Today you reveal the secrets and hidden gems of Yerevan, the pink “pearl” of Armenia, a beautiful European city mostly built with different shades of local pink stone called “tuf” quarried in Armenia. Founded in 782 B.C. Yerevan is reputedly one of the oldest cities in the world to have been continuously inhabited. We start the exploration with the “Victory Park” and “Mother Armenia” monument offering a “bird’s-eye” view of the city with the fantastic view of the majestic snow-capped Mount Ararat (5165m) dominating the skyline. Continue to the colossal monument of Cascade and Cafesjian Center for the Arts which includes a world-class sculpture garden and indoor modern art museum with works from Botero, Chihuly, Barry Flanegan and many others.
Tour of “Goom” bazaar of Yerevan, a real museum of food with pyramids of fresh and dried fruits stuffed with different kinds of nuts, honey, cinnamon and other spices, colorful strings of “sweet sujukh”, orange beads of dried peaches(“alani”) stuffed with walnuts, piles of “lavash” traditional Armenian bread, many kinds of cheeses some of them aged in clay pots, pickles, beans and other organic products offered by local farmers. For lunch, enjoy a delicious traditional Armenian meal.
Overnight in Yerevan

This morning we embark on our journey to the lands of ancient treasures of Christian history…Vatican City of Armenia, Holy Echmiadzin with its world’s earliest Christian churches included in the list of UNESCO World Heritage Sites. Visit Echmiadzin Mother Cathedral originally built by Saint Gregory the Illuminator in 301-303 A.D., when Armenia became the first officially Christian state in the world. We will visit Treasury Museum to see the most important relics of Holy Echmiadzin. We stop at St. Hripsime Church, a real masterpiece of the Armenian early medieval architecture. Later we tour the ruins of Zvartnots Cathedral under the gaze of the biblical Mount Ararat. Cook up traditional Armenian recipes on our master class and lunch in a small Armenian village with our absolutely charming hostess! Cook delicious gata under the trees, next to her herb garden and orchard, stir-up the ingredients, roll out the dough and cook the sweet bread in a tonir, a traditional oven usually buried in the ground. Back to Yerevan.
On your own: you can visit Vernissage Arts & Crafts open air market in Yerevan.
Overnight in Yerevan

After breakfast drive to Khor Virap Monastery, a 4th  century castle-like fairy-tale monastery, the most iconic site in Armenia and one of the most important Christian sites in the world. Its location, near the closest point to biblical Mount Ararat within Armenian borders, offers a spectacular view of the snow-capped mountain, the national symbol of Armenia. Our next stop is Areni village, where world’s oldest wine making facility has been found (6100 years old) in an incredibly well-preserved condition due to the wonderful microclimate of the Cave Areni-1, the site it was found! Lunch in Areni village at a local winemaker’s place. Later we visit Noravank, the jewel of the crown among all the medieval sites in South Caucasus. The monastery is nestled among giant red rocks and mountains, just above a deep gorge. Drive to Jermuk Spa town.
Overnight in Jermuk

In the morning we explore Jermuk, famous of its hot spring mineral water. Drive to the south of Armenia to visit Karahunj-Armenia’s Stonehenge. This stone circle, now shown to be a prehistoric observatory, long predates Stonehenge in England. Ancient inscriptions found here may mark the birthplace of the Zodiac – and of Western Civilization itself. Possibly it was the world’s first astronomical observatory founded 7500 years ago. Its history is really very impressive. Later we visit the miraculous monastery of Tatev riding the world’s longest aerial tramway (5.7 km) built by the Swiss in 2010. Tatev is a formidable monastic complex founded in the 9th century. It’s the biggest monastery in Armenia. It’s located on a rocky peninsula more than 100 meters above the Vorotan River. According to tradition the relics of the Apostles, Sts. Peter and Paul, were placed under the dome’s supporting pillars. Lunch in Sisian town at a ceramist’s house, where we will see how they make pottery using an old traditional Armenian way. Back to Jermuk
Overnight in Jermuk

Driving through Vardenyats Mountain Pass famous for its fascinating colorful mountains we reach the Orbelian Caravanserai on the Great Silk Road at the highest point of the pass (2410 m). Here little has changed since the fourteenth century. The Caravanserai offered hospitality to travelers along the highway crossing the Selim mountains.  Visit the Stone Garden – Noratus, the largest field of Armenian exquisite cross-stones in the world. Later we visit a small family-owned cheese farm in an alpine village near Lake Sevan producing premium cheeses aged in wine, brandy, vine leaves. Proceed to Lake Sevan National Park. We drive to the Lake Sevan, the world’s second largest highest lake at 1900 m above sea level and the most beautiful lake of Armenia taking up 4% of the territory of Armenia. Marvel at stunning turquoise waters of the Lake Sevan and dramatic mountain scenery after climbing up the peninsula hill where we visit the 9th century Sevanavank Monastery (optional, over 240 steps to get there).  Continue to Dilijan Spa town.
Overnight in Dilijan.

