Armenia Unveiled: Special 7-Day Journey

Day 1

Stop 1.Arrival

On arrival at Zvartnots International Airport, you will be met and transferred to your hotel. The rest of the day is free to relax, explore or enjoy a meal. Overnight stay: Yerevan

Day 2

Stop 1.Republic Square

At 10 AM, begin your city tour of Yerevan at Republic Square, where a stone carpet in the centre symbolically reflects more than 3,000 years of history.

Stop 2.Opera and Ballet Theatre

Continue to the Opera and Ballet Theatre, designed by Alexander Tamanyan, the chief architect whose vision shaped much of modern Yerevan.

Stop 3.Cascade & Cafesjian Museum

From the top of the Cascade, admire sweeping views over the city with biblical Mount Ararat on the horizon, and visit the Cafesjian Museum of Modern Art inside the complex.

Stop 4.ARARAT Brandy Factory

Visit the renowned ARARAT Brandy Factory. A guided tour of the museum tells the story of ARARAT brandy, followed by a tasting of selected varieties.

Stop 5.Visit to a Duduk Master

Meet a local duduk master in Zvartnots. Learn about the history and craftsmanship of the duduk, Armenia's traditional woodwind instrument with its distinctive, expressive sound, then enjoy a live performance with coffee in the master's garden. Overnight stay: Yerevan

Day 3

Stop 1.Matenadaran

After breakfast, at 9 AM, visit Matenadaran, the treasury of Armenian manuscripts. Established in 1959, it houses one of the world's richest collections of ancient manuscripts.

Stop 2.Geghard Monastery

Travel to Geghard Monastery, a UNESCO World Heritage site. Also known as Ayrivank, the "cave monastery", it is partly carved into the surrounding cliffs, a striking fusion of architecture and nature.

Stop 3.Symphony of Stones

On the way to Garni, stop at the Symphony of Stones, basalt columns shaped like organ pipes rising above the gorge.

Stop 4.Lavash Baking Masterclass

At a local house, take part in a traditional lavash baking masterclass and see how Armenia's thin flatbread is baked in an underground tonir oven.

Stop 5.Garni Temple

Continue to the Garni pagan temple. Dating back to the 1st century AD, this Hellenistic temple was dedicated to the sun god Mihr and overlooks the Azat River gorge. Return to Yerevan. Overnight stay: Yerevan

Day 4

Stop 1.Khor Virap Monastery

Visit Khor Virap, the cradle of Armenian Christianity and an important pilgrimage site, standing on a rocky hill with magnificent views of Mount Ararat.

Stop 2.Areni-1 Cave

Drive to the Areni-1 Cave, where archaeologists discovered the world's oldest known winery, about 6,100 years old, and a 5,500-year-old leather shoe.

Stop 3.Family Winery Tasting

Visit a local family-owned winery and taste regional wines from Vayots Dzor.

Stop 4.Noravank Monastery

Continue to the 13th-century Noravank Monastery, set in a dramatic gorge among red and orange cliffs whose colours change with the light. Return to Yerevan. Overnight stay: Yerevan

Day 5

Stop 1.Sevanavank Monastery

Depart at 9 AM for Lake Sevan, at about 1,900 metres above sea level and one of the highest freshwater lakes in the world. Visit the Sevan Peninsula and the 9th-century Sevanavank Monastery.

Stop 2.Boat Trip on Lake Sevan

Enjoy a boat trip on the lake.

Stop 3.Haghartsin Monastery & Gata Tasting

Continue to Dilijan and visit the Haghartsin monastery complex in the forest, followed by a gata tasting.

Stop 4.Dolma Masterclass in Dilijan

Join a dolma-making masterclass in Dilijan.

Stop 5.Dilijan Old Town

Stroll through the old part of Dilijan, then return to Yerevan. Overnight stay: Yerevan

Day 6

Stop 1.Zvartnots Temple

At 10 AM, depart for Zvartnots Temple. Built in the 7th century and now in ruins, it is known for its circular design, unique in medieval Armenian architecture.

Stop 2.Holy Etchmiadzin

Continue to the Mother See of Holy Etchmiadzin, built in 301–303 AD and a UNESCO World Heritage site, widely considered the oldest cathedral in Armenia.

Stop 3.Gata Masterclass at Tasty House

Visit Tasty House in Musaler village for a gata-making masterclass. Gata is a traditional Armenian sweet pastry baked in a tonir oven.

Stop 4.GUM Market

Back in Yerevan, visit the GUM Market with its stalls of fresh fruit and vegetables, meats, spices, dried fruits, cheeses, lavash and pickles.

Stop 5.Vernissage Market

Visit the Vernissage open-air market for traditional Armenian crafts, artworks, souvenirs, antiques, jewellery and textiles. Overnight stay: Yerevan

Day 7

Stop 1.Departure

After your final breakfast, you may have some extra time for last-minute shopping or exploring before you are met and transferred to the airport for your onward flight. Safe travels! Meals: breakfast