Accomodation
How to Get to Kalavan
Kalavan is located in the Gegharkunik Province, 45 minutes from Dilijan or Ijevan (and 2 hours and 15 minutes total from Yerevan). The last 10 minutes (7 km) of road were unpaved until recently, but you can now drive them easily in any vehicle (though there is still sometimes minor construction on the way up).
From Yerevan, you can take a bus from the Northern Bus Station to Dilijan (about 1.5 hours). Many shared taxis are also available for a few thousand dram or less. Once in Dilijan, we can send a neighbor to pick you up, or you can hire a local taxi or use Yandex. Alternatively, many of our guests and volunteers have easily hitchhiked here from Dilijan. If we happen to be in town on the day you arrive, we will be happy to pick you up for free.
To inquire about staying at the Kalavan Retreat Center, please use our contact form.
If you ever wanted to visit America but haven't been able to do it yet, then you must visit this little America that Gregory built in the middle of "Nowhere." "Nothingness" can be the Retreat Place for those who seek Rest from the Chaotic lifestyle of Modern Society. You will start experiencing the healing effect of the local Nature the very next day. Remote from the city's noise and hum, this place is ideal for meditation, to sit by the nearby river and watch one's negative thoughts being washed away by the everlasting flow of water. What else does a person need to recover?
Artur Gamsal
5-Star Google Review
I've been to The Kalavan Retreat Center a few times, and being surrounded by cats, a dog, beautiful people, and stunning nature is enough to feel content and disconnected from the city. It's the perfect place to clear your mind, explore the surrounding forests, and, overall, have an amazing time!
Mary Khachatryan
5-Star Facebook Review
The quality of the amenities surprised me, considering it's a village that does not have a direct connection to any local supply chain. The local duck and rabbit were great feasts to have. I also enjoyed the fresh cow milk when it was available.
Josh Plotkin
5-Star Facebook Review
The Kalavan Retreat Center is unique in Armenia. It's not a guest house or a hotel to go and spend a good weekend, but it is a place where people can visit to create, change, or realize their ideas and plans for their own lives, or maybe they simply want to change bad things about the society they are currently living in. So get ready to go there if you have great, innovative also creative ideas to share with Gregory!