Armenia; Between Nature & Religion | Yampu Tours

Custom Travel Experiences Since 1998

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Armenia; Between Nature & Religion

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PRIVATE TOUR - 10 DAY SAMPLE ITINERARY

FROM £$ 3899

Private Tour Highlights

  • See various plants from different countries of the world with a visit to Dendropark Arboretum.
  • Visit Lake Parz and enjoy the splendid panoramic views of the lake while enjoying the crisp, fresh air.
  • Take in astounding views from Hayrivank monastery and Sevanavank complex, situated on Sevan Lake Peninsula.
  • Walk the grounds of the monastic complex of Tatev, a former educational center to famous contemporary scientists and philosophers.
  • Visit the Monastery of Khor Virap, the famous pilgrimage site visited by Pope John Paul II, and take in breathtaking panoramic views of the biblical Mount Ararat.
Interested in this tour?   Let us build you a customized quote based on your budget.

Tour Overview

Armenia presents a fine balance Between Nature & Religion that provides unique spiritual journeys that all beliefs and backgrounds can appreciate. From the small village of Haghpat in the north to the ancient city of Goris in the south, Armenia’s spiritual roots spread deeply throughout the country, sprouting in some of the most divine landscapes in the Caucasus region.

Beginning in Yerevan, travelers will soak in the capital’s rich history at several UNESCO World Heritage sites before venturing to Haghpat to  visit the Dendropark Arboretum. Following the unique sites of Haghpat, travelers will breathe in the fresh mountain air at the crystal clear Lake Parz near Dilijan.  On the way, the tour also stops at Lake Sevan, one of the largest lakes in the world to enjoy the breathtaking scenery and local monasteries.

After soaking in the gorgeous lake views, travelers will spend some time in the spa resort city of Jermuk, where natural springs of mineral waters provide a uniquely tranquil escape for rest and relaxation.  Leaving Jermuk on the way to the city of Goris, visitors will make a stop at the complex monastery of Tatey, once the center of study for the region. From Goris, the tour will end with visiting the rural community of Khndzoresk in the Southeast of Armenia before touring the 6100-year-old cave winery of Areni.

Inclusions
Price includes domestic and regional flights within the itinerary; all hotel accommodations including daily continental or buffet breakfast and daily city tax; all transfers between airports and hotels with assistance and baggage handling; guided tours in English including entrance fees.
Exclusions

International airfare (unless specifically included), airport departure taxes that must be paid on-site, gratuities, meals not mentioned, soft drinks and alcoholic beverages with meals, early / late check-out, room service, visa fees/services and other personal items or services not mentioned.

Best Time to Travel
JAN FEB MAR APR MAY JUN
JUL AUG SEP OCT NOV DEC

Best Good Consult

Package Price: From £$ 3899

Prices shown above are per person. Hotel categories do not adhere strictly to international ratings; Yampu has evaluated the hotels according to destination and availability. Prices include local airfare (where applicable), hotel accommodation including daily breakfast; all transfers with baggage handling, all guided tours in English and all entrance fees.

Please note that prices are subject to change based on availability and seasonality, especially during the holiday season from December 20th through January 5th each year. Please contact a Yampu Travel Specialist for more information on best times to travel.

Trip Type:

All our trips are operated on a private basis unless specified otherwise. This is only a sample itinerary; your Yampu Tour Consultant will personalize this trip for you according to your available dates, interests and type of hotels. This is your trip and we will work on making it perfect!

Tour Itinerary

Day
1

Overnight Flight to Armenia

Overnight International Flight to the capital of Armenia, Yerevan.

Overnight International Flight to the capital of Armenia, Yerevan.

Day
2

Welcome to Yerevan!

Upon arrival, be met at the airport to transfer to your hotel.

Yerevan is believed to be one of the oldest continuously inhabited cities in the world with early settlements as early as the 4th Millennium BC.

Upon arrival, be met at the airport to transfer to your hotel.

Yerevan is believed to be one of the oldest continuously inhabited cities in the world with early settlements as early as the 4th Millennium BC.

