Armenia: NATURE & SPIRIT

Yerevan is one of the most ancient cities in the world, founded in 782 B.C. It is older than Rome and today is a vibrant modern city with much to offer.

Visit Matenadaran, the Depository and Museum of Ancient Manuscripts, with a collection of about 17,000 manuscripts. Continue to Cascade for panoramic views of Yerevan and biblical Mount Ararat, see the Cafesdjian Art Center and Mother Armenia Statue.

The street tour includes Yerevan State University, Victory Bridge, Tsitsernakaberd Hill with Genocide Museum, Sports & Concerts Complex, Kiev Bridge, Parliament, Presidential Residence and Academy of Sciences. After lunch, visit one of Yerevan’s famous brandy factories for a tour and tasting. Evening free. Overnight in Yerevan.

A fantastic tour dedicated to Southern Armenia, combining Armenia’s finest medieval architecture with stunning landscapes.

The first stop is Khor Virap Monastery, one of the most important pilgrimage sites in Armenia, with a unique view of Mount Ararat. Continue through the Ararat Plain toward Noravank monastery, nestled in a narrow gorge surrounded by red rocks.

The highlight is Tatev Monastery, reached by the world’s longest cable tram. Tatev was one of the wealthiest medieval monasteries in Armenia and an important strategic center of Syunik. Dinner and overnight in Goris, surrounded by mountains and medieval cave dwellings.

Breakfast at the hotel. Today’s route follows the Great Silk Road. Passing through Selim Pass, the highest point at 2,410 m, visit the 14th-century Selim caravanserai, which offered hospitality to travelers along the Silk Road.

Continue to Lake Sevan, the largest lake in Armenia and the Caucasus region, famous for its turquoise waters. Visit Noratous, the largest cross-stone field of Armenia, and Sevanavank monastery on the picturesque peninsula.

Proceed to Dilijan spa town in Dilijan National Park, known for serene lakes, forested mountains and peaceful villages. Dinner and overnight in Dilijan.

Dilijan is a famous spa town rich in curative mineral springs. Enjoy a short walking tour along Sharambeyan, one of the most beautiful and oldest streets of Old Dilijan, with small art schools and souvenir shops.

Continue to Haghartsin Monastery, a fairy-tale monastery set in a forested glade, built between the 10th and 14th centuries. Then visit the medieval city-fortress Lori Berd near Stepanavan.

Dinner and overnight at Avan Dzoraget Hotel at the Debed River, nestled among forest-covered hills and rocky slopes of the Caucasus Mountains.

Explore North Armenia and visit Haghpat Monastery at the Debed Gorge, one of the masterpieces of medieval Armenian architecture and a UNESCO World Heritage site.

Lunch in a local restaurant with Armenian shashlik. On the way back to Yerevan, drive through Yezidi villages and stop at an old Yezidi graveyard with small stone horse statues.

Visit Gntunik Bakery, a paradise for bakery lovers, then continue toward Saghmosavank Monastery at the edge of Kasagh River Canyon, with views of Ararat, Aragats and Ara mountains. Continue to Yerevan. Overnight in Yerevan.

This tour includes UNESCO World Heritage sites that are must-see places. Visit Echmiadzin, the religious center of Armenia and the Holy See of the Armenian Apostolic Church.

Armenia is the first Christian country in the world since 301 A.D. Visit the Mother Cathedral of Echmiadzin, continue to St. Hripsime Church and on the way back to Yerevan visit the ruins of Zvartnots Cathedral, the place of “celestial angels”. Lunch in Yerevan. Evening free. Overnight in Yerevan.

Just outside Armenia’s capital, a mountain road leads above the city toward Charent’s Arch, a lookout point of biblical Mount Ararat.

Drive to Geghard Monastery, partly carved out of a huge monolithic rock and included in the UNESCO World Heritage list. Continue to Garni Pagan Temple, the only Hellenistic temple in the Caucasus.

Lunch at a local house in Garni village with a master class of traditional Armenian bread lavash baked in tonir. Drive back to Yerevan. Evening free. Overnight in Yerevan.