Starting point: SISSIAN
Ending point: ECHMIADZIN
Bike—95km./59mi.; Drive—155km./97mi.; Total—250km./156mi.

In a cool, morning breeze we rode to Brnagot, a village neighboring Sissian. In a field at the base of mountains leading to Nakhichevan, ATG farmers Sevada Ivanyan and Araik Tangyan tend an experimental plot of wheat varieties from the U.S., France, Russia, and Armenia, and larger plots for seed multiplication. ATG agronomists Gagik Mkrtchyan and Vaghinak Kamrastyan walked the riders through the fields, and were accompanied by Emma Kojoyan, World Vision’s Sissian director, who is cooperating with ATG in the Brnagot project. Kojoyan commented on the importance of ATG’s work in this border region, and the high quality of wheat seed in the field. From Brnagot, we drove to Karahunj, the rock observatory dating back to 5,000 B.C., investigating how our ancestors studied the heavens and seeing the ruins of an old fire-worshipping temple, now in ruins. Back on the main road, the cyclists headed back towards the Ararat Valley, stopping at the Areni Winery and the classic monastery of Noravank. Built by Momik in the 14th century, the monastery is located on a plateau, surrounded by high mountains of red rock. Climbing up the narrow steps to the second story of the church, we saw where services were held, the bottom floor a burial place for the Orbelian dynasty. After seeing the khachkars in the smaller church, and hearing about the history of Noravank from the church guard, we drove back to the main road and on to the Ararat Valley, passing ATG wheat fields along the roadside in the villages of Ararat, Vosketap, and Khor Virab. Reaching Khor Virab, we photographed Mt. Ararat and climbed down stairs into the pit where St. Gregory stayed 13 years until the conversion of King Trdat to Christianity in 301 AD. From Khor Virab, we made our way to Ashtarak, where we enjoyed dinner at a restaurant alongside the Kasakh River.

To see a map of the route, click here

Itinerary:

• ATG-related Sites:
  • Sis village – ATG land reclamation project
• Tourist Sites:
  • Noravank monastery (12th Century)
  • Paruir Sevag Home Museum (1972)
  • Khor Virab monastery (3rd Century)
  • St. Echmiadzin Cathedral (4th Century)
• Meeting(s):
  • Representatives of Sis village Non-Profit Benevolent Organization
• Hotel:
  • Van hotel in Echmiadzin

If you wish to participate in any part of the upcoming Bike-a-Thon IV, please e-mail us at info@atgusa.org.

For more information about how you can help rural Armenia, contact the ATG office at (559) 224-1000 or by e-mail (info@atgusa.org). Tax-deductible donations can be sent to ATG; 1300 E. Shaw, Suite 149; P.O.Box 5969; Fresno, CA 93755-5969.
You may also donate to ATG online.