A group of like-minded international Armenians have joined hands to create an inclusive, pan-Armenian tent camping and hiking initiative called Camp Bjni. Located 45 minutes northeast of Yerevan and directly beside the Hrazdan River, Camp Bjni’s tent compound will open in 2025 to welcome guests June through October while the camping lodge will remain open year-round.
Economist Mikayel Sukiasyan leads the initiative along with journalist Lucine Kasbarian, filmmaker Sevana Bardakjian, businessman Garo Shadoyan with the backing from native Armenian and Diasporan supporters.
Camp Bjni’s lead proprietor, Mikayel Sukiasyan, has ancestral roots in Bjni. As a third generation Yerevantsi and dual US-Armenia citizen, Mikayel spent summers in his youth visiting Bjni with his grandmother who was born and raised there. Sukiasyan purchased a plot of land to one day build his own summer house in Bjni and construction began in 2022. During the building process, however, Sukiasyan began to think about how much he’d like to share the natural beauty of Bjni with his fellow Armenians.
With the help of like-minded friends in the Diaspora, Sukiasyan purchased a second plot of land directly across from the first. Together the collective decided to launch a tent campground for hikers and nature lovers and Camp Bjni was born. Today, Sukiasyan’s philosophy is summed up by the American nature preservationist John Muir who said, “Going to the mountains is going home.”
“Here, we offer guests a place to rest, relax, and enjoy our remarkable scenery, fresh mountain air and water and the rich, wild flora and fauna of this beautiful land,” says Sukiasyan. “Visitors can commune with sympatico people, camp, hike, bike, fish, swim, sunbathe, raft, bird watch, sight-see, barbecue, visit mineral water spas, take part in local culinary customs, learn about village history or simply detach from busy city life, reconnect with nature and renew.”
Sukiasyan states that there are several ways to enjoy Camp Bjni. Guests can reserve a space in the camping corral and bring their own camping gear or rent equipment from the management. They can also reserve one of three bedrooms in the lodge (Sev Khrjit), reserve the entire property for conferences, retreats and special events, or participate in a Camp Bjni day hike or cultural event.
Bjni’s natural setting offers invigorating hiking, sporting and leisure activities and a glimpse into Armenian history. Camp Bjni guests may hike to the highlands of Bjni to experience exhilarating views and national treasures such as the Bjni Fortress (9c); St. Asdvadzadzin Monastery (10c); Mayravank Monastery (11c); the Dzag Kar natural monument, countless scattered high-elevation sanctuaries throughout the hamlet or simply explore high mountain trails and the village itself.
Camp amenities ensure the maximum comfort of guests and are described in greater detail on the website www.campbjni.com
To contact Camp Bjni, reach out to: [email protected] or visit www.instagram.com/camp.bjni
