Classic tour - 8 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: Dilijan — Haghartsin — Sevan

• After breakfast, departure from Yerevan to Dilijan, a mountain town surrounded by the forests of Dilijan National Park.
• Walk through the historic part of Dilijan, with its traditional architecture, small workshops and relaxed atmosphere.
• Continue through the forested mountains to Haghartsin Monastery, a medieval monastic complex beautifully set among the woods.
• After lunch, departure for Lake Sevan.
• Visit Sevanavank Monastery, set on a peninsula overlooking the lake, with panoramic views of Sevan and the surrounding mountains.
• With good weather conditions, a boat ride on Lake Sevan
• Return to Yerevan in the evening.
• 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 the landscapes of 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: Garni — Geghard — Yerevan

• After 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.
• After lunch, return towards Yerevan with a stop at the picturesque Azat Reservoir.
• Overnight in Yerevan.

Day 6: Yerevan – Gyumri – Yerevan

• After breakfast, departure for Gyumri, Armenia’s second-largest city and a place with a character quite different from Yerevan.
• Explore the historic center, known for its 19th-century architecture, old streets and buildings constructed from distinctive black and red volcanic tuff.
• 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 7: Yerevan

• After breakfast, the 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.
• Depending on the selected rate, visit the Ararat Brandy Factory for a guided tour and tasting.
• Continue to Vernissage, Yerevan’s open-air market for Armenian handicrafts, art, jewelry and traditional souvenirs.
• Visit a local food market, filled with Armenian fruits, dried fruits, spices, sweets and other regional products.
• The program also includes a visit to an Armenian carpet workshop, with an introduction to the traditions and techniques of carpet weaving.
• Lunch and free time in central Yerevan.
• Overnight in Yerevan.

Day 8: Echmiadzin – Zvartnots

• After breakfast, departure for Echmiadzin, 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 winery on day 3 are not included, hotel in Goris — Goris hotel, Khoreai dzor
STANDARD RATE — lunches and tasting at Momik wines or Stepanyan’s garden winery on day 3 are included, hotel in Goris — Goris hotel, Khoreai dzor
PREMIUM RATE — lunches and tasting at Old Bridge winery on day 3 are included, as well as an excursion with tasting at Yerevan Brandy Factory, hotel in Goris — Mirhav

Single room supplement  — 88 000 AMD /228$ 

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
• Seven lunches (Standard and Premium Rates)
• Tour with tasting at  winery (Standard and Premium Rates)
• Ararat Brandy Factory tour and tasting (Premium Rate)
• Boat trip on Lake Sevan (for groups of 4 people and more)

The tour price does not include:

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