Day 01 : Arrival Yerevan

The morning begins with a visit of St. Gregory the Illuminator Cathedral, Tsitsernakaberd (1915 Genocide Memorial), continue to the Cascade is a huge white stairwell built into a Yerevan hillside in the 1970s, with water fountains running down. Our next stops are Opera house, Northern Avenue and walk down via Abovyan Street to Republic Square.

A traditional Armenian welcome dinner.

Day 02 : Yeghegnadzor

After early breakfast long drive take us to the two important and picturesque monasteries of Armenia, Noravank Monastery (masterpiece of the 13th Century architect Momik) dramatically located in the canyon and Khor Virap one of the holiest sites in Armenia. En route to Noravank Monastery we will visit Areni village famous with its wine. Wine taste in Areni winery.

Day 03 : Goris

We continue our exploration of Southern Armenia. Transfer to village of Vernashen passing the village Gladzor, a major center of science and calligraphy in medieval Armenia. Start hiking to Spitakavor Monastery (trail length 14 km). Walking through the village, we have an opportunity to meet and chat with locals and gain a true insight into their traditional ways of life. Continue further to the South, on endlessly winding roads leaping through gorges over the mountains of Syunik..

Day 04 : Hermon

After laisurely breakfast our day begins with the visit to the impressive Khndoresk (Cave Town) with cave apartments, where people lived till 1960s. And also we will discover Khndzoresk’s new-opened 160m long rolling bridge. The bridge connects two sides of old Khndzoresk, where you can see the 2 churches located in this gorge. Our next exploration for this day is magnificent Tatev Monastery perched on the edge of the Vorotan Canyon. Here you have a chance to fly above Vorotan Canyon with Wings of Tatev (the longest cable tram in the world /5750m/). Transfer to Hermon village for overnight.

Day 05 : Sevan

We are ready to continue our walking adventure in Southern Armenia. We reach the fertile valley of Yeghegis river where we hike to Smbataberd fortress a well-preserved medieval citadel built by King Smbat (12 km round trip). The setting of Smbataberd is perhaps the most beautiful in Armenia, with Arpi river valley at your feet. Continue to Lake Sevan, one of the highest freshwater lakes in the world. The tranquil majesty of its ever-changing waters, stunning mountains silhouetted against the blue sky, all this inspired its name The Pearl of Armenia. We travel via the rugged Selim Pass and enjoy the views of Lake Sevan below, en route stop at amazingly intact Selim Caravanserai, an important trading post on the Great Silk Road where little has changed since the fourteenth century. En route we stop at romantic Sevanavank Monastery on the peninsula of Lake Sevan and Noratuz old cemetery to see the ‘forest’ of khachkars.This day is designed as a rest day to enjoy water activities at the Lake and prepare for the hikes of the coming days.

Day 06 : Ijevan

Morning starts with the visit to “Old Dilijan” complex experience the town as it was in the 19th century. Drive to Crystal Lake to start hiking in Dilijan National Park along stunning forest trails (8 km), cross the wildly beautiful Areguni pass and reach Goshavank Monastery where the great scholar of the 13th century Mkhitar Gosh is buried. Lookout for morning birds that are particularly active at this time, explore the enchanting nature of the park as we take a gentle walk on well-defined forest trails. For those with more energy to burn we offer a short but absolutely fantastic walk to a small lake above Goshavank. End the day with a drive to Ijevan, a small town that captures the spirit of rural Armenia and check in at our hotel.

Day 07 : Haghpat

Off to Ijevan we take a short transfer to the trail-head. We will spend the day hiking (10 km round trip) in this beautiful wilderness area, no roads, no shops, no TVs, just incredible views and marvelous solitude. A wonderful forested route into the most unspoilt and rugged area of north-eastern Armenia as we head into a deep gorge before descending to cascading waterfalls and the most scenic meadows in Armenia. Follow the hiking trail to reach hidden caves of Lastiver, Armenia’s best-kept secret. All the time we have open views of the beautiful green plateau of Lastiver. A fitting finale for the day full of impressions is a well-deserved dinner at Haghpat village farmhouse where villagers adhere to their traditional ways of life.

