The Times (London)
June 11, 2005, Saturday

Ghost-spotting time

Jill Crawshaw

A SEPTEMBER expedition in search of the rare Persian leopard is being
organised by the People’s Trust for Endangered Species (PTES), the
only charity to run a UK wildlife trip to Armenia.

One of the last strongholds of these “invisible ghosts” -so-called
for their ability to live near people but remain unseen -is the
spectacular 250 sq km (100 sq m) Khosrov Reserve in the southeast, a
former royal hunting forest, where numerous leopard caves have been
spotted. Bezoar goats, Armenian moufflon and Syrian bears are among
the other endangered species in the reserve.

The 11-day tour also visits Lake Sevan, at 1,900m (6,200ft) one of
the world’s highest lakes, and a clutch of monasteries including the
4th-century Geghard monastery, built into the side of a mountain. The
landlocked, mountainous republic, which is smaller than Belgium, was
the first country to adopt Christianity -in AD301.

Travellers won’t go hungry on the tour: barbecued meat, bozbash soup,
sheep’s cheese and stuffed peppers feature on menus. And locals are
quick to point out that Sir Winston Churchill always preferred
Armenian to French brandy.

The expedition dates are September 14-24, the cost £845 for internal
transport, accommodation and meals, but not flights, which cost £519.