Armenia - Yerevan [14 days]

Our trips to Armenia blend the best of an ancient country at the heart of one of the oldest civilisations between Asia and Europe. With its strong Christian heritage much evident in the stone churches that dot the countryside, a starkly humbling landscape, and an infectious cameraderie amongst its people, Armenia is an undiscovered jewel.

Tour Details:

Day 1: Yerevan
Arrival from (country) in Yerevan and transfer to the hotel at your choice. Accommodation and overnight at the hotel.

Day 2: Yerevan
Full day tour around the city with your guide. Visit the Memorial complex, and the Museum of the Medieval Armenian Culture - Matenadaran having a collection of over 16000 ancient manuscripts. Visit the Museum of History of Armenia with the richest collection of historical data. Overnight at the hotel in Yerevan.

Day 3: Yerevan – Haghpat - Sanahin
Transfer to the Armenia-Georgia border. Sightseeing tour to the 10th-13th centuries Haghpat and Sanahin historical and architectural monuments set amidst forest-clad hills close to the town of Alaverdi. The monuments are preserved by UNESCO and included in the World Heritage List. Transfer to Yerevan. Overnight at the hotel.

Day 4: Yerevan - Garni - Geghard - Erebuni
Drive through the picturesque Avan Canyon, skirting formidable cliffs and passing exotic-looking gorges until a green plateau by the Azat River comes into view. Here, in the harmony of the relief and the virgin nature you will see the pagan Garni architectural complex of the 1st century. Another ten minutes ride through the gorge will take you to the cave monastery of Geghard (12th – 13th centuries). Visit the ruins of the Erebuni fortress and the Erebuni Museum holding the collection of historical items found on the site. Overnight at the hotel in Yerevan.

Day 5: Yerevan - Lake Sevan - Haghartsin
Full day tour north to Lake Sevan- the emerald of Armenia, with a visit to the 9th century Sevan Monastery. The tour will continue on to the beautiful mountainous and forested region of Dilijan, and then on to the magnificent complex of the Haghartsin Monastery (11th century). Overnight at the hotel in Yerevan.

Day 6: Yerevan - Khor Virap - Noravank - Jermuk
Ride to Dvin, the capital of Armenia in the early Middle Ages, which in the 5th century became an important trading center on the Silk Road. Visit Khor-Virap (4th-17th cc). Khor Virap, one of the romantically sited monasteries in Armenia with views across a bast plain to Turkey and the twin peaks of Mount Ararat. Here, in the atmosphere of historical environment and vivid imagination you will notice the Noah’s Ark in the snows of Ararat. The tour will continue on to the 12th century monastery complex of Noravank set in a canyon rich with rare flora. Overnight in Jermuk town.

Day 7: Jermuk – Sissian - Mountainous Karabagh - Stepanakert
Today we will drive through the Karabagh mountians to Stepanakert. After hotel check in, a city tour of Karabagh will follow. Overnight at hotel.

Day 8: Stepanakert - Gandzasar
Visiting the Gandzasar – Cathedral of Artsakh (13th c). Overnight in Stepanakert.

Day 9: Stepanakert - Yerevan
Leave Stepanakert Visiting Zorats kar. Arrive in Yerevan. Overnight at the hotel in Yerevan.

Day 10: Yerevan - Museums
Visit the Museum of Paradjanov and the Museum of Sarian with an excellent exhibition of Sarian’s pictures. Armenian wine and cognac tasting in the Paradjanov Museum with accompaniment of Armenian classical music. Before dinner a little time at leisure to wander around the city. Overnight at the hotel in Yerevan.

Day 11: Yerevan – Echmiadzin - Zvartnots - Metsamor
Full day tour to Echmiadzin and its famous Cathedral. The Cathedral was built in 303 on the site of a pagan temple after the adoption of Christianity as a state religion in 301. Visit St. Hripsime Church (7th century). A few kilometers from Echmiadzin are the ruins of the 7th century AD Temple of Zvartnots. Continue to the ancient fortress Metsamor in the center of the Ararat Valley Overnight at the hotel in Yerevan.

Day 12: Yerevan – Ashtarak – Amberd - Saghmosavank
Full day excursion to Ashtarak - one of the ancient cities of Armenia. The settlement is full of historical architectural monuments constructed in different periods (II millennium BC to XVIII AD). Here you can visit the church Karmravor (VII-XIX) that preserved its original appearance with red tile roofing, and also the church St. Marine (1281). The 4th century Ohanavank monastery complex, the 7th century fortress of Amberd will also be visited. Overnight at the hotel.

Day 13: Yerevan
Ample time to wander over the enormous and fascinating weekend open-air Vernissage market in the center of Yerevan from where you can buy typical Armenian souvenirs - wood-carved khachkars (cross stones), obsidian items, antique rugs, handicraft jewelleries, paintings of well-known artists. Ovenight at the hotel.

Day 14: Yerevan
Transfer to the airport for your flight home.

Prices are per person based on double occupancy.
Prices in GBP, USD and CAD are informative and may vary with the official exchange rate.

Please don't forget to choose the charity of your choice from our list!

Carbon Footprint for this package: EUR 22.10