Lan Wandered

“Lake Sevan is probably one of the most peaceful and amazing place to unwind while in Armenia.”

Hey, are you looking for a place to relax while reassessing your own life? Lake Sevan is probably the best place for you to visit and stay while in Armenia. It is one of the most peaceful place, offering a serene view of pristine nature. It is also an amazing place for you to take a break, slow down a little bit, and enjoy life. So, what are you waiting for? It is about time to discover and wander in this magnificent place.

About Lake Sevan

Lake Sevan and Sevanavank Monastery

Lake Sevan is the largest body of water in both Armenia and the Caucasus. It is located 2000 m above sea level, making it the largest freshwater high-altitude lake in Euroasia. Based on its origin, the current lake was formed about 20 to 30 thousand years ago when a tectonic formation created the Palaeo-Sevan which is ten times larger than the present lake. Sevan was recognized as a major potential water resource in the 19th century. Today, Lake Sevan is one of the most popular tourist destinations among locals and tourists around the world. Subsequently, several beaches are located along the entire lake shore, offering a unique experience of tranquil nature. It is also rich with diverse animals, like fish, which you can only find here, and birds, with almost 200 species. Lastly, it is home to prominent prehistoric monasteries like Sevanavank and Hayravank located on the coast of Sevan..

How to get to Lake Sevan?

Although Armenia is a small country, navigating around is a little bit tricky, as some areas doesn’t have English signboards and some infrastructure is not well maintained. So, if you are visiting a province, it is best to plan your trip accordingly.

DIY, Public Transportation:

Take a Marshrutka/minivan/minibus to the northern Bus station of Yerevan, going to Sevan. The fare is around 800 AMD and mostly takes around 45 minutes to an hour. After that, take a taxi going to Lake Sevan for around 800 to 1000 AMD. You can use the Yandex Taxi App in case you have difficulty finding one.

Alternatively, a second option for public transportation is to ride a taxi from Yerevan directly to Sevan, with a fare of around 18 USD.

Private Vehicle: Drive from Yerevan to Lake Sevan in about forty-five minutes. If you are unsure of the location, use Google Maps for an accurate route guide.

Renting a Car in Armenia:  There are many cars for rent to select in Yerevan, Armenia and most of them have air conditioning, allowing you to travel comfortably. The rent is around 20 USD per day for economy class. This option is great if you are planning to explore many places in Armenia and would like to travel at your own pace and time. This is also a great option for a group. Just ensure that at least one or two of you have an international driver license that is accredited in Armenia.

Tours with transfer: For convenience, join a day trip from Yerevan available at any travel agency offering this experience to reduce your cost. The cost is around 40 USD. You also have the option to do a private tour for 100 USD with a driver only and around 120 USD with a tour guide.

By the way, I visited here in the month of February, still in the winter. Hence, I opted to book a private tour with transfer. The package includes a day tour to Garni Temple, Geghard Monastery, Tsaghkadzor ski resort and lastly, Lake Sevan. I highly recommend this one, especially if you are traveling solo and want to wander alone, otherwise join a group tour if you want to reduce your cost.

If you are curious, I booked my tour with G7 Euro Travel & Tours, known in the Filipino community as Kabayans and Pinoys in Tbilisi, Georgia, highly recommended. It’s my second time doing a transaction with them, so I can confidently say that they are one of the best Travel & Tour agency providers in Georgia & Armenia.

Note: There is also a day trip from Tbilisi to Lake Sevan, just check online or with tour agencies for options if you are interested.

How many days required to visit Lake Sevan?

A day trip from Yerevan is enough to explore and wander in Lake Sevan. However, if you want to experience stargazing and witness sunrise viewing with an amazing view of the Lake, it is better to stay at least one night.

When is the best time to visit Lake Sevan?

Lake Sevan can be visited all year-round, but there are much fewer group tours in the winter. Depending on your choice of view and ambience, you can choose from different seasons in Armenia.

December to March– It is the winter season in Armenia and provides a magical and tranquil atmosphere in the surroundings’ lake sevan.

April to May– (Spring) If you want to see Lake sevan with blooming flowers around, then visit on this month.

June to September- Peak season in Armenia is usually during summer. If you want to visit lake sevan with lush green surroundings, then visit this month.

October to November– Autumn season is a colorful month in Armenia, giving a yellow and reddish vibe background in lake sevan.

As for me, Since I am a Filipino who lives in a country with a tropical climate, it has been a dream of mine to experience snow during the winter. Thus, I opted to visit here in the month of February.

My journey going to Lake Sevan

Me standing, while wandering in the amazing view of Sevanavank Monastery and Lake Sevan

While planning for my trip to Armenia, Lake Sevan has already been on my mind as something to be on my list. Subsequently, it was one of my considerations in choosing the best tour package from Yerevan. I remember, in 2023, I have the chance to visit this place during the autumn from Georgia. However, at that time, I chose a different package tour, which was the Travel Back in Time Tour, where I visited Hagphat Monastery, one of the UNESCO World Heritage sites of Armenia. And since then, I feel like I haven’t fully experienced Armenia since I just visited a part of it. So, after a few months, I decided to return in the winter and did not miss visiting this amazing Lake.

Lake Sevan View near the shore, Snow still in the ground (Month of February)

By the way, I am an Overseas Filipino Worker in Saudi Arabia, so from Dammam International Airport, I traveled to Yerevan, Armenia. After a day of rest spent in a hotel, I traveled in the morning with my private tour, starting from Garni Temple, Geghard Monastery, Tsaghkador ski resort and finally Lake Sevan. I really enjoy the road trip, as the view outside is stunning. Lake Sevan was the last location on my trip. From Tsaghkador, we traveled to sevan and arrived there around 4 p.m. We park at the waiting area at the starting point of the trek stair going to Sevanavank Monastery. Initially, my driver/tour guide instructed me to hike and see the amazing view of the lake at Sevanavank Monastery. The trek has 250 steps and is relatively easy. However, since it was winter and really cold, I also felt tired along the way. But, once I reached the top, all my effort paid off. The view at the top is worth more than all the steps I took. It was a magical experience to see the tranquil atmosphere of the lake surrounded by mountains covered with snow. And since Lake Sevan was the last schedule on the trip, I was able to witness a little bit of the sunset by the lake.

While I am standing in front of the Monastery and facing the lake, I can’t help but wonder and start to reflect on my life. It’s like I found my inner peace, and my heart was filled with gladness, with peace in my mind. After that, I go down and roam around the Lake. Overall, it was a fantastic trip, and I really enjoyed every moment.

Travel Tips when planning to visit Lake Sevan

Here are some tips you should consider when heading to this amazing lake.

• It’s very cold here, especially in Winter, so prepare yourself accordingly.
• In the case of traveling by public transportation, please note that Minibuses in Yerevan are leaving hourly from 9 am until 7 p.m.
• Don’t forget to hike up to Sevanavank Monastery. It’s just 250 steps, and the view at the top is amazing.
• During Autumn season, Lake Sevan is best partnered with Dilijan if you are planning for a day trip.

• Be updated of weather forecast.
• Since Lake Sevan is a seasonal destination and some shops and restaurant are close outside summer, so, it would be favorable if you have your own car or join a group tour during winter.
• Remember that summer is the peak season in Armenia, so it is best to schedule your trip on weekdays to avoid many crowds. 
• If you’re planning to stay only for a short period of time at Lake Sevan, joining a group tour is the best option to save money. This way, you can visit not only Sevan but also other popular tourist spots in Armenia.
• Please note that there are parking facilities near Lake Sevan.
• Take only memories, leave only footprints. 
• If you are visiting Lake Sevan during summer from July or August, don’t forget to swim in the lake.
• Bring bottled water to stay hydrated.
• Be a responsible traveler and help keep Lake Sevan clean.

Where to stay in Lake Sevan

There are numerous resorts and hotels available on Lake Sevan, depending on your budget. Just book in advance to ensure your reservation. You check for availability on Booking.com. You can also opt to do a day tour only and return to Yerevan, which I did.

Budget in Lake Sevan

The cost of traveling to Lake Sevan is considerably budget-friendly, especially if you join a group package tour. Based on my experience, most tourists spend around 40 to 50 USD in Yerevan if they join a group tour, including the food. This is already a package tour.

If only Lake Sevan, and you do it DIY. You might spend below 20 USD if you follow the public transportation option, or if staying for a night, allocate between 25 and 30 USD, including accommodation and food.

Suggested Itinerary to Lake Sevan from Yerevan if DIY

Day 1

9:00 am – Take Minibus/Minivan from Yerevan to Sevan

10:00 am- Ride a taxi from town of sevan to Lake Sevan

10:15 am- Hike to Sevanavank Monastery (250 steps stare)

11:00 am- Wander and roam around the Lake of Sevan

11:30 am- Take your Lunch.

12:00 pm- Return to Yerevan, (If you’re staying for a night, book a hotel, gaze stars at night and witness the sunrise with the amazing view of lake)

In case of joining a group tour, follow your time schedule in order to visit all tourist spot.

Essential things to bring in Lake Sevan

• Money in Cash (Armenian Dram)
• Comfortable shoes depends on the season you will visit
• Sunscreen for summer season
• Bottle of water
• Sun glass
• Light Snacks
• Cap for head & face sun protection
• Jacket for cold protection
• Power Bank

Tip: “Be at the moment”. Use this time to enjoy and reconnect with your friends, or if traveling solo, relax your mind and make the most of the time to reassess your own life. You can also bond with new people if you are joining a group tour and build friendships.

So, have you been to Lake Sevan? Please share your thoughts. I would like to know your experience.

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