If the Wings of Tatev is a flight through the clouds, then a trip to Khndzoresk is a walk into a hidden world.
Old Khndzoresk is a historic cave village carved into the cliffs of Armenia’s rugged Syunik region. For centuries, thousands of residents lived in man-made dwellings cut directly into the rock. The village is unique for its vertical design: because the houses were built into steep slopes, the roof of one home often served as the courtyard for the neighbor living above.
The path to these ancient caves is the Khndzoresk Swinging Bridge. This long bridge hangs high above the valley floor and shakes slightly as you walk, giving you an exciting thrill. Built by the local villagers themselves, the bridge connects the modern world to the old "City of Caves." As you cross, you can see the whole canyon, including strange rock towers and the old stone Church of St. Hripsime standing quietly among the empty homes.
Visiting Khndzoresk is a real adventure that starts with walking down a long set of stairs into the heart of the canyon. Once you are at the bottom, you can explore the caves, find the grave of the famous hero Mkhitar Sparapet, and hike through green trails filled with old fruit trees. For a small fee of about 1,000 AMD (around $2.50), you can spend the day exploring a place where history feels alive in every stone.
If you want to explore more, read our comprehensive blog about the mysterious swinging bridge.