Day
3

Yerevan City Tour

After breakfast, we will start the tour in the capital of Armenia: Yerevan. For ages this city has been known as a "pink city" because of the color of the stone it has been built with. We will visit Republic square, Mashtoc Avenue, the House of Opera and Ballet after Aram Khachatryan, and the park "Cascad". Then we will visit the Manuscript Museum of Armenia, which is called Matenadaran; here is where all ancient Armenian Manuscripts are kept. Then we should visit the Genocide Memorial known as Tsitsernakaberd. Dinner at the traditional restaurant with folk music. Overnight at your hotel. ...read less

Day
4

Ejmiatsin & Zvartnots Monuments Tour

We will start the day with an excursion to centuries-old monuments, Ejmiatsin and Zvartnots. These sites are listed on UNESCO World Heritage list. The Cathedral of Ejmiatsin, founded in 303, is the official residence of the Catholicos of Armenia. We'll continue the trip to Zvartnots Temple, which was built on 7th century by Nerses Builder Catholicos. Enjoy lunch at a local restaurant before returning to Yerevan where you will visit the famous arts and crafts market of Vernisage. Overnight at the hotel in Yerevan.

We will start the day with an excursion to centuries-old monuments, Ejmiatsin and Zvartnots. These sites are listed on UNESCO World Heritage list. The Cathedral of Ejmiatsin, founded in 303, is the official residence of the Catholicos of Armenia. We'll continue the trip to Zvartnots Temple, which was built on 7th century by Nerses Builder Catholicos. Enjoy lunch at a local restaurant before returning to Yerevan where you will visit the famous arts and crafts market of Vernisage. Overnight at the hotel in Yerevan.

Day
5

Dendropark & Haghpat Monastery Tour

This morning, you will depart towards Lori and visit Dendropark Arboretum, a few kilometers away from the center of Stepanayan, where visitors can see various plants from different countries of the world. We will find a pleasantly relaxing path away from the traditional routes of tourism. Then, visit Lori Fortress before driving to Haghpat monastery, a statue of the magnificent, medieval, cultural and educational culture of Armenia and a UNESCO World Heritage Site. Dinner and overnight in Haghpat.

This morning, you will depart towards Lori and visit Dendropark Arboretum, a few kilometers away from the center of Stepanayan, where visitors can see various plants from different countries of the world. We will find a pleasantly relaxing path away from the traditional routes of tourism. Then, visit Lori Fortress before driving to Haghpat monastery, a statue of the magnificent, medieval, cultural and educational culture of Armenia and a UNESCO World Heritage Site. Dinner and overnight in Haghpat.

Day
6

Akhtala & Lake Parz Tour

Today, you will depart to Dilijan and visit Akhtal Monastery. It was built at the end of the 10th century. The main church at the compound is famous for its highly artistic frescoes, which cover the inside walls, the partitions, and the bearings of the building. Then, visit Lake Parz where you will enjoy the splendid panorama of the lake and enjoy the fresh air, a huge advantage of this place. Dinner and overnight in Dilijan.

Today, you will depart to Dilijan and visit Akhtal Monastery. It was built at the end of the 10th century. The main church at the compound is famous for its highly artistic frescoes, which cover the inside walls, the partitions, and the bearings of the building. Then, visit Lake Parz where you will enjoy the splendid panorama of the lake and enjoy the fresh air, a huge advantage of this place. Dinner and overnight in Dilijan.

Day
7

Transfer to Dilijan with Visit to Noraduz

Today, we are going to pass the pathways that have been used by the travelers of the Great Silk Road. We will drive through the Selim Caravanserai, which served as an important center of exchange, trade and for overnight during the times of Great Silk Road. Here we can see the immortal tracks of world history. Make a visit to Noraduz before driving to Lake Sevan, one of the largest lakes in the world. Here we can enjoy the breathtaking scenery of the beautiful lake with its astonishingly blue waters. Then we will visit Hayrivank monastery and Sevanavank complex, situated on Sevan Peninsula, built in the middle Ages around the 10th century. There are two monasteries, one of them has been destroyed but the other still stands today. Then, we will drive to Dilijan and walk along the Sharambeyan Street, which is one of the oldest streets of the city. Here we can buy souvenirs and see the life of the small city while breathing the clean mountain air. Dinner and overnight in Dilijan. ...read less

Day
8

Transfer to Goris with Visit to Monastic Complex

After breakfast, you will depart towards the famous spa city of Armenia, Jermuk. This spa town is where much of the country's mineral water comes from. The countryside at this very high elevation resort is worth visiting as well, with canyons, forests and wildlife to explore. You will visit either Karahuni or Zorakarer which is 3,500 years older than Stonehenge and 3,000 years older than the Pyramids. According to many archaeologists, Karahuni was a "temple with a very large-scale observatory". Then, we will continue to travel to the complex monastery of Tatey, which was the center of study of those times. After reaching the monastery of the world's longest non-stop cable car, head down to Goris for dinner and overnight. ...read less

