Around Yerevan

Transfer from Yerevan "Zvartnots" Airport to the city - Transfer from Yerevan "Zvartnots" Airport to the city

Day 1: Yerevan

Transfer from Yerevan "Zvartnots" Airport to the city
Bus Transfer: On landing into Armenia's capital, you will be met by a friendly representative and transferred by car into Yerevan city. Estimated travel time - 25 minutes

City tour of Yerevan - Explore the Megerian Carpet Museum - Tour of the State Museum of History of Armenia

Day 2: Yerevan

City tour of Yerevan
Excursion: A modern, thriving centre at the foot of Ararat mountain, Armenia's capital of Yerevan is full of striking monuments, artistic sculptures, sophisticated cafe culture and a welcoming, friendly atmosphere. In this tour you'll witness the highlights of the city - including the grandeur of Republic Square - arguably the most elegant space in town, with a central fountain lake, and stylish Soviet-era architectural surrounds. On a visit to Victory Park you'll see the proud statue of Mother Armenia by Ara Harutyunyan, and a fantastic view of the city. A flame constantly flickers here in memory of Armenians killed in World War II and World War I. The Cafesjian Centre for the Arts is an excellent modern museum displaying the works of Arshile Gorky, Andy Warhol, Marc Chagall and many other famous names - and also affords views of the Cascade and its contemporary sculpture gardens. The tour is completely dependant on your time and preferences.


Explore the Megerian Carpet Museum
Excursion: Discover the fascinating Megerian Carpet Museum - learn how the intricate art of carpet production has become so important to Armenian culture, and take part in a carpet weaving master-class.


Tour of the State Museum of History of Armenia
Excursion: This highly regarded History Museum is located in Republic Square and hosts an enlightening range of more than 400,000 exhibits dedicated to Archaeology, Numismatics and Ethnography. Some gorgeous and intriguing Armenian artefacts are also presented alongside information about the country's compelling past. Meandering the halls of this building provides an eye-opening view of the rich intracacies of Armenia's history and culture.

Tour of Garni - Visit Geghard - Hiking tour of Azdahak

Day 3: Garni - Yerevan

Tour of Garni
Excursion: Dating from the 3rd century BC to the 13th century AD, this area comprised the summer homes of Armenian kings, but was also the site of a pre-Christian temple honoring Mihr, god of the sun. As it was essentially a tomb rather than a place of worship, according to some scholars; it was the only pagan building to survive after King Tiridates III ordered destruction of all pagan churches in the nationwide adoption of Christianity. The design of the building is unusual due to its classical Greek features and Hellenistic style.


Visit Geghard
Excursion: The monastery of Geghard-Ayrivank is situated in a spectacular deep canyon, and is protected by UNESCO. Constructed from the 12th to 13th centuries, Geghard means “Monastery of the Lance”. It is named after the lance that, according to the Holy Bible, was used to pierce the side of the crucified Christ. What is believed to be a remnant of the lance is preserved in the museum at Holy Echmiatsin. The monastery is famous for its rock chambers and represents a masterpiece of the Armenian architecture in the XIIIc. UNESCO protects the monastic complex as a World Heritage Site.


Hiking tour of Azdahak
Excursion: You will be driven to the foot of Azdahak by 4x4 before beginning your hike to the summit. Azhdahak towers over the surrounding landscape at 3597 metres and is actually an extinct volcano. It last erupted around 4000 years ago and is the highest point of the Gegham mountain range. At the summit you can walk around the crater of the volcano and enjoy stunning panoramas of Lake Sevan, the Gegham mountains and the surrounding alpine landscape. Inside the crater, there is a stunning glacial lake. In adverse weather conditions or if you are short on time, it is also possible to drive a 4x4 to the summit.
NOTE* we will have a 4x4 drive to the slopes of mount Azhdahak and drive to ~2300m above the see level to see unique petroglyphs. As an alternative - we may have partially hiking trip here.

Discover "Stone Symphony" natural monument
Excursion: 23km east of Yerevan, the Garni Gorge is an ideal stopping point when making the trip to and from Geghard. The walls of the gorge are lined with well preserved basalt columns, carved by the elements over millennia. These columns are known as 'the Symphony of Stones'. They tower high over the surrounding landscape, casting long shadows over the river below. It is possible to explore the area on foot on one of the many hiking trails or, if weather conditions are adverse or you are short on time, you can explore them from a 4x4.
NOTE* we will have a 4x4 drive to this unique natural monument. As an alternative - we may have partially hiking trip here.

Explore Echmiadzin (Vagharshapat) - Discover Zvartnots Temple - Visit Metsamor

Day 4: Echmiadzin - Ashtarak

Explore Echmiadzin (Vagharshapat)
Excursion: Officially known as Vagharshapat; Echmiadzin was once the capital of Armenia, and is the country's spiritual centre. In addition to the main attraction here of Echmiadzin Cathedral, there is a myriad of religiously significant buildings holding UNESCO World Heritage status. For a taste of Armenia's strong links with ancient Christianity, and architecture that went on to influence classic cathedral styles in future, there's no better exploration point than the crumbling church of Saint Hripsime.