Day 08 : Yerevan

Morning takes to the town of Alaverdi. The afternoon is spent exploring beautiful Sanahin and Haghpat monasteries (hiking from Sanahit to Haghpat). After hike transfer to famous road bakery to a feast of baked delights. Back o Yerevan via Armenian Alphabet monument.

Day 09 : Yerevan

Mt. Aragats, the highest peak of the Lesser Caucasus is a popular target for mountaineers. The mountain has sub-alpine and alpine zones, four peaks and one of the biggest craters in the world, created by a volcano eruption in the distant past. The people you are most likely to encounter while at Aragats are Yezidi nomads living a nomadic life in tents, isolated from the rest of the society and preserving their way of life, traditional norms of behavior and unique religion. Their main occupation is sheep breeding and producing the most ecologically pure milk on the planet, from which Yezidi make cheese, butter, matsun and yogurt. Hiking at Aragats is especially spectacular in spring when the entire mountain is literally covered with poppies and other mountain flowers. The easiest peak of Aragats is the southern peak. Starting from Kari Lich (Stone Lake), we will take a 3 hour hike to the summit on a steady slope (3,879m). Back to Yerevan via Amberd fortress in the clouds.

Day 10 : Yerevan

After leisurely breakfast we drive to the village of Garni. We will walk around the Garni Pagan temple from the 1st Century, In the morning we drive to the North -East of Armenia to Garni village where we start hiking to the gorge of Azat river with the ancient rock bridge and the natural volcanic rock formations “symphony of stones” and we finish our hiking in Garni Temple. After walking in area of temple a short drive will transfer us to majestic Geghard Monastery “the Monastery of the Spear” where on the hillsides you can still see caves that housed monastic cells.

Day 11 : Departure Yerevan

Transfer to airport. End of the tour.

Day 01: Arrival – Yerevan city tour – Etchmiadzin – Yerevan
Transfer from the airport to the hotel. Breakfast. Observing city tour in Yerevan. During this tour you will get acquainted with the main buildings and the main streets. This will give you an opportunity to get acquainted with the capital of Armenia. Then we will drive to Etchmiadzin, one of the holy places in Armenia, the residence of the Catholicos. We will visit Mother Cathedral, St. Gayane and St. Hripsime churches, Zvartnots Cathedral. Cathedral and the churches of Etchmiadzin and the Archaeological Site of Zvartnots are included into the UNESCO World Heritage List.

Overnight: Yerevan

Day 02: Yerevan – Khor Virap – Noravank – Sisian
Breakfast in the hotel. Tour to Khor Virap monastery. From here a breathtaking view to Mount Ararat. Our next stop is Birds’ Cave. The oldest leather shoe and oldest complex for wine production were found here during excavations. We will visit Noravank monastery, which is one of the masterpieces of Armenian architecture. Then we will drive to Sisian, will have horse riding (1 hour). Dinner and the overnight in Sisian.

Overnight: Sisian

Day 03: Sisian – Karahunj – Shaki waterfall – Lake Sevan – Dilijan
After breakfast we will ride to Karahunj. Ancient observatory Karahunj or Zorats Karer is 3, 500 years older than Stonehenge in England and 3, 000 years older than the Egyptian pyramids. From here we will ride to Shaki waterfall. We will have rest here for a while and will take our way to Dilijan. On the way to Dilijan we will have a stop near Lake Sevan. Dinner an overnight in Dilijan.

Overnight: Dilijan

Day 04: Dilijan – Goshavank – Yenokavan
Breakfast in the hotel. Tour to Dilijan, which is also called Little Switzerland. We will take our way to Goshavank Monastery, a 13th-century Armenian monastery located in Tavush Province. Today the monastery is not a functioning religious complex. It has recently undergone some light restoration. Goshavank was erected in the place of an older monastery which had been destroyed by an earthquake in 1188. Mkhitar Gosh, a statesman, scientist and author of numerous fables and parables as well as the first criminal code, took part in the reconstruction of the monastery. Later we will take our way to Yenokavan, a small village on the edge of a rock covered with forests. Dinner and the overnight in Yenokavank.

