Day 1: Arrival in Armenia – Evening walk in Yerevan
Arrival in Yerevan, transfer to hotel. Check-in.
Evening walking tour around Armenia’s capital. The history of Yerevan dates back to 782 B.C. when the Erebuni fortress was founded by Urartian king Argishti I. Learn about the history of Yerevan during a walking tour around the downtown, which includes the iconic Republic Square with its unique architecture and buildings of red tuff, the Abovyan street with its 19-century architecture, the pedestrian Northern Avenue, the Yerevan Opera and Ballet Theater and many more.
Overnight in Yerevan.
Day 2: Kond neighborhood – Matenadaran museum – Cascade Complex – Ararat Brandy Factory – Armenian Genocide Memorial
Kond is one of the oldest neighborhoods of Yerevan, dating back to the 17th-18th centuries. Enjoy a pleasant walk along the narrow streets of Kond to get acquainted with the spirit of old Yerevan and its intriguing architecture.
Next up is the Matenadaran museum of ancient manuscripts that houses thousands of books, manuscripts, documents and maps, the oldest of which dates back to the 8th century and the largest weighs 28 kg. After the tour at the museum, a short walk will take you to the famous Cascade complex that houses the Cafesjian Center for the Arts featuring works by renowned contemporary artists.
Free time. Lunch on your own in one of the cafes in downtown Yerevan.
After lunch visit the Yerevan Brandy Company for touring and VIP tasting of the legendary Ararat brandy. During the tour you will get acquainted with the history of Armenian brandy.
Conclude the day visiting the Armenian Genocide memorial at the Tsitsernakaberd hill to learn about one of the most tragic pages of Armenian history. The memorial consists of three main monuments: the Memorial Wall, the Sanctuary of Eternity (Memorial Hall and Eternal Flame) and the Memorial Column “The Reborn Armenia.”
Transfer to the hotel. Overnight in Yerevan.
Day 3: Etchmiadzin Cathedral – Zvartnots Temple – Yerevan – National Art Gallery
Visit the UNESCO world heritage sites of Etchmiadzin Cathedral and Zvartnots Temple. The Cathedral of Etchmiadzin is the mother church of the Armenian Apostolic Church, founded in 301 AD. Armenia is the first nation to adopt Christianty as a state religion. Etchmiadzin is a sacred place for Armenian people and the spiritual heart of the Armenian Apostolic Church. You will also visit the Treasury Museum of the mother cathedral, housing many important Christian relics, as well as the Ruben Sevan gallery featuring paintings by Armenian painters.
Next up, you will visit the Cross of Armenian Unity NGO in the town of Etchmiadzin to enjoy a lunch of traditional Armenian dishes. The Cross of Armenian Unity is a non-profit charitable cultural organization, the main purpose of which is to provide small-scale social initiatives and care and support for orphans.
A short ride from Etchmiadzin will take you to the 7th-century Zvartnots temple built by Nerses the Builder. The name of the temple is translated as “the temple of vigilant angels.” Its impressive architecture had a great impact on development of Armenian architecture and influenced construction of many similar churches around Armenia. Here at the Zvartnots temple you will enjoy a short performance of Armenian national musical instrument, duduk.
Transfer to Yerevan, where you will visit the National Gallery of Armenia to get acquainted with art works by Armenian artists.
Free time. Overnight in Yerevan.
Day 4: Geghard Monastery – Garni Pagan Temple – Symphony of Stones – Yerevan
Travel to the famous cave monastery of Geghard, dating back to the fourth century and carved into the mountainside. The monastery complex was founded by Gregory the Illuminator at the site of a sacred spring inside a cave. Geghard is included in the list of the UNESCO World Heritage sites. Here at the monastery, enjoy a haunting performance of Armenian spiritual songs.
At the nearby Garni village, visit the 1st century Garni pagan temple, the only temple of its kind in the region. It is the best-known structure and symbol of pre-Christian Armenia.
Lunch will be served at a rustic house in the village of Garni, where you will also participate in a lavash baking workshop and taste freshly baked lavash with cheese and herbs.
After lunch, visit one of the most impressive natural monuments of Armenia, the Symphony of Stones, located in the Azar river gorge.
Transfer to hotel in Yerevan.
Day 5: Amberd Fortress – Saghmosavank Monastery – Yerevan
Travel to the slopes of Armenia’s highest mountain, Aragats, to visit the medieval fortress of Amberd located at the elevation of 2300 meters above sea level. A stunning view of the surrounding landscapes and canyons opens up from the site. The complex consists of several structures, including a Roman bath, a church and others.
