Sari Janaparh by HDIF

We in HDIF have been up at the Sari Janaparh (Mountain Road) quite often recently! Why? Because that region that straddles Tavush and Gegharkunik provinces is way off the beaten track - literally on the other side of the mountain from the heavily used asphalt road, and right on the border. That's why HDIF is focusing on this region. Tourism has never reached that area. There has not been a decent place to stay. And there has not been tempting places to eat. Poverty is high. Jobs other than the military are hard to find.

We are seeing the results of our had work and that of others. The groundwork for sustainable development is being laid.

Places to Stay: There is a very nice four room bed and breakfast in Artsvaberd. Two more rooms will be added at the gastroyard in Norashen if we can raise the funds. Within two months, four B&B rooms will be ready for use at the Bears & Berries center in Berd. And HDIF's affiliate in the US has raised funds to development two rooms and a kitchen/dining area at a B&B in the village of Tavush. That is 12 rooms in the entire region that are of a standard for tourists. HDIF has done intensive hospitality trainings with the owners... clean toilet, quality mattress, and hundreds of other little points that are important for a successful host to know.  This is giving solid results.

Things to Eat: This is still sparse in the Sari Janaparh region, and where we want to focus in the next phase of the project. There is a nice gastroyard in Norashen run by a young couple, also with a wonderful bread baking capacity. There is the potential for another gastroyard in the village of Tavush. There is one modern cafe in Berd. But otherwise, things are sparse and thus our focus on this part of the successful tourism package. 

Things to Do: It's getting very exciting! Hiking is a natural. There are incredible views from almost every village in the region. HDIF has already hiked from the B&B in Artsvaberd to the gastroyard in Norashen, through waving fields of grain and vast stretchs of sunflowers and panorama views all around. There is an Eco Education Center in Martuni on the Getik Valley end of the Sari Janaparh, and the Bears & Berries Eco Center in Berd. There is a high tech agriculture education unit at Bears & Berries and another will be coming at the school in Nerkin Karmiraghyur. In Aygepar, HDIF has started an intensive community development project, which we hope will result in hand made production units which will give master classes. And in Berd there is a carpet weaving center which is well worth a visit. Also in Berd is a kids' art studio. All this in this forgotten corner of Armenia.

Your conrtibution to HDIF's Sari Janaparh project lets us push this forward. There is so much left to be done - there are 18 villages on the Berd end of the Sari Janaparh, and half a dozen on the Getik Valley end. We want to bring opporunities to entrepreneurs in as many of these as possible, one small project at a time - with your help.

If you want to adopt a specific project, let us know! We have a dozen years of experience doing this work. We love it, and want to do more.

Links:

• Sari Janaparh's Facebook Page