Sisian

Sisian is a small town in Syunik province in southern Armenia, on the Vorotan river at about 1,600 metres. The Yerevan-Goris-Iran road runs through it, so Sisian almost always ends up on an itinerary heading for Tatev and the south. The town itself is quiet and provincial, but several notable monuments are gathered around it.

Main sights

• Zorats Karer (Karahunj) — a prehistoric megalithic complex of hundreds of upright stones pierced with holes, 3 km from town. It gets called the Armenian Stonehenge, and whether it was a temple, a necropolis or an early observatory is still argued over.
• Shaki waterfall — a striking fall of about 18 metres among basalt cliffs, about 3 km to the south-west. A hydro plant takes part of the water, so it is not always at full flow.
• Sisavan church (Sisavank) — a seventh-century cross-domed church in the middle of town, one of the early examples of Armenian architecture.
• Vorotnavank — a monastery of the tenth and eleventh centuries on the rim of the Vorotan gorge not far off, its buildings well preserved.

Food and prices

The cooking is Armenian: khorovats over coals, ghapama, mountain herbs, local honey and cheese. Lunch in a café comes to something like 3-6 euros. Unlike Iran, Armenia takes cards without any trouble, but in the small villages along the road it is worth carrying dram in cash.

Getting there

Sisian lies slightly off the M2 Yerevan-Goris road, around four hours from Yerevan. Minibuses from Yerevan to Goris and Kapan pass close by; the surroundings are easiest to cover with your own or a hired car. The Tatev cable car is about an hour away.

When to come

A high-mountain climate: winters cold and snowy, summers cool and pleasant. The best season is June to September, when all the roads are open and the waterfall is running.