Agarak: Holiday Apartments and Holiday Homes

A total of 69 butterfly species have been recorded in the Agarak area, representing 29% of all butterfly species in Armenia.

Nature

The area stretches across elevations of 585 to 1,890 metres on the eastern slopes of the southern Zangezur mountain range. Its landscape includes rocky semi-deserts, wormwood semi-deserts, variegated semi-deserts and shrubland semi-deserts, as well as juniper forests, riverside shrubland, the edges of deciduous forests and orchards.

The rocky areas of Agarak are home to Krueper's Small White; within Meghri District, this species is restricted to Agarak. Around half of the Agarak butterfly area lies within the Zangezur Biosphere Complex. Part of the Agarak area was included in the Emerald Sites network after being designated a Prime Butterfly Area in 2014.

There is also a path in the area called Agarak that has been designated as a butterfly-watching trail.

Trails and Observation

The Agarak Trail runs at an elevation of approximately 690 to 700 metres, is about 300 metres long and has a gradient of less than 5 degrees. The trail focuses on butterflies specialised in riparian habitats, in a jungle-like habitat surrounded by hot, dry semi-desert. More than 70 butterfly species can be observed on the Agarak Trail over the course of the year.

Birds reported along the Agarak Trail include Levant Sparrowhawk, Hobby, Syrian Woodpecker and Golden Oriole. National park staff have been trained in species identification and in guiding visitors on the Agarak Trail. The best time to visit the Agarak Trail is considered to be from mid-May to mid-June, when approximately 40 to 50 butterfly species are flying.

Agarak City Park is a tree-rich urban green space that attracts songbirds, woodpeckers and seasonal migratory birds. From Meghri, Agarak City Park can be reached by car via the M2.

Those wishing to rent a holiday apartment in Agarak can continue their accommodation search afterwards. Discover more destinations: Halidzor, Tatev, Sissian, Ashotavan, Kapan, Goris, Meghri.

To the main travel overview: Syunik.