Day
9

Khor Virap Monastery Wine Tour Tour

After breakfast, you will depart to visit Khndzoresk, which is a village and rural community in the Southeast of Armenia, in the province (marz) of Syunik. Heading to Vayots dzor region we will visit Noravank Monastery (12th/13th century) perched at the edge of a precipice. Next we will enjoy lunch in a local home where you can see the preparation of a traditional "Barbeque". Then, continue for the ancient Areni winery, a 6100-year-old cave winery that was discovered in 2007. Next we will head to the Ararat region to visit the Monastery of Khor Virap, the famous pilgrimage site visited by Pope John Paul II. The Monastery is the prisoner of St. Gregory, The Illuminator. Khor Virap means "deep gorge". From here, a breathtaking panoramic view opens up biblical Mount Ararat. Overnight in Yerevan. ...read less

Day
10

Garni & Geghard Tour

After breakfast, you will depart to Garni for a tour. This Pagan Temple was built in the 1st century AD and is the only temple that has been preserved from the Pagan times in Armenia. It was devoted to the god Mihr, the god of cleanness. In 1679 it was destroyed by an earthquake and was restored in the 1970s. We will then continue our trip to Geghard Monastery. Its name came from the legendary lance that was used to pierce the body of Christ. It has been kept here for centuries. Though the exact foundation of the monastery is unknown, the present complex was built in the mid - 13th century. Afterwards we will visit a local house for lunch where you will have the chance to see and participate in the preparation of Armenian national bread: lavash. It is very thin and usually sold in very large forms. It is usually cooked in a ground oven called a "tonir". Recently it has been recognized as non-material heritage of UNESCO. Head back to Yerevan for the evening. ...read less

Day
11

International Flight Home

At the appropriate time, you will be met at your hotel and transferred to the airport for your flight home.

At the appropriate time, you will be met at your hotel and transferred to the airport for your flight home.

Yerevan, Armenia

Haghpat, Armenia

Dilijan, Armenia

Goris, Armenia

Places You'll See

  • Yerevan

    The capital of Armenia, Yereva, is believed to be one of the oldest continuously inhabited cities in the world, emerging as a city around 782 BC. Though this is when the city is thought to be founded, archaeological findings point out that early settlements existed as early as the 4th Millenium BC. Today, Armenia’s capital is home to 1-million people. Visitors are welcomed to stroll the lively streets adorned with Soviet-era architecture, chic shops, and tasty restaurants. Take in the city’s history with visits to the iconic Cascade stairway, the Opera House, and other points of interest.

  • Haghpat

    Located in the Lori Region, Haghpat is a small village that was once an important spiritual and cultural hub of Armenia. Home to a medieval monastery of the same name, the Haghpat complex was famous for its affluent library and school where philosophy, rhetoric, music, and other important subjects were taught.

  • Dilijan

    Known as the “Little Armenian Switzerland”, Dilijan is one of the most picturesque and pleasant parts of Armenia. Dense forests, curative mineral springs, clear lakes, and wonderful highland sceneries of Dilijan National Park are a magnet for nature lovers. Moreover, the experience of natural beauty is accompanied by the discovery of historical monuments, such as the many monasteries the region has to offer.

  • Goris

    Known as one of the most beautiful cities in Armenia, Goris is the second-largest city in the Syunik Province characterized by the regional architecture and its long tree-lined avenues. The city dates as far back as the Urartian period, earning its name from the Indo-European pre-language words “gor” (rock), “es” (to be) thanks to the surrounding rock pyramids, and caves. Visitors can also explore its iconic monasteries and castles including the must-see Tatev Monastery.

Hotel Options

4 Star Properties

Yerevan : Grand Hotel Yerevan

Haghpat : Qefelyan

Dilijan : Best Western Paradise

Goris : Mina Hotel

Testimonials

Alina M.

Traveled July 2019

Always a great trip with Yampu!

Always a great trip with Yampu!

Traveled To

Winnie T

Traveled October 2019

Awesome Trip

The itinerary to South Africa was super and the arrangement was trouble free. Everything happened on time. The stay in the Safaris was awesome. Thanks to Karolina Guilcapi who made our trip so pleasant.

Traveled To

Andrew

Traveled March 2019

Consistent excellence

We have used Yampu for at least 6 tours in South and Central america and every trip has been well designed, great places, great support and guides and fair price. superior rating

Traveled To

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