7 Day Tour

7 Day Tour

If you are planning your trip to Armenia this one week private tour is just for you!

Tour description

This tour will provide you with an opportunity to learn a lot about the rich historical and cultural heritage of Armenia. You will visit cultural and historical sites which are under UNESCO World Heritage Site protection, enjoy the unique architecture of Armenia, see how the national bread – lavash – is baked, taste Armenian national dishes, and of course, take home a lot of unforgettable impressions.

Starting in the capital Yerevan we will show you the different regions of Armenia from Syunik in the south to Shirak and Lori in the north. We will visit the Tatev monastic complex on the world’s longest reversible ropeway (5.7 km). On our way north to Lake Sevan we will travel parts of the Silk Road and will stop at a caravansary next to a beautiful mountain pass. These buildings were built along commercial routes for the accommodation of travelers, who travelled from the East to Europe and are a masterpiece of Armenian architecture. Shortly after we will enjoy the breathtaking view of Lake Sevan – the largest lake in Armenia and the Caucasus region. Here you have a chance to taste the famous Sevan trout. You will enjoy historical sites set in the beautiful woods of the Dilijan National Park. Located on 1400 m above sea level Dilijan is favored with a pleasant climate and beautiful landscape. We will experience the very special atmosphere in the two medieval monasteries of Haghpat and Sanahin before we travel back south to enjoy the fantastic view in all directions from Amberd Castle on the slopes of Mt Aragats.

The tour will be managed with comfortable vehicles and our skilled guide will accompany you. We insure an unforgettable adventure with us!

Day 1 Airport - Yerevan Citiy Tour

Arrival at the airport. Transfer to the hotel.
In the morning we will visit Yerevan-Cascade, a monumental stairway, and the Victory Park, which offers an incredible panoramic view over the city. We will see the Cafesjian Center for Modern Arts, the Opera House and visit the Matenadaran. This museum is named after St. Mesrop Mashtots who invented the Armenian alphabet. It hosts an unrivalled collection of ancient manuscripts of which some date back to the 5th century AD and are associated with Mesrop Mashtots.
Lunch
The afternoon we spend at the Vernissage, a souvenir market. A big variety of souvenirs and local products are on offer which are in high demand among our guests – wines, brandies, dried fruits, sweets, herbs, jewelry, etc.
Dinner
In the evening we walk to the Republic Square through the Northern Avenue and enjoy the Dancing Fountains Show.

Day 2 Khor Virap - Areni - Bird´s Cave - Noravank - Karahunj Observatory - Goris

Breakfast at the hotel
At our first stop we enjoy a beautiful view of the biblical Ararat Mountain, where Noah’s ark cast anchor. Khor Virap Monastery (which means «deep dungeon») rests atop a small hill facing the Ararat; here Grigor Luisavorich (St. Gregory the Illuminator) was imprisoned for 13 years before he convinced the Armenian king to adapt Christianity as a state religion in 301 AD.
Our journey south-eastwards brings us to Areni, which is one of the actively developing wine regions in Armenia. Here the famous indigenous red wine Areni is produced. We will not miss the chance to taste it at one of the local wine factories.
Winery has an unparalleled tradition in Areni: in the mystical Bird’s Cave, where archeologists recently found the oldest one-piece leather shoe (about 5500 years old), wine vats date back to the Late Calcolithic Period.
Lunch at the Cave Restaurant
Noravank Monastery lies hidden in a beautiful gorge surrounded by red cliffs – one of the most stunning landscapes in Armenia. Here the famous architect, sculptor and miniaturist Momik built the beautiful two story Surp Astvatsatsin church with elaborate relief sculptures over the entrance.
In the afternoon we will visit Karahunj Observatory, a prehistoric monument, which comprises stone settings, stone tombs and standing stones. Karahunj observatory, dating back to the VI millennium B.C, is considered to be the oldest observatory, the so-called “Armenian Stonehenge”. As for its better-known “fellow” Stonehenge in England, its origin and function is still open to questions.
Dinner and overnight in Goris.

Day 3 Old Khndzoresk - Tatev - Selim Caravanserai - Hayravank - Sevanavank

Breakfast at the hotel
In the morning we visit Old Khndzoresk – the ruins of a cave town, which we will reach via the unique “Swing bridge”. Khndzoresk was one of the largest cave villages in the region. Inhabited until about 1950 it still features picturesque views of the ruins set against the slopes of a beautiful gorge.
In a 12 minute ride the cable car “Wings of Tatev” will bring us from Halidzor village over the breathtaking gorge of the Vorotan River to Tatev Monastery. Tatev is among the best known monasteries in Armenia, famed for its historical significance as well as its beauty. It hosted an important Armenian university in the 14th and 15th century.
Lunch in Tatev.
Vardenyats (Selim) Caravanserai, built in 1332, bears witness to the importance of the Silk Road crossing through Armenia. Selim is the best preserved of several caravanserais that were built along commercial routes for the accommodation of travelers from the East to Europe.
Over Selim Pass we approach Lake Sevan, the largest lake in Armenia and the Caucasus region.
Beautifully set against the lake are Hayravank Monastery and Sevanavank Monastery, the latter is located on a peninsula that used to be an island.
Dinner at a beachside restaurant.
Overnight in Sevan.