Overnight: Yenokavan

Day 05: Yenokavan – Berdategh – Yenokavan
Breakfast in the hotel. Then we will ride to Berdategh fortress. The fortress is located in 8km distance from Yenokavan. Berdategh fortress is surrounded with high mountains, deep gorges, sparkling mountain streams and dense forests. Dinner and overnight in Yenokavan.

Overnight: Yenokavan

Day 06: Yenokavan – Srveghi Monastery – Yenokavan
Today we will ride to Srvegh medieval monastic complex. The fortress was built in the 13th century. The Srvegh monastery was reconstructed numerous times. In most of the lower parts of the walls pieces of cross-stones are inserted. Around the monastery there is a mid-century cemetery, remnants of the dwellings, walls and other parts.

Overnight: Yenokavan

Day 07: Yenokavan – Akhtala – Haghpat – Yerevan
Breakfast in the hotel. We will take our way to Akhtala monastery. The fortified Akhtala monastery was built in the 10th century. Then we will keep our way to Haghpat monastery (the 10th century) which is listed as UNESCO world heritage site. The whole complex is an impressive and very well-preserved example of Armenian unique medieval art and architecture. Back to Yerevan. Overnight in Yerevan.

Overnight: Yerevan

Day 08: Yerevan – Garni – Geghard – Yerevan
Breakfast in the hotel. We will drive to Geghard monastery. On the way to the monastery we will have a stop near Charents’ Arch. Geghard monastery (13th century) carved out of the adjacent mountain and initially called Ayrivank (the Monastery of the Cave ) is included in the World Heritage Site. Due to the fact that the famous spear, with which the Roman soldier wounded Jesus, was kept here for 500 years, the monastery was called Geghardavank (the Monastery of the Spear). We will see how the national bread, lavash is baked. Then we will visit the only pagan temple in Armenia. From here we will start our walking tour to the Symphony of Stones, which is located in the gorge of Azat river. Back to Yerevan.

Overnight: Yerevan

Day 09: Departure
Transfer to the airport early in the morning.

Day 01: Arrival Yerevan
Pick up and transfer to the hotel.

Overnight: Yerevan

Day 02: Yerevan-Garni-Geghard-Yerevan
Breakfast in the hotel. Drive to Geghard rock-cut monastery (UNESCO), then to Garni temple (1st cent.). After visits jeeping in Azat river canyon, see basalt symphony and at the end Azat reservoir with it’s beautiful banks. Drive back to Yerevan.

Overnight: Yerevan

Day 03: Yerevan-Aparan -Trchkan-Stepanavan-Lori fortress-Hnevank-Dzoraget

Breakfast in the hotel. Start drive to North direction. At first, via Aparan to Trchkan waterfall, then to Stepanavan. Visit Lori berd, then continue via Hnevank to Dzoraget.

Overnight: Haghpat

Day 04: Teghut- Village Acharkut-Kirants Monastery-Dilijan
Breakfast in the hotel. Start drive to village Teghut. Then continue to village Acharkut, and off-road to Kirants monastery, hidden in the forests. Drive to Dilijan.

Overnight: Dilijan

Day 05: Sevan-Noratus-Selim-Hermon-Armaghan-Sevsar-Hermon
Breakfast in the hotel. Start drive via Sevan peninsula to Noratus (the biggest cemetary and khachkars of Armenia) and then via Selim pass continue to Hermon village. On the way we can manage to off-road up to Armaghan mountain (2928m), which is of volcanic origin and has crater lake on the top, then also off-road to Sevsar petroghpys (5-7000 b.c.).

Overnight: Hermon

Day 06: Gokhtanik-Her-Her village- St. Sion monastery-Tatev- Goris
Breakfast in the hotel. Start drive via Gokhtanik pass to Her-Her village, visit St. Sion monastery, then Her-Her beautiful reservoir, and to Tatev monastery. One of the most amazing places in Armenia. After Tatev, drive to Goris.

