5000 YEARS IN THE SHADOW OF THE ARARAT

Arrival and transfer to the hotel
Your driver will meet you at the airport in Yerevan and escort you to your hotel.

Overnight in hotel in Yerevan

1st highlight: Visit to the Historical Museum of Armenia
The museum was founded in 1919 and is now considered the research center for Armenia's culture and history. Its collection includes around 400,000 objects, including some unique archaeological, numismatic and ethnographic specimens. The oldest of these date back to the Paleolithic Age.

2nd highlight: walk through the Yerevan Cascade
The Yerevan Cascade is considered to be the beating heart of the city. Young people meet here to drink, there are open-air concerts and you have a fantastic view of the city's panorama. The monument itself is built in the shape of a staircase-like pyramid (as known from the Mayan temples) and is 118 m high. There are still numerous modern works of art in front of the object.

3rd highlight: tasting workshop at the Ararat Brandy Company
In the evening we will drive towards the Yerevan Ararat Brandy Company and actively participate in a tasting workshop with an expert. We are introduced to the cognac elixir and discover the unmistakable aromas, properties, vintages and blends of the high-quality brandies. We end this eventful day with a delicious dinner to the music of local folklore.

Overnight in Yerevan

1st highlight: Drive to Etchmiadzin Cathedral
The cathedral is located about 20 km west of Yerevan and represents the religious center of the country. It was built in 303 AD and is therefore the oldest Christian monument in the country. At the same time, Christianity was also declared the state religion. Today, in addition to the Museum of the Holy Relics, it also houses the residence of the Catholicos.

2nd highlight: visit to Zvartnots Cathedral
This ruin was built in the shape of a cathedral and a palace in the middle of the 7th century and is dedicated to Saint Gregory. The palace was dedicated to the former King of Armenia Nerses the 3rd, who ruled from 641 to 662.

3rd highlight: dance class
The traditional Armenian dances continue to be an important expression of the Armenian soul today. Accompanied by traditional music, we learn the basic steps of the most famous dances together.

Overnight in Yerevan

1st highlight: Drive to Dilijan
This fantastic city is also known as "Armenian Switzerland". Armenians say: "If paradise had mountains, forests and mineral springs, it would be Dilijan!" The resort town is located in the heart of a nature reserve and is considered one of the most intellectual corners of Armenia. We stroll along their museum street and enjoy the cute wooden buildings with their carved ornaments.

2nd highlight: Cooking class in Dilijan
In the evening we take part in a cooking class. An experienced chef teaches us all the secrets of Armenian cuisine and cooks a fantastic dinner with us.

3rd highlight: Evening at Lake Sevan - the blue pearl of Armenia
After dinner we drive towards Lake Sevan - one of the highest mountain lakes in the world (1,900 m above sea level). The magnificent lake is surrounded by breathtaking nature, idyllic sandy beaches and a multitude of historical monasteries, of which we visit the Sevanawank Monastery and enjoy the picturesque view of the mountains from there.

Overnight at the Lavash Hotel on the shores of Lake Sevan

1st highlight: Drive over the Selim Pass
Our journey continues east over the Selim Pass (2,400 m). From here we have a fantastic view of the gorges and mountains of the region.

2nd highlight: stop at the Selim caravanserai
Below the pass, we visit one of the best preserved caravanserai on the Silk Road - the Selim caravanserai from the 14th century.

3rd highlight: Visit to the Zorakhar burial ground
There are around 30 chamber graves, some of them very large, as well as the remains of the walls of a long-forgotten settlement. Lots of legends and rumors revolve around this place. The reason: To this day, scientists are still unsure of the purpose of the ocean of tombs.

Overnight in the town of Goris

1st highlight: Ride on the "Wings of Tatev"
In the morning, a spectacular ride on the world's longest cable car (5,750 m long) "Wings of Tatev" is planned. It takes us over 2 mountain peaks and up to the 500 m deep Vorotan Gorge to the beautiful monastery of Tatev.

2nd highlight: visit to the monastery complex of Tatev
On the monastery complex there are 3 churches from the 11th century, as well as the Tatev monastery. This is considered one of the most important architectural monuments in the country and is a center of Armenian culture. The view from the monastery of the Vorotan Gorge and the surrounding hills is phenomenal!

3rd highlight: walk through the cave city of Khndzoresk
In the afternoon, we continue to the picturesque cave town of Khndzoresk. The bizarre rock formations and numerous caves form the houses of the old city, which was still inhabited until the middle of the 20th century. In addition, we descend to the swinging bridge, cross it and walk across the Khndzoresk Cañon.

Overnight in Goris

1st highlight: Excursion to Noravank Monastery including lunch
The picturesquely situated Noravank Monastery lies at the end of the reddish shimmering cliffs of a gorge and is adorned with sculptures and reliefs. We stay in this magical place for lunch.

2nd highlight: visit to the monastery of Khor Virap
In the afternoon we drive through the mountain villages and vineyards to the monastery of Khor Virap. It lies below Mount Ararat and was built and used between the 4th and 17th century. The history of the monastery is closely linked to "Gregory the Illuminator". On the way to the monastery, we stop at the Vorotan Pass to enjoy the view from 2,340m.

3rd highlight: wine tasting
Afterwards a wine tasting is set up at the Tuszorhpa Winery. The fantastic natural wines are paired with a delicious Armenian lavash and cheese platter so that we can taste the true flavors of Armenia.

Overnight in Yerevan

1st highlight: Drive to Geghard cave monastery
We drive to the Geghard cave monastery, which was built in the 12th and 13th century. In the monastery we can enjoy a concert by the women's quintet "Luys", which plays sacred and traditional music.

2nd highlight: Excursion to the Ionian Garni temple
Garni was the summer residence of the Armenian kings at the time and is best known today for its Ionian temple. The temple dates back to the Hellenistic period and was built in the 1st century by King Tiridates on the edge of a deep basalt gorge. From here we go on a great hike to the impressive basalt rock formations of the Garni Gorge.

3rd highlight: cooking class
We are invited to lunch with a farmer. Here we learn how to bake traditional Armenian bread in the tonir.

4th highlight: farewell dinner
In the evening a delicious dinner is set up in a local restaurant in Yerevan with a folklore program.

Overnight in Yerevan

Breakfast and transfer to the airport
After breakfast you will be transferred to the airport in Yerevan. Your return flight ends the tour.

See you on a new journey!

8 x Overnight stays in 4 * and boutique hotels
8 x Breakfast
7 x Lunches in restaurants or with local families
7 x Dinner in restaurants
Cooking class in Toun Armeni
Dance class in the Machanenz Ethno Center
Concert by the women's quintet "Luys"
All transfers in an air-conditioned and comfortable vehicle
All described excursions & trips tickets
All day English-speaking tour guide

Meals & drinks not listed
Insurance
Tip
Flights (Choose the right flight here from our partner AUF UND DAVON)

Note for people with handicaps: This product is generally not suitable for people with disabilities concerning mobility. When making your booking, please ask whether it still meets your individual needs.