Dilijan



Dilijan is a town with mild climate and fresh air to the northeast of Yerevan. It is famous for its lovely surroundings, called the "Armenian Switzerland" by the locals, due to the densely forested valleys and mountains with alpine meadows surrounding them. It is an excellent base for hiking.

Most visitors to Armenia spend all of their nights in Yerevan. Spending a night or two in Dilijan while exploring Tavush Marz region is well worth it. There are plentiful accommodations in Dilijan, from the luxury of the Tufenkian Hotel to much more basic hotels or homes. From Dilijan you can explore up to the Georgian border and the remote Shamshadin region much more easily than from Yerevan, and then continue on to Lori Marz.

Understand
The first settlements in this area were established around the end of the second millennium and beginning of first millennium BC. Some excavated collections of artifacts from that period are exhibited in the museums of Moscow, Saint Petersburg, Tbilisi, Baku and Yerevan, with the reminder kept in the Dilijan Geological Museum.

During the Medieval period this territory belonged to the Arsacid kings and was one of their favourite forest and a summer resorts used for hunting. A bit later, in the 13th century, Bujur Dili settlement was founded here. The monasteries of Haghartsin and Goshavank were built between the 10th and 13th centuries, quickly developed and have served as cultural and educational centers in the intervening centuries. Some other important religious and educational centers have also survived in Dilijan, such as the Jukhtak Vank Monastery and Matosavank Monastery.

Since the town came under Russian rule in 1801, the population has gradually grown. A school, library and several theaters were opened. In the second half of the 19th century Dilijan’s fame as of a resort center started to grow.

During Soviet years it was already widely known as a mountain climatic and balneological resort; there used to be 35 major sanatoriums hosting tens of thousands people yearly. It was popular among creative people, musicians and painters. However, all its fame faded away quite quickly after the collapse of Soviet Union, the number of tourists fell dramatically, and sanatoriums and all other tourist-oriented infrastructure went into a serious decline. The situation has started to improve. Tourists (mainly wealthy Armenians and some foreigners as well) have started coming back, giving a fresh breath to the town. New hotels and restaurants have started to appear again. There are still many signs of decline; there is a feel of abandonment and some provincial neglect (which is somehow inherent to the majority of Armenian towns). Nonetheless, pristine nature, calm and relaxed atmosphere and ancient monasteries are still the main points of interest and the main reasons to visit the town.



Climate
The best months to visit Dilijan are May-October, the months with the most pleasant temperatures. July and August, the hottest months, have average daily highs of around 26°C. and average lows around 12°C. The coldest months are January and February, with average low temperatures around -6°C. and average high temperatures around 3°C. Precipitation is moderate to moderately low: May is the wettest month, averaging 92 mm, and June averages 85 mm, but other months get quite a lot less precipitation.

By bus


From specific destinations:
 * Yerevan – All services for Dilijan depart from Yerevan's Northern Bus Station (Severny Avtovakzal). You can take a marshrutka heading to Ijevan that will stop in Dilijan on the way. There are also direct services between 09:40-17:30, roughly hourly (1,000 dram).
 * Ijevan – 13:00, 14:00
 * Vanadzor – 08:30, 10:30, 13:00, 14:30

By taxi
A taxi from Yerevan will cost approximately 10,000 dram one way with a standard meter price. You can probably negotiate a better rate, especially for round trip. A taxi from Vanadzor is roughly 4,000 dram.

By tour
Many companies offer day tours from Yerevan, which include Dilijan, Haghartsin and Goshavank. They can be cheaper than taking a taxi, and depart in the morning on fixed days of the week.

On foot
Within town, for the most part, walking is quite easy.

By bus
There are 2 bus routes starting at the mineral water plant factory (which is a starting point for hikes to Jukhtak Vank Monastery) and then crossing entire town and ending at another end of it.

Operation time: M-F 07:30-18:30, Sa Su 09:30-17:30, about every ½ hr.

By taxi
A taxi within the town should cost no more than 600 dram.

If you need to get to some of the regional monasteries, your best bet is negotiating a package deal with the taxis. You can ask someone from the tourist information office help you translate and negotiate, as most of the drivers will not speak English. If a driver tries to change the price on you, absolutely refuse, and take the matter to the police if necessary. Don't trust any taxi driver.

By bicycle
Bikes can be rented either at the Dilijan National Park's information center (at park's HQ 500 m past Dilijan roundabout, 1,000 dram/hr or 5,000 dram/day) or at the "Old Dilijan" historic center.

See






Do

 * Ceramic course – Some of the wood and ceramic makers shops at Sharambeian Street ("Old Dilijan" historic center) are ready to organize classes for a moderate price, in which participants are encouraged to create a souvenir for themselves.

Tufenkian hotel organises various courses and tours:
 * Horseback riding – Some of the hotels (e.g. Getap and Tufenkian Hotels) offer tours in the area (1½–6 hr) and lessons for the beginners.
 * Cooking class – Learn how to prepare some of Armenian dishes or Armenian Khorovats/BBQ (1½ hr, 3-10 participants). Classes must be scheduled two to three days in advance.
 * Horse sleigh ride – Snow season only.

Dilijan National Park


The national park has the following 12 eco trails (PDFs) offering both natural and cultural attractions:

A good summary of the surrounding area and the national park can also be found here.

Buy

 * Crafts on Sharambeyan Street around "Old Dilijan" historic complex. This street has some little shops where artisans are busy hand making their craft. Prices start from 500 dram.
 * Visit Revik to see his wood working studio, with some great traditional designs for everything from Christmas tree decorations to cribs. The tourist information office has additional information on local crafts purchases and local painters you can visit.
 * Grocery stores are mainly located on a square near the bus station and the
 * There are a few bank branches where currency can be changed. Also about 5-7 ATMs are scattered around town and, similar to grocery stores, it's easier to find them near bus station and the town's main square.

Eat and drink
In Dilijan, drinking is done wherever people eat, not at dedicated bars. It usually entails vodka, though beer and wine are not uncommon.



Along Yerevan-Ijevan highway
To get into any of the following restaurants you'll need a car or a taxi. Although they seem to be worth it.



Go next

 * Debed Canyon – the famous canyon with several beautiful monasteries in the vicinity of it, including UNESCO World Heritage Sanahin Monastery and Haghpat Monastery
 * Ijevan – Attractive town 25 min north with a river running through it, and with the beautiful canyon full of cascades and with some caves by the nearby Yenokavan village, and nearby Makaravank Monastery.
 * Noyemberyan – A small town near the border with Georgia, featuring 2 small nearby monasteries
 * Berd – If you'd rather go to the remote and beautiful Shamshadin area, Berd is the only town in that region and therefore a good base for further exploration
 * Vanadzor – Armenia's 3rd-largest city, featuring Soviet industrial architecture, although it also has a few nice churches
 * Yerevan – If you didn't come from the vibrant capital of Armenia, it's the most logical place to go next