Zorats Karer, Karahunj

Zorats Karer (Karahunj) is a prehistoric archaeological site officially named as Karahunj Observatory. It is located in an area of around 7 hectares and covers the site nearby the Dar River canyon, close to the city of Sisian. The site is rich with basalt stone settings, burial cists and standing stones. According to archaeo-astronomers the standing stones could have been used for astronomical observations. The ancient site is supposed to be 7,500-Year-old and is often called the ''Armenian Stonehenge''. 

The Complex consists of the central circle, the north arm, the south arm, N-E alley, the chord (crossing the circle) and separate standing stones, in total registered 223 stones. About 80 of the stones feature a circular hole, although only 37 of the stones, with 47 holes, are still standing.

Zorats Karer (Karahunj) is located in Syunik Province, around 240km / 4 hours from the Capital city, Yerevan. It is highly recommended to take a 2-days tour to Syunik Province and visit some of the World Heritages registered by UNESCO.

Nearby destinations

Accommodation:

Stay in hotels and B&B's in Goris.

Leave No Trace

  • Plan ahead & be prepared
  • Dispose the waste properly
  • Leave what you find
  • Minimize campfire impacts
  • Respect the wildlife
  • Be considerate of other visitors

Roads conditions

It is winter time! Check out road conditions before heading to the road! Beware of the snow & ice layer!

Vanadzor - Alaverdi section of the M6 Interstate highway stretching from Yerevan to Georgian border is temporarily closed. You can use Vanadzor-Stepanavan-Odzun-Alaverdi bypassing road.

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