History and Culture

You land at night at Erevan airport, where your guide welcomes you before your transfer to the hotel. You take advantage of a short end of night to rest from your journey.

Late in the morning, you discover the Museum of History of Arménie. This first visit allows you to better understand the country's history and to prepare for the discoveries that will mark your stay.

After lunch, you continue your exploration of the capital at Maténadaran, an institute that houses a collection of ancient manuscripts. You then head to the Cascade architectural complex, built in the 1970s. Its terraced gardens and fountains cascade down a hill in Erevan. From the esplanade, you enjoy a panorama of the city and the Mount Ararat.

The day continues at the Mother Arménie statue, standing at the top of a hill that overlooks the capital.

You join the Geghard Monastery, at the entrance to the upper Azat valley. Largely troglodytic, this ensemble of churches and stone crosses bears witness to Armenian medieval architecture. A former cultural and ecclesiastical center, it preserves relics of the Armenian Apostolic Church.

Optional, with additional charge: a concert of spiritual music in the monastery, to appreciate the acoustics of the place.

You then discover the Azat canyon during a short walk. You admire the rock formations of the Basalt Organ, also called Symphony of Stones.

In Garni, you visit thepagan temple dedicated to the Sun god, a witness to the Hellenistic period in Arménie. This stop is also an opportunity to meet the locals: you have lunch with a local family and discover the traditional craft of making lavash, Armenian traditional bread.

Back in the capital, you end the day with a moment of reflection at the Armenian Genocide Memorial and its adjoining museum, located on Tsitsernakaberd Hill.

You cross the Ararat Plain to reach Khor Virap. Perched on a hill in the midst of vineyards and orchards, it offers a viewpoint over Mount Ararat, which dominates the surrounding landscapes.

You head east towards the Vayots Dzor region, passing through the village of Areni. The winemaking tradition there dates back over 6,000 years. You discover local wine production methods, combining traditional craftsmanship and more modern techniques.

After lunch in Vayots Dzor, you explore the region and visit the Noravank monastery, nestled in a gorge of the upper Amaghou valley.

Near Areni, the Bird Cave also testifies to this long winemaking history. Archaeological research conducted in 2007 revealed a wine press and fermentation system dating back approximately 6,000 years, as well as grape seeds, cups and jars intended for wine storage. A leather shoe 5,500 years old was also discovered there.

You will find Yerevan for dinner and the night.

As an option, with an additional fee: a meeting with a musician in Yerevan to discover Armenian wind instruments, particularly the duduk, accompanied by a light snack.

You head towards Noradouz, east of Erevan, near the shores of Lake Sevan. This ancient village in the Gegharkunik region has an old church and a medieval cemetery housing several hundred khachkars, these stone stelae adorned with sculpted crosses.

You continue towards the Lake Sevan, a vast body of water located at 1,900 meters altitude, whose surface area is approximately two and a half times that of Lake Léman. You discover the churches of the Holy Apostles and the Holy Mother of God, then have lunch by the lake.

Optional, with surcharge: a 30-minute boat ride on the lake, from mid-May to September.

You join the Gochavank Monastery, built in the 12th and 13th centuries under the Zakharid dynasty. This architectural complex brings together several churches, chapels and a library.

You arrive in Dilidjan in the late afternoon, where you have dinner and spend the night.

In the morning, you head towards Vanadzor.

Optional, with additional charge: a meeting with the khachkar master, Mr. Bogdan Hovhannisyan, in his workshop in Vanadzor.

You continue towards Alaverdi, a small mining town in northern Arménie, located about fifteen kilometers as the crow flies from Georgia. A few kilometers to the east, you discover the Haghpat Monastery, built between the 10th and 13th centuries and listed as a UNESCO World Heritage site.

After lunch at Haghpat, you visit the Sanahin Monastery, also inscribed in World Heritage. Passing successively into the hands of the Kiurikian, the Zakarides and then the Arghoutian, it bears witness, like Haghpat, to Armenian religious architecture from the 10th to 13th centuries.

You will find Erevan for dinner and the night.

You leave Yerevan towards the north-west to discover the foothills of Mount Aragats, an extinct volcano reaching 4,095 metres, the highest point in Armenia. If the weather is clear, you will be able to admire its relief during the day.

A winding mountain road takes you to the Amberd Fortress, located at 2,300 metres altitude on the southern side of the massif. Built between the 6th and 9th centuries, it bears witness to Armenian military architecture.

The site is accessible from mid-May to mid-October only. Outside this period, the visit is replaced by that of Ochakan.

You head towards Achtarak, at the south-east foot of the volcano, with a stop at the Hovhannavank monastery.

After lunch in Achtarak, you visit the Karmravor Church, a well-preserved building dating from the 7th century.

Back in Yerevan, you have time to discover the dry fruit market, stroll around and do some shopping.

You head towards Etchmiadzin, the seat of the Armenian Apostolic Church, west of Yerevan. Before arriving, you discover the ruins of Zvartnots Cathedral, dating from the 7th century and inscribed as a UNESCO World Heritage site along with the churches of Etchmiadzin.

You then explore the Holy See of Etchmiadzin, which comprises several buildings and holy sites. You will discover in particular the Church of Saint Hripsimé, from the 7th century, and the Etchmiadzin Cathedral, whose origins date back to the 4th century. The Catholicos of all Armenians resides in Etchmiadzin.

On Sundays, those who wish can attend the Eucharistic celebration in the cathedral. No seating is available.

After lunch, you return to Erevan for a free afternoon, dedicated to strolling and shopping. On weekends, you can browse the Vernissage, a market combining crafts, second-hand goods and vintage items.

Optional, with supplement and Sundays only: a show of music, dances and folk songs by the Tatoul Athounian group.