Day 4 Haghartsin Monastery - Lastiver - Goshavank - Lake Parz - Dilijan

Breakfast at the hotel.
Driving north we reach the forested Dilijan region in which several outstanding monastic complexes are hidden. Famous for the pale stone it is built from and the skillful architectural composition of its refectory Haghartsin Monastery (10–13th century) is one of them.
From Yenokavan village we will hike along a ridge and down into the forested gorge to Lastiver. There we will find small caves called Lastiver and Anapat with mysterious sculptures and a beautiful stream with waterfalls.
Between small houses constructed on trees for overnight guests we will have Armenian barbecue for lunch.
In the afternoon we will visit a beautiful spot of Armenian nature – Lake Parz, which is nestled between the mountains of Dilijan National Park. From there we hike part of the newly constructed Transcaucasian Trail to Goshavank Monastery (XII–XIII century) via Lake Gosh. The village of Gosh is famous for Mkhitar Gosh, the author of the first Armenian code of law. Goshavank Monastery complex was the educational and cultural center of the region and in front of the church stands the probably most beautiful khachkar.
Dinner with Armenian national dishes at the famous Kchuch restaurant.
Overnight in Dilijan.

Day Haghpat - Sanahin - Lori Berd - Spitak

Breakfast at the hotel
Today we visit the UNESCO World Heritage Sites Haghpat and Sanahin, early medieval monastic complexes in the Lori region.
Lunch at a local restaurant in Alaverdi.
The Lori Fortress had a territory of 33 ha and was in full blossom in the second half of the 11th century, becoming the capital of the Tashir-Dzoraget kingdom. Besides some defensive walls a church and two bathrooms are preserved at Lori Berd. Near the castle, in the lower part of the gorge, an arched bridge stretches over the Urut River.
Dinner at Old Spitak Restaurant.
Overnight in Spitak.

Day 6 Armenian Alphabet - Amberd Fortress - Tegher Monastery - Echmiatsin

Breakfast at the hotel.
The Armenian Alphabet Monument is located on the western slope of Mount Aragats. The complex was built in 2005 to celebrate the 1600th anniversary of the creation of the Armenian alphabet. The complex includes sculptures of the 39 letters of the Armenian alphabet, as well as monuments to the great Armenian thinkers. All the letters and statues are made of Armenian tuff.
Amberd, translated as “a fortress in clouds”, really seems to touch the sky. This gem of early medieval Armenian architecture (supposedly 7th century) majestically stands 2,300 meters high above sea level on the slopes of Mount Aragats. For centuries, it served as one of the foremost defensive sites of the Kingdom of Armenia. The fortress complex includes the castle, a bath and a church and offers stunning views over the plains towards Yerevan and Mount Ararat.
Lunch
Also on the slopes of Mount Aragats we will visit Tegher Monastery, a unique complex dating back to the 13th century.
Echmiatsin is the fourth-largest city in Armenia, one of the historic capitals of Armenia and the spiritual center of the Armenians, as it is the seat of the Catholicos, the head of the Armenian Apostolic Church. Armenia’s patron Saint Gregory the Illuminator had a vision of Jesus descending from heaven and striking the earth with a golden hammer to show where the cathedral should be built. The Cathedral is built on the site of a pagan temple. It is one of the world’s oldest Christian structures still in use.
Dinner and overnight in Yerevan

Day 7 Arch of Charents - Geghard Monastery - Garni - Stone Symphony

Breakfast at the hotel
Photo stop at the Arch of Charents along the road to Geghard and Garni. The Arch of Charents was built in 1957 by Raphael Israyelian and on a clear day it provides a simply stunning view of Mount Ararat. The words carved on the arch belong to one of Armenia’s most famous poets, Yeghisheh Charents: “Pass the whole world with its mountains white, to the beauty of Masis equals none!”
Next we visit Geghard Monastery. The name Geghard or more fully Geghardavank, meaning “the Monastery of the Spear”, originates from the spear, which had wounded Jesus, was brought to Armenia and now is displayed in the Echmiadzin treasury. The monastery is listed as a UNESCO World Heritage Site. It is one of the most revered places in Armenia. Though the monastery was founded in the 4th century, the main cathedral was built in 1215. Several sepulchers and chapels are cut into the rock and one chamber features a sacred spring.
Situated on an outcrop over the river Azat the pagan temple Garni is the only hellenistic colonnaded temple in Armenia. It was built by King Tiridates I in 76 AD as a temple to the sun god Mithra (known as Mihr in Armenian). Later on it was converted into a royal summer house of the Armenian kings. In the vicinity of the temple there lie the ruins of the fortress, a royal summer palace and a bath complex, which was built in the 3rd century AD. The site of the temple offers a magnificent view into Garni Canyon.
Lunch
Below Garni Temple basalt steles form sheer rock walls down into Garni Canyon. A hike into the canyon reveals the wonderful natural rocks, formed of regular hexagonal cylinders. The composition is called “Symphony of Stones” or “Basalt Organ”.
Return to Yerevan and transfer to the airport

Regardless of the tours presented, we are happy to work with you to plan your own individual tour through Armenia to include exactly the places you would like to visit.

Pictures of this tour: