At the foot of Mount Ararat
In the tutelary shadow of Mount Ararat, Armenia unveils 14 days of thousand-year-old history and grandiose landscapes.
Duration
14 days
From
€1,890/pers.
Ideal seasons
Apr, May, Jun, Sep, Oct
Style
Guided tour
Comfort
classique
Travelers
Couple, Solo, senior, With friends
The spirit of travel
The tour "At the Foot of Mount Ararat" invites you to explore Arménie through its spectacular landscapes and historical heritage. After immersing yourself in Yerevan with iconic visits such as the Matenadaran and the Genocide Memorial, you will discover fascinating sites such as the Geghard monastery, Garni and Noravank, while enjoying breathtaking views of Mount Ararat. You will visit picturesque villages such as Khndzoresk, a troglodyte village, and Tatev, accessible by the world's longest cable car. On your way to Lake Sevan, you will explore historic monasteries and archaeological sites, before heading to Echmiadzin, the spiritual center of the country. This 14-day journey combines cultural discoveries, breathtaking landscapes and immersion in local life, all under the imposing silhouette of Mount Ararat.
The stages of your journey
Highlights
Day-by-day itinerary
Welcome to Arménie!
Yerevan City Tour: History, Culture and Panoramas
In the morning, meet your driver who will accompany you throughout the day to discover the iconic sites of Yerevan.
In the morning, visit the Matenadaran, an institute housing an exceptional collection of ancient manuscripts, some of which are among the most precious and oldest in the world.
A stroll through the Cascade architectural complex, a unique site of its kind, famous for its original architecture, terraced gardens, fountains and its large monumental staircase. Located near the Place de France, it offers an exceptional panorama of the city and Mount Ararat, at 78 meters in height.
Free lunch in the city
After lunch, we continue the day with a moment of emotion and contemplation at the Armenian Genocide Memorial and its adjoining museum, located at the top of Tsitsernakaberd. We then head to the Mother Armenia statue, which from its dominant position at the top of a hill seems to watch over the city.
Free dinner and overnight in Yerevan.
OPTION! In the evening, from 21:00 to 23:00, you can admire on your own the spectacle of the famous fountains of the Republic Square in Yerevan, available during the summer months and in September! It's free!
Note: Museums are closed on Mondays and public holidays. The Matenadaran is also closed on Sundays.
Discovery of Armenian Heritage: Geghard, Garni and the Symphony of Stones (with photo session)
Breakfast at the hotel..
Morning departure with the driver towards Geghard, (listed as a UNESCO World Heritage site) - nicknamed the Lourdes of Armenia. Halfway there, stop at the Tcharents arch to admire the view of the biblical Mount Ararat, if it is visible.
Discovery of the troglodyte monastery of Geghard (the name "Geghard" means lance), where one of the precious relics of the Armenian Apostolic Church was kept: the lance with which a Roman soldier pierced the side of the crucified Jesus.
Continuation towards Garni, where you will discover the Garni canyon and the famous natural monument called the Basalt Organ or the Symphony of Stones (listed as UNESCO World Heritage). 30-minute walk in the canyon.
Garni: 1400 m
Azat Canyon: 1250 m
Lunch with a local family in Garni. Participation in the preparation of traditional Armenian bread, lavash.
Then, discovery of Garni: the Garni citadel, the only monument from the Hellenistic period in Arménie, famous for its pagan temple dedicated to the sun god.
Ararat Plain & Armenian Monasteries
Breakfast at the hotel. Check-out.
In the morning, departure with driver to cross the Ararat plain, dominated by the mythical silhouette of Mount Ararat.
Visit of the Khor Virap monastery, dating from the 17th century, located behind modest ramparts, in the heart of orchards and vineyards fertilized by the Araxes river. This monastery is built on the site of the "deep pit", where Gregory the Illuminator was imprisoned for thirteen years (288-301), before founding the Armenian Church.
Continue towards the village of Areni, renowned for its wines. Visit the Areni cave, also known as the Cave of Birds, where the oldest traces of wine production were discovered, dating back 6000 years. This cave also houses the world's oldest leather shoe (5500 years old).
