Adventurous Sunday on the Summit of Parakatar and Near Lake Hayeli

• peaksam May 4, 2025October 3, 2026

The hike on May 4, 2025 was both beautiful and full of adventures. We headed to the Vayots Dzor region, aiming to climb the summit of Parakatar, admire Lake Hayeli (Artavan Lake), breathe the fresh air of Artavan and simply connect with nature.

The weather forecast warned that rain was expected after 15:00. For that very reason, as soon as we got out of the cars, we quickly got ready and started walking. The mountains covered with a green spring carpet accompanied us, and the children, as always, were excited, constantly talking and laughing. But we had to reach the summit before the rain. We succeeded.

However, while resting, we noticed that the rain would start soon. Putting on our raincoats, we headed toward Lake Hayeli. But, as often happens in nature, the surprise didn’t keep us waiting long. At first the clouds began to whisper, then the drops fell, and the wind joined the game. Nature teaches us to be flexible, so instead of going to Lake Hayeli we started to descend, admiring the impressive size and beauty of Lake Hayeli from a distance. On this hike we didn’t manage to stay dry, as usually happens. On the way, we got completely soaked through.

After a short while the rain stopped, and the sun started to “dry” us. The colors of nature seemed to take on a new breath. On the way to Artavan village, we were greeted by a truly fairytale atmosphere: fresh air, green mountain slopes, rocky peaks, blossoming trees, while the frogs filled nature’s symphony with their croaking.

Lake Hayeli, a hydrogeological natural monument, is located at an altitude of 2,100 m and is included in the list of state natural monuments of the Republic of Armenia. Its mirror-like surface, even when seen from afar, leaves an unforgettable impression: an impression that the world’s map is in front of you. That is why the lake is also called the Lake of the World Map. At the end of the hike we changed out of our wet clothes and returned to the city, a little tired.

. Distance covered: 11 km
. Elevation gain: 550 m
. Summit height: 2,528 m

When one day a child gets soaked in the rain with a smile on their face, climbs a mountain overcoming themselves, stops on the mountainside and admires nature, that day becomes a memory that shapes a person. Let’s keep collecting these memories together. Join us on our next children’s hike.