Armenia has seen a strong boost in tourism in recent years, with over 334,000 foreign visitors in August 2025 with an 11.1% increase from the same month a year prior.
Bordered by Turkey to the west and Iran to the south, the country is generally viewed as a safe and welcoming destination for travelers. However, the U.S. State Department is now urging caution in one specific area: the village of Yeraskh in Armenia’s Ararat region.
In an updated travel advisory issued September 5, 2025, U.S. officials warn that while driving through Yeraskh is permitted, stopping there is not. This unusual restriction has drawn fresh attention due to safety concerns in the border area.
The Level 2: Exercise Increased Caution advisory for Armenia remains in effect as of late 2025. Although it is not a “do not travel” warning for the country as a whole, it highlights specific border zones where the risk of armed conflict is elevated.
The caution comes amid heightened tensions between Armenia and neighboring Azerbaijan. Past military action has occurred near their shared border, and officials cite the potential for renewed conflict in those areas. Reports of cross-border shooting incidents have continued this year despite a ceasefire, underscoring why authorities are keeping these warnings in place.
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Border Regions Highlighted as High-Risk
The U.S. travel advisory emphasizes a “Do Not Travel” warning for Armenia’s frontier with Azerbaijan. In practice, this means certain districts and routes near the border are deemed unsafe for any non-essential travel.
Even U.S. Embassy personnel in Armenia are prohibited from visiting these areas for personal travel, underlining the seriousness of the threat. The specific areas of concern include:
- Gegharkunik Province (east of Vardenis): A section of Gegharkunik along Lake Sevan’s eastern shore, bordering Azerbaijan, is off-limits due to past clashes.
- Syunik Province (east of Goris & south of Kapan): The eastern and southern parts of Syunik (Armenia’s southernmost region) border Azerbaijan’s territory and are considered high-risk. Travelers are advised to avoid these border-adjacent districts.
- Yeraskh Village (Ararat Province): This small village lies on Armenia’s southwest border with Azerbaijan’s Nakhchivan exclave. Travel through Yeraskh is allowed, but stopping is strictly prohibited under the advisory. In other words, drivers may transit the main road through this village without lingering.
According to the State Department, these precautions are necessary because “some parts of the road may cross international borders without warning,” and armed checkpoints or sudden road closures are possible in the border zone.
The guidance to keep moving through Yeraskh — not stopping even briefly — suggests that the vicinity remains volatile. U.S. officials want travelers to avoid being stationary targets in an area where stray gunfire or military incidents could occur with little warning.
Yeraskh’s Location and Border Tensions
Yeraskh is located in Armenia’s Ararat region, near the point where Armenian territory meets the Azerbaijani enclave of Nakhchivan. The frontier here has been a flashpoint at times, despite the absence of open border crossings.
In mid-2023, for example, a U.S.-affiliated company constructing a steel plant in Yeraskh came under repeated gunfire from across the border, injuring two workers and damaging equipment. Such incidents highlight the security risks in this area.
Armenian and Azerbaijani forces have periodically exchanged fire along various sections of the border, even after a 2020 war over the Nagorno-Karabakh region. While full-scale hostilities have ceased, sporadic shootings and ceasefire violations continue to be reported , keeping border communities on edge.
This context explains why U.S. travel authorities remain focused on the Yeraskh locality and other frontier zones – it’s not that Armenia overall is dangerous, but rather that these specific spots carry outsized risks.
Notably, Armenia as a whole is still rated comparably to many European destinations for general safety. The State Department’s Level 2 advisory (“Exercise Increased Caution”) for Armenia is the same level it assigns to countries like France, Italy, and Thailand.
Day-to-day life in Yerevan and tourist hubs is calm, and violent crime rates are low. However, the advisory’s fine print draws attention to border hotspots where unfinished political conflicts can pose a danger to unwary travelers.
By issuing a special warning about Yeraskh, U.S. officials are effectively drawing a red line on the map around one particularly exposed village.
Why It Matters for Travelers
For travelers planning to drive or tour around Armenia, these warnings have practical implications. Transport and transit routes that pass near the Azerbaijani border may be affected.
The main highway through the Ararat region runs past Yeraskh, so anyone traveling that route (for instance, en route to southern provinces) needs to plan not to stop in the village or surrounding area.
This means arranging fuel, food, or rest breaks in safer localities before or after the restricted zone. Overland tour itineraries that include the Ararat region might require adjustments to avoid any scheduled stops in Yeraskh.
Travel experts note that being geographically aware is key – one can enjoy Armenia’s many attractions safely by steering clear of the few high-risk border areas.
Tour operators and self-driving visitors alike should stay on main roads and heed all posted warnings or military checkpoints near conflict lines. If a road is temporarily closed by authorities, it’s crucial to comply and not attempt detours through border villages.
It’s also advisable for foreign visitors in Armenia to take general safety precautions given the circumstances. The U.S. Embassy in Yerevan encourages travelers to enroll in the Smart Traveler Enrollment Program (STEP) to receive security updates.
Having an emergency plan and travel insurance that covers evacuation or medical needs is recommended as well. In short, while Armenia remains open and hospitable to tourism, staying informed about advisories like the Yeraskh warning will help travelers avoid unwittingly putting themselves in harm’s way.
Bottom Line
The U.S. travel advisory update serves as a reminder that even in otherwise peaceful countries, border flashpoints can present outsized dangers. By obeying the “do not stop in Yeraskh” rule and steering clear of other flagged regions, visitors can continue to explore Armenia’s rich culture and landscapes without incident.
The vast majority of the country – from the capital city of Yerevan to ancient monasteries and mountain lakes – remains calm and welcoming. As long as travelers exercise increased caution in line with official guidance, they can safely enjoy all that Armenia offers, while avoiding those few trouble spots along the frontier.
Sources: The U.S. State Department Armenia Travel Advisory ; news reports from NEWS.am ; Travel Off Path travel advisory analysis ; Reuters news on regional tensions ; and local Armenian media.