The way from Tbilisi to Yerevan is quite short. Just 300 km. But roads are really curvy 🙂
Here is the border. What do you need in order to get inside with your car…
1. Car registration certificate.
2. Driver’s license.
3. Fill car temporary import papers that cost about 15000 AMD (about 32 USD by the date of this article). They take Russian Rubbles, Georgian Lari or Armenian Dram (and I think USD as well).
4. Pay road tax – about 3600 AMD (less then 10 USD)
5. Buy Armenian car insurance.
The last point was almost impossible as we reached Armenia by the January 1st. All booths selling insurance were closed due to New Year celebration. Empty booths with some food and bottles on tables… And no one inside. It is worth of mentioning that we couldn’t find any insurance office in Yerevan as well. They are all closed for 8-10 days. Actually it is better to avoid such situation in Armenia. Police is not really friendly here. But we were lucky enough as we didn’t see any road police during our stay. They are also celebrating the New Year 😀
In any other day you can find insurance certificate either in booth near custom post, or in nearest small town. It will cost you about 3000 AMD for 10 days.
Day 11
The nature has changed. It is more like a winter. There is no green grass at all comparing to Georgia at the same time of a year.
In December 2014 Armenia faced unusually cold weather. The temperature could go below -18! Usually it is much warmer.
Take a look on this partially frozen waterfall!
We couldn’t ignore it and stopped for couple more photos!
Small waterfalls along the road turned into icicles.
The nature can create incredibly beautiful and sophisticated patterns in winter! 🙂
Countryside looks really abandoned. It looks like no one lives here since the time when USSR has gone…
Old rusted cable-cars…
Empty buildings with broken windows…
But no worries, Yerevan and its neighbourhoods are in much better condition.
The first sight on our way to Yerevan is Akhtala Monastery.
Strange statue we found near monastery 🙂
And here is the monastery itself!
During this trip, we have visited lots of Armenian holy places. Most of them are protected by UNESCO World’s Heritage List.
For example, the Akhpat Monastery.
Here it is under the sunset shine!
One more historical monument that we could visit on that day – Sanahin Church Complex dated by X—XIII Centuries. One more item from UNESCO Heritage List.
It was a late time, so we aimed to one of the Yerevan hotels.
In the evening, we decided to have a little walk around the city centre.
Here is the Main Square.
We got very hungry, so found a cosy place for the dinner.
Don’t even try to eat starter, main and dessert in Armenia! You will never eat three of those! It is unreal 😀
Take a look on the dish size!
And here is the end of the day. We went to hotel for a night before a new positive day!
Next article – Armenian sights (12-14 days).
Winter Long Trip 2014:
– First 6 days of the trip in Russia;
– Dagestan-Azerbaijan border. Day and night in Baku (Days 6-7);
– Sights of Azerbaijan and our way to Georgia (Days 8-9);
– Azerbaijan-Georgia border and New Year in Tbilisi (Day 10).
Flights to Yerevan:
Hotel prices in Yerevan:
