You will be transferred from Yerevan Airport to your hotel. Depending on the arrival time, you will have free time in Yerevan.

We begin our journey through Armenia’s cultural heritage with the UNESCO World Heritage Site Geghard Monastery (13th century), partly built into a rock monolith. We admire its exquisite ornaments and unique acoustics. Next, we visit the Hellenistic Temple of Garni (1st century), the only pagan sanctuary of its kind in Armenia. A hike to the "Symphony of Stones" natural monument follows, where we marvel at towering basalt columns. The day ends with a short walk through Yerevan and a dinner with folk music.

Schedule: 

09:00-10:00 – Breakfast
10:00-11:00 – Drive to Geghard Monastery
11:00-12:30 – Tour of Geghard Monastery
13:00-14:00 – Lunch
14:00-15:00 – Tour of Garni Temple
15:00-17:00 – Hike to Symphony of Stones
17:00-18:00 – Return to Yerevan
18:30-19:30 – Walk in Yerevan
19:30-21:30 – Dinner with folk music

We explore Khor Virap Lake, with stunning views of snow-capped Mount Ararat and surrounding semi-desert landscapes. We observe a variety of waterbirds before visiting Khor Virap Monastery (7th century), a significant spiritual site in Armenia. After lunch, we prepare Tolma (minced meat wrapped in grape or cabbage leaves). Later, we visit a dripstone cave in Vayots Dzor Province, admiring its ancient stalactites and stalagmites.

Schedule 

09:00-10:00 – Breakfast
10:00-11:00 – Drive to Khor Virap Lake
11:00-12:30 – Hike and birdwatching at Khor Virap Lake
12:30-13:30 – Visit to Khor Virap Monastery
13:30-15:00 – Lunch and Tolma preparation
15:00-16:30 – Drive to Vayots Dzor Province
16:30-17:30 – Visit to a dripstone cave
17:30-18:00 – Arrival in Yeghegis village (Arevi Guesthouse)
19:00-20:00 – Dinner

We explore Arpa Protected Landscape, with chances to spot majestic mammals and birds of prey. After a picnic, we visit Noravank Monastery (13th century), known for its intricate exterior reliefs and dramatic red rock formations. In the evening, we learn the art of baking Lavash, a traditional Armenian flatbread.

Schedule

09:00-10:00 – Breakfast
10:00-10:30 – Drive to Arpa Protected Landscape
10:30-14:30 – Hike and wildlife observation in Arpa Protected Landscape; picnic
14:30-15:30 – Visit to Noravank Monastery
15:30-18:00 – Hike from Noravank to Arpa Protected Landscape
18:00-18:30 – Drive to guesthouse
18:30-20:00 – Baking Lavash, a traditional Armenian flatbread, and dinner

Our journey takes us to the remote Syunik Province, where we first visit the impressive 18-meter-high Shaki Waterfall. After a refreshing lunch, we stop at Zorats Karer, also known as the Armenian Stonehenge. This remarkable collection of large, upright stones from the Bronze Age is estimated to be around 7,500 years old and was likely used as an observatory – a fascinating relic from ancient times.

Schedule 09:00-10:00 – Breakfast
10:00-12:00 – Drive to Syunik Province
12:00-13:30 – Visit to Shaki Waterfall
13:30-14:30 – Lunch
14:30-15:00 – Drive to Zorats Karer
15:00-16:00 – Visit to Zorats Karer
16:00-17:00 – Drive to Halidzor village (Hotel Harsnadzor)
17:00-18:00 – Rest time
19:00-20:00 – Dinner

We hike to the Great Hermitage of Tatev, an abandoned 17th-century monastery that has been partially reclaimed by nature while preserving its unique charm. Next, we explore Devil’s Bridge, a remarkable natural rock formation spanning the Vorotan River. Here, we have the opportunity to relax in mineral springs and explore nearby caves. In the evening, we visit the abandoned settlement of Old Khndzoresk, where cave dwellings carved into volcanic tuff provided shelter for centuries. The settlement dates back to the Bronze Age but saw significant expansion in the Middle Ages (9th-13th centuries) and remained inhabited until the 1950s.

Schedule 

09:00-10:00 – Breakfast
10:00-15:00 – Hike to the Great Hermitage of Tatev and Devil’s Bridge
15:00-16:00 – Lunch (picnic)
16:00-17:00 – Drive to Old Khndzoresk
17:00-18:30 – Visit to the Old Khndzoresk settlement and suspension bridge
18:30-19:30 – Drive to hotel
19:30-20:30 – Dinner

We take the famous "Wings of Tatev" cable car to Tatev Monastery (9th century), which sits atop a cliff overlooking the Vorotan Gorge. With its breathtaking views and picturesque location, Tatev was an important educational and cultural center in the Middle Ages, attracting scholars from across the region and playing a key role in Armenian history. The monastery complex impresses with its medieval architecture, intricate stone carvings, churches, and massive fortifications. After lunch, we head north and stop at Tolors Reservoir to visit the scenic ruins of the Church of Saint Hripsime (16th century), also known as the Amphibian Church. Depending on the water level, we reach the ruins either on foot or by boat. In the evening, we arrive at the well-known resort town of Jermuk, where we visit the mineral water gallery.

Schedule

 09:00-10:00 – Breakfast
10:00-11:00 – Cable car ride to Tatev Monastery
11:00-12:30 – Visit to Tatev Monastery
12:30-13:30 – Lunch
13:30-15:00 – Drive to Tolors Reservoir
15:00-16:00 – Visit to the Church of Saint Hripsime
16:00-17:30 – Drive to Jermuk, hotel check-in
18:00-19:00 – Visit to the mineral water gallery in Jermuk
19:00-20:00 – Dinner

We also explore the scenic route through the Gndevank gorge, have a picnic and watch the majestic birds of prey. Highlight of the gorge, the monastery Gndevank (10th century.) with a few well-preserved frescoes, which are regarded as masterpieces of the late middle ages. The surrounding tombstones are carved intricately and hunt scenes with Capricorn, Falcon, and deer. The day we decide with a delicious dinner at our accommodation.

