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Khndzoresk

Plizio editorial teamUpdated: Jun 2026Data Sources

Landmark

Weather…

The ancient village of Khndzoresk in the Syunik province is one of the most extraordinary testimonies of human settlement history in the Caucasus. This steep cave village was inhabited until the 1950s. People lived here in a complex system of natural and artificial caves carved into the soft tuff rock, built in terraces into the gorge. It is estimated that the village once had up to 15,000 inhabitants. Today, 'Old Khndzoresk' is an abandoned yet fascinating open-air museum being reclaimed by nature. The absolute thrill for visitors is the 160-meter-long suspension bridge, built by locals in 2012. It spans the deep gorge, connecting the new village with the historical cave dwellings. The bridge sways slightly when crossing and gives a panoramic, albeit slightly scary, view of the cave system and the lush green landscape below. On the other side, tourists can climb into the caves and imagine what life was like here for centuries. A trip to Khndzoresk can easily be combined with a visit to the nearby Tatev Monastery. Hiking through the gorge is an adventure where you stumble upon abandoned churches and cemeteries, including the tomb of the 18th-century Armenian military commander Mkhitar Sparapet. Comfortable shoes are essential for the steep paths and stairs.

Location: Armenia
Top sights: Mataghatumb · Ditaket · Old Khndzoresk
Nearby: Goris (9 km)
Population: ~1.922 (2026)

Best time to visit & climate

The most pleasant time to visit is Jun–Aug.

	Jan	Feb	Mar	Apr	May	Jun	Jul	Aug	Sep	Oct	Nov	Dec
Avg °C	-4	-2	2	6	12	16	18	18	15	9	2	-2
Rain mm	15	17	31	37	46	28	13	11	17	29	21	16

📋 Practical info

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Visiting

Khndzoresk is an abandoned cave settlement in a steep gorge. The caves and the famous suspension bridge are freely accessible and can be visited both from outside and partially inside.

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Typical hours

The site is typically accessible around the clock as it is unguarded. There are no fixed opening hours - best visited during daylight.

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Photography

Photography is allowed everywhere. The spectacular suspension bridge and the caves carved into the rock offer fantastic subjects, especially in good light.

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Time needed

Plan about one and a half to two hours for walking across the bridge and exploring the caves. If you also use the surrounding hiking trails, allow more time.

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Combine with

Combine your visit with the nearby Tatev Cave Monastery or the city of Goris. The ride on the impressive Tatev airport (cable car) is also recommended.

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Getting there

Khndzoresk is about 10 km south of Goris. By car, you can reach the parking lot in front of the bridge. Alternatively, you can take a taxi from Goris.

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Insider tip

Walk across the bridge in the late afternoon when the light is soft and the gorge glows golden. Watch your step - the bridge floor can be slippery.