Lori Marz

Northern Armenian region along the Georgian border, shaped by Vanadzor valley and the Debed River gorge.

The Lori region of Armenia is in the very north, in the center of Armenia's border with Georgia. The three four main geographic features are the valley that Vanadzor - Armenia's third largest city lies in, the Debed Rivier gorge, the valley that Stepanavan lies in, and the mountains along the northern border, surrounding Mt. Lalvar.

Lori is without a doubt one of the richest areas to visit in terms of tourist attractions and natural splendor. The Debed River canyon is full of things to see, and forms a beautiful backdrop for all the sites. It's hard not to imagine it teeming with activity 1,000 years ago, when most of the greatest monuments and monasteries were built.

Guide

Things to Do

The Lori region's main draws are its medieval monasteries and the dramatic Debed canyon that connects them. The UNESCO-listed monasteries of Sanahin and Haghpat, built between the 10th and 13th centuries, are the essential stops — both perched above the canyon with views over the forested gorge, and both still deeply atmospheric.