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Lake Sevan & Dilijan Day Trip from Yerevan: Blue Water in the Morning, Green Forest by Afternoon
In short
Lake Sevan and Dilijan sit about 65 km and 95 km from Yerevan, on the same road. Most day trips take 8 to 10 hours in total. The trip has two very different parts: Lake Sevan, a huge blue lake high in the mountains, with the old Sevanavank monastery on a small hill. And Dilijan, a small forest town known for wooden houses and quiet streets. Many groups also stop at Haghartsin or Goshavank, two old monasteries in the forest. We always visit Sevan first, in the morning, when the water looks its best.
Where
Gegharkunik and Tavush, north-east of Yerevan
From Yerevan
Sevan about 65 km, Dilijan about 95 km
Duration
8 to 10 hours, full day
Best time
May to October, warmer and greener
Why This Trip Works So Well
1,900 m
Height of Lake Sevan above the sea
874 AD
Sevanavank monastery was built
1,500 m
Height of Dilijan, cooler and greener
The Road at a Glance
- Yerevan to Lake Sevan: about 65 km, 1 hour 15 minutes
- Lake Sevan to Dilijan: about 30 km, 35 to 40 minutes, through a mountain tunnel
- Dilijan to Haghartsin or Goshavank: 15 to 20 minutes, with a short walk at the end
- Back to Yerevan: about 95 km, 2 hours
- Total for the day: 8 to 10 hours, depending on how many stops you add
Why We Visit the Lake First
Pick the Version That Fits Your Day
What we recommend
8 to 9 hours
Sevan and Dilijan
9 to 10 hours
Add one monastery
10 hours or more
Add both monasteries
2 days
With a night in Dilijan
Stop by Stop
01
45 to 75 min
About 09:30
Lake Sevan and Sevanavank Monastery
Gegharkunik province
- A huge, bright blue lake, 1,900 metres above the sea
- A small stone monastery on a hill, built in the year 874
- A short, steep walk up stone steps (the exact count differs by source, around 175 to 215 steps)
- Wide views of the lake and the mountains around it
- In summer, some people swim near the shore. The water is cold but clean
02
60 min
About 12:00
Lunch Near the Lake
Local restaurant on the way
- Local restaurants here serve fresh lake fish, often called ishkhan
- True wild ishkhan is a rare, protected fish, so most fish served today is farmed, not wild
- A simple, honest question to the staff is the best way to know what you are eating
- Other good choices include herb salad, flatbread, and local cheese
03
60 min
About 14:00
Dilijan Old Town
Sharambeyan Street
- A short street of wooden houses from the 1800s, now home to small shops and art studios
- Easy, flat walking, good for all ages
- Local people say the town got its name from a lost shepherd named Dili, called home by his family as "Dili jan"
- A calm, quiet place compared to busier parts of Armenia
04
60 to 90 min
About 15:30, optional
Haghartsin or Goshavank Monastery
In the forest near Dilijan
- Both are old stone monasteries, built between the 10th and 13th centuries
- Set deep in green forest, with old carved cross-stones called khachkars
- Large tour buses often cannot drive all the way up, so a short walk is needed at the end
- Picking just one, rather than both, keeps the day relaxed instead of rushed
Ways to Reach Lake Sevan and Dilijan
- Private guided tour: a driver and guide take you directly, and the day is planned around you. This is how we run it.
- Shared group tour: you join other travellers on a bus, with a set schedule and a shared guide.
- Rental car: the road is a well-paved motorway, so self-driving is straightforward in good weather.
- Public bus: possible, but slow. There is no direct bus from Sevan to Dilijan, so you need a change along the way. Not practical for a single day.
What Group Tours Often Don't Tell You
Large groups often split by language
Not every bus reaches the monastery gate
Four stops in one day is a lot
Winter changes the plan
Know Before You Go
- Bring a jacket. Both places sit high up, and the wind off the lake can be cold, even in summer.
- Wear comfortable shoes. There are stone steps at the monastery and some walking in the forest.
- Carry cash. Small shops, parking, and toilets often prefer local currency.
- Swimming season is short. The lake is warm enough only in July and August, and the water stays cool.
- Both towns are small. Do not expect big shops or busy streets, the charm here is the quiet.
- Cover shoulders and knees inside the monasteries, as a sign of respect.
Make It Longer, or Pair It
Noratus Cemetery
Tsaghkadzor
Garni and Geghard
Why Partners Book This Through Travel Door
2017
Operating since
10,000+
Travellers monthly
200+
Fleet
4.8/5
Google, 440 reviews
Best DMC
World Travel Awards 2024 and 2025
How We Run It
Usually included
Usually not included
Lake Sevan & Dilijan Day Trip Questions
About 65 km, or 1 hour and 15 minutes by road. Dilijan is a little further, about 95 km from Yerevan.
Visit Lake Sevan first, in the morning. The water looks its best early in the day. Visit Dilijan in the afternoon, when the forest light is soft and warm.
Most day trips take 8 to 10 hours in total, depending on how many stops you add.
Yes, in July and August, when the water is warmest. Even then, the water stays cool, since the lake sits high in the mountains.
Sources differ, but it is a short, steep climb of around 175 to 215 stone steps. Comfortable shoes help.
Ishkhan is a type of trout found only in Lake Sevan. The wild fish is rare and protected, so most fish served in restaurants today is farmed, not wild.
Yes. It is a small, calm forest town with old wooden houses on Sharambeyan Street. It feels very different from Lake Sevan, which is part of why the two places work well together.
Yes, both are popular additions. Each needs about 60 to 90 minutes, including a short walk at the end. Adding both in one day can feel rushed, so we usually suggest choosing one.
A jacket, since the wind off the lake can be cold even in summer. Comfortable shoes for the stone steps and forest paths. Cash for small shops and parking.
Not on the same day, since they are in different directions from Yerevan. Each works better as its own full day. See our Garni and Geghard day trip and Khor Virap and Noravank day trip.
Yes, in general. The walking is short at most stops, though the stone steps at Sevanavank are steep. We can adjust the pace and the number of stops for your group.
Keep Planning
- Armenia destinations and routes, everything we operate
- Yerevan City Tour, the capital on foot and by car
- Garni and Geghard Day Trip, temples and a cliff monastery
- Khor Virap and Noravank Day Trip, the southern route
- Transfers and transport, airport and intercity
- Accommodation, contracted hotels in the region
- Contact our team, for dates and availability
