Armenia - Classical Armenia

Guaranteed Tour to Armenia / Minimum 2 people

Armenia, the astonishing, charming land praised by poets in verses and legends. It has conquered the hearts of many travelers with its historical sites and cultural heritage. Provoking admiration and curiosity with its mountains, rivers, and dense forests. Stirring curiosity with the secrets hidden in forts and monasteries, carefully sheltered from human eyes in remote regions. A country that evokes a kaleidoscope of emotions in every traveler who steps on its land. Welcome to Armenia.

The price includes:

• 7 nights accommodation in a hotel
• 7 breakfasts
• Air-conditioned transportation as per the program
• Russian-speaking guide for the excursion program
• Entrance tickets to architectural monuments
• All taxes and fees
• Group transfer upon arrival from Saturday 12:00 PM to Sunday 07:00 AM.
• Group transfer on the day of the excursion program's conclusion to the airport.

The price does not include:

• Flights. We will find the most convenient and cost-effective option.
• Medical insurance
• Transfer to the hotel after excursions (transportation delivers to the center of Yerevan (96
• Nalbandyan Street) – it is 400 m from the Ani Plaza 4* hotel)
• Personal expenses
• Transport on days without the program
• Tips for the guide and driver

Attractions visited:

• Yerevan: Mount Aragats – Amberd Fortress – Lake Kari – Dried Fruit Factory – Sagmosavank Monastery – Garni Temple – Geghard Monastery – Lavash baking masterclass
• Gyumri: Black Fortress and Arichavank
• Dilijan: Lake Sevan – Sevanavank Monastery – Goshavank Monastery – Haghartsin Monastery
• Vayots Dzor Province: Khor Virap Monastery – Areni Cave – Noravank Monastery – Hin Areni Winery

Itinerary:

Day 1. Saturday. Departure to Yerevan (International flight).

Arrival in Yerevan. After completing formalities and collecting baggage at Zvartnots Airport, meet with our company representative. Transfer and check-in at the hotel. Free time.

Note: Hotel confirmation starts from 14:00 on Saturday, the excursion program begins on Sunday.

Day 2. Sunday. Yerevan. 9 - 10 hours (Mount Aragats – Amberd Fortress – Lake Kari – Dried Fruit Factory – Sagmosavank Monastery)

Breakfast at the hotel. After breakfast, head to the dormant volcano Aragats – the highest mountain in modern Armenia and the Caucasus. Aragats Mountain itself is a majestic natural monument with four peaks and a lake in the middle.

In ancient times, an eruption accompanied by an explosion destroyed the mountain's summit. Now, around the crater of irregular shape, four peaks rise like petals of a giant flower. Over centuries, after numerous eruptions and earthquakes, the entire mountain became covered with rocks and tuff deposits.

On the southern slope of the majestic Aragats Mountain, far from bustling cities, stands the medieval fortress of Amberd. It is located on a rocky slope at an altitude of 2100 meters, protected on two sides by deep gorges at the confluence of the Amberd and Arkashen rivers.

Afterward, visit a dried fruit factory to learn about their production and enjoy a tasting session. Armenia is known for its centuries-old traditions of producing high-quality dried fruits and berries. Armenian dried fruits are particularly delicious because they are made from local fruits and are characterized by sweetness, juiciness, and exquisite aroma.

After learning all the intricacies of Armenian dried fruit production, head to the hanging monastery of Sagmosavank "Monastery of Psalms" perched above the Kasakh River gorge. Over the abyss of the Kasakh gorge, like a torch in the wind, stands the ancient Armenian temple and monastery of Sagmosavank. According to legend, Sagmosavank was founded by Saint Gregory the Illuminator some 17 centuries ago. No, this is not a monastery of the 17th century; this is seventeen centuries ago, in the 4th century AD! About 1700 years ago, the founder of Christianity in Armenia, Saint Gregory the Illuminator, prayed at the place where the Sagmosavank temple now stands. Slightly to the side, into the abyss of the Kasakh gorge, plunges a waterfall known as the tallest waterfall in Armenia.

Return to Yerevan. Overnight at the hotel.

Day 3. Monday. Yerevan. 5 - 6 hours (Garni Temple – Geghard Monastery – Lavash baking masterclass)

Breakfast at the hotel. You will visit the Garni Temple Complex – one of Armenia's "must-see" attractions, stroll through the Geghard Monastery, and witness a genuine symphony of stones in the Azat River gorge.

