. Riders may also opt to pay the $1200 on their own foregoing the fundraising campaign.

Fitness level requirements: Most of the riding is on dirt roads with some challenging single track sections on the last day. These technical sections are easily walkable if you are not comfortable riding them. There are also some steep sections on the dirt road that will provide a challenge from time to time. Riders should be in good physical condition. The support vehicle will at times be very close by and be able to provide a lift for the weary rider if needed. However, some segments this will not be an option as the support vehicle can not make it over some of the mountain passes.




Day 1. Transportation from Yerevan to the start of the ride in Vardenis. We plan to depart Yerevan by 8:00 am on May 29th. It is a 3 hour drive to Vardenis and the start of the ride. We will have lunch in Vardenis and then start the ride.

Vardenis to Tsar Village 21.8 miles (35 km) with 2687 ft (819m) Elevation Gain https://www.strava.com/routes/11846185. We pass over the highest point of the ride at 9000’ and enter Artsakh! The temps could be cool at this high point so plan accordingly. From the high pass it is mostly downhill to Tsar.




Ride begins on the Janapar Trail in Armenia and enters Artsakh after a half day of riding.

May 30 Day 2. Tsar to Zuar Village 30 miles (48 km) approximately 4000’ (1219m) Elevation Gain. This will be the longest day.

May 31 Day 3. Riding from Zuar to Dadivank Monastery. Visit Monastery and continue to Vaghuhas for lunch and then continue to Vank. Visit Gandzasar Monastery then continue by shuttle vehicles to the historic town of Shushi to spend the night.

35 miles (56 km) all flat until just before Vaghuhas. Approximately 3500’ (1066m) Elevation Gain for the day.

June 1 Day 4. Riding from Shushi to Karintak, Karmir Shuka Village. Lunch on the road, dinner and overnight at homestay in Karmir Shuka

26 miles (42 km) 2943’ (897m) Elevation Gain https://www.strava.com/activities/742730460.

June 2 Day 5. Riding from Karmir Shuka through Azokh Village. Site of ancient cave dwellings and on to Hadrut. Transfer to Shushi. Lunchbox, dinner and overnight in Shushi.

21 miles (34 km) 4324’ (1318m) Elevation Gain https://www.strava.com/activities/742422062.


Azokh Cave

June 3 Day 6. Transfer to Tatev, visit the monastery, cave dwellings and the Areni Winery on the way to Yerevan. Lunch near Tatev, dinner then return to Yerevan.


Included:

Transportation

Guide services on and off the trail.

Overnights in home stays and Hotel in Artsakh.

Transportation service of bikes

Entrance fees

Meals

Basic bike repair tools and pump

Bike bags and other gear storage in Yerevan

The price dose not include.

- Airplane ticket

- Travel insurance

- Lodging in Yerevan

- Visa for Artsakh ($7 dollars)

- Bikes


For more information on this trip see the past blog post at the following link:


https://hanskeifer.com/2016/10/22/armeniaartsakh-and-the-janapar-trail/.


If interested in participating or more information contact hans@trailsforchangengo.org.

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