Lake Arpi

Highland lake and national park famed for birdlife

Area Shirak
Type Nature
Time needed 1h 30m

Lake Arpi is a shallow highland lake on the plateau of northern Shirak, at the centre of a national park known above all for its birds. It is a place for open landscape and wildlife watching rather than for buildings or facilities.

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Getting there

About 172 km from Yerevan, roughly 3h 08m of driving, past Gyumri and on towards Ashotsk and the Javakheti plateau. The last approaches are on unsurfaced roads.

What you see

Wide treeless grassland and water, with gull and pelican colonies on the lake and waders along the shallow margins in the breeding season. Hides and viewing points exist in parts of the park, and the plateau villages have a distinct, sparse character. Bring binoculars, because much of what there is to see is at a distance.

What to pair it with

It works with Gyumri, Marmashen and the Shirak plateau; Yereruyk is on the way back south.

When to go

May to July is the season for breeding birds; autumn brings passage migrants. The plateau holds snow for much of the winter and the roads become difficult or closed.

What is hard about it

It is a long drive each way for a 90-minute stop, so going from Yerevan and back makes a day of nine hours or more, most of it in the car. Facilities are minimal, weather changes fast at this altitude, and without an interest in birds there is little to hold the attention.

Common questions

Which birds can I expect?

Breeding colonies of gulls and pelicans, plus ducks, waders and raptors over the grassland. Numbers depend heavily on the season.

Do I need a permit or guide?

The park is open to visitors; a local guide helps greatly with finding the birds. Arrangements and any park fees should be checked in advance. [VERIFY — confirm current details]

Is it a day trip from Yerevan?

It can be done, but it is a long one. Staying in Gyumri or on the plateau makes an early start at the lake much more realistic.