If you’ve ever Googled “Armenia,” chances are the first images you saw of the country were taken in Ararat, one of 10 provinces that make up the country. It’s also likely that you saw Khor Virap Monastery, one of Armenia’s most important pilgrimage sites, with Mt. Ararat dominating the horizon in the background. And it makes sense – Mt. Ararat is visually stunning and Armenia's most important national symbol, even if it may not be within the borders of Armenia today.

Most travelers really only experience these two sites when in Ararat: Khor Virap, and the view of Mt. Ararat from the window of a moving vehicle. In fact, most travelers just pass through the region, skipping some pretty spectacular outdoor adventures, some of the best wines Armenia has to offer, and what some call the most delicious fruit and vegetables they’ve ever tasted.

It may not seem like it at first, but this region has been at the center of Armenian civilization for millennia. When members of the global Armenian diaspora think of the homeland, more often than not, images of Ararat’s endless orchards and vineyards are conjured, with Mt. Ararat peeking through the trees above.

This regional guide will help you go beyond the picturesque views and experience everything this fascinating part of Armenia has to offer.