Transfer to hotel. Overnight in Yerevan or felt.

After breakfast, explore the Armenian capital. Yerevan’s name derives from the Urtetian fortress of Erebouni. In 2023, the town celebrated its 2805th anniversary. Stroll through the city center: La Cascade or Gérard Cafesjian’s Centre l’Art Moderne,known for its collections of sculptures by contemporary artists, lace du Théatre de l’Opera, Avenue du Nord, Place de la République where “neo-Armenian”, “neo-classical” and “neo-medieval” styles meet, buildings constructed from local pink tuff. At Place de la République, during the summer, you can attend a ‘Sound and Light’ fountain concert. Visit to the memorial and museum of the Armenian Genocide (Tsitsernakaberd) perpetrated by the Ottoman Turks in 1915.

Lunch on your own. Departure for Etchmiadzine, the ‘Armenian Vatican,’ the Holy See of the Armenian Apostolic Church where the residence of the Catholicos (Patriarch) and the Mother Cathedral of all Armenians in the world are located. Visit the cathedral and the remains of Zvartnots Cathedral (7th c.), famous for its fine bas-reliefs uniting pre-Christian and Christian symbols. The sites are classified as UNESCO World Heritage Return to Yerevan.

Dinner on your own. Overnight in Yerevan

N.B. If the visit falls on a Sunday, there is the possibility to attend Mass during which religious chants, the Charakans, will be heard.

After breakfast, departure towards the south of the country. Visit to the monastery of Khor Virap, dominated by Mount Ararat (5165 m.). Khor Virap, or ‘the deep pit,’ where St. Gregory the Illuminator was imprisoned for 13 years. Continuing to the wine region of Vayots Dzor, where we will visit the Noravank Monastery, the ‘New Monastery,’ surrounded by red rocks. In the 13th-14th c., this renowned monastery was the seat of the Archdiocese of Syunik. Here worked the famous miniaturist, sculptor, and architect Momik. Noravank is one of the most beautiful sites in the country.

Lunch with wine tasting Continuation to the Syunik region. Visit to Qarahunj (Zorats Karer), Armenian ‘Stonehenge,’ a megalithic site from the 5th millennium BCE. It is an ancient observatory where various types of megalithic art constructions are seen: menhirs, cromlechs, dolmens, and barrows. Arrival in Goris.

Dinner and overnight stay in Goris.

In the morning, we will explore the troglodyte village of Khndzoresk, known as the ‘Little Cappadocia,’ not far from the city of Goris. The artificial caves were inhabited until the middle of the 20th century. From the belvedere, we can observe stunning gorges and cross them via a suspension bridge. Departure for the Tatev Monastery, one of the famous religious, educational, and cultural centers in the Middle Ages. The monastery housed one of the most advanced universities of the Middle Ages and welcomed many intellectuals. To reach it, we will take the longest cable car in the world, ‘Tatever,’ built in 2010 by a Swiss company and listed in the Guinness World Records.

Lunch on your own. Departure for Jermuk, a spa known for its healing mineral waters. Jermuk is a place to get away from it all in lush natural surroundings. Visit the waterfall on the Arpa River. 72m long, the waterfall is called “The Mermaid’s Hair”.

Dinner at the hotel and overnight in Jermuk.

In a 4×4, we will set out to explore Mount Vayots Sar, an ancient extinct volcano. From the summit, at 2581 meters above sea level, we will descend 125 meters into the crater by 4×4 or on foot. The backdrop of the Vayots Dzor mountains is breathtaking.

Picnic in nature. Then, we will visit the remains of the Herher Monastery. Return to Jermuk. In the city, a stroll is planned to taste thermal waters. In the evening, we can enjoy the SPA center for a relaxing evening.

Dinner at the hotel and overnight stay in Jermuk.

After breakfast, departure for the Gegharkunik province, towards Lake Sevan.

After breakfast, departure for the Gegharkunik province, towards Lake Sevan. Stop at Selim Pass to visit the Orbelian Caravanserai, located at 2400 meters, built by Prince Cesar Orbelyan in 1332 on one of the Silk Roads. An extraordinary view opens up over the valley. Arrival at Lake Sevan, the ‘Emerald of Armenia,’ one of the highest freshwater lakes in the world at nearly 2000 meters. Stop in the village of Noratus, famous for its cemetery with numerous khachkars, dating from the 9th to 17th century. Khachkars are cross-shaped stones—a distinctive expression of Armenian art. In the village, we will visit a local family’s farm where we will taste their cheeses with local wine.

Lunch on your own. Continuation to the Sevanavank monastery (9th c.), with its splendid view of the lake and surrounding mountains. Return to Yerevan.

Dinner on your own. Overnight in Yerevan

In the morning, visit Matenadaran, a museum-library that houses more than 18,000 ancient illuminated manuscripts in Armenian and other languages. Departure for the Kotayk region. At Garni, we will take a walk in the Azat Gorge, famous for its hexagonal basalt formations resembling an organ, hence the name ‘Symphony of Stones.’ Visit the Garni Temple, dating back to the 1st century AD, the only Hellenistic temple left standing after the Christianization of Armenia in the 4th century. A jewel of pre-Christian architecture, the temple was built by King Tiridates I and dedicated to the god Mithra

Lunch at Garni, where we will witness the preparation and tasting of Lavash, the traditional Armenian bread inscribed on UNESCO’s Intangible Cultural Heritage List. Continuing to the Geghard Monastery (UNESCO World Heritage Site), located in a spectacular gorge. The name of the monastery, Geghard, means ‘spear,’ which is believed to have pierced the body of the crucified Christ. The monastery complex, rich in splendid bas-reliefs, contains numerous chapels and rock-hewn mausoleums that represent the pinnacle of Armenian medieval architecture. Back to Yerevan. Visit the Vernissage craft market.

Dinner on your own. Overnight in Yerevan

Transfer to the airport for your return flight. End of our services.