Free lunch
In the afternoon, explore the magnificent Noravank monastery, founded in the 13th century. The main church, Saint John the Baptist, is a masterpiece of medieval Armenian architecture, with a narthex decorated with exceptional sculptures and tympanums.
Goris and Khndzoresk - Troglodytic History
In the morning, visit of the old town of Goris. Nicknamed the little Cappadocia, Goris is one of the most beautiful cities in Arménie, located in a spectacular landscape of caves (10 to 20 meters high) and troglodyte dwellings. A short walk will take us to the troglodyte caves of Goris.
Drive to the village of Khndzoresk
Discover the troglodyte city of Khndzoresk, famous for its suspension bridge. Enjoy a hike of 1 hour 30 minutes in the Khndzoresk canyon with a local guide, crossing the famous suspension bridge.
Hike details:
Walking time: 1.5 km / 1 hour and 30 minutes
Climbing during trekking: 500m
Technical difficulty: Easy
Note: There are more than 200 steps to descend and climb, and pick-up is not possible.
Return to Goris. Free lunch.
Continuation towards Tatev
Take the cable car "The Wings of Tatev", the longest in the world, to reach the monastery in 12 minutes. Inaugurated in 2010, it connects Halidzor to Tatev Monastery while crossing the Vorotan canyon. This 5,752-meter cable car offers a spectacular view of the canyon.
Visit of the Tatev monastic complex, located at the top of the Vorotan river valley, is one of the most important historical monuments in Arménie. It was a great intellectual and university center. In the courtyard, you will discover the stele "Gavazan" (the "Crosier"), an 8-meter-high octahedron topped with an openwork cross.
Armenian Heritage
Goris → Selim Caravanserai
Breakfast at the hotel. Check-out.
Drive to the city of Sisian
Short walk to discover the Karahoundj Observatory (Zorats Karer), one of the oldest in the world. The gigantic perforated stones were arranged in a precise order, allowing the observation of stars, comparable to sites such as Stonehenge in England.
Continue south in the Syuniq region
Lunch at your leisure.
Drive to Selim.
In medieval Arménie, many buildings were constructed along trade routes for the accommodation of travelers. The Selim Caravanserai, located on the south side of the Selim Pass in the Vayots Dzor region, is the best preserved in the country. Built in 1332 by Prince Chesar Orbelyan, it is a remarkable example of medieval Armenian architecture.
Lunch at your leisure.
Selim Caravanserai → Sevan
Continuation towards Noradouz and Lake Sevan
Stop at Noradouz, a historic village renowned for its cemetery of Khachkars (cross-stones), the largest in Arménie, housing 728 stones from the 9th to 16th century.
Continuation towards the Lake Sevan, the largest lake in Arménie, located at 1,950 meters altitude. Nicknamed the "Blue Pearl", its wild beauty and grandeur make it an unforgettable place.
Accommodation at Lavash Hotel or similar on the shores of Lake Sevan for 2 nights, or at Armenia Guesthouse in Dilijan.
Dilijan, Haghartsin & Goshavank
Sevan → Dilidjan
Breakfast at the hotel.
Drive to Dilidjan
Visit of the old town of Dilijan, a spa and health resort renowned for its natural treatments based on pure air and mineral water. The town is also known for its many historical monuments.
Take the opportunity to meet a local craftsman specializing in woodwork, a tradition deeply rooted in Dilijan.
Dilidjan → Lake Parz
Head to the Parz Lake for a hike to the Goshavank Monastery with your local guide. The hike takes you through scenic forest trails and allows you to cross the Areguni pass before reaching Goshavank.
The Goshavank Monastery, dating from the 12th and 13th centuries, is an exceptional example of medieval Armenian architecture, built under the Zakaride dynasty. This historic site includes several churches, chapels and a library, and houses the tomb of the great scholar Mkhitar Gosh.
Lunch break in nature during the hike.
