History and Culture

Geghard, about forty kilometers east of Yerevan, marks the entrance to the Upper Azat Valley. It is a monastery composed of several churches and cross-stones, world-renowned because it is largely troglodyte, and marking the golden age of medieval Armenian architecture. The Geghard monastery was a major cultural and ecclesiastical center and many relics of the Armenian Apostolic Church are preserved there.

Optional (for an additional fee): spiritual music concert in the monastery, exceptional acoustics.

Then discover the Azat canyon where you will find the famous natural monument called the Basalt Organ (UNESCO) or Symphony of Stones. Short walk in the canyon.

Not far from there, Garni houses, in a remarkable geographical setting, the only remaining vestige of the Hellenistic period surviving in Armenia: the temple of Garni, a pagan temple dedicated to the Sun god. Our visit to Garni is also marked by a wonderful experience with the local population: we have lunch with a local family and discover the artisanal process of making Armenian bread, Lavash.

Back in the capital, we conclude the day with a moment of emotion and reflection at the Armenian Genocide Memorial and its adjoining museum, located at the top of Tzitzèrnakabèrd.

We set off today onto the great plain of Ararat, under the ever-present gaze of the region's imposing peaks. Our first stop is the magnificent Khor Virap monastery. Amid vineyards and orchards, its privileged position on a hill dominated by the majesty of Mount Ararat delights photographers and all lovers of beautiful stone and wide open spaces.

Continuation towards the east and the region of Vayots Dzor. On the way we pass through the village of Areni, known as one of the cradles of wine. Here, everyone lives from this noble beverage, which is said to have been produced for over 6000 years. We discover local manufacturing processes, some very artisanal, others more modern. We have lunch in Vayots Dzor and then explore the region, one of whose main points of pride is undoubtedly the magnificent monastery of Noravank, located in a gorge in the upper valley of the Amaghou. One of Arménie's greatest masterpieces.

In 2007, archaeologists from Arménie, the United States and other nationalities explored the Areni Cave, also called the Bird's Cave, located near the village of Areni, close to the Noravank monastery, in southern Arménie. They discovered the oldest wine press and fermentation system in the world, dating back approximately 6000 years. In this same cave, remains of grape seeds, cups and jugs used for wine preservation were also found, as well as the world's oldest leather shoe, dating back 5500 years.

In addition to the price: Meeting at a musician's home in Erevan who presents and plays Armenian wind instruments, especially the famous duduk accompanied by a light snack.

Return to Yerevan for dinner and the night.

East of Yerevan and just a short distance from the shores of Lake Sevan, the village of Noradouz is one of the oldest in the Gegharkunik region. It has a very beautiful and ancient church, but its main attraction is undoubtedly its exceptional cemetery of medieval tombs featuring several hundred khachkars (stone stelae adorned with sculpted crosses).

Lake Sevan is a vast expanse of water two and a half times the size of Lake Geneva. At 1,900 meters above sea level, it is one of the world's largest high-altitude lakes. In this exceptional geographical setting, we visit in particular the churches of the Holy Apostles and the Holy Mother of God.
Lunch on the shores of the lake.

Optional (additional fee): 30-minute boat ride on the lake (mid-May to September).

About fifteen kilometers north of Lake Sevan, the Gochavank monastery, built in the 12th and 13th centuries under the Zakaride dynasty, is a magnificent architectural complex composed of several churches, chapels and a library.

Arrival in late afternoon at Dilidjan. Dinner and overnight.

In the morning, drive to Vanadzor. Additional to the price: meeting with the Khachkar master, Mr. Bogdan Hovhannisyan, in his famous workshop in Vanadzor.

Then drive to Alaverdi, a small mining town in the north located about fifteen kilometers as the crow flies from Georgia.

A few kilometers east of Alaverdi, we admire the Haghpat Monastery, built between the 10th and 13th centuries and listed as a UNESCO World Heritage Site.

After lunch at Haghpat, visit the second monastery in the region listed as a World Heritage Site: the Sanahin Monastery, which successively passed throughout its history from the hands of the Kiurikian to those of the Zakarides and then the Arghoutian. Like the Haghpat Monastery, it is an exceptional representative of Armenian religious architecture of the 10th-13th centuries.

Return to Yerevan for dinner and overnight.

The highest point in Arménie is the Mont Aragats, an extinct volcano at 4095 meters above sea level that dominates the Armenian highlands to the northwest of Yerevan. Unless the weather plays tricks on us, we will have plenty of opportunity to admire it since the day is dedicated to discovering the southeastern foothills of the massif, between the mountain and Yerevan, which is full of historical sites of interest.

We leave Yerevan towards the northwest where we find a winding mountain road that takes us to 2300 meters above sea level to the Amberd fortress, on the south side of the mountain. Built between the 6th and 9th centuries, it is one of the rare vestiges of Armenian military architecture.

Note: the site is only accessible from mid-May to mid-October. Outside this period we will visit Ochakan instead.

Our next destination is Achtarak, at the southeastern foot of the volcano. On the way we stop at the Hovannavank monastery. In Achtarak we have lunch and then visit the Karmravor church, the best preserved in the city despite dating from the 7th century.

Return to Yerevan, where we have time to visit the dried fruit market, stroll around and do some shopping.

This morning we head to Etchmiadzin, the seat of the Armenian Apostolic Church, about twenty kilometres west of Yerevan. Just before arriving there, we admire the ruins of the Zvarnots Cathedral (7th century), inscribed as a UNESCO World Heritage site along with the churches of Etchmiadzin.

The Holy See of Etchmiadzin consists of several buildings and sacred sites of the Armenian Apostolic Church. Among the most remarkable of these we can mention the Church of Saint Hripsime dating from the 7th century and the oldest and very first Christian building in Arménie, the Etchmiadzin Cathedral dating from the 4th century. The "Supreme Patriarch and Catholicos of all Armenians" has his residence in Etchmiadzin.

For those interested, it is possible to attend the Sunday Eucharistic celebration of the Armenian Apostolic Church in Echmiadzine Cathedral (note: no seating available).

After lunch, return to Yerevan. The afternoon is free to stroll around the city and do some shopping. Every weekend, the "Vernissage" takes place, a large flea market, craft market and antique fair, where it is very pleasant to browse.

Optional (subject to an additional fee and only on Sunday): music show, dances and folk songs by the Tatoul Athounian group.