Tonashen
From Janapar
Tonashen (Տոնաշեն) is a village located in Martakert Region. This is the gateway village to the stunning nature of Trghi River Canyon, and perhaps the nicest monastery built in the region in the past 500 years, Yerits Mankants Monastery (Three Youths). If you take the road to the monastery, rather than hike over the mountain, you will first past the impregnable Jraberd Fortress, whose natural fortifications are much more impressive than the man made ones, and who's recent tunnel access is the only realistic way to enter a still very slippery and dangerous climb up and in.
You cannot enter this village without prior arrangement with Mushegh, along with permission from the Ministry of Foreign Affairs. By you cannot enter, I mean you must pass through military bases and check points to access Tonashen, and will not be allowed through without prior notification. If Mushegh is not available, the Ministry of Foreign Affairs may be able to help you with other means of obtaining permission to visit, or you can just show up and hope for a commander to be kind enough to grant you both permission and a guide, but there is no guarantee.
The village stretches as a triangle on the left, slopy bank of river Tartar. The by-river district is called Geti gomer, the top part of the triangle occupies district Shinategh, the third district is called Soghomoni gomer.
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History
Sites
Yerits Mankants Monastery and Jraberd Fortress, mentioned above, are by far the star attractions. In addition to these you will find:
Ruins of Gyughakaghak Jermuk in the area of the same name in village Tonashen.
Near Ughti Garun (ught = camel, garun = spring season) there is a large rock, in the central part of which, in the depth is put a stone inscribed with: “Syunik’s boundary”. Here are also situated two churches with a common name Tchoght Yeghtsi and ruins of village Tagavoraser. The stony spring Chinari is relatively well preserved.
In Shinategh district remain ancient half-destroyed constructions, in village Tutot, as the only evidence of the ravaged settlement stands church Kotrats Yeghtsi- a monument of XIIIc. By Yeritsmankants monastery is presently uninhabited village Khotorashen-Khokhomashen.
Bridge Geti Gomer, crossed over river Tartar, connects village Tonashen with mills and villages Masghvuz and Lyulasaz. According to the abuilding inscription the bridge was built in 1902 by means of Tonashen’s inhabitant Harutyun Hayrapetyan. The inscription also has the architect’s name: “The master of this bridge is Abraham Kamalyants from (village) Gyune- Tchartar”.
In Soghominigomer district remain two memorial springs: Ruzan’s spring and Verdi Sargsyan’s monument spring.
Homestays
Mushegh
(097) 27-10-61
Mushegh acts as both a coordinator/guide and can locate a homestay for you as well. He is an avid hunter and is in the military as well. His own home is too crowded for guests, but he can find you a place to stay if you are spending the night. Conditions may be very poor however. Mushegh's house however does have an outdoor hot shower you may be able to use.
Camping
Trails
The hike from Tonashen to Yerits Mankants Monastery is either via the military road, or through the forest. It has a length of about 12-15km each way, and will take 4-5 hours. You should be in good shape to do this in a day, or if you arrange ahead of time may be able to camp out at the monastery, or you can try to arrange to drive to the monastery.
This village/region/monastery is in a restricted area. Those without Armenian/Karabakhtsi residency should obtain permission to visit. 