Armenia in Depth

After breakfast, your private guide and driver will meet you at your hotel, and escort you for 1 hour to Lake Sevan. As the scenery gradually changes from tall buildings to dense forests, we are about to arrive at the “Tear of the Caucasus.” Surrounded by mountains on a plateau at 1,900 meters (6,233 ft.), Lake Sevan enjoys crystal blue water as if kissed by the sky. 

Several ancient monasteries are situated on the lakeshore, the most beautiful of which is the Sevanavank Monastery founded in the 9th century AD. From here, you can enjoy panoramic views of Lake Sevan, and take photos in front of the monastery buildings constructed of black stone. Leaving the picturesque lake, let’s continue our trip to Dilijan, a hot spring town known as the “Little Switzerland of Armenia”, where you’ll take a Gata-making master class.

★ Cultural Immersion: Take a Traditional Gata-making Class 

Gata, one of the most common desserts in Armenia, holds an indispensable place on family meals and festive celebrations. Learn to make the puff pastry dough with your personal teacher, and prepare a filling to your own taste. Traditional Gata fillings are made of sugar, butter, and flour. You can also add chocolate, dried fruit, or seasonal fruits such as blueberries and apricots to enrich the flavor. Waiting for your handmade Gata to slowly bake and take shape will be a happy memory!

After lunch, follow your guide to explore a group of notable monasteries. As the world’s first Christian country, Armenia boasts over 14,000 monasteries. The first one we’ll visit is the Haghartsin Monastery complex, nestled deep in the mountains of Dilijan National Park. Looking up at the tops of these ancient buildings, you can find openings on the domes for sunlight to stream in, divinely shining upon the prayers. Next, at Goshavank Monastery, one of Armenia’s oldest existing monasteries, you can immerse yourself in the beauty of medieval architecture and the peaceful surroundings.

After you unwind at Lake Parz, your guide and driver will escort you back to your hotel in Yerevan, a journey of about 2 hours.

Meals: Breakfast, Lunch
Accommodation: Ani Grand Hotel Yerevan (4 stars) or similar

This morning, your guide and driver will pick you up from your hotel and drive two hours to Noravank Monastery established in 1105 AD. As you see a towering, rugged red gorge, the monastery will appear with its impressive two-story church. According to a love legend, a prince named Momik fell in love with the princess, but the king asked him to build a unique monastery so that he could agree to their marriage. Thus, Momik designed this special church with a stair on the outer wall.

Next, let’s head to today’s highlight, the clifftop Tatev Monastery, by a drive of 2.5 hours. We’ll include a one-way ride on the “Wings of Tatev”, one of the world’s longest cableways. During the ride, you can enjoy charming views of the verdant mountains and the exhilarating experience of soaring over the gorge. In the Middle Ages, Tatev Monastery was a vital center of culture and spirituality. Your guide will show you the Gavazan Column, which is 8 meters high (26 ft.) and can sway with the slightest touch. It’s an ancient earthquake early warning device!

Our next stop is Hin Areni Winery. En route, we’ll cross the Vorotan Gorge, enjoying the views of the Caucasus Mountains and rural villages. Areni is one of Armenia’s most prestigious wine-producing regions. The world’s first known winery was established here, with a history dating back to 6100 BC! Here, we’ll learn about wine-making process, and taste authentic Areni wine. After the tour, we’ll return to Yerevan within 2 hours.

Meals: Breakfast
Accommodation: Ani Grand Hotel Yerevan (4 stars) or similar

Today, your guide and driver will accompany you to visit some of Armenia’s most sacred UNESCO World Heritage Sites. First, head to St. Hripsime Church and St. Gayane Church. St. Hripsime (died 290 AD) was one of Armenia’s earliest Christian martyrs. She was killed because she refused to marry a pagan king to stand firm in her faith. This church was built on her tomb as a memorial. St. Gayane Church has a beautiful orange building. Inside and around it, you can spot about 20 stone crosses, which are over 1,000 years old.

Next, let’s go to Etchmiadzin Cathedral, or Holy Etchmiadzin. Built around 303 AD, it is one of the oldest cathedrals in Armenia and even the world, and is considered as the “Vatican” of Armenia. Legend has it that St. Gregory the Illuminator (240-332 AD), the first Christian saint in Armenia, saw Jesus Christ striking the ground with a golden hammer in his vision, revealing the location where Armenia’s first cathedral should be built. At the entrance, you can see an iconic statue depicting the Armenian king, who established Christianity as the state religion, raising a cross with St. Gregory.