Discover Zvartnots Temple
Excursion: These compelling circular relics are the remains of the prominent 7th century Zvartnot's Cathedral, which is a UNESCO World Heritage Site. It was built when Armenia was under Byzantine control and during early invasions by the Muslim Arabs. The massive stone columns, crumbling carvings and eagle capitals have led to much speculation regarding not only its original appearance and size, but also the cause of its collapse, which is completely absent from historical records. The remains of a palace and wine vessels from a former winery can also be seen.


Visit Metsamor
Excursion: Metsamor, a quiet town 20 miles to the west of Yerevan, is home to one of the most important prehistoric monuments in Armenia. The ruins here are the last traces of a once thriving Bronze age city which was a central point of metal production and ore extraction. It remained prominent during the Urartian period (6th - 9th centuries BC) and was occupied up until the Middle Ages. Having fallen into disrepair, the site was sporadically excavated from 1955 - 1996 and there is now a museum at the entrance which offers more insight into the fascinating history of the region.


Visiting "Van Ardi" winery
Excursion: Pay a visit to 'Van Ardi', a family owned winery in the Aragatsotn region. The owner, Varuzhan Mouradian, moved back to Armenia from California in 2008 and opened the winery as a family project. You will get the chance to tour the vineyards and learn about the wine making process. You can also sample a selection of the wines paired with local cheeses and homemade jams.

Visit Khor Virap Monastery - Visit Noravank - Explore Areni-1 Bird's Cave (T'rchunneri Cave)

Day 5: Khor Virap - Yerevan

Visit Khor Virap Monastery
Excursion: The Khor Virap monastery stands austerely in front of the biblical Mt. Ararat (5165 m) near the Armenian-Turkish border, and makes for a stunning sight. Khor Virap's chapel houses the pit where, according to 5th century history, the future patron saint of Armenia, Gregory the Illuminator, was imprisoned for 13 years. The king, who was pagan, objected to Gregory's Christian beliefs and tortured him before throwing him in the pit. He was rescued years later to cure the king's son of illness. After doing so, Gregory went on to spread the word of Christianity and gain Armenia its status as the first ever Christian state. As with many religious buildings in the Caucasus, part of the experience is the breath-taking setting - surrounded by fields leading to the foot of the colossal Mt. Ararat, the reputed last resting place of Noah's Ark. Regular church services are held in the church, which is a major pilgrimage site for thousands of visitors. NOTE: there are some stairs as well as some paths leading to the Monastic complex.


Visit Noravank
Excursion: Noravank, meaning 'New Monastery', is one of Armenia's architectural masterpieces from Medieval times. Built during the 13th to 14th centuries by architects Siranes and Momik, this monastery complex is known for its laced stone ornaments, its early Christian-style design, and the magnificent copper hues of the rocky valley it sits among. It truly is a treat for the eyes when bathed in sunlight, and makes a popular picnic spot.


Explore Areni-1 Bird's Cave (T'rchunneri Cave)
Excursion: T'rchunneri (Bird’s) Cave in the Areni-1 cave complex is not just a stellar example of Armenia’s unique geological rock formations; it's also a treasure trove of artefacts and ancient relics. Evidence of life here dates back 6,000 years. Packed clay platforms dated to between 3700-4200 BC were discovered inside the cave, as well as remnants of wine production which, if proven, represent the earliest wine distillery ever found. The oldest shoe in the world was also found here, made of leather-hide and thought to be 5,500 years old.


Visit "Old Bridge" Winery
Excursion: The family owned Old Bridge winery has been producing fine examples of Armenian wine for the last thirty years. They have three hectares of vineyards and, due to their commitment to quality, produce only 10,000 bottles per year. You will get to meet the family and hear more about their processes before taking some time to sample the wines paired with local cheeses.

Visit Lake Sevan - Brandy tasting in Yerevan - Experience Vernissage Bazaar

Day 6: Sevan - Yerevan

Visit Lake Sevan
Excursion: Widely considered the jewel in Armenia's crown, Lake Sevan is the largest lake in the Caucasus. At over 1900 metres above sea level, it is also one of the highest altitude freshwater bodies in the world and its great azure expanse can be seen from far and wide.


Brandy tasting in Yerevan
Excursion: Armenia is known to many as the cradle of brandy-making - the place where this potent and elegant beverage was first created. Explore the Yerevan Brandy Factory and gain a true insight into what makes this potent drink so integral to Armenian culture. During this tour, a guide will inform you of the history of this national symbol, show you how it is made, and of course allow you to sample the drink itself.


Experience Vernissage Bazaar
Excursion: One of Yerevan's bustling marketplaces comes in the form of the Vernissage - a three block open-air bazaar where visitors can find everything from kitsch to clothes, authentic hand-made carpets to wooden carvings, arts and crafts. Keep an eye out for the popular pomegranate-themed wares - as the pomegranate is the national symbol of Armenia, they make for great souvenirs.


Oriental Market - variety of tastes and colors
Excursion: Visit the Oriental Market famous for national sweets and dried fruits. Chat to the vendors and wander through the maze of streets, sampling Armenian delicacies as you go.

Transfer from Yerevan city to "Zvartnots" airport - Transfer from Yerevan city to "Zvartnots" airport

Day 7:

Transfer from Yerevan city to "Zvartnots" airport
Car Transfer: You'll be transferred from your hotel in Yerevan to Zvartnots Airport. Arrival and departure day activities will be adjusted as needed, according to your itinerary. Estimated travel time - 25 minutes