Walking time: 12 km / 4 hours
Elevation gain: +250m / -250m
Technical difficulty: Easy
Parz Lake: 1344 m
Goshavank: 1232 m
Pick-up available (additional charge)
Gochavank → Sevan
Return to your hotel on the shores of Lake Sevan.
Free evening to enjoy the region at your own pace.
Night on the shores of Lake Sevan or in Dilijan.
Lake Sevan and Route to Dzoraget
Sevan → Dzoraget
Breakfast at the hotel. Check-out.
In the morning, visit of the Sevanavank monastery, with its two churches of the Holy Apostles and the Holy Mother of God, offering stunning views over Lake Sevan.
Optionally, enjoy a 20-minute boat ride on Lake Sevan (additional cost).
Free time to have lunch by Lake Sevan and savor the tranquil beauty of the place.Enjoy a free afternoon to relax and explore the shores of Lake Sevan at your own pace.
At the end of the day, departure for the village of Dzoraget.
Check-in at the charming Tufenkian Avan Dzoraget hotel for 1 night.
Discovery of Monasteries and Route to Gyoumri
Dzoraget → Gyoumri
Breakfast at the hotel. Check-out.
Route to Alaverdi via the Debed canyon
In the morning, visit the Sanahin monastery, inscribed in UNESCO World Heritage. This monastery, founded by the Kiurikian lords, subsequently passed into the hands of the Zakarides princes, who made it their family pantheon. The site remained the property of the Arghoutian, an Armenian noble family, until the early twentieth century.
Discover the Mikoyan site, the birthplace of the famous engineers Artem Mikoyan and Mikhail Gurevich, creators of the MiG, a legendary fighter aircraft used by the Soviet and then Russian army.
Free lunch
Continue your discovery with the Haghpat monastery, also inscribed in UNESCO World Heritage, which is organized around the churches of Saint Nechan, Saint Gregory the Illuminator and Holy Mother of God.
Visit the Akhtala monastery, dating from the thirteenth century. This impressive complex includes three churches, of which the main church is famous for its frescoes illustrating scenes from the New and Old Testament.
In the late afternoon, departure for Gyumri.
Installation at the Berlin Art hotel or similar in Gyumri for 2 nights.
Gyumri and Marmashen
Gyoumri → Marmashen
Breakfast at the hotel.
In the morning, departure towards Gyoumri, the second largest city in Arménie, located on the Shirak plateau, crossed by several mountain gorges. Discover the Gyoumri city center, with its two famous churches and the Dzitoghtsyan Museum.
Enjoy a short walk on Vardanants Square, in the heart of the city.
Visit the Dzitoghtsyan Museum, also known as the Museum of Architecture and Popular Life, which offers you a fascinating insight into Armenian history and culture.
Free lunch
Discover the Charles Aznavour statue, a tribute to the artist of Armenian origin, in the center of Gyoumri.
Road to Marmashen, where you will visit the magnificent Marmashen Monastery, located on the left bank of the Akhurian River, approximately 2 km from the village. This monastery, one of the most important spiritual centers of medieval Arménie, presents great architectural value.
Marmashen → Gyoumri
Return to Gyumri
Day Trip in Central Arménie
Breakfast at the hotel, followed by check-out.
Departure for a day trip in the central region of Arménie, dominated by Mount Aragats, the highest peak in the country, reaching an altitude of 4090 meters.
Visit to the Amberd Fortress, located at 2300 meters altitude on the slopes of Mount Aragats, takes its name which means "fortress in the clouds" in Armenian. On site, the ruins of the fortress, including the walls, the church, the thermal baths and other sections, are well preserved. In the 10th century, Amberd served as a defense center for the Bagratouni and Pahlavuni kingdoms.
Drive to Ashtarak for lunch with a local family.
Visit to the Karmravor Church in Ashtarak, the best preserved in the city, is an exceptional example of 7th century Armenian architecture. Dedicated to the Mother of God, it features an octagonal bell tower and a free-standing monoconque cross structure. This church made such an impression that Russian poet Osip Mandelstam wrote about it in his "Journey to Arménie".
Return to Yerevan for hotel check-in, where you will spend 3 nights.
