Accommodation

Accommodation for 7 nights in a DBL/Twin room at best available 4* hotel in Yerevan,

Others

All tours and airport transfers in a new luxurious Mercedes-Benz Sprinter minibus with an excellent driver, including private pick-ups and transfer on the last day Professional Licensed English Speaking Guide (20 years of experience), both cultural and licensed wine guide (armeniaprivatetourguide.com ) Accommodation for 7 nights in a DBL/Twin room at best available 4* hotel in Yerevan, Paris Hotel near Republic Square, the heart of the city downtown with a nice rooftop restaurant for breakfast with Mount Ararat view ( https://parishotel.am/), breakfast and VAT tax is also included Entrance fees to all historic sites and monuments, museums, (such as Aguletsi, Parajanov, Matenadaran, Megerian Carpet museums, Areni Cave, Garni temple, Tsghkadzor cable-car 1 round trip ticket for 1 chair lift ride) Optional tour for those who are not going to participate in photoshoot/cinematic video with a drone Premium/luxury tasting in Noy Brandy Factory Premium Wine Tasting in Tushpa Winery Private vocal concert in a medieval rock-cut church, in Geghard Monstery (UNESCO) Premium cheese tasting in an alpine village near Lake Sevan Brunch with one of the most famous Armenian artists/fashion designers in his lovely apartment in Yerevan downtown (Day 2) Excellent dinner in the most upscale restaurant in Yerevan, Season’s Lunch in another upscale restaurant in downtown Yerevan “Lavash” Lunch, wine tasting and a cooking class in Areni village in the house of a local winemaker and his family Lunch and traditional Armenian bread “lavash” making in a local’s house in Garni village Late lunch/dinner in a 19th century heritage house of Grandma Hripsime Local taxes

Transport

All tours and airport transfers in a new luxurious Mercedes-Benz Sprinter minibus with an excellent driver, including private pick-ups and transfer on the last day

Meals

Daily breakfast at the hotel Lunches during the tours 1 welcome dinner on day 2

Guide

Professional Licensed English Speaking Guide (20 years of experience), both cultural and licensed wine guide

Not included:

Flights

Insurance

Optional

Rent of a traditional Armenian dress and jewelry in Aguletsi Museum 15.000AMD per person ($37) for taking a photo Dress Rental from $50 to $120 Beauty portrait and make up $80 (includes 1 retouched photo, it is possible to have more for an extra cost) Cinematic Videography – get an amazing reel in the nature $250 per person (if there are minimum 4 other persons doing it from the group)

Others

Dinners in Yerevan (Except the dinner on Day 2 which is included) Flights Travel insurance Visa to Armenia (if required) Single room supplement Bank transfer fees Wine tasting in Armenia Winery for those who take the optional tour on February 14 (from $20) Optional activities, please see optional

Start planning your experience

Day 1 Arrival To Yerevan (Armenia)
12:00 am - 11:59 pm

Arrival To Yerevan (Armenia)

Welcome to Armenia! Private transfer (from Zvartnots Airport) to take you to your hotel in Yerevan in the heart of downtown Yerevan.

Overnight in Yerevan
Day 2 Yerevan City Tour
12:00 am - 11:59 pm

Yerevan City Tour

At 9AM meet your guide in the hotel lobby.

Today you reveal the secrets and hidden gems of Yerevan, the pink “pearl” of Armenia, a beautiful European city mostly built with different shades of local pink stone called “tuf” quarried in Armenia. Founded in 782 B.C. Yerevan is reputedly one of the oldest cities in the world to have been continuously inhabited, 29 years older than Rome.

We start the exploration with the “Victory Park” and “Mother Armenia” monument offering a “bird’s-eye” view of the city with a fantastic view of the majestic snow-capped Mount Ararat (5165m) dominating the skyline. Continue to the colossal monument of Cascade and Cafesjian Center for the Arts which includes a world-class sculpture garden and indoor modern art museum with works from Botero, Chihuly, Barry Flanegan and many others.

