Armenia Tours
Classic Armenia Tour 2012
Highlights: 9 day tour
This is a comprehensive tour of Armenia, visiting monasteries, mountains, pagan temples, wine-tasting and private homes to learn about making delicious lavash bread. This tour includes all private transfers and guides and is ideal for the first time visitor.
Price from: £1965 pp
Armenia is such a beautiful country with stunning, contrasting landscapes. In the North, stone churches lie hidden in luxuriant verdant gorges, whilst in the South, the monasteries perch on red, craggy mountains. Picnic lunches can be taken overlooking the ever-changing colours of Lake Sevan – one of the largest high-altitude lakes in the world. Further south from the lake, near Noratus, there is a field of Khachkars (translated as cross-stone, carved memorial stones). Wine-tasting at Areni Winery in Vayots Dzor and brandy-tasting at Yerevan’s Brandy Factory are part of the many highlights of a visit to Armenia.
This is the ideal itinerary for first time visitors to Armenia and offers extensive sightseeing with private guide and car.
Price Includes:
Return flights in economy class with bmi diirect from London Heathrow. All airport taxes and security charges. Accommodation in three-star hotels and guesthouses with breakfast. Meals as specified. All transfers and transportation throughout. Sightseeing with English-speaking guide. Entrance fees on sightseeing tours.
Price Excludes:
Armenian Visa (Currently 3,000 Armenian Dram on arrival, which is around US$9). Regional departures - please contact us for details.
Notes:
4-5 persons travelling £1700 per person
Single room supplement £175
9 Day Itinerary
FLY TO YEREVAN
Fly to Yerevan, transfer to Hotel Aviatrans for 3 nights.
YEREVAN
Morning sightseeing tour of Yerevan including the Genocide Memorial and Museum. Free afternoon to explore at leisure. (B)
ETCHMIADZIN AND ZVARNOTS
Excursion to Etchmiadzin, St. Hripsime and Zvarnots. Starting in Etchmiadzin, the religious centre of Armenia and just 20 kilometres from Yerevan, visit the cathedral and the adjacent museum, which houses all manner of manuscripts, religious gifts and relics. Also visit the Church of the Holy Virgin Hripsime, a 7th century construction which affords good views of both Mount Ararat and Mount Aragats. (B,L)
YEREVAN TO SISIAN
Drive south-east to Sisian via Khor Virap and Noravank. The view of Khor Virap is spectacular set against the backdrop of Mount Ararat. It was here, that St Gregory the Illuminator was imprisoned by an Armenian king for preaching Christianity - you can even climb down into the dark pit yourself! Continue to Noravank, perched precariously in its dramatic gorge setting. A visit is also included to the mountain-top monastery of Tatev. Overnight stay in Hotel Lalamar. (B,L,D)
SISIAN TO DILIJAN VIA LAKE SEVAN
Morning visit to Karahunge, considered to be Armenia’s Stonehenge. Drive to Lake Sevan through the mountainous areas of Vayots Dzor province and via the Selim Pass - a pass used since the days of the Silk Road. Here, explore the 14th-century Selim Caravanserai. You will also stop at Noraduz, ancient cemetery of Khachkars (stone crosses). Check-in to Hotel Dilijan for 2 nights. (B,L,D)
DILIJAN
Morning tour of Dilijan before visiting the Haghartsin Monastery located to the northwest of the town. The monastery may be described as a school of architecture - it took about 300 years to build it with many generations of architects adding on new structures as they went. Also visit Goshavak Monastery where you will see one of the finest examples of Armenian cross-stones. After lunch in a private house there will be an opportunity to visit a ceramics workshop and woodcarver’s studio. (B,L,D)
LORI PROVINCE
Today visit the Lori Province, an area of forest-covered mountains, gorges and rivers. Here, visit Odzun church from the 6th century and continue to Sanahin and Hagphat (UNESCO Heritage sites). After lunch at a local restaurant, where you will try the traditional Armenian barbecue, transfer back to Yerevan. (B,L)
GARNI AND GEGHARD
Excursion to the Garni Pagan Temple and Geghard Monastery. Garni Temple, dating from the 1st century AD, was once a building in a great complex of palaces and temples, serving as a summer residence for the Armenian Kings of the day. Enjoy a pleasant walk to the Geghard Cave Monastery, cut into the side of the cliff and surrounded by ancient gravestones. Afternoon visit to Matenadaran, - a massive depository of ancient manuscripts. (B,L)
FLY TO UK
Morning transfer to airport for flight to the UK. (B)