Free Day in Yerevan
Breakfast at the hotel. Free day to stroll through the streets of Erevan at your own pace. Meals on your own.
As an option, you can visit the History Museum of Armenia, located on Republic Square. This museum is a true showcase of the country's cultural and historical treasures. Don't miss it!
Armenian Heritage
Breakfast at the hotel.
Car journey to Echmiadzin with driver.
First stop: the ruins of Zvartnots Cathedral, inscribed on the UNESCO World Heritage List, located in a bucolic setting nicknamed the "breadbasket of Armenia". Continuation of the visit with the Zvartnots Cathedral, a major testimony to Armenian religious architecture.
Continuing towards Etchmiadzin, religious capital of Armenia.
Discovery of the Church of Saint Hripsimé, probably one of the most authentic examples of Armenian architecture.
Visit to the Cathedral of Edjmiadzine, dating from the 4th century, the oldest Armenian Christian church. Armenia was the first country to adopt Christianity as its official religion in 301. Edjmiadzine is today the seat of the Catholicos of all Armenians, supreme head of the Armenian Church and center of the Armenian Apostolic Church.
Lunch at an original and artistic restaurant, CAU restaurant: Cross of Armenian Unity, near Etchmiadzin.
Return to Yerevan.
Additional cost: Meeting at the home of an Armenian musician who will introduce you to and let you play Armenian wind instruments, notably the famous duduk, accompanied by a light snack.
In the afternoon, visit to the Vernissage, a large craft market where flea market goods, antiques, and local handicraft items are for sale, very popular with locals and foreigners. Free time to purchase souvenirs!
Additional cost: Festive dinner with folklore show in Yerevan.
See you soon in Arménie!
Price per person
Indicative price per person, based on double room. Each trip is customized according to your preferences.
This trip can be tailored to your preferences
This itinerary provides an excellent foundation for discovery, but it can be fully customized. Our local advisors build each trip tailored to your budget, dates and preferences.
Not included
- Flights & travel insurance
- English-speaking guide service: 1580 EUR total for 2 pax
- All lunches except 4
- All dinners
- The festive dinner in Erevan on day 13: 32 EUR per person
- Wine tasting in Areni: 9 EUR per person
- Supplement for Best Western Bohemian Resort on the shores of Lake Sevan: 23 EUR per person per night in DBL/TWN room
- Supplement for Mirhav hotel in Goris: 18 EUR per person per night in DBL/TWN room
- Private boat ride on Lake Sevan in Arménie: 60 EUR for 20 minutes to book on site
- Meeting with duduk musician in Yerevan: 75 EUR total for 2 people
- All meals on departure day except breakfast and free day
- All alcoholic beverages
- Porters & Tips
Included
- Accommodations and breakfasts
- Transportation with experienced English-speaking or Spanish-speaking driver in sedan
- throughout the trip except free day
- 2 x Airport transfers with experienced driver
- Half board with all breakfasts, 4 x lunches as follows:
- 1 x lunch at a local home with participation in the preparation of traditional bread
- 1 x lunch at CAU in Echmiadzine
- 1 x lunch in Ashtarak at a local home
- 1 x picnic lunch during the Lake Parz hiking towards Goshavank
- Entrance fees for sites and museums
- Entry to Areni Cave
- Ticket for Tatev Ropeway
- Guide de randonnée à Kndzoresk
- Guide de randonnée à Dilijan
Practical Information
Registration is considered firm and final after payment of a deposit of 30% of the total price and acceptance of the specific terms of sale.
The balance must be paid no later than 45 days before the departure date.
See our specific terms of sale for full details.
In the event of cancellation by the traveller, the following fees apply:
- Plus de 60 jours avant le départ : 40 % du prix total (acompte retenu)
- Entre 60 et 30 jours avant le départ : 50 % du prix total
- Moins de 30 jours avant le départ : 100 % du prix total
We strongly recommend taking out cancellation insurance. See our specific terms of sale for full details.
The information below concerns travelers who are nationals of the European Economic Area (EEA), Switzerland and Canada traveling to Armenia for tourism purposes. As entry rules may change, we recommend you verify this information with the official authorities before your departure.