After breakfast explore Dilijan, a resort town in the north of Armenia. Words alone can’t describe the natural beauty of Dilijan. Many poets used to say, “If there are woods, mountains, streams and mineral waters in paradise, it must be like Dilijan.” As a climatic balneal health center of medium- mountain zone, Dilijan is characterized by mild, moderate warm summer, sunny warm winter and dry warm weather during the whole year. Due to its forested mountains and mild climate, Dilijan is named “Armenia’s little Switzerland.” You’ll see the most beautiful part of the town, Old Dilijan. Visit Haghartsin monastery, a fairy-tale nestled in the middle of the forest. The next route will lead to Goshavank, which was founded by famous Armenian cleric and law – codifier, Mkhitar Gosh, in 12-13th centuries. Drive to Lori region, on our way we will visit the exotic village of Fioletovo inhabited by the Russian Molokans. Our charming hosts Misha and Natasha will treat us with their traditional food as well as pirozhki (Russian pie), samovar tea with organic honey and wild raspberry jam.
Overnight in Dzoraget or Haghpat.

Today we explore one of the most beautiful regions of Armenia, “emerald” Lori with sweeping panoramas of its bottomless gorges and the impressive Debed Canyon. Visit the gems of the Armenian medieval architecture – Haghpat & Sanahin (UNESCO) large monastic complexes. Haghpat is a perfect example of medieval Armenian architecture. Being astonishingly well preserved with its elegant buildings, “lace” stone-crosses, inscriptions, frescoes and bas-relieves it became the first Armenian architectural monument to be included in the list of UNESCO World Heritage Sites.  And Sanahin is another marvel famous for its beautiful medieval library and 12th  century “Tutevordi” “embroidered-lace” stone-cross. Later we drive to a lovely local village house to enjoy our fabulous home-cooked Armenian lunch. We can also visit the Soviet Air Force Museum. Drive to Yerevan.
Overnight in Yerevan

Later we visit Matenadaran, a unique Research Institute of Ancient Manuscripts and a Museum, the largest center of study and safekeeping of Armenian manuscripts in the world. Lunch in a traditional Armenian restaurant, where you’ll enjoy the best dishes of the rich Armenian cuisine. For lunch, enjoy a delicious traditional Armenian meal. In the afternoon we’ll visit Ararat Brandy Factory and Museum where you are going to explore 120-year history of one of the world’s most renowned brandy factories, producing the best cognac in the world and see the oldest Armenian barrels. The visit includes a cognac tasting. Later we visit “Soviet Club”. Hayk Bianjyan, its founder, has been collecting various exhibits that characterize the life of Soviet Armenia, and soon began to exhibit them in a one-of-a-kind club. Entering the club, each visitor feels to have been transferred to Soviet times. Here one can taste the famous dishes of Soviet cuisine, look through exclusive archival materials, play Soviet slot machines, ride a Soviet taxi “Volga” and much more. It is noteworthy that many of the presented exhibits have been preserved in a single copy.
Overnight in Yerevan

This morning we drive to the region of Aragatsotsn at the foothills of the highest peak of Armenia, Mount Aragats. We visit the sister monasteries of Ohanavank and Saghmosavank, two medieval gems of Armenian architecture perched dramatically at the edge of the Kasakh River Gorge. Continue to the quaint and charming town of Ashtarak and visit the 7th century tiny but elegant church of Karmravor with its well-preserved red tile roof. Lunch in 19th century heritage house in a charming village. Enchant your taste buds as Grandma Hripsime is going to cook for us today! Afterwards we visit the impressive Wine History Museum of Armenia. The development of viticulture and winemaking in the Armenian Highlands is presented in the museum not only by interpreting facts, but also by interactive and innovative solutions. The exhibits related to viticulture and winemaking give the visitor an opportunity to get a certain idea of ​​the centuries-old Armenian culture in general. The main exhibition hall of the museum is located at the level of 8 meters deep underground basalt rocks, where the chronological stages of wine development in the Armenian Nature, as well as the connection of wine with different spheres of Armenian history and culture are presented in detail. Afterwards we tour Armenia Winery, perhaps the most beautiful winery in Trans-Caucasus. The winery building reminds of a medieval Armenian fortress the facade of which is coated with polished orange tufa stone and national Armenian ornamental art. It's considered among the most modern equipped winemaking facilities in the former USSR territory. French and Italian specialists work hereto produce a super-premium wine. Back to Yerevan.
Overnight in Yerevan

We drive to Garni Fortress, the most beloved summer residence of the Armenian royal dynasties. Travel 2000 years back in time as your guide is showing you around the impressive 1st century Hellenistic Temple (the only one in the former USSR), the royal Roman Baths with a colorful mosaic, the palace ruins. We visit a local villager’s house for a traditional Armenian meal. Our table is set amid the blooming apricot orchard. Roll your sleeves up and join our hosts who will bake the traditional Armenian bread “lavash” in “tonir” oven. Freshly baked lavash must be the most delicious bread on earth! After a hearty lunch continue to Geghard (UNESCO site), a surreal monastery carved inside a huge rock in a magical setting surrounded by incredible rock formations. Your guide will reveal all the secrets and stories behind the marvelous site. The highlight of your trip will be a walk in the Azat River Gorge to marvel at one of the most beautiful geological wonders of our planet called “Symphony of Stones” – giant hexagonal basalt columns stretching along the river for several kilometers. Your guide will show you how to take the most creative photos of the place. Back to Yerevan.
Overnight in Yerevan