Armenia Tailormade - Ancient Kingdoms and Living Traditions

Arrive in Yerevan, Armenia's atmospheric capital, where your guide will meet you at the airport and accompany you to your hotel.

After check-in, the remainder of the evening is free to relax following your journey. Yerevan is one of the world's oldest continuously inhabited cities, yet today it is a lively and youthful capital, known for its broad avenues, elegant architecture, cafés and vibrant cultural scene.

Our first full day introduces us to Armenia's remarkable blend of ancient history, Christian heritage and living artistic traditions. We begin with a sightseeing tour of Yerevan, visiting some of the city's principal landmarks, including Republic Square, the Cascade Complex and the Opera House. We then head towards Garni, stopping en route for a particularly memorable cultural experience.

At a local workshop, we discover Trchnagir, the distinctive Armenian tradition of creating decorative bird-shaped letters within illuminated manuscripts. Under the guidance of a local artist, we learn about the history and symbolism of this beautiful form of Armenian calligraphy before creating our own design on a T-shirt. Your finished artwork provides a unique and personal souvenir of your time in Armenia.

Continue to Garni Temple, Armenia's remarkable surviving Greco-Roman temple. Dating from the 1st century AD, the temple occupies a spectacular position above the Azat River Gorge and is an extraordinary reminder of Armenia's pre-Christian past. From here we continue into the gorge to see the Symphony of Stones, an extraordinary natural formation of towering basalt columns created by volcanic activity. The regular geometric formations resemble the pipes of a vast organ, giving the site its evocative name.

Lunch is accompanied by another hands-on experience as we visit a traditional rural home to learn how to prepare lavash, Armenia's iconic flatbread. Using a traditional underground tonir oven, we discover the techniques behind this staple of Armenian cuisine before tasting the freshly baked bread.

Our final visit of the day is Geghard Monastery, one of Armenia's most extraordinary medieval monuments and UNESCO listed. Partially carved directly into the surrounding cliffs, the monastery appears to emerge from the rock itself. Its secluded mountain setting and beautifully preserved medieval architecture make it one of the country's most memorable cultural sites. Return to Yerevan, with the evening at leisure

Today we head north into some of Armenia's most scenic countryside.

Our first destination is Dilijan, a charming resort town surrounded by densely forested mountains. Often referred to as the “Armenian Switzerland”, Dilijan provides a striking contrast to the dry landscapes around Yerevan. We explore the atmospheric Sharambeyan Street, the restored historic quarter where traditional architecture houses artisan workshops, galleries and small craft shops.

We then continue towards Lake Sevan, one of the great natural landmarks of Armenia. At approximately 1,900 metres above sea level, the vast lake dominates the surrounding highland landscape, its deep blue waters framed by rugged mountains.

At Mikayelyan Family Farm, we meet local producers and enjoy a tasting of handcrafted Armenian cheeses, learning about the family's traditional production and ageing techniques.

We continue to Noraduz Cemetery, home to one of Armenia's most remarkable collections of khachkars – elaborately carved stone crosses. These beautifully decorated monuments provide a fascinating insight into Armenian religious art and the country's distinctive stone-carving tradition.

Our final visit is Hayravank Monastery, dramatically situated above the shores of Lake Sevan. Dating from the medieval period, its simple stone architecture and elevated position provide wonderful views across the lake.

Lunch includes a Gavari Pakhlava master class, introducing us to the preparation of this traditional regional pastry.

Return to Yerevan by late afternoon for your evening at leisure.

We recommend an early start today, as we travel south through the vineyards and dramatic mountain landscapes of the Vayots Dzor region.

Our first destination is Khor Virap, one of Armenia's most important pilgrimage sites. The monastery occupies a spectacular position on the Ararat plain, with the snow-capped bulk of Mount Ararat often providing an unforgettable backdrop. Khor Virap also has a profound place in Armenian Christian history and is associated with Gregory the Illuminator, traditionally credited with bringing Christianity to Armenia.

We continue to the Areni-1 Cave, an important archaeological site where evidence of ancient winemaking has been discovered. The discoveries here provide fascinating evidence of the extraordinarily long history of wine production in the region. The Areni area is one of Armenia’s principal wine-producing regions. We visit a local winery such as Old Bridge Winery or Trinity Canyon Vineyards, where we enjoy a tasting and lunch while learning more about Armenia's distinctive wine traditions.

We then continue to Noravank, one of the most spectacular monasteries in Armenia. Set against the dramatic red cliffs of the Amaghu Gorge, Noravank's richly carved medieval churches appear almost to blend into the surrounding rock. The combination of architecture and landscape makes this one of the country's most memorable sights.

On our return towards Yerevan, we visit a traditional duduk workshop. The duduk is one of Armenia's most distinctive musical instruments and is traditionally made from apricot wood. A master craftsman introduces us to the instrument-making process before we enjoy a demonstration and live performance. It is an evocative way to experience another important element of Armenian cultural heritage.

Today we explore Armenia's religious and intellectual heritage. We begin with Etchmiadzin, the spiritual centre of the Armenian Apostolic Church and one of the most important religious sites in the country. Visit the Mother Cathedral of Etchmiadzin, traditionally regarded as the oldest cathedral in the world and closely associated with Armenia's adoption of Christianity in the early 4th century.

We then visit the impressive remains of Zvartnots, once a magnificent 7th-century cathedral whose surviving ruins provide an insight into the architectural sophistication of medieval Armenia.

Lunch is accompanied by another hands-on culinary experience at Tasty Guesthouse, hosted by Zara. Here we learn to prepare traditional Armenian dishes including arishta, a handmade pasta, and gata, one of the country's best-known sweet pastries. Following the workshop, enjoy lunch featuring the dishes we have helped to prepare.

Return to Yerevan and visit the Matenadaran, the Mesrop Mashtots Institute of Ancient Manuscripts. This extraordinary repository preserves thousands of Armenian manuscripts covering subjects ranging from theology and philosophy to medicine, astronomy, history and the arts. The collection provides an illuminating insight into Armenia's long literary tradition and the importance of written culture in preserving the country's identity.

There is also an optional visit to a traditional Armenian carpet workshop, where the centuries-old traditions of carpet weaving, natural dyes and symbolic design can be explored.

Return to the hotel with the evening at leisure.

Today we travel north to Gyumri, Armenia's second city and a place with a distinctive character all of its own. Known historically as the “City of Masters”, Gyumri is renowned for its craftsmanship, artistic traditions and distinctive 19th-century architecture. During our walking tour we explore the atmospheric old town, with its dark volcanic-stone buildings, historic churches, museums and galleries. We learn about Gyumri's cultural importance and its remarkable resilience following the devastating earthquake of 1988. We also visit the Gyumri Drama Theatre and experience something of the city's continuing artistic energy.

Our principal experience today is a hands-on khachkar carving workshop. Khachkars – elaborately carved Armenian cross-stones – are among the most distinctive expressions of Armenian stone craftsmanship and religious art. Under the guidance of a master craftsman, we learn about the history and symbolism of the tradition before carving the first letter of our name in the Armenian alphabet onto a small stone. The finished piece provides another personal reminder of our journey through Armenia.

Optional: A ceramics workshop can also be arranged, introducing traditional pottery techniques and offering the opportunity to create a handmade piece to take home.

Enjoy lunch in Gyumri before returning to Yerevan.

After breakfast, check out of the hotel and transfer to Yerevan International Airport for your onward flight. Your journey through Armenia's ancient landscapes, extraordinary religious heritage and living traditions comes to an end.