Tour of “Goom” bazaar of Yerevan, a real museum of food with pyramids of fresh and dried fruits stuffed with different kinds of nuts, honey, cinnamon and other spices, colorful strings of “sweet sujukh”, orange beads of dried peaches(“alani”) stuffed with walnuts, piles of “lavash” traditional Armenian bread, many kinds of cheeses some of them aged in clay pots, pickles, beans and other organic products offered by local farmers.

Step back in time and marvel at traditional Armenian national dresses, stunning silver belts and jewelry, learn about the Armenian customs, habits, traditions as you visit the magical house-museum of the artist Lusik Aguletsi, who was also the only woman at her time to preserve the old Armenian “fashion”, as she would always go out in traditional costumes and jewelry…

Optional: photoshoot with a traditional Armenian dress and jewelry in the atmosphere of a 19th century interior.

Enjoy brunch in the heart of Yerevan, at lovely apartment of an amazing collage artist and one of the most famous Armenian fashion designers.

Wander in a shopper’s paradise – the Vernissage Bazaar, the largest outdoor arts & crafts market in the Caucasus.

Visit “Ararat” Brandy Factory founded in 1887, a national heritage, the visiting-card of Armenia, producing one of the most prestigious and rare brandies in the world. During its golden years, this company supplied Armenian brandy to the court of Czar Nicholas II. Since then, their products have been praised by the public and connoisseurs—even Cognac producers—and has earned several medals at World Expos.

Fabulous dinner at trendy “Seasons”, undoubtedly the bet upscale restaurant in downtown Yerevan with its warm atmosphere, excellent food and service.

Overnight in Yerevan

Tour duration: 7 hours

Meal plan: Breakfast – Lunch – Dinner
Day 3 Oldest Carpets & Stories, Learn To Weave… Delve Into The Extraordinary World Of Parajanov & Discover The Secrets Of Medieval Armenia In Matenadaran
12:00 am - 11:59 pm

Oldest Carpets & Stories, Learn To Weave… Delve Into The Extraordinary World Of Parajanov & Discover The Secrets Of Medieval Armenia In Matenadaran

This morning we visit a carpet factory where you experience the thousand-year-old art of handmade rug-knotting using the most ancient technique in the birthplace of this amazing art. The oldest rug in the world is from Armenia and it is 2500 years old and now it is in the Hermitage Museum. You can see its replica. Knotting is a craft that is almost impossible to comprehend from the viewpoint of our frantic and impatient world. A 9’x12′ foot carpet is composed of up to 1.5 million individually hand-tied knots. Who has that kind of patience, let alone the skill? It is difficult to even imagine what it would take to perform that exercise a million times.

Learn about the whole process of carpet-making started from dying of wool, how the natural dyes are obtained from plants, stones and the secrets they stay vibrant for ages.

For lunch, enjoy a delicious traditional Armenian meal at “Lavash” restaurant where we taste the Armenian stuffed pumpkin dish “Ghapama” and “dolma”.

Delve into Parajanov’s creative and artistic world which is extraordinary and fantastic as we visit the house-museum of one of the most exceptional film-director in the world.

A cultural showcase not to be missed is Matenadaran, one of the world’s largest and oldest treasuries of ancient manuscripts. Marvel at the illuminated pages of some of those manuscripts within their glass cases.

Overnight in Yerevan

Tour duration: 7 hours

Meal plan: Breakfast – Lunch
Day 4 Celebrate Your Beauty/ Love Story… Be A Princess… Your Special Day
12:00 am - 11:59 pm

Celebrate Your Beauty/ Love Story… Be A Princess… Your Special Day

Today is a special day… we celebrate our skin, our hair, our curves and deliver you with unforgettable images and videos that will last a lifetime.

After breakfast you meet your stylist who takes you to dress rental showroom and helps you choose a perfect dress (or we may do it the previous evening).

Optional and upon your wish: Next we head to the salon to have a pro makeup and hairstyle.

Optional: You can have your beauty portrait taken immediately after your make-up is done!

Afterwards we drive to a stunning location for the photoshoot/cinematic videography with our professional team of photographers, drone pilots.

You will have a professional fashion model today helping you with posing and getting the most beautiful images and videos of you.

