Tour to Dsegh | Special guest Giqor

special

Group day tour from Yerevan to Tumanyan's Dsegh with Gikor from his story: the House-Museum, St. Gregory churches, Gikor's spring and Lake Tsover.

08:30 – 21:00 · Full day Armenian Pickup Free cancellation up to 24 hours before departure. A 50% refund applies within 24 hours. No refund is available after the tour starts.

About this tour

Would you like to discover Tumanyan’s source of inspiration — the enchanting nature of Lori — alongside one of the famous characters from his story, Gikor?

We’re heading to the village of Dsegh in Lori Province, following in the footsteps of the Great Armenian Poet. As part of the tour, we’ll visit the Hovhannes Tumanyan House-Museum. Our next stop will be the nearby St. Gregory the Illuminator Church. From there, we’ll hike a scenic trail leading to St. Gregory Church of Bardzrakash.

Itinerary

1 Stop 1 Village Dsegh

Welcome to the most famous village of the Lori region, where Hovhannes Tumanyan, known as a poet of all Armenians, was born. The poet was inspired by these mountains and valleys and the people living here. The village is rich in many cultural monuments, the largest of which are the poet's house museum, the 7th-century Saint Gregory Illuminator church, the Amenprkich Khachkar of 1281, etc.

2 Stop 2 Hovhannes Tumanyan House-Museum

In the very heart of Dsegh is the father's house of poet Hovhannes Tumanyan, which has been turned into a house museum since 1939. The poet was born here and spent his childhood and youth years under these walls. About 300 valuable exhibits representing the life and activities of the great poet are preserved here. In 1994, a chapel was built in the yard of the house museum, where the poet's heart is summarized.

  • Entrance fee (1,000 AMD)
  • Entrance fee (schoolchildren, students and pensioner) (500 AMD)
3 Stop 3 St. Gregory the Illuminator Church

This 7th-century church is located in the center of Dsegh village, in the area of the medieval cemetery, right next to the house museum of Hovhannes Tumanyan. It has been rebuilt many times, and almost nothing of its original appearance has been preserved. The church was rebuilt in 1900 and received its current appearance after that reconstruction.

4 Stop 4 Bardzrakash St. Gregory Church

Saint Gregory of Bardzrakash was built in the 10th-13th centuries by the Mamikonian dynasty. It is located 2 km northeast of Dsegh village, on the slope of the Marts River. The complex comprises two adjacent churches, a vestibule, St. Harutyun Chapel, a Mamikonian dynasty mausoleum, and an oil press facility. The monastery bridge is located in the gorge.

5 Stop 5 Source of Gikor

The spring of Gikor is located on the road leading to Saint Gregory of Bardzrakashthe. It is named after the hero of Hovhannes Tumanyan's story "Gikor." After the death of his son, Gikor, on his way back home from the city, Hambo remembers how Gikor said, "Api (dad), I'm thirsty..." "Here is the source where they drank water..." writes Tumanyan.

6 Stop 6 Lake Tsover

Tsover Lake is 3 km southeast of Dsegh village, 1390 meters above sea level. It got its name in honor of a girl named Tsover, whose fate is connected with this place. The lake is 250 meters long, 200 meters wide at its widest point, and 4.5 meters deep at its maximum depth. Hovhannes Tumanyan repeatedly referred to this pond in his works because it was one of his favorite places, and he often came here.

What’s included

Included

  • Guide service (if there are foreign participants, the tour may be conducted in two languages)
  • Transport
  • Bottled water

Not included

  • Entrance fee to the H. Tumanyan House-Museum - (1000 AMD), (schoolchildren, students and pensioners) - (500 AMD)

Pickup & Important information

Meeting point: 1a Sayat-Nova Ave, Yerevan 0001, Armenia · Show on the map
Departure time: 08:30
Cancellation policy: Free cancellation up to 24 hours before departure. A 50% refund applies within 24 hours. No refund is available after the tour starts.

FAQ

What will we see on this tour?

The tour follows in the footsteps of Hovhannes Tumanyan to the village of Dsegh in Lori Province, visiting his house-museum and the nearby St. Gregory the Illuminator Church. A scenic trail then leads to St. Gregory Church of Bardzrakash and past Gikor's spring, where, according to the locals, Gikor and Hambo once drank water. The hike ends at Lake Tsover.

Who is the special guest on this tour?

At Bardzrakash, the group is joined by Albert Ghulinyan, the actor who played Gikor in the iconic film. He shares his personal experiences and behind-the-scenes stories from the filming.

How much is this tour for one adult?

The price for one adult is 7,500 AMD, whatever the language of the guide.

How hard is the hike, and what should I wear?

The hike is about 2 km in total and of medium difficulty. Wear sports shoes, comfortable clothing and a protective hat.

When does the tour run?

The tour runs every Saturday until 2026-10-30, from 08:30 to 21:00.

Where is the meeting point?

The group meets at 1a Sayat-Nova Ave in Yerevan, where the tour also ends. Please arrive 15 minutes before the start: seats are not pre-assigned, so arriving early lets you pick your spot.

What does the price include?

The price includes guide service, transport and bottled water.

How much is the entrance fee to the Tumanyan House-Museum?

The entrance fee to the H. Tumanyan House-Museum is not included: it is 1000 AMD, or 500 AMD for schoolchildren, students and pensioners. Entrance fees are usually paid in cash on site.

In which language is the tour guided?

The tour is guided in Armenian. If there are foreign participants, it may be conducted in two languages.

How big is the group?

The group has at most 12 participants.

Can children join, and do they pay the full price?

There are no age restrictions. Children aged 0-3 go free, children aged 3-6 get a 50% discount, and from age 7 the full price applies.

Is there a group discount?

Yes, groups of 5 or more get 500 AMD off per person on day tours.

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Top attractions on this tour

1Village Dsegh 2Hovhannes Tumanyan House-Museum 3St. Gregory the Illuminator Church 4Bardzrakash St. Gregory Church 5Source of Gikor 6Lake Tsover