Classic Armenia

Arrive at Yerevan International Airport where you will be greeted off the aerobridge by a representative and escorted to a VIP lounge where arrival formalities will be handled.  Then, you and your luggage will be taken to the arrival hall to meet your guide and driver. Transfer by private luxury vehicle to your hotel and check in and relax for the rest of the evening. 

Today is spent exploring Yerevan, Armenia’s capital and cultural center. This attractive city is divided by the Hrazdan River and framed by mountain peaks to the north and across the Turkish frontier to the south. Stroll along the city center’s tree-lined boulevards and take in the scene: traditional taverns, chic wine bars, street fashion boutiques, outdoor cafes, Soviet-era buildings, and modern structures. Stop by the city’s iconic landmarks which include Republic Square, Yerevan Opera Theatre, and the Yerevan Cascade, a giant stairway made of limestone where locals come to congregate for festivals and on sunny days. You may want to grab a cup of coffee and sit on a bench and enjoy some people-watching, as the locals do. After lunch, continue to the Armenian Genocide Memorial, a hilltop complex dedicated to the victims of the Armenian genocide. Next door is the Museum-Institute which features exhibits, a library, and a reading hall. Finally, visit Yerevan Brandy Factory, home of the country’s most famous brand of Armenian brandy called ARARAT. Learn about the spirit’s historical heritage as you walk around the museum, as well as the secrets of modern production in the factory. End the tour and the day with a degustation of a selection of ARARAT brandies. 

This morning, drive just west of Yerevan city to Zvartnots Cathedral, one of the country’s culturally-important sites. This UNESCO Heritage Site is an architectural masterpiece constructed between 643-652 AD and its innovative techniques provided the architectural blueprint for many churches throughout the Caucasus and Eastern Anatolia. Though it was destroyed in the 10th century, the ruins and on-site museum are worth a visit. Continue onward to Echmiadzin, another must-see highlight of Armenia and another UNESCO Heritage Site. Etchmiadzin is the name of the city and its eponymous cathedral, which is the mother church of the Armenian Apostolic Church and thus a major pilgrimage site. In Vagharshapat, you will have an opportunity to watch a Dolma (stuffed leaves) making demonstration. On the way back to Yerevan, stop at Voskevaz Winery known for its selection of quality wines produced using endemic Armenian grape varieties. Its premium line uses the traditional method of aging the wine in a clay vessel called a ‘karas.’ Take a tour of the winery and enjoy a private sampling of different wines. 

Depart Yerevan to discover the south of Armenia today. The first stop is Khor Virap, a monastery located on a hillock in the Ararat Plain, beautifully framed by Mount Ararat in the distance over the border in Turkey. Another important pilgrimage site, Khor Virap is notable for holding the man who would become Saint Gregory the Illuminator in a pit for 14 years before he miraculously cured the king, thus helping turn the country into the first Christian nation. Continue onward to Areni village, where in 2011, archaeologists announced the discovery of the earliest known winery. Areni and the surrounding Vayots Dzor region has been the cradle of Armenian winemaking for millennia; the area’s sedimentary and rich volcanic soil coupled with high elevation makes it ideal for vineyards. Here, try a selection of local wines at a winery and have lunch. Finally stop by Noravank, a 13th-century monastery that sits in a picturesque valley, before arriving in Goris and settling in for the evening.

Begin the day with a visit to Tatev Monastery, one of Armenia’s most gorgeous churches. The monastery sits atop a high cliff overlooking a deep river gorge and is reached by the longest nonstop double-track cableway in the world. Enjoy the 12-minute journey by cable car and panoramas of the verdant hillsides and mountains in the distance. After, begin your journey back to Yerevan via a different route. The first stop en route is at Orbelian’s Caravanserai. Built during the 14th century into a mountain pass, the caravanserai was used as a sanctuary for travelers along the Silk Road. Following the road, you will arrive at Lake Sevan, a large freshwater lake and the largest body of water in the Caucasus region. Stretch your legs with a walk around the cool lake before stopping at a local farmhouse to try the local special ‘drunk cheese’ - cheese made using wine and brandy. Arrive back in Yerevan in the late afternoon.

After breakfast, head east just outside of the city to the iconic Garni Temple, the only standing Greco-Roman colonnaded building in Armenia and the former Soviet Union. This classical structure is surrounded by mountains, a deep river gorge, caves, and picturesque surrounds. Have lunch at a local restaurant where you will get a lesson in hand-making another national dish, lavash (local bread). In the afternoon, proceed to the nearby Geghard Monastery, a UNESCO World Heritage Site, located in the Upper Azat Valley. This medieval monastery is partially carved out of the mountain and surrounded by towering cliffs, making it both striking and unique. The monastery is also famous for housing a particular Christian relic - the lance that wounded Christ on the cross. Return to Yerevan and spend the rest of your day at leisure. If you wish to explore independently, we suggest visiting The GUM market which sells everything from traditional candies and treats, homemade products, fresh produce, and pickles to dried fruits, nuts, cured ham and blocks of cheese. For handicrafts, vintage items, and unique finds, you will want to visit Vernissage flea market. 

On your last day, spend your morning at leisure, whether having one last coffee at a local cafe or a visiting an art gallery. When ready, a private car will take you to the airport. You will be escorted to a VIP lounge where departure formalities are handled for you by a representative. Then, you will be led through security and immigration, then finally to an air-side VIP departure lounge to relax until your flight onward.