Yerevan & Beyond

Arrive in Yerevan early morning of day 2, transfer to your hotel and check in for a 7-night stay. 

• Hotel Description

At around midday, meet your guide in the reception of your hotel to begin an introductory walking tour of Yerevan, designed to provide a clear orientation and overview of the Armenian capital. Departing on foot, walk to Tavern Yerevan Restaurant to enjoy a traditional welcome lunch with your guide. Afterwards, continue to Republic Square, the impressive architectural centre of the city, renowned for its harmonious design and use of distinctive Armenian tuff stone.
Pause at a local currency exchange for the opportunity to purchase Armenian Dram before heading north towards Freedom Square, passing the Armenian Opera Theatre and ascending the Cascade. Continue on to Victory Park to visit the Mother Armenia statue, where panoramic views across the city are often afforded. Later, take a short taxi ride to Barekamutiun Metro Station and travel three stops by metro back to Republic Square, experiencing an everyday aspect of local life. Return on foot to your hotel, concluding your introduction to Yerevan. (B,L)

• Hotel Description

This morning, travel west from Yerevan to visit Etchmiadzin, the spiritual heart of Armenia. Here, explore Etchmiadzin Cathedral, the country’s most important religious site, particularly atmospheric on Sunday mornings. Continue to the impressive 7th-century ruins of Zvartnots Cathedral, followed by a visit to the nearby Saint Hripsime Church. Together, these landmarks form part of a UNESCO World Heritage Site.

Return to Yerevan for lunch and time to explore the intriguing Soviet Club, a privately owned café, restaurant, and “entertainment museum” dedicated to Armenia’s Soviet past. In the afternoon, visit Erebuni, the ruins of a Urartian fortified city founded in 782 BC and considered the birthplace of Yerevan. Conclude the day at Yerevan’s main railway station, an increasingly rare example of Stalinist architecture dating from 1956, before returning to your hotel for the remainder of the day at leisure. (B,L)

• Hotel Description

Today enjoy a full-day round-trip excursion from Yerevan, travelling on a scenic loop of approximately 340 km. Departing at around 8:00 am, head south to Khor Virap Monastery, a 7th-century stone complex set dramatically against the backdrop of snow-capped Mount Ararat. Continue to the 13th-century Noravank Monastery, beautifully located within a narrow red-rock gorge. Proceed to Areni, stopping briefly at the Areni Cave Complex, an important archaeological site located in the world’s oldest known wine-producing region. Lunch is taken in Areni, with the opportunity to sample local wines.
In the afternoon, travel via Yeghegnadzor and cross the 2,410-metre Selim Pass, stopping at the well-preserved 14th-century Selim Caravanserai. Continue to Lake Sevan, visiting the Noratus field of khachkars before skirting the western shoreline. The day concludes with a visit to the Sevan Peninsula and Sevanavank Monastery (if open), before returning to Yerevan in the early evening. (B,L)

• Hotel Description

Enjoy a full day at leisure to explore Yerevan independently. There is a wide range of sights and activities on offer, and your local guide will be happy to provide advice and suggestions to suit your interests. You may wish to visit one of the city’s notable museums, such as the Matenadaran, home to an exceptional collection of ancient manuscripts, or the Sergey Parajanov Museum. Alternatively, explore the atmospheric backstreets of Kond or visit what remains of the former Children’s Railway in the Hrazdan Gorge. Should you prefer more structured sightseeing, a guide can be arranged for additional in-depth exploration in and around the Armenian capital. (B)

• Hotel Description

Today head out of Yerevan to explore a series of sites on the southern slopes of Mount Aragats, a prominent volcanic massif dominating much of western Armenia. Travelling northwest from the city, reach the base camp for hikes on Mount Aragats at approximately 3,200 metres above sea level. Stop here to take in the alpine scenery and visit Lake Kari. If open, there will also be the opportunity to visit the Aragats Cosmic Ray Research Station, founded in 1943.
Descending the mountain, arrive in the late morning at the Orgov Radio-Optical Telescope (ROT-54), a striking and now defunct Soviet-era structure. Continue to the nearby town of Byurakan for lunch, followed by a visit to the Byurakan Astrophysical Observatory, established in 1946. Return to Yerevan in the late afternoon and enjoy a wine tasting at the centrally located In Vino wine bar, before returning to your hotel. (B)

Please note that all sites visited today require special access arrangements and are subject to change due to factors beyond our control. As the excursion reaches altitudes of up to 3,200 metres, appropriate clothing is essential. This tour is not normally feasible from November to early April. For keen hikers, a non-technical hike to Mount Aragats’ 3,888-metre Southern Peak can be arranged; this takes approximately five hours. Please contact us for further details

• Hotel Description

This morning travel west from Yerevan to visit two of Armenia’s most significant cultural sites. Begin at Geghard Cave Monastery, a UNESCO World Heritage Site and one of the country’s most impressive religious complexes, partially carved directly into the surrounding rock. Continue to the restored Garni Temple, dating from the 1st century AD and the only largely preserved Hellenistic temple in the former Soviet Union, once part of a royal summer residence complex.
After a traditional lunch in a private home, return to Yerevan and visit Levon’s Divine Underground, an extraordinary museum-cave excavated entirely by hand. Conclude the day at the Armenian Genocide Museum and Memorial Complex. Return to your hotel in the mid- to late afternoon, with your final evening in Armenia free at leisure. (B,L)

• Hotel Description

Transfer from your hotel to the airport and check in for your flight back home. (B)