Passport
To enter Armenia, your passport must be valid for the entire duration of your stay and contain at least one blank page for immigration stamps.
The document must be in good condition (no damaged, torn or altered pages).
Tourism stay without visa
Nationals of the European Economic Area, Switzerland and Canada benefit from a visa exemption for tourism stays in Armenia.
This exemption allows a stay of up to 180 days per year on Armenian territory, without any prior procedure required.
The authorities may also request:
a return travel ticket or onward flight,
proof of sufficient financial resources for the duration of your stay,
an accommodation address in Armenia.
Registration with local authorities
Any traveler staying in Armenia is in principle required to register with the local authorities within 20 days of arrival. In practice, this formality is generally handled directly by the hotel or accommodation establishment, which registers the traveler.
If staying with a private individual or in non-professional accommodation, you should ensure that this procedure is completed, as failure to do so may result in a fine upon departure from the territory.
Traveling with children
Minors must hold their own valid passport covering the duration of the stay.
In some European countries, when a minor travels without one of their parents, an exit authorization from the territory may be required according to the regulations of the country of residence.
Other nationalities
Entry conditions may vary depending on nationality. Travelers concerned should check with the Armenian embassy or consulate in their country of residence.
To participate in our trips, it is strongly advised to be insured for repatriation assistance and medical expenses abroad.
Your local agency encourages you to review the specific policy developed with our partners CHAPKA ASSURANCES and AXA ASSISTANCE.
To subscribe to insurance, learn about coverage and rates, follow the link below.
CAP EXPLORER: The complete insurance solution designed for a worry-free trip!
Choose the plan that suits you best:
Explorer'Multirisque
Explorer'Annulation
Explorer'Assistance
Explorer' Complémentaire Carte Bancaire
Specific to our trips, we strongly recommend subscribing to them.
If you choose to subscribe to one of these plans, the policy detailing all coverage and claims reporting procedures are available on the insurer's website.
Your local agency will be aware of this, but only the participant is responsible for following the claims reporting procedures. The participant must therefore keep this policy with them throughout their trip.
Chapka — Cap Explorer
Our insurance partnerTravel with peace of mind with our partner Chapka. Cancellation, repatriation, medical expenses, baggage… All the coverage for a worry-free trip.
Travel with peace of mind — I'll handle the insuranceFrequently asked questions
For a tourist stay in Armenia, no visa is required. A valid passport for at least 3 months after your return date is sufficient. Always check the latest conditions with the consular authorities of your destination before departure.
Go to the My Trips section to find all your projects.
You can send a message to your host directly from the Tea Lounge.
For a quality tailor-made trip, expect between 110 and 180 euros per day and per person, including accommodation, meals, internal transport and activities. International flights (400-700 euros round-trip from Paris) are additional. Armenia remains one of the most affordable destinations in the Caucasus.
Your documents are accessible in the Documents tab of your trip.
Absolutely. We tailor each itinerary to suit travelers' profiles. For families, we prioritize relaxed pacing, family-friendly accommodations, engaging educational activities, and comfortable private transfers. Our local English-speaking guides know how to capture children's attention with age-appropriate anecdotes.
It's simple. You exchange with our local team to define your wishes, budget and dates. You receive a detailed itinerary proposal within 48 hours. You adjust every detail together until you reach the perfect version. You confirm and travel with peace of mind. Your local agency remains available 7 days a week throughout your trip.
In case of emergency, contact your local agency immediately.
Payment is generally made in two installments.
Our agency is part of the Nomadays network, registered in France. You benefit from APST (Professional Tourism Solidarity Association) guarantee which covers 100% of your funds. Secure payment, repatriation insurance included, and English-speaking assistance 24/7 on site throughout your stay.
Let's talk about your adventure — Yerevan and Ararat Plain
Travel Creator Between Memory and Mountains, based in Arménie
Armenia is a land of memory, but also of life and human warmth. What I love is seeing travelers discover this energy far beyond the ideas they had before coming.
— Lilith
