New and Old Harjis are villages in the Syunik province of Armenia

, located 79 km to the north of the center of the province, Kapan, on the left bank of the Vorotan River, at an altitude of 1,700-1,730 m. The closest city is Goris, at 24 km.The easiest path leading from the village to the Vorotan Canyon descends to the west of the cliff, and is comfortably covered by foot. The villagers used to be engaged in cattle-breeding and cultivation, and would actively trade with the travelers on the important roads leading to Nakhijevan, Karabakh and Gardman. In the mid 18th century, Turks from the Upper Kirder region had intentions to capture Harjis, but they were afraid of its brave chief. In the evening, they invited him to dinner, got him drunk, and left him in a slumber. In the morning, he woke up, went outside and looked in the direction of Harjis only to see smouldering houses, his village burned. He died on the spot of a heart attack. Only two people were saved, a young girl and boy; the former settled in the nearby Halidzor village, the latter was sold to Turks in Nakhijevan. A priest followed his tracks, found him and returned the boy to Tatev Monastery. The boy, Ghukas, matured and though the initial idea was for him to become a friar, the priest changed his mind, saying that as his home village was now deserted, they should start it anew through him. Instead of taking him back to Old Harjis, they built a church (St. Minas) and a rock-hewn house (Hambu ghab) into the base of the cliff. Ghukas married a girl from Tatev and around their new home grew a village, Yayji, a natural hiding place visible neither from plateau, nor from the road near the Vorotan River. In 1931, an earthquake flattened the village, fortunately without human casualties.

Flora

The river’s melody, rustling leaves, starry sky, intoxicating scent of plants and other sounds of nature will definitely leave an unforgettable impression of this place. The hike crosses through oak and hornbeam forests, where hawthorn, brier, wild pear, wild apple, maple and elm trees also grow. The Vorotan River, the largest river of the Zangezur region, flows through the Harjis Canyon. The vast Vorotan Canyon is quite well-known in the Caucasus, with a depth of almost 800 m. The “Sosi and Zangezur” and “Shikahogh” reserves are also in this region. Within them are a number of other valuable and unique species, such as Greek walnut, Araks oak, Greek Silk vine, and velvety spindle tree. A number of species of fir grow near Harjis.

Fauna

Brown bears, wolves, foxes, porcupines, moles, seven species of lizards, eight species of snakes, and two species of turtles are often seen in the area. Lizards (including the shy European snake-eyed skin), cat snakes and Transcaucasian snakes are uncommon but not unheard of. The song of forest magpies and black thrushes will accompany hikers during the whole length of the trail. Other species of bird living here are eagles, large and small titmice, chaffinches,the blackhead, mountain and garden heaven-keepers and the corn bunting.