Overnight: Goris

Day 07: Khndzoresk-Zorats Karer-Shaqi-Noravank-Yerevan
Breakfast in the hotel. Drive to cave-village Khndzoresk, then back to Yerevan, on the way visit Zorats Karer (one of the oldest observatories in the world), Shaqi waterfall, Noravank monastery located in a very beautiful canyon.

Overnight: Yerevan

Day 08: Departure
Breakfast in the hotel. Transfer to the airport.

Day 01: Arrival Yerevan
Pick-up from the airport early in the morning. Transfer to the hotel
Overnight: Yerevan

Day 02: Yerevan city tour – Matenadaran – Tsitsernakaberd
After short brake and breakfast we will start today’s tour. We will visit Matenadaran, where 18.000 manuscripts are kept, which are listed in the list of UNESCO Heritage. Then we will walk to the Republic Square. On the way we will stop near Cascade, where a beautiful view is opening to the Mount Ararat. After the city tour we will visit the Genocide Memorial and the Genocide Museum. In the evening we will have welcome dinner with national cultural programme (national dances and songs).

Walking 1-2 hours.
Overnight: Yerevan

Day 03: Garni – Geghard – Yerevan
After breakfast in the hotel we will drive to Geghard Monastery. On the way we will have a stop near Charents’ Arch. One part of Geghard Monastery is carved in the cliff. It is included into the list of UNESCO Heritage. We will take part in the baking of the national bread, lavash. Our next stop will be Garni pagan temple. We will start our walking from the temple to the Symphony of the Stones, which is located in Azat gorge. Back to Yerevan.

Walking 2 hours.
Overnight: Yerevan

Day 04: Khor Virap – Areni – Noravank – Yeghegnadzor
Breakfast in the hotel. We take our way to Khor Virap Monastery where a beautiful view is opening to the Mount Ararat. Our next stop will be near Bird’s cave where the oldest shoe and 6000- year old winery have been discovered recently. We will also visit Noravank Monastery, a masterpiece of Armenian architecture. Dinner and overnight in Yeghegnadzor.

Walking 2-3 hours.
Overnight: Yeghegnadzor

Day 05: Yeghegnadzor – Tsakhats Kar – Smbataberd – Yeghegnadzor
After breakfast in the hotel we will take our way to Tsakhats Kar Monastery. The monastery was constructed in the 10th century. Tsakhats Kar was a medieval educational center, where painting was taught. Then we will keep our way to Smbataberd fortress which has high and wide walls built with huge stones and mixture from clay. The fortress is protected with deep gorges of Artabuni and Yeghegis. Dinner and overnight in Yeghegnadzor.

Walking 4-5 hours.
Overnight: Yeghegnadzor

Day 06: Yeghegnadzor – Vardenyats passway (Selim) – Sevanavank
After breakfast we will keep our way to Lake Sevan. The road passes trough the Vardenyats passway, which is famous for its beautiful and splendid nature and Orbelyan caravanserai. While in Sevan we will visit Sevanavank, the monastery on peninsula. Dinner and overnight in Sevan.

Walking 1-2 hours.
Overnight: Sevan

Day 07: Free day in Sevan
Today you have an opportunity to enjoy the beauty of Sevan on your own. Lake Sevan is the second largest fresh water lake in the world on such a height (1900m).

Overnight: Sevan

Day 08: Sevan -Dilijan – Jukhtak – Matosavank – Alaverdi
After breakfast we will take our way to Dilijan. Dilijan is a small spa city which is also known as Armenian Switserland. After the city tour we will keep the way to Monastery Jukhtak. It is mentioned as Petros’ Monastery and Gisheravank Monastery in the stone scripts. It consists of two separate churches (here comes the meaning of the monastery- “jukht vank” – “two churches”). Then we will walk to Matosavank. The church was consructed in 1205. Then we will take our way to Alaverdi. The dinner and the overnight in Alaverdi.

Walking 2-2.5 hours.
Overnight: Alaverdi

Day 09: Alaverdi – Haghpat – Sanahin – Alaverdi
Today we will visit Haghpat and Sanahin Monasteries which are included into the List of UNESCO World Haritage. Both of the monasteries are constructed under the order of King Arshak Voghormats, in the 10th century. We will start the hiking from Sanahin Monastery to Haghpat Monastery. Dinner and overnight in Alaverdi.

