Travel in Armenia and Armenian Cuisine

Travel in Armenia, taste the traditional armenian dish "Tolma". We participate in Tolma festival where you can taste the variation of this dish making by participates from different regions of Armenia.

• Day 1/2:Arrival-Yerevan City tour

  

  Arrival in Zvartnots airport. Meet and greet transfer, accommodation at the hotel. Breakfast at the hotel. City tour around Yerevan. While your tour you will see the Republic Square which is designed in the traditional Armenian architectural style and includes the Government House, the Ministry of Foreign Affairs, the Central Post Office, the National Art Gallery. Visit to the Tsitsernakaberd Memorial park and museum of the victims of Genocide. In the second half of the day your main attraction will be Armenian History Museum, here the important archaeological collection from Stone Age through Medieval periods is dark and almost unlabeled, but should not be missed. Visit open air market called Vernisage which is the perfect place to get a little taste of Armenia. Overnight in Yerevan.

• Day 3:Yerevan-Garni-Ghegard-Brandy Factory

  

  Departure to Garni Temple which was built in the first century A.D. Opportunity to have lunch at a local house in Garni where you will have opportunity to watch Armenian national bread “lavash” baking and barbeque making process in the underground stove called “tonir”. Northeast of Garni there is a magnificent monument of medieval Armenian architecture - Geghard Monastery inscribed in UNESCO World Heritage list. Geghard is another incredible ancient Armenian monastery, partly carved out of a mountain. Return to Yerevan. Visit legendary Armenian Brandy Factory (1887). Armenia is world renowned for its brandy. Winston Churchill was offered Armenian brandy by Joseph Stalin at the Yalta Conference, and was so impressed that he asked for several cases of it to be shipped to him each year. Overnight in Yerevan.

• Day 4: Yerevan-Khor Virap-Areni Winery-Noravank-Yerevan

  

  Sightseeing tour to Khor-Virap monastery the importance of which is connected with Gregory the Illuminator, who introduced Christianity to Armenia. It is a wonderful masterpiece situated on top of a hill. It is a pilgrimage place where every year a lot of tourists and native people visit. It looks like a castle where everybody has the hint to sit and dream while admiring the beauty of the church. The highlight is the best view to the biblical Mt. Ararat. Continue tour to Noravank monastery - religious and cultural centre of 13th c. Visit Areni winery on the way to taste Armenian wine. It is situated in a narrow gorge which is known for its’ tall, sheer, brick-red cliffs, directly across from the monastery. The beauty of this monastery is appreciated by thousands of visitors not only because of its’ architecture and history, but also for its harmony with surrounding fabulous nature. Drive back to Yerevan. Overnight at the hotel in Yerevan.

• Day 5:Yerevan-Sardarapat-Echmiadzin-Zvartnots-Yerevan

  

  After breakfast drive to Echmiadzin which is mere 20 km from Yerevan. On the way stop at the ruins of Zvartnots temple - the pearl of the 7th c. architecture which is listed as a UNESCO World Heritage. Visit St. Hripsime church which is considered to be one of the 7 wonders of Armenia. Etchmiadzin Cathedral is known as the center of the Armenian Church and appears to be one of the world's first Christian churches. Legend has it that it was here that Jesus Christ descended from heaven to show where he wanted a church built. So Echmiadzin means “The only-begotten descended”. The Church was built between the years 301 - 303 AD. Drive to Sardarapat village, place for victorious battles in 20th c., it’s also home for famous ethnographic museum of Sardarapat. Participation at the Feast of Tolma along with representatives of different villages and regions (each having their own variant of making traditional tolma with a unique recipe) and leading Armenian restaurants and individuals from Yerevan and regions. Return to Yerevan fore rest and overnight.

• Day 6:Yerevan-Lake Sevan-Dilijan-Goshavank-Yerevan

  

  Drive to Lake Sevan. About 70 miles north of Yerevan sits Lake Sevan the second largest alpine in the world. This huge mountain lake which takes up to 5% of Armenia's surface area is about 2,000 meters above sea level and is the second highest freshwater lake in the world. The monastery peninsula is the most popular spot, and is the closest place to visit as well. Continue to the North of Armenia through spectacular forested region of Dilijan, where you can walk through a museum street, with the buildings preserved from 19 c. with the ceramics workshop and woodcarvers’ studio. Drive to Goshavank monastery of 13th c. and take the chance to see one of the most beautiful Armenian cross stones. Drive back to Yerevan. Overnight in Yerevan.

• Day 7:Departure

  Transfer to the airport. Departure home!