Traveling down the slopes of Mt. Aragats, you will then visit the 13th-century Saghmosavank monastery situated at a picturesque site overlooking the Kasagh river gorge. On a clear day, you can see the peaks of Mount Aragats, as well as the Ara and Ararat mountains from here. Learn about the history of this monastery of psalms and enjoy the stunning views.
Transfer to Yerevan.
Day 6: Khor Virap Monastery – Noravank Monastery – Jermuk – Evening walk to the mineral springs
Hotel check-out.
On the sixth day of your tour around Armenia, travel to the famous Khor Virap monastery located at the site where Gregory the Illuminator, the patron saint of the Armenian church, was imprisoned for 13 years. Khor Virap is located at the foot of Mount Ararat, providing a stunning view of the biblical mountain.
Traveling through the regions of Ararat and Vayots Dzor, you will then visit the 13th-century Noravank monastery, a masterpiece of medieval Armenian architecture, situated among sheer rocks in a picturesque canyon.
Lunch will be served at one of the restaurants in the area, after which you will continue your journey to the spa resort town of Jermuk, famous for its mineral waters and springs.
Hotel check-in. Free time. In the evening, enjoy a pleasant walk around the town and visit the mineral water pavilion to taste the healing waters of Jermuk.
Overnight in Jermuk.
Day 7: Tatever Aerial Tramway – Tatev Monastery – Jermuk
Transfer to the village of Halidzor to take a flight from the Wings of Tatev aerial tramway station to one of the most prominent educational and cultural centers of medieval Armenia – the monastery of Tatev. The Wings of Tatev is the longest reversible aerial tramway built in only one section, and holds the record for Longest non-stop double track cable car. The cabin flies above the Vorotan river gorge providing some breathtaking views.
Founded in the 9th century, the monastery of Tatev was once home to a major Armenian medieval university where monks were studying science, religion, philosophy, literature, and miniature painting. Learn about the long history of the monastery and the important impact it had on Armenian culture during the tour of the site.
Lunch at the village of Tatev.
Return to Jermuk to visit one of the natural monuments the town is famous for – the Jermuk waterfall, located in the canyon.
Transfer to the hotel. Overnight in Jermuk.
Day 8: Orbelian Caravanserai – Mikayelyan Family Farm – Hayravank Monastery – Lake Sevan – Dilijan
Hotel check-out.
Travel to Lake Sevan, Armenia’s largest lake, crossing the picturesque Vardenyats mountain pass. On the way, visit the Orbelian Caravanserai built in 1332 on the southern side of the pass at an altitude of 2410 meters above sea level. One of the best preserved structures of this type, the caravanserai serves merchants traveling along the Silk Road.
On the shores of Lake Sevan, you will make a stop at the Mikayelyan Family Farm to taste their unique cheese varieties aged in wine and cognac, after which a short ride will take you to the Hayravank monastery founded in the 9th century. A beautiful view of the lake opens up from the monastery.
Lunch at a local restaurant on the shore of Lake Sevan.
After lunch, driving along the lake shore, you will travel to the spa resort town of Dilijan, surrounded by the forests of the Dilijan National Park. A popular destination for hiking and trekking, Dilijan is known for its enchanting architecture of two-storied tiled wooden homes and intricately carved balconies.
Hotel check-in. Free evening.
Overnight in Dilijan.
Day 9: Haghartsin Monastery – Dilijan – Yerevan
Enjoy free time in Dilijan in the morning before check-out. Then visit the 13th-century Haghartsin monastery located in the forests of the Dilijan National Park. Together with the nearby Goshavank monastery, Haghartsin was a major cultural, religious and educational center of medieval Armenia. The monastery is also home to one of the finest examples of refectories in Armenian architecture.
Return to Dilijan to enjoy a delicious lunch at a local restaurant.
Transfer to the hotel in Yerevan. Hotel check-in. Free evening.
Day 10: Yerevan – Saryan Museum – Lusik Aguletsi Museum – GUM Market
Start the day with a visit to the Martiros Saryan museum. Saryan was a prominent Armenian painter, the founder of the modern Armenian national school of painting. Tour the museum to learn about the life and art of Martiros Saryan, whose masterpiece paintings of Armenia are notable for their bright, sunny ambiance.
Next up, visit the Lusik Aguletsi House-Museum to get acquainted with the art and paintings of Lusik Aguletsi, as well as discover the secrets of the traditional Armenian dresses, and learn about Armenian folk dolls that were once widely used in different rituals and ceremonies. Here at the museum, enjoy a hearty lunch of authentic Armenian dishes.
After lunch, travel to the GUM market in Yerevan where local produce is sold, including a great variety of dried fruits.
Transfer to the hotel. Overnight in Yerevan.
Day 11: Departure
Hotel check-out. Transfer to the Zvartnots international airport for departure from Yerevan.