Schedule

09:00-10:00      Breakfast

10:00-18:00      Hiking from Jermuk to Gndevank gorge with the picnic

18:00-19:00      Return to Jermuk

19:00-20:00      Dinner

We explore Lake Sevan, the symbol of Armenia and the largest high-altitude freshwater lake in the world. From the picturesque Hayravank Monastery (9th century), we enjoy the view over the lake. At lunchtime, we sample eight local cheese varieties at a family-run business and then discover artfully crafted khachkars (stone steles) in Noratus (10th–17th centuries). In the evening, we learn how to grind wheat and bake Gata, a traditional Armenian sweet bread, in the historic mill of our host family.

Schedule
09:00–10:00 – Breakfast
10:00–12:30 – Drive to Lake Sevan
12:30–13:00 – Visit to Hayravank Monastery
13:00–14:30 – Cheese tasting at the Mikayelyan family farm
14:30–15:30 – Visit to the cemetery in Noratus
15:30–16:00 – Drive to the village of Nerkin Getashen (Tatoyan’s Mill Guesthouse)
16:00–18:00 – Rest time or walk through the village of Nerkin Getashen
18:00–19:00 – Wheat grinding and Gata (Armenian sweet bread) baking
19:00–20:00 – Dinner

We hike to Mount Armaghan, a 2,829-meter-high extinct volcano in the Geghama Mountains, and enjoy a breathtaking view of the Vardenis Plateau and Lake Sevan—Armenia's largest lake—while having a picnic by the small crater lake. Before dinner, there's some time to rest.

Schedule
09:00–10:00 – Breakfast
10:00–10:30 – Drive to the village of Madina
10:30–18:30 – Hike to the crater lake of Mount Armaghan with picnic
18:30–19:30 – Rest time
19:00–20:00 – Dinner

On our drive along Lake Sevan, we stop at the Norashen Reserve to observe the largest colony of Armenian gulls in the country. After a delicious lunch and a masterclass in traditional Armenian cuisine at the Tsaghkunk Chef House Restaurant, we continue to the Sevan Peninsula. There, the Sevanavank Monastery (9th century) awaits us with panoramic views over the lake. In the evening, we are treated to a wine tasting by our hosts at the Berkri Guesthouse and enjoy a fabulous dinner.

Schedule
09:00–10:00 – Breakfast
10:00–11:00 – Drive to Norashen Reserve
11:00–11:30 – Visit to Norashen Reserve (largest Armenian gull colony)
11:30–12:00 – Drive to the village of Tsaghkunk
12:00–14:00 – Lunch and preparation of traditional Armenian dishes at Tsaghkunk Chef House Restaurant
14:00–16:00 – Drive to Sevan Peninsula, visit to Sevanavank Monastery
16:00–17:30 – Drive to the village of Yenokavan (Berkri Guesthouse)
18:00–19:00 – Wine tasting at Berkri Guesthouse
19:00–20:00 – Dinner

We explore the breathtaking landscape of Lastiver, known for its picturesque hiking trails. These trails lead us to waterfalls, fascinating rock formations, and peaceful spots along the riverbank. After a refreshing lunch break, we continue our hike in the Ijevan Reserve, where we have the opportunity to inspect the camera traps used to monitor the local wildlife.

Schedule
09:00–10:00 – Breakfast
10:00–14:00 – Hike in Lastiver
14:00–15:00 – Lunch
15:00–19:00 – Hike and inspection of camera traps in the Ijevan Reserve
19:00–20:00 – Dinner

We visit Haghpat Monastery (10th century), an outstanding example of Armenian architecture and a UNESCO World Heritage Site, located on a plateau above the Debed Gorge. After a delicious lunch with breathtaking views in the Mendz Er Cave, we hike from the village of Dsegh to Lake Tsover and let ourselves be enchanted by its harmonious beauty.

Schedule
09:00–10:00 – Breakfast
10:00–11:30 – Drive to Haghpat Monastery
11:30–12:30 – Visit to Haghpat Monastery
12:30–13:00 – Drive to Mendz Er Cave
13:00–14:30 – Lunch in the Mendz Er Cave
14:30–15:30 – Drive to the village of Dsegh
15:30–18:00 – Hike from Dsegh to Lake Tsover
18:00–18:30 – Drive to the hotel
19:00–20:00 – Dinner

We visit family farms that make their living through beekeeping and dried fruit production, gaining insight into local agricultural practices. In the afternoon, we reach the foothills of Mount Aragats, Armenia's highest peak at 4,090 meters, whose white summit dominates the landscape. We visit Amberd Fortress (10th century), literally the “Fortress in the Clouds,” located at the confluence of the Amberd and Arkashen rivers, offering a stunning panoramic view of the surrounding landscape. The day ends with a dinner in Yerevan.

Schedule
09:00–10:00 – Breakfast
10:00–12:00 – Drive to Spitak
12:00–13:30 – Visit to the apitherapy center “Bee Life”
13:30–15:00 – Drive to the village of Byurakan
15:00–16:30 – Lunch and dried fruit tasting at “Chir’s House”
16:30–17:00 – Drive to Amberd Fortress
17:00–18:00 – Visit to Amberd Fortress
18:00–19:30 – Drive to Yerevan
19:30–20:30 – Dinner

You will be transferred to Yerevan Airport to your return flight.