Armenia Guaranteed Departure 2024/25

Arrival at Zvartnoc International airport․
Transfer to the hotel and immediate check in.

Breakfast at the hotel

10:30 Meeting with the guide

Yerevan City Tour
We begin the journey to the capital of Armenia, Yerevan. For centuries, this city was known as the “pink city” due to the pink color of the stone buildings dominating Yerevan. We visit Republic Square, Mashtots Avenue, the Aram Khachatryan Opera House, and the Cascade.

Visit fruit market “Gum”
One of the most vivid places in Yerevan is Gum Market near the Tashir trading center, which opened during the Soviet Union years. It operates every day from morning until late evening. Here you can find fresh fruits and vegetables, meat, spices, many types of dried fruits, cheeses, traditional Armenian bread (lavash), pickles, and more.

Vernissage
Visit Vernissage; a vibrant open-air market and cultural phenomenon located in the heart of Yerevan, the capital of Armenia. Vernissage gathers local artists, craftsmen, and vendors who display and sell a diverse array of handmade crafts, traditional Armenian art, souvenirs, jewelry, carpets, ceramics, and other unique items.

Dinner at the local restaurant

Overnight in Yerevan

Breakfast at the hotel.

Garni Temple
Take a trip to Garni to visit the Pagan Temple, which was built in the 1st century AD. This is the only temple from the Pagan era that has been preserved in Armenia. Dedicated to Mihr, the god of cleanliness, the temple was destroyed by an earthquake in 1679 but was restored in 1975.

Symphony of Stones
Drive to the Symphony of Stones, located near the village of Garni, not far from the ancient temple. This stunning basalt rock formation has been shaped by nature over centuries, creating various columnar shapes that resemble a natural orchestra of standing stones, hence the name “Symphony of Stones.”

Geghard Monastery
Continue the trip to Geghard Monastery, named after the legendary lance used to pierce the body of Christ. Though the exact date of its foundation is unknown, the present complex was built in the mid-13th century. It has been a significant site for centuries.

Master Class of Lavash Baking
Visit a local house where you can see and participate in the preparation of Armenian national bread, lavash. This very thin bread, typically cooked in a ground oven known as “tonir,” was inscribed on the UNESCO intangible heritage list in 2015. Enjoy tasting this traditional Armenian “fast food” with lavash and cheese.

Lunch at the Local House – Abelyan House
Enjoy lunch at a local house where you can experience traditional Armenian cuisine and participate in the preparation of lavash. The meal includes this iconic bread and cheese, highlighting Armenian culinary traditions.

Return to Yerevan

Overnight in Yerevan

Breakfast at the hotel.

Khor Virap
Take a trip to Khor Virap Monastery, which dates from the 4th to the 18th centuries. This monastery is significant due to its history; Gregory the Illuminator, who introduced Christianity to Armenia, was imprisoned here for about 13 years, as there was a prison on this site before the monastery was built. Enjoy the spectacular view of the sacred Mount Ararat, a timeless symbol of Armenia.

Areni Cave
Continue the tour to Areni Village and the Areni Cave. The cave consists of three rooms, most of which remain unexplored. During excavations, metal knives, fruit seeds, grain residues, rope, pottery, clothing, grapes, and dried plums dating back to 4200-3500 BC were discovered. The oldest leather shoe in the world, over 5500 years old, was found here, as well as the oldest known cellar, dating back over 6000 years.

Momik Winery
Visit Momik Winery for a tasting of local wines and enjoy lunch amidst the vineyards.

Return to Yerevan

Overnight in Yerevan

Breakfast at the hotel.

Sevan
We will drive to Lake Sevan, one of the largest lakes in the world, known for its sweet and astonishingly blue water. Enjoy the breathtaking scenery of this beautiful lake. Then, visit Sevanavank Monastery located on the Sevan Peninsula. There are two monasteries; one is destroyed, but the other still stands. They were built in the Middle Ages, around the 10th century.

Noratus
Visit Noratus, a village on the western shore of Lake Sevan in the Gegharkunik Province. It is renowned for its historic cemetery, Noratus Cemetery, which features one of the largest collections of Armenian khachkars (cross-stones) in the country.

Mikaelyan’s Cheese Farm
Next, stop at Mikaelyan Family Farm, where unique Armenian cheeses have been produced for several years. This family-run company specializes in wine-cheese, cognac-cheese, “horac,” and Parmesan-type cheeses.

Dilijan
Drive to Dilijan and stroll along Sharamberyan Street, where you’ll find many museums, souvenir markets, and small shops. Observe two traditional wooden houses with tiled roofs and intricately carved balconies, typical of Dilijan.

Return to Yerevan

Overnight in Yerevan.

Breakfast
Breakfast at the hotel.

Ejmiatsin Cathedral – Zvartnots Cathedral
We will start the excursion to centuries-old monuments Ejmiatsin and Zvartnots. These sites are listed on UNESCO World
Heritage list. The Cathedral of Ejmiatsin, founded in 303, is the official residence of the Catholics of Armenia. Echmiadzin is
a sacred place for Armenian people and a spiritual heart of Armenian Apostolic Church. We’ll continue the trip to Zvartnots
Temple, which was built on 7th century by Nerses Builder. Currently there are only ruins of Zvartnots, but which has not lost
its mystery over the years.
Yezidi Ziarat Temple of Aknalich
Visit Yezidi temple “Ziarat of Aknalich”. This temple is the biggest Yezidi temple in the world. Since ancient times, the
Yezidis -biggest minority in Armenia – have been engaged in cattle breeding on the Caucasian plateau. Yezidis have
guarded their religion for nearly three millennia. The Yezidi do not have a Holy Book and their religion is based on the
knowledge of their priests. The right to become a priest is recognized after having achieved sufficient knowledge.
Return to Yerevan

Overnight in Yerevan.

Breakfast
Breakfast at the hotel.

Option 1: Yerevan – Gyumri – Amberd – Alphabet Park – Yerevan – 155 Euros

Breakfast.
Transfer to the city of Gyumri. This city, known by various names throughout its history—including Kumayri, Alexandropol, and Leninakan— is the second largest in Armenia. Located on the banks of the Akhurian River and about 120 km from Yerevan, Gyumri is the capital of the Shirak province.
Departure to the Aragatsotni region.
Lunch at a local house with homemade wine tasting.
Visit to the Alphabet Park.
Departure to the Amberd fortress and church. The medieval fortress of Amberd (7th-13th centuries AD) is situated on the southern slope of Mount Aragats (4091 meters above sea level).
Return to Yerevan.

Option 2: Yerevan – Sanahin – Haghpat – Yerevan – 160 Euros

Breakfast.
Departure to Alaverdi.
Visit two unique monuments of Armenian architecture from the 10th-14th centuries: the Sanahin Monastery and Haghpat Monastery (UNESCO World Heritage Sites). The name Sanahin literally means “this is older than that,” suggesting that this village has an older monastery compared to its neighboring village, Haghpat. The two monasteries are very similar, and from one site, you can see the other across a rugged plateau, separated by a deep gorge formed by a small river flowing into the Debed River. Haghpat Monastery was a major religious, cultural, and educational center in medieval Armenia.

Return to Yerevan.
Overnight in Yerevan.

Breakfast at the hotel.

Departure from Zvartnots International Airport.