Ancient Armenia

Day 1: Arrival in Yerevan

Upon arrival in Armenia, you will be welcomed and transferred to the hotel in central Yerevan. Overnight Tufenkian Historic Hotel or similar. No meals.

Note if you arrive early we can provide a quote for early check in and for any extra activities you may wish to do.

Yerevan

Set on the edge of a ravine above the River Hrazdan, Yerevan is a mixture of architectural styles, with some imposing Soviet-era buildings as well as residential homes where different types of stone are used. Concentric boulevards spill outwards from the city centre interspersed with parkland, and this sense of space and greenery gives Yerevan an almost rural feel at times. The main street of bars, restaurants and shops is Abovian, running north from Republic Square. The cathedral of St Gregory the Illuminator was built with money from the enormous Armenian diaspora to celebrate 1,700 years of Christianity in Armenia. The covered market stands opposite the Blue Mosque, which has been recently restored. A range of museums cover everything from art to natural history – one of the most impressive is the Matenadaran, devoted to ancient manuscripts. 

Day 2: The sights of Yerevan (Approximate driving time 2 hours)

Enjoy a city tour of Yerevan, including Victory Park with its high-scale view point over the city, Cascade and the Gafeschian Centre of Art, The North Avenue, the Opera House, Republic Square, and etc. Visit the Genocide Memorial and museum dedicated to the victims of the Great Genocide that took place in 1915 and the memorial with eternal fire. We also have a short visit of Matenadaran - a Museum and Scientific Institute of ancient manuscripts, which houses a unique collection of ancient manuscripts covering such topics as philosophy, law, mathematics, medicine and geography. Later visit the Yerevan Brandy Factory for a guided excursion to the cellars and enjoy a degustation of 2 types of local brandy. End the tour for the day with a visit to a craftsman specialized in khachkars (Armenian cross-stones). Later this afternoon there may be some time for your own exploration. Overnight in Yerevan (B) 

Day 3: Yerevan – Khor Virap – Areni – Noravank – Karahunj – Goris (Driving time approximately 4,5 hours)

Start the day by driving through the fertile Ararat valley to the picture postcard monastery of Khor Virap (4-17c), one of the sanctuaries of the Armenian Apostolic church and an important pilgrimage site. Continue to the monastery of Noravank, surely one of the most majestic monuments of medieval Armenia. The church had an atrium, which was rebuilt by the famous sculptor Momik. Visit Karahunj or Zorats Stones (Armenian Stonehenge), an outstanding archaeological site. We spend time exploring this magnificent place before travelling to Goris for the overnight stay. Overnight in Goris (BLD) 

Khor Virap

Standing on a hill in the middle of Ararat Plain and affording glorious views of Mount Ararat, Khor Virap, which translates as 'deep dungeon', is a monastery with great historical significance as it was the place where St Gregory the Illuminator, patron saint of Armenia, was imprisoned by King Trdat III in the 3rd century. Most of the monastery dates from 1661, but in St George's chapel you can still see the cell where the unfortunate monk was held - a pit 6m deep which can be reached by ladder. 

Areni

The recently excavated and very well preserved Copper Age settlement Areni Bird’s Cavern uncovers the secrets of 6000 years old wine production in Armenia. The site boasts incredible items excavated in 2008-2010 including the world’s oldest shoe which is 5,500 years old. 

Karahunj

The first excavation in 1980 focused on religious worship meaning behind the standing 222 stones, while recent researches started lively discussions about site’s origin as observatory established 7500years ago. The name KarahunJ is interpreted as deriving from two Armenian words: car (or kar) (Armenian: քար), meaning stone, and hunge or hoonch (Armenian: հունչ), meaning sound. Thus the name Carahunge means "speaking stones". This interpretation is related to the fact that the stones make whistling sounds on a windy day, presumably because of multiple reach-through holes bored into the stones at different angles in prehistoric times. 

Day 4: Goris – Khndzoresk – Tatev Monastery – Selim – Lake Sevan (Driving time approximately 5,5 hours / Alternatively – Overnight in Dilijan, driving time 6,5 hours)

This morning we drive to the cave village of Khndzoresk. The Village of Khndzoresk is a huge complex with interesting caves waiting to be explored and we will spend some time walking around this atmospheric site. Continue to Tatev Monastery which we will explore. Journey to beautiful Lake Sevan via Selim Caravanserai and take the stairs to the top of the peninsula to enjoy breathtaking scenery of the splendid mountain chain surrounding the glittering surface of the lake. Continue to Dilijan, also known as Armenian Switzerland. Overnight in Sevan (BL) 

Tatev Monastery

An important 9th Century historical monument, Tatev is one of the oldest and most famous monastery complexes in Armenia. During medieval times Tatev Monastery was a vital scholastic, enlightenment and spiritual centre and played a singular role in the country’s history. Here you will see mighty fortress walls upon massive cliffs, an ancient oil mill with stone grinders, pendulous column-with unique medieval structure and ancient frescoes by European masters. 

Day 5: Sevan – Haghpat – Dzoraget (Approximate driving time is 3,5 hours)

Stroll through the picturesque old quarter of Dilijan, particularly Sharambeyan Street, renowned for its pottery, carpentry and other artisan shops. Continue to Haghpat and explore the monastery, a masterpiece of medieval Armenian Church architecture. Continue to Gyumri. Overnight in Gyumri (BLD) 

Lake Sevan and Sevanavank Monastery

Lake Sevan is one of the largest freshwater high-altitude lakes (2000m above sea level) and is one of the main attractions of Armenia thanks to the picturesque lake and the monastery Sevanavank which is a stunning 9th century monastery situated strategically on the peninsula which used to be an island. 

Dilijan

Dilijan attracts visitors with its lash forests, fertile meadows, and the rushing rapids of the River Aghstev. The climate is very different to elsewhere in Armenia and enjoys a sense of quiet nature. 

Haghpat Monastery (UNESCO)

The monastery of Haghpat was founded in 976 during the reign of king Ashot III Bagratouni and used to be a spiritual, cultural and educational centre of the region. The village and the monastery lie over a deep "crack" formed by a small river flowing into the Debed River. 

Day 6: Dzoraget – Gyumri – ArmAs Winery – Yerevan (Approximate driving time is 4 hours)

Travel to Gyumri and attend a ceramics workshop. We explore the streets of the old town on foot to try to understand why since the ancient times Gyumri has been considered the cultural capital of Armenia and the birthplace of arts and crafts. ArmAs Winery Estate is a picturesque display of agricultural achievement, set against the backdrop of the inspiring Mount Ararat. The 180 hectares of previously desolate and disconnected rock-strewn countryside was diligently transformed into a stunning panorama including vineyards, orchards, and a world-class winery. Here you’ll have a guided excursion though the vineyards and distilleries, as well as a degustation of wines. Later we return to Yerevan. Overnight Royal Plaza Hotel or similar (BL) 

Gyumri

Gyumri is the second largest city of Armenia, known for its excellent 19th century Tsarist architecture which suffered greatly in the 1988 earthquake. It is the hometown for many talented Armenian artists, poets and musicians; Gyumri is famous for its museums, galleries, art centres, and churches. 

Day 7: Yerevan – Echmiadzin – Zvartnots – Yerevan (Driving time approximately 2 hours)

Visit Echmiadzin, the spiritual heart of the Armenian Church including the Mother Cathedral A short distance from here we visit the ruins of Zvartnots dating back to the 7th Century.  Later we enjoy a gastronomic master class of Lavash bread making before finishing the day at the Vernissage flea market, a large open air market for handmade souvenirs, carpets, silver and jewellery. Overnight Royal Plaza Hotel (BL) 

Echmiadzin

The spiritual centre of the Armenian Church, Echmiadzin was the setting for a series of visions by St Gregory the Illuminator, where columns of fire turned into churches. The first monastery was built, like many others in Armenia, on the site of a pagan temple in the 4th century, rebuilt in the 5th century in a different style and then renovated in the 17th century. The cathedral treasury is a museum of religious relics, and is where the spear from Geghard that is said to have pierced Christ as he hung on the cross is stored. The treasury also contains a piece of wood said to be from Noah's Ark, which came to rest on the summit of Mt Ararat, today situated in Turkey but long part of Armenia. 

Day 8: Yerevan – Garni – Geghard (UNESCO) – Megeryan Carpet – Yerevan (Driving time approximately 2.5 hours)

Travel to Kotayk province to explore Geghard Monastery, astonishingly partly carved out of a mountain. Continue to Garni. Continue to nearby Garni to visit the pagan temple. Have lunch in the village of Garni in an authentic rural environment with a master-class of baking lavash - traditional Armenian flatbread. Return to Yerevan and visit Megeryan Carpet where we learn about centuries-old traditions of Armenian carpet weaving. Overnight Royal Plaza or similar (BL) 

Optional Walk: 1 hour walk in the gorge of the Azat River. The duration of the walk is approximately 1 hour, with no difficult passages. The walk starts from the village of Garni, taking you down to the Azat river gorge and the famous “Symphony of Stones” basalt columns, located at an altitude of about 50 meters above the ground. Difficulty: Easy to Medium. 

Geghard

Geghard means 'spear', and this church set in a narrow gorge is reputed to have once contained the spear which pierced the side of Christ on the cross; the spear now lies in the treasury at Echmiadzin. Built up against a cliff face, the main cathedral was constructed in 1215, but the first monastery on the site is thought to date from the 4th century AD. The monastery is decorated with reliefs depicting animals, crosses and geometrical shapes. 

Garni

Garni is a heathen temple which is the only surviving monument of the Hellenistic period in Armenia. The temple is dedicated to the God of the sun Mithra and was built in the 2nd half of the 1st c A.D. during the reign of king Trdat I. Destroyed by an earthquake in 1679, the temple of Garni was reconstructed in the 1970’s and is now made up of both original and replacement masonry and is situated in a splendid location overlooking an impressive natural canyon. 

Day 9: Yerevan

Spend your last full day in Armenia to discovery Yerevan at your own leisure, perhaps to take in some museums or shop for souvenirs. Overnight Royal Plaza Hotel or similar (B) 

Day 10: Tour Departure

Bid farewell to Armenia as you are transferred to the airport for your onward journey (B)