Classic tour - 10 days

Program

Day 1: Yerevan

• Arrival at Zvartnots International Airport.
• Meeting at the airport and transfer to the hotel in Yerevan.
• Check-in and time to rest.
• In the afternoon, guided sightseeing tour of Yerevan, with a walk through the city center and an introduction to the history, architecture and atmosphere of the Armenian capital.
• In the evening, welcome dinner with Armenian cuisine.
• Overnight in Yerevan.

Day 2: Garni — Geghard — Yerevan

• Breakfast
• Departure from Yerevan to Garni Temple, Armenia’s best-preserved monument from the pre-Christian period.
• Descend into the Azat River Gorge to see the Symphony of Stones, an impressive natural formation of basalt columns.
• The day continues with a traditional lavash-making demonstration, with a chance to see how Armenia’s famous flatbread is baked in a tonir.
• Continue to Geghard Monastery, a medieval monastic complex surrounded by mountain cliffs, with part of its churches and chambers carved directly into the rock.
• Lunch at a local restaurant or family-run venue.
• Return towards Yerevan with a stop at the picturesque Azat Reservoir.
• Overnight in Yerevan.

Day 3: Khor Virap – Noravank – Areni – Karahunj – Goris

• Breakfast in the hotel
• Departure from Yerevan towards Khor Virap Monastery, one of Armenia’s most important pilgrimage sites. The monastery is closely associated with Gregory the Illuminator and the adoption of Christianity in Armenia. On a clear day, it offers one of the country’s most famous views of Mount Ararat.
• Continue through Vayots Dzor to Noravank Monastery, dramatically surrounded by towering red cliffs.
• Visit Areni-1 Cave, an important archaeological site where evidence of some of the world’s earliest known winemaking was discovered.
• Depending on the selected rate, visit a local winery for wine tasting and lunch.
• Continue south towards Goris, with a stop at Karahunj (Zorats Karer), one of Armenia’s most intriguing prehistoric archaeological sites.
• Arrival in Goris in the evening.
• Overnight in Goris.

Day 4: Khndzoresk – Tatev – Yerevan

• After breakfast, departure for Old Khndzoresk, known for its historic cave settlement and dramatic gorge.
• Walk across the suspension bridge and explore the unusual landscape, where caves were used as homes until the 20th century.
• Continue towards Tatev, crossing the spectacular Vorotan Gorge on the famous Wings of Tatev cable car.
• Visit Tatev Monastery, dramatically located on the edge of the gorge and once an important spiritual, cultural and educational center of medieval Armenia.
• After lunch, begin the journey back to Yerevan.
• On the way, stop at Shaki Waterfall, surrounded by the mountain landscapes of southern Armenia.
• Arrival in Yerevan in the evening.
• Overnight in Yerevan.

Day 5: Yerevan

• After several days on the road, this day is dedicated to discovering Yerevan at a more relaxed pace.
• Visit the Matenadaran, home to an extraordinary collection of ancient Armenian manuscripts and historical documents.
• Continue to Vernissage, Yerevan’s open-air market for Armenian handicrafts, art, jewelry and traditional souvenirs, followed by a visit to a local food market with fruits, dried fruits, spices, sweets and other Armenian products.
• The program also includes a visit to an Armenian carpet workshop, with an introduction to the traditions and techniques of carpet weaving.
• Lunch in Yerevan.
• Tհen we will visit Ararat brandy factory for tour and tasting
• Free time to enjoy the city center, cafés and evening atmosphere of the Armenian capital.
• Overnight in Yerevan.

Day 6:  Sevan – Dilijan – Haghartsin

• After breakfast, departure for Lake Sevan, surrounded by the mountains of Gegharkunik.
• Visit Sevanavank Monastery, set on a peninsula overlooking the lake.
• With good weather conditions, a boat ride on Lake Sevan 
• Continue to Dilijan, a mountain town surrounded by the forests of Dilijan National Park.
• After a walk through the historic part of Dilijan, continue through the forested mountains to Haghartsin Monastery, beautifully set among the woods.
• Lunch at a local guesthouse.
• Overnight in Dilijan.

