Tsaghkadzor, Lake Sevan & Ropeway: Group Tour with Trout BBQ

Summary

Tsaghkadzor cable car rides, Kecharis monastery stones, Lake Sevan’s wild blue

You’ll start your journey in Tsaghkadzor with a gentle cable car ride above wildflower meadows before wandering through Kecharis Monastery’s ancient stones. After a scenic drive to Lake Sevan, climb up to Sevanavank for sweeping views and end your day with fresh trout barbecue by the water’s edge — a mix of history, quiet moments, and honest flavors.

What’s the experience like?

The first thing I noticed in Tsaghkadzor was the way the wind carried pine needles and the faintest smell of wood smoke — not strong, just there if you paid attention. Our guide, Ani, grinned as she handed out bottled water and pointed at the ropeway. I’ll admit I was nervous about the cable car (heights aren’t really my thing), but somehow it felt less scary with everyone quietly laughing and nudging each other about selfies. The ride up was slow enough to see every patch of wildflowers below — someone said that’s why they call it “Valley of Flowers,” which I guess makes sense now.

Kecharis Monastery sat quietly behind some trees, stone walls worn smooth by centuries of hands. Ani told us about Grigorius Pahlavuni — I probably spelled that wrong — who helped build it. There was this moment where a local woman passed by with her little boy; he stopped to touch one of the old carvings like it might whisper something back. It made me wonder how many people have done that over hundreds of years. The air was cool inside the church, almost damp, and smelled faintly of candle wax.

Driving up to Lake Sevan took longer than I expected — maybe an hour? But when we got there, the water looked unreal: so blue it almost hurt my eyes in the sun. We climbed what felt like endless steps up to Sevanavank Monastery (my legs still remember), but honestly, that view over the lake is stuck in my head now. Lunch was trout barbecue right by the shore — smoky, lemony, and so fresh you could taste the lake in it. Some people went swimming; I just let my feet dangle off a rock and watched clouds move across those mountains. Not sure why that part felt so peaceful.

Step-by-step itinerary

Day 1 — Tsaghkadzor, Lake Sevan, and Trout Barbecue

• Start and end at Yerevan
• Visit Tsaghkadzor city
• Ride Tsaghkadzor cable car
• Explore Kecharis monastery
• Visit Sevanavank monastery
• Relax and swim at Lake Sevan
• Enjoy Sevan trout barbecue

Top questions

How long is the group tour from Yerevan to Tsaghkadzor and Lake Sevan?

The tour lasts around 7-8 hours including all stops.

Is lunch included on this day trip?

Yes, a trout barbecue treat by Lake Sevan is included at the end of the tour.

Do you need to climb stairs at any point?

Yes, there are about 200 steps to reach Sevanavank Monastery on the peninsula.

Is hotel pickup provided for this tour?

The tour includes pickup from a starting point but not specifically hotel pickup.

Are tickets for Tsaghkadzor ropeway included?

Admission tickets for one station on the Tsaghkadzor ropeway are included.

Can children join this group tour?

Yes, children can join but must be accompanied by an adult; infants can sit on laps or use strollers.

What languages does the guide speak?

The professional guide speaks English and Russian consecutively.

Is swimming possible at Lake Sevan during this trip?

You can swim in Lake Sevan during summer season stops along the shore.

What’s included

Your day covers air-conditioned transport with WiFi onboard from Yerevan to Tsaghkadzor and Lake Sevan, all entry fees including a ride on Tsaghkadzor’s ropeway (one station), bottled water and pastries en route, guidance in English or Russian throughout, plus a lakeside trout barbecue before heading back together in comfort.