Later, we’ll visit Zvartnots Temple built in the 7th century AD. As you approach the main gate, slow down and take out your zoom lens to capture a stunning view of the temple and the sacred snow-capped Mount Ararat, where Noah’s Ark is said to have landed. Then, admire the 16 remaining columns which are powerful evidence of the architectural innovation of Armenia at that time. They feature capitals with volutes resembling classical Ionic columns, combined with basket weave and pomegranate reliefs. Even more astonishing, before the temple was reduced to ruins by an earthquake, its massive dome reached a height of 45 meters (1,771 ft.)! It also profoundly influenced later architectural styles in Azerbaijan, Georgia, and Turkey. 

After the visit, your guide and driver will escort you back to your hotel. The rest of the day will be free on your own.

Meals: Breakfast
Accommodation: Ani Grand Hotel Yerevan (4 stars) or similar

Today, your guide and driver will warmly greet you at your hotel, and then you’ll enjoy a private 1.5-hour ride to Gyumri, Armenia’s second-largest city. Also built of tuff, Gyumri’s buildings are darker compared to the “Pink City” of Yerevan.

Upon arrival, let’s start from the Museum of National Architecture and Urban Life, built in 1872 AD. The building itself is quite remarkable. Besides its red and black exterior, it was cleverly constructed on a slope, with one floor on the east side and two floors on the west! It even miraculously survived the earthquakes of 1926 and 1988 intact. Stepping inside, you can be enveloped by the smell of antique wooden furniture and fabrics. Admire the collection of wealthy merchants from that era, such as an Italian piano and exquisite Gyumri handmade carpets.

Afterward, we’ll visit the Black Fortress. Built in 1834 AD, it was an important military fortress for border defenses of the Russian Empire. You can see the walls up to 2 meters (6.5 ft.) thick and barracks capable of accommodating 15,000 soldiers.

Finally, we’ll head to Harichavank Monastery. It’s unique with a geometric beauty of the folding umbrella-shaped dome, decorative columns and rosettes. After that, your guide and driver will escort you back to your hotel in Yerevan.

Meals: Breakfast
Accommodation: Ani Grand Hotel Yerevan (4 stars) or similar

This morning, your guide and driver will pick you up from your hotel for a 40-minute drive to Garni Temple. Built in the 1st century AD, this Greek style peripteral temple was dedicated to the sun god Mihr, overlooking the deep Azat River canyon. Three hundred years later after its construction, Christianity became the state religion and almost all pagan buildings were demolished. Garni Temple survived due to its location and special role as the royal summer palace.

Next, let’s visit a natural wonder in the nearby Garni Canyon, the “Symphony of Stones.” Approaching the cliff, you may be awestruck by the dense array of basalt columns before your eyes. This site bears witness to the crystallization of flowing lava. The columns look like a neatly arranged hexagonal honeycomb, or a giant pipe organ, carved and sculpted by nature. Together with the rushing Azat River, they create a natural symphony.

Our final stop is the Geghard Monastery carved into the cliff face. “Geghard” means the “Holy Spear” in Armenian. According to records, the Roman soldier Longinus pierced Jesus Christ’s side with a spear to confirm his death at the Crucifixion. The splattered blood healed Longinus’s eye disease, and thus he converted to Christianity. The Holy Spear was kept at Geghard Monastery and is now preserved in Etchmiadzin Cathedral. At the monastery’s spring, which has never dried up since the Middle Ages, you can drink the sacred water, and pray for health and spiritual purification. Later, your guide and driver will escort you back to Yerevan.

Meals: Breakfast
Accommodation: Ani Grand Hotel Yerevan (4 stars) or similar

Today, your tour is coming to an end. Your driver will accompany you to Yerevan Airport according to your flight time. Hope you have a great voyage!

Meals: Breakfast

► Recommended Restaurant for Late Departure (at your own expense)
Lavash Restaurant, a 10-minute walk north of your hotel, is a good choice to enjoy Armenian cuisine. Lavash is the most important part of Armenian staple diet. The flatbread is made only from flour, water, and salt, and is listed as a UNESCO Intangible Cultural Heritage. The restaurant has an open bakery for you to watch the lavash baked in traditional ovens. For the food, you may try the classic roasted lamb chops or kebabs, paired with a cup of Armenian coffee. 
Average Cost per Person: about USD 20
Address: 21 Tumanyan St, Yerevan 0001

► Suggested Travel Sequence for the Caucasus Region
Due to the tense relations between Armenia and Azerbaijan, if you visit Armenia after visiting Azerbaijan, you may face extra questions at customs or even be refused entry. If you want to explore the Caucasian countries on the same tour, it is advisable to visit Azerbaijan first, then Georgia, and finally Armenia.