Day 7: Dilijan – Sanahin – Haghpat – Yerevan

• After breakfast, departure from Dilijan towards Lori, one of Armenia’s most scenic northern regions.
• Travel through the Debed Gorge to Sanahin Monastery, an important medieval religious, cultural and educational center.
• Continue to Haghpat Monastery, located on a plateau overlooking the gorge and surrounding mountains.
• The journey through Lori reveals another side of Armenia — green mountains, deep valleys, small towns and medieval architecture very different from the landscapes of the south.
• Lunch in the region.
• Return to Yerevan in the evening.
• Overnight in Yerevan.

Day 8: Saghmosavank —  Amberd — Aragats

• After breakfast, departure towards Mount Aragats, the highest mountain in Armenia.
• Visit Saghmosavank and Hovhannavank monasteries, dramatically located above the deep Kasagh Gorge.
• Continue to the Armenian Alphabet Monument, dedicated to the Armenian script created in the early 5th century.
• The road then climbs towards Amberd Fortress, a medieval fortress standing high on the slopes of Mount Aragats.
• Weather and road conditions permitting, continue higher into the mountains to Lake Kari, located at approximately 3,200 meters above sea level.
• The day also includes a visit to a winery in the Aragatsotn region, with wine tasting depending on the selected rate.
• Lunch at a local restaurant.
• Return to Yerevan in the evening.

Day 9: Yerevan – Gyumri – Yerevan

• After breakfast, departure for Gyumri, Armenia’s second-largest city.
• Arrival to Gyumri and explore its historic center, known for old streets, 19th-century buildings and distinctive black and red volcanic tuff architecture.
• Visit the Black Fortress, one of the city’s best-known landmarks.
• Lunch in Gyumri and time to enjoy the atmosphere of a city famous throughout Armenia for its traditions, craftsmanship and sense of humor.
• Return to Yerevan in the evening.
• Overnight in Yerevan.

Day 10: Echmiadzin – Zvartnots

• Breakfast
• Departure for Echmiadzin (Vagharshapat), the spiritual center of the Armenian Apostolic Church.
• Visit Etchmiadzin Cathedral, as well as the ancient churches of Saint Hripsime and Saint Gayane.
• Continue to Zvartnots, where the impressive ruins of the 7th-century cathedral stand against the landscape of the Ararat Valley.
• Transfer to Zvartnots International Airport for departure.

Price for person:

Depending on the exchange rate, the cost of the tour in USD may vary. The price is indicated at the exchange rate as of 20.11.2024. courses: 1 USD = 385 AMD

ECONOMY RATE — lunches and wineries on days 3 and 8 are not included, hotel in Goris — Goris hotel, Khoreai dzor, hotel in Dilijan — Toon Armeni
STANDARD RATE — lunches and tasting at Momik wines or Stepanyan’s garden wineries on day 3 are included, hotel in Goris — Goris hotel, Khoreai dzor, hotel in Dilijan — Toon Armeni
PREMIUM RATE — lunches and tasting at Old Bridge winery on day 3 are included, excursion with tasting at the winery on day 8, as well as an excursion with tasting at the Yerevan Brandy Factory, hotel in Goris — Mirhav, hotel in Dilijan — Dilijan resort

Single room supplement  — 116 000 AMD /301$

The tour price includes:

• Meeting and transfers Airport – Hotel – Airport
• Comfortable transport with a driver for the entire route
• Accommodation in a 3* hotel with double occupancy
• Guide services
• Entrance tickets to the indicated museums and cultural centers, including the cable car in Tatev
• Welcome Dinner
• Breakfast at the hotel
• Nine lunches (Standard and Premium rates)
• Tour with tasting at two wineries (Standard and Premium rates)
• Ararat Brandy Factory tour and tasting (Premium Rate)
• Boat trip on Lake Sevan (for groups of 4 people or more)

The tour price does not include:

• Flight to Yerevan and back
• Other dinners
• Additional alcohol outside the program
• Medical insurance – recomended!
• Personal expenses