Day 1: Flight to Yerevan

Pick-up and private transfer to the hotel***.

Day 2: Yerevan

We begin with a walk through the capital, visiting:

The Cascade – a monumental stairway of light travertine stone, rising 572 steps up a hillside in the city center. Today it houses the Museum of Contemporary Art. From the top, we enjoy a fantastic view of the Opera and the entire city, stretching to Mount Ararat.

Matenadaran – the Institute of Ancient Manuscripts, home to one of the world’s richest collections. Drive to the Armenia Winery. Visit the unique Wine Museum. Lunch. Return to Yerevan. Wine tasting in Mijnaberd. Overnight in Yerevan.

Day 3: Aragatsotn

Drive to Etchmiadzin, west of Yerevan. Visit the Etchmiadzin Cathedral (5th century), the oldest church in the world and seat of the Catholicos of the Armenian Apostolic Church. Continue to the ruins of the former palace church of Zvartnots. All sights today are UNESCO World Heritage sites. The Armavir region is also famous for its indigenous grape varieties and wineries. Visits to Alluria, Voskeni, and Djraghatspanyan wineries. Return to Yerevan and enjoy local cuisine.

Day 4: Aragatsotn – at the Foot of Mount Aragats

Morning drive to Aragatsotn region. Explore the Armenian Alphabet monument and find our initials. Wine tasting at two wineries: Stork and Van Ardi. Continue through the beautiful Debed Gorge to Lori region. Overnight in Dsegh.

Day 5: Lori – Tavush

Visit two magnificent medieval monasteries: Haghpat (UNESCO) and Akhtala. Continue to Tavush region. Wine tasting at TUS Winery. Drive to Yenokavan village. Overnight at Berkri Gastro Yard.

Day 6: Tavush – Vayots Dzor

Drive to Dilijan, a famous spa town during Soviet times. Stroll through a traditional quarter and taste wines and sparkling wines at Hovaz Winery. Continue to Lake Sevan, the “blue pearl” of Armenia. Visit Sevan Monastery on the peninsula. Short drive to Noratus, with its remarkable collection of medieval khachkars (cross-stones). Continue to the Selim Pass Caravanserai on the Silk Road, one of the best-preserved of its kind. Drive to Yeghegis village. Overnight at Hotel Arevi.

Day 7: Vayots Dzor – Cradle of Winemaking

Vayots Dzor is Armenia’s most famous wine region, with winemaking history dating back about 8,000 years. Off-road excursion to the ruins of Smbataberd Fortress and vineyards of Maran Winery at over 2,000 m altitude. Lunch with matching wines. Continue to the red cliffs of the Amaghu Gorge, backdrop to the picturesque Noravank Monastery (13th century). Visit the archaeological excavations in Areni Cave. Wine tasting at NOA Winery. Overnight at Areni Wine Art Guesthouse.

Day 8: Areni Wine Festival

Morning at the festive Areni Wine Festival: numerous stalls, cultural programs, traditions, dance. Wine tasting at Old Bridge Winery. Drive to Ararat region. Visit Khor Virap