Dsegh

Dsegh (Armenian: Դսեղ) is a village in Debed Canyon of Northern Armenia, which is especially famous thanks to its beautiful natural surroundings. Situated at an elevation of 1,250-1,350 meters above sea level, the village, surrounded by forested mountain slopes and deep canyons, is one of the highlights of the Debed canyon. Dsegh is the birthplace of one of the most celebrated of Armenian poets, Hovhannes Tumanyan.

Being a popular tourist destination, Dsegh offers several guest houses and B&Bs, hotels and also "WOW Glamping" for overnight.

You can easily walk around the village.

• 🌍 Hovhanness Tumanyan House Museum, Dsegh Village (take northeast branching road from the big roundabout in the center of the village 150 m), ☏ +37477906989, dseghmuseum@gmail.com. Tu-Sa 11:00-17:00, Su 11:00-18:00. Birthplace of one of Armenia's most celebrated writers, especially popular are his children's tales. A popular stop that is interesting as a well preserved pre-Soviet village house, as well as for the story of the writer and his life. The five rooms and upstairs living quarters invite visitors to experience the early life of Toumanian and his family in the early 19th century—from bread making in the kitchen to the sleeping quarters where Toumanian’s family gathered for songs and stories. The collection also features photographs, watercolors, and selected writings highlighting the personal life of Toumanian. Visitors should keep an eye out for an intricate sculpture of the writer on the second floor rendered in a piece of gold smaller than a grain of rice and also visit the memorial in the yard where Toumanian’s heart is buried. The museum is one of five branches of the Museum of Literature and Art after Yeghishe Charents in Yerevan. 

• 🌍 St. Grigori Monastery (Bardzrakash) (Surp Grigori can be accessed from the highway below it (this trail starts at confluence of Debed and Marts rivers), or from the fields above the cliffs; the hike is a little longer from below, but the road is much better, shorter and easier to find). This 10th-13th-century monastery is about 2 km north of Dsegh Village where a steep wooded path leads down the side of the gorge to the monastery around 500 meters from the road. The site holds a large collection of local khachkars and the remains of an ancient pagan shrine. The monastery is in this forest location and is surrounded by mature trees. Dating from 1221, the monastery was constructed during the reign of Gregori IV and is regarded as one of the finest in the country. The main church is the 13th-century Saint Astvatsatsin, Holy Mother of God, as written in an inscription of dedication on its walls. The entrance, parts of the southern and western walls, sections of flying arches, and pillars are still well preserved. ​The dome however has been lost, although fragments of stone carvings remain. South of the monastery is a medieval cemetery with the remains of a number of 13th-century khachkars and the tombs of members of the Mamikonian family. Saint Harutiun Chapel is located in the cemetery – one of the few examples of a 12th-century stepped roof – its walls and roof made from large slabs of basalt. A little further from the monastery is the site of a medieval bridge and the remains of the Mankants Vank Convent. 
• 🌍 Sirun Khach cross-stone (Sirun Khach Khachkar) (northwest of Jraghats’i Dzor, close to Matut Hogher). 
• 🌍 Monastery of Forty Saints (Karsnits Mankats Vank Monastery) (by foot only). 
• 🌍 Karasun Mankants church (On a trail west of the village.). 12th century (updated Oct 2019)

• Hike, bike, climb, camp, 4x4, photography.

Almost all hotels and B&Bs have their own restaurants.

• Kaghni Hotel, 52 Street Dsegh, ☏ +37433993939, kaghnihotel@gmail.com. Check-in: 15:00, check-out: 12:00. Kaghni Hotel Dsegh, 2.4 km from the Monastery of Bardzrakash St. Gregory, offers guests a free car park, a barber shop and a restaurant. Tsover Lake is about 50 metres from here. The venue is situated 1 km from Dsegh city centre. Hovhannes Tumanyan House Museum is also located near the hotel. You can get to the 12th-century Armenian Kobayr Monastery in a few minutes by car. The rooms feature a balcony and an electric kettle for guests' comfort. A buffet breakfast is available in the morning. Onsite you can engage in various activities, such as canoeing, hiking and cycling. 

• 🌍 Sona Guesthouse, ☏ +374 93 90 01 49, tatevik_bezhanyan@mail.ru. Sona Guesthouse is nestled in the picturesque village of Dsegh, famed as the birthplace of Hovhannes Toumanian, the great Armenian poet. 
• 🌍 Tufenkian Dzoraget, Dzoraget Village, Vanadzor-Alaverdi Highway (big basalt hotel, across river from highway, 19 km from Alaverdi). Luxury western hotel, with excellent comfortable rooms, design, views. Luxury prices as well. There is also a restaurant with a full (and expensive) menu. 54,000 dram. 

• Tumanyan - either by car, or by hiking past Bardzrakash Monastery
• Vanadzor
• Akhtala
• Alaverdi