For many centuries, the Geghard Monastery has played a significant role in the country's life, attracting crowds of people even today. It is unique not only for its history and spiritual power but also for its architecture. Part of the monastery's structures, including the main church with a narthex, stand at the foot of the rock, while some churches are carved directly into the rock. The former impress with their majestic view and intricate stone carving, while the latter are austere in decoration and have a special, slightly mysterious atmosphere.

The Geghard complex is part of the most popular tourist route, allowing you to visit another unique attraction on the same day – the pagan Garni Temple, a kind of corner of Greece just an hour's drive from Yerevan.

We will have a lavash baking masterclass where you will bake authentic Armenian lavash bread yourself, followed by a tasting session. Perhaps, this will be a memorable experience for you on this trip.

Return to Yerevan. Overnight at the hotel.

Day 4. Tuesday. Gyumri. 10 - 11 hours (Black Fortress and Arichavank)

Breakfast at the hotel. Today awaits an exciting tour to Gyumri – the cultural capital of Armenia, located in the northwest part of Armenia, in the center of the Shirak Valley, 126 km from Yerevan, almost on the border with Turkey. Here, the "Black Fortress" of 1837 is preserved, which defended the city during the Russo-Turkish War, and not far from it is the picturesque Aparan Reservoir. The city itself is very beautiful and green, with preserved historic districts that have remained unchanged since the 19th century. We will walk through the streets of the cultural capital and immerse ourselves in the history of that time.

Then we will visit the monastery complex of Arichavank near Gyumri. It is known for its exquisite reliefs. In the early 11th century, Arichavank was destroyed during the invasions of the Seljuk Turks. A century later, at the initiative of the vardapet (scholar monk) Grigor, it was restored.

Return to Yerevan. Overnight at the hotel.

Day 5. Wednesday. Yerevan.

Breakfast at the hotel.

Free day for souvenir shopping. Overnight at the hotel.

Day 6. Thursday. Dilijan. 9 - 10 hours (Lake Sevan – Sevanavank Monastery – Goshavank Monastery – Haghartsin Monastery)

Breakfast at the hotel.

Today's excursion awaits you with a trip to the largest freshwater lake in the Caucasus – Lake Sevan, rightfully considered the pearl of Armenia. We will ascend to the top of the "Akhtamar" peninsula to behold the azure beauty from the peninsula's height, explore one of the oldest monasteries – Sevanavank (9th century), stroll through the cozy town of Dilijan, and immerse ourselves in the atmosphere of the Middle Ages in the Haghartsin Monastery. They say if paradise had forests, mountains, and mineral springs, then paradise would be like Dilijan.

Return to Yerevan. Overnight at the hotel.

Day 7. Friday. Vayots Dzor Province. 9 - 10 hours (Khor Virap Monastery – Areni – Hin Areni Winery – Noravank Monastery)

Breakfast at the hotel.

This tour takes you from Yerevan to the southern part of the country – to the Vayots Dzor Province, through the Ararat Valley.

During this wonderful journey, we will visit the Khor Virap Monastery, which translates to "deep pit," the prison where Saint Gregory the Illuminator was confined. This is where Armenia's baptism began – the first state to adopt Christianity before Rome. The monastery is located in the Ararat Valley, offering a magnificent view of the biblical Mount Ararat with its two peaks. This was the former capital of Armenia – ancient Artashat (180 BC). It is noteworthy that Khor Virap is the closest place to Mount Ararat. Many believe that this place provides the best view for those who want to capture themselves against the backdrop of the biblical mountain. Then our path lies through the picturesque gorge, bordered by terracotta cliffs, to the Noravank Monastery (13th century). On our way, we will visit the Areni Winery for wine tasting.

The Noravank Monastery is rightly considered one of the most beautiful and memorable monasteries in Armenia. The most striking impression is made by the natural backdrop, very picturesque and full of contrasts: the yellowish buildings of the monastery stand amidst majestic red rocks and green slopes of the Arpa River gorge.

Return to Yerevan. Overnight at the hotel.

Day 8. Saturday. Departure from Yerevan (International flight)

After breakfast, transfer to the international airport for your flight.

The price is per person in a DBL room.
Price for SGL - €1039.
Extra bed - €660.

Additional night stay in Yerevan (Option):

• Single Room - €100.
• DBL/Twin Room - €120.
• Extra bed - €30.

Expected hotel according to the program:

Yerevan – Ani Plaza 4* or similar

The company reserves the right to change hotels considering their compliance with standards in case the specified hotels are fully booked. The standard check-in time at hotels is 2:00 PM, and check-out time is 12:00 PM. The excursion times are indicative and may change depending on traffic.