Walking 2-3 hours.
Overnight: Alaverdi

Day 10: Alaverdi – Amberd – Byurakan – Tonacuyc National Theatre – Yerevan
After breakfast we will start to Aragatsotni province. During today we will be accompanied by Mount Aragats, which is the highest in Armenia (4090m). We will first walk to Amberd fortress, then will visit Tonacuyc National Theatre located in Byurakan where through dances and songs you will get acquainted with Armenian traditions and customs. The overnight will be in Yerevan.

Walking 2-3 hours.
Overnight: Yerevan

Day 11: Etchmiadzin Mother Cathedral – St. Hripsime – Zvartnots Cathedral
Breakfast in the hotel. Then we will start our tour to Armenian Vatikan. Etchmiadzin Mother Cathedral is the main building of Armenian Apostolic church. We will also visit St. Gayane and St. Hripsime churches. On the way back to Yerevan we will visit Zvartnots Cathedral.

Overnight: Yerevan

Day 12: Departure
Transfer to the airport.

Day 01: Arrival – Yerevan city tour
Transfer from the airport to the hotel. Breakfast in the hotel. City tour in the capital of Armenia, Yerevan. During the tour you will get acquainted with the main streets and the main buildings of the city, will visit the depository of manuscripts, Matenadaran, where 18 000 masterpieces are kept. Those masterpieces are included into the List of UNESCO Heritage. We will look at the city and at the mount Ararat from Cascade, will visit Genocide memorial complex, Tsitsernakaberd.

Walking 1-2 hours.
Overnight: Yerevan

Day 02: Yerevan – Mount Aragats (South summit) – Yerevan
Today we will climb the highest mountain in Armenia, Aragats. Its northern summit, at 4,090 m (13,420 ft) above sea level. It has four summits, which are named according to their relative geographic position: Northern—4,090 m (13,420 ft), Western—3,995 m (13,107 ft), Eastern—3,908 m (12,822 ft), Southern—3,888 m (12,756 ft). Today we will climb the South summit. We will take our way to the summit from lake Kari.

Overnight: Yerevan

Day 03: Yerevan – Tsaghkashen – Lake Akna
After the breakfast we will take our way to village Tsaghkashen. We will start our hiking tour from here to lake Akna. The Akna is a crater lake located in the Gegham mountains. The surface elevation of the lake is 3030m (9,948 ft).

Overnight: Lake Akna (camping)

Day 04: Lake Akna – Mount Azhdahak
Early in the morning, after the breakfast, we will start our hiking tour to the highest point n Gegham mountains, mount Azhdahak. It is a volcano with a lake in the crater, that is formed from melting snow. Azhdahak has an elevation of 3,597 m above sea. From the top of the mountain opens pictorial landscape of mountains Ararat, Hatis, Ara, Aragats, Lake Sevan, the whole Gegham mountains and Kotayk valley.

Overnight: camping

Day 05: Mount Azhdahak – Lake Vanki
Today our hiking tour will be from mount Azhdahak to lake Vanki. On the way we will see ancient vishapakars (dragon stones), which are characteristic menhirs found in large quantities in Armenia. They are commonly carved into cigar-like shapes with fish heads or serpents. Vishaps were believed to be spiritual creatures or souls of water.

Overnight: camping

Day 06: Lake Vanki – Garni – Geghard – Yerevan
After the breakfast we will have a hiking tour to Geghard monastery (13th century). The monastery is carved out of the adjacent mountain and initially called Ayrivank (the Monastery of the Cave ) is included in the World Heritage Site. Due to the fact that the famous spear, with which the Roman soldier wounded Jesus, was kept here for 500 years, the monastery was called Geghardavank (the Monastery of the Spear). Then we will visit Garni, the only pagan temple left in our territory. During our tour we will see how Armenian national bread, lavash, is being baked. Back to Yerevan.

Walking 4 hours.
Overnight: Yerevan

Day 07: Departure
Transfer to the airport.