Today our team of professionals is focused on capturing the essence of your beauty and giving you the royal treatment you deserve…

Late lunch in a 19th century heritage house in a charming village. Enchant your taste buds as Grandma Hripsime is going to cook for us today!

***Optional Tour: For those who don’t wish to participate in the photoshoot they can rest enjoying Yerevan on their own or take a tour to Mount Aragats region to enjoy food, wine, stunning landscapes, visit medieval monasteries with stunning views.

Tour to Saghmosavank Monastery – Wine History Museum – Armenia Winery Optional – Yerevan

This morning we visit on the most beautiful medieval monasteries in Armenia, Saghmosavank, perched at the edge of the picturesque Kasakh River Canyon.

Afterwards we visit the impressive Wine History Museum of Armenia.

The development of viticulture and winemaking in the Armenian Highlands is presented in the museum not only by interpreting facts, but also by interactive and innovative solutions. The exhibits related to viticulture and winemaking give the visitor an opportunity to get a certain idea of the centuries-old Armenian culture in general. The main exhibition hall of the museum is located at the level of 8 meters deep underground basalt rocks, where the chronological stages of wine development in the Armenian Nature, as well as the connection of wine with different spheres of Armenian history and culture are presented in detail.

We tour Armenia Winery, perhaps the most beautiful winery in Trans-Caucasus. The winery building reminds of a medieval Armenian fortress the facade of which is coated with polished orange tufa stone and national Armenian ornamental art. It’s considered among the most modern equipped winemaking facilities in the former USSR territory. French and Italian specialists work here to produce a super-premium wine.

Late lunch in 19th century heritage house in a charming village. Enchant your taste buds as Grandma Hripsime is going to cook for us today!

Drive to Yerevan.

Overnight in Yerevan

Meal plan: Breakfast – Lunch

Duration: 7-8 hours
Day 5 Yerevan – Lori Region, Haghpat Unesco Monastery – Dilijan National Park – Haghartsin Medieval Monastery - Lake Sevan – Yerevan
12:00 am - 11:59 pm

Yerevan – Lori Region, Haghpat Unesco Monastery – Dilijan National Park – Haghartsin Medieval Monastery - Lake Sevan – Yerevan

We are off to perhaps the most beautiful region of Armenia – Lori nestled along the fascinating Debed River Canyon. Rugged rocks, forested mountains, the fast-flowing Debed River, medieval castles and churches everywhere make this region mysteriously attractive.

Today we are visiting an amazing medieval monastery, a true gem of the Armenian medieval architecture – Haghpat, a large monastic complex built the best traditions of Armenian architecture. Being astonishingly well preserved with its elegant buildings, “flying arches”, “lace” stone-crosses, inscriptions, frescoes and bas-relieves it became the first Armenian architectural monument to be included in the list of UNESCO World Heritage Sites.

Lunch in a beautiful riverside restaurant along the spectacular Debed River, we taste the most delicious local food.

Later continue to Dilijan National Park, a protected area renowned for its serene lakes, picturesque hill trails and peaceful villages often called “Armenia’s Switzerland”.

Take a stroll in Old Dilijan.

“If God wishes to visit Armenia one day, I will take him to Dilijan”, Grigor Magistros, a medieval Armenian scholar, prince (990-1058).

We drive to the depth of the forest and tour the fairy-tale Haghartsin medieval Monastery tucked away on a hidden remote glade.

We drive to Lake Sevan, one of the most beautiful alpine lakes in the world at 1900m above sea level. Drive to Yerevan.

Overnight in Yerevan

Meal plan: Breakfast – Lunch

Tour duration: 10-11 hours

Driving distance: 260 KM
Day 6 South Of Armenia - Winery – Areni Cave-1 – Noravank – Wine Tasting – Yerevan
12:00 am - 11:59 pm

South Of Armenia - Winery – Areni Cave-1 – Noravank – Wine Tasting – Yerevan

This morning we have an excellent experience as we enjoy tour & premium winetasting at a traditional Armenian winery, both family-owned and managed. The winery is located in the heart of the Ararat Valley, opposite the Biblical Mount Ararat founded in 1992 by the winemaker who creates remarkable wines through winemaking traditions that his ancestors had passed down to him. Together with his son they combine these traditions with modern technologies to create the unforgettable essence of Armenian wines.

Later we visit Khor Virap Monastery, a 4th century castle-like fairy-tale monastery, the most iconic site in Armenia and one of the most important Christian sites in the world. Its location, near the closest point to biblical Mount Ararat within Armenian borders, offers a spectacular view of the snow-capped mountain, the national symbol of Armenia.

We drive through the agricultural heartland of Armenia, Ararat Plain offering an amazing panorama of endlessly stretching apricot orchards and vineyards guarded by the remote majesty of the mysterious twin peaks of Mount Ararat.

We continue driving to the south marveling at the untamed beauty of Southern Armenia – surreal red rocks providing an eerie echo, honey-colored villages sandwiched between them.

Our next stop is Areni village, where world’s oldest wine making facility has been found (6100years old) in an incredibly well-preserved condition due to the wonderful microclimate of the Cave Areni-1, the site it was found!

Traditional Armenian dish “dolma” making master-class with an Armenian grandma followed by lunch at a winemaker’s place in Areni village.

Later we visit Noravank, the jewel of the crown among all the medieval sites in South Caucasus. The monastery is nestled among giant red rocks and mountains, just above a deep gorge.

Overnight in Yerevan

Meal plan: Breakfast – Lunch

Distance: 260km

Duration: 8-9 hours
Day 7 Yerevan – Garni Temple – Geghard Monastery (Unesco) – Lavash Bread Making – Garni Gorge & Symphony Of Stones – Yerevan
12:00 am - 11:59 pm

Yerevan – Garni Temple – Geghard Monastery (Unesco) – Lavash Bread Making – Garni Gorge & Symphony Of Stones – Yerevan

Leaving the frantic pace of the city we drive to Garni Fortress, the most beloved summer residence of the Armenian royal dynasties. Travel 2000 years back in time as your guide is showing you around the impressive 1st century Hellenistic Temple (the only one in the former USSR), the royal Roman Baths with a colorful mosaic, the palace ruins.

We visit a local villager’s house for a traditional Armenian meal. Roll your sleeves up and join our hosts who will bake the traditional Armenian bread “lavash” in “tonir” oven. Freshly baked lavash must be the most delicious bread on earth!

After a hearty lunch continue to Geghard (UNESCO site), a surreal monastery carved inside a huge rock in a magical setting surrounded by incredible rock formations. Your guide will reveal all the secrets and stories behind the marvelous site.

Private vocal concert in a rock-cut church in Geghard.

The highlight of your trip will be a walk in the Azat River Gorge to marvel at one of the most beautiful geological wonders of our planet called “Symphony of Stones” – giant hexagonal basalt columns stretching along the river for several kilometers. Your guide will show you how to take the most creative photos of the place.

Back to Yerevan.

Overnight in Yerevan

Tour duration: 7 hours

Meal plan: Breakfast – Lunch
Day 8 Departure
12:00 am - 11:59 pm

Departure

Pick up from your hotel. Transfer to Zvartnots Airport. Your pleasant and memorable Armenia tour ends today. Fly home with cherished memories ?

8 days tour

Colorful Armenia

This tour includes:

Not included:

Start planning your experience

Itinerary of your trip Colorful Armenia

Arrival To Yerevan (Armenia)

Yerevan City Tour

Oldest Carpets & Stories, Learn To Weave… Delve Into The Extraordinary World Of Parajanov & Discover The Secrets Of Medieval Armenia In Matenadaran

Celebrate Your Beauty/ Love Story… Be A Princess… Your Special Day

Yerevan – Lori Region, Haghpat Unesco Monastery – Dilijan National Park – Haghartsin Medieval Monastery - Lake Sevan – Yerevan

South Of Armenia - Winery – Areni Cave-1 – Noravank – Wine Tasting – Yerevan

Yerevan – Garni Temple – Geghard Monastery (Unesco) – Lavash Bread Making – Garni Gorge & Symphony Of Stones – Yerevan

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