Pilgrim's memo

At a glance: 5 days

1. Daypack (always with you on the march)

• –Water and food: 1–1.5 l of clean water (refills are organized at rest stops), a personal pocket snack for one sitting (crackers, nuts — take some for yourself and your neighbor).
• –Clothing and protection: a rain poncho, a light jacket for the evening, a hat or headscarf, SPF 50 sunscreen and a foam sit pad.
• –Safety and hygiene: a headlamp or hand flashlight, a pack of wet wipes.
• –Medicine: plenty of plasters, an elastic bandage and your own specific medications.
• –Documents and gadgets: passport in a waterproof bag, a power bank (devices can be charged at overnight stops, houses of culture and schools).

2. Luggage (mobile left-luggage service — issued at the overnight sites)

• –Gear: your own tent, sleeping bag and foam mat.
• –Change of clothes: a warm fleece or windbreaker for the evening (night temperatures by Lake Sevan drop to +15 °C).
• –Personal hygiene: a second pair of shoes, 2–3 pairs of walking socks, evening toiletries and a towel.

3. Rules of conduct in the column

• –One pace: all times on the route are calculated for the tail of the column — we leave no one behind and wait for the last pilgrim.
• –March discipline: molebens at all stops are communal for the whole body of pilgrims. While moving, smoking, alcohol, foul language and playing music through external speakers are forbidden.
• –Special zones: on difficult sections (including the Karenis gorge) enhanced medical and volunteer supervision is in effect.
• –Vardavar festival: at the final point it is strictly forbidden to douse people at church entrances. Children may be doused only with their parents' consent. A protected dry zone will be set up on the monastery grounds where the relics are brought out for common veneration — dousing is completely excluded in this sector. Please be careful with other people's camera gear and phones.

4. What to do if you fall behind the column

• –Stay calm: do not panic and keep moving strictly along the official route track.
• –Contact HQ: immediately reach the organizers via the 'HQ' button on the site's 'On the March' page.
• –Transport help: one small duty escort bus follows the tail of the column and will pick you up at the next rest stop (wherever the road allows). Remember: the bus cannot pass through the Karenis gorge — that section must be covered on foot.

5. Emergency contacts

• –The phone numbers of HQ, the duty medic and transport are on the site's 'On the March' page.
• –A link to the official Telegram channel of the march and a private chat for pilgrims is sent automatically after registration is confirmed.