Lake Sevan & Sevanavank: Day Trip with Food Tasting

Summary

High-altitude lake views, monastery walks, fresh fish lunch in Armenia

You’ll ride out from Yerevan to Lake Sevan with a local guide who knows every curve of the road. Climb ancient monastery steps above blue water, sample warm bread from friendly hands, and taste fresh-caught trout right by the shore. Let mountain air clear your head — this day isn’t about rushing anywhere.

What’s the experience like?

Hands sticky from the wind off Lake Sevan, I leaned on the rail of our little boat while Arman — our driver-turned-guide — pointed out a fisherman hauling in nets. He grinned and said something about “ishkhan” (trout), which I repeated back and probably mangled. The water’s this odd blue-green, not like any lake I’ve seen before, and you can smell pine needles mixed with something briny. It’s colder up here than I expected, even though it was July — my jacket felt thin but the sun on my face made up for it.

We climbed up to Sevanavank Monastery together, the steps uneven and older than anything back home. There were two women selling bread just outside the stone walls; one handed me a piece warm from her basket, nodding when I asked if it was ok. The view over Lake Sevan from that hill is… well, it just sort of makes you stop talking for a minute. Arman told us how the peninsula used to be an island until Soviet times when they lowered the water level — he shrugged like that’s just how things go here.

Lunch was in a lakeside place where every table had crayfish shells piled high. We tried the famous trout (the “ishkhan” again), grilled simply with herbs — honestly, I still think about that taste sometimes when I’m home. There was laughter when someone at another table tried to order in Russian and got corrected gently by the waitress. It felt easy to linger there; nobody rushed us or hovered.

I didn’t expect to feel so calm at Lake Sevan — maybe it’s the altitude or maybe just being somewhere that doesn’t care what time it is. The drive back was quiet except for Arman humming softly to himself. Sometimes you don’t need more than that.

Step-by-step itinerary

Day 1 — Visit Sevanavank and Lake Sevan

• Travel to Lake Sevan
• Visit Sevanavank Monastery
• Enjoy panoramic lake views
• Take a boat trip on Lake Sevan
• Taste local trout and crayfish

Top questions

How long does the day trip to Lake Sevan from Yerevan take?

The tour is typically a full-day trip including travel time from Yerevan to Lake Sevan and back.

Is hotel pickup included for this Lake Sevan tour?

Yes, hotel or port pickup and drop-off are included in your booking.

What food do we try on this Lake Sevan culinary experience?

You’ll try regional specialties like fresh trout (“ishkhan”), sig fish, and local crayfish prepared lakeside.

Are children or infants allowed on this tour?

Yes, infants and small children can join; prams or strollers are welcome and infant seats are available.

Will there be a guide during our visit to Lake Sevan?

A local driver/guide will accompany you throughout your trip.

Can service animals come along on this day trip?

Yes, service animals are allowed on this tour.

Is walking up to Sevanavank Monastery difficult?

The climb involves uneven steps but is manageable for most fitness levels; take your time if needed.

What’s included

Your day includes hotel or port pickup and drop-off with a knowledgeable driver-guide by your side, bottled water for the journey, all local taxes covered, plus plenty of time for tasting freshly caught fish right beside Lake Sevan before heading back relaxed in the afternoon.