Jrambar: Holiday Apartments and Holiday Homes

Jrambar is closely connected to the Aparan Reservoir. From the M-3, a road near the southern end of the reservoir leads into the town and crosses an earth dam with views over the water. Anyone wishing to rent a holiday apartment in Jrambar can continue searching for accommodation afterward.

Nature

The Aparan Reservoir offers opportunities for camping, picnicking, and hiking. The marked Oh Dam! trail leads to ruins and through forests and summer meadows around the reservoir. The reservoir was built between 1962 and 1967 and has a water surface of 7.9 square kilometers.

The Aparan Reservoir loop trail is divided into a Big Loop and a Small Loop. Both pass through pine forests and alpine meadows, while the Big Loop features steep ascents. The loop trail runs through pine forests and offers views of the reservoir as well as the peaks of Mount Aragats.

Hiking

The Aparan Reservoir Loop is described as an easy 10-kilometer hike taking approximately three hours. Access points are available from the Jrambar side and in the direction of the village of Yeghiapatrush. In winter, the loop can be hiked with snowshoes.

Access to the trail on the Jrambar side requires driving across the dam. Guards may sometimes even prevent people from crossing on foot.

History and Culture

The ruins of St. Poghos-Petros Church on the shore of the reservoir date from the first half of the 5th century and were rebuilt in the 6th century. The ruins may be submerged by the reservoir, while the church cross remains visible. The Aparan Reservoir Loop also passes the ruins of Old Zovuni, an abandoned settlement near Jrambar.

The Zovuni monuments along the cycling route were dismantled when the reservoir was filled and rebuilt block by block at their present location. On a low hill overlooking the reservoir, the cycling route passes the St. Vartan Mausoleum, the Tukh Manuk Shrine, khachkars, and a stele dating from the 5th to the 7th century.

The Poghos Petros Basilica along the cycling route dates from the 5th to the 6th century and is occasionally flooded by the lake.

Cycling Route

The Aparan Reservoir Biking Tour is a 30-kilometer loop route over unpaved paths and paved roads with little traffic. After three kilometers along the western side of the Kasach Gorge, it reaches Jrambar. The route also passes directly by a colony of sand martins.

More local pages: Byurakan, Oshakan, Awan, Yernjatap, Ashtarak.

To the higher-level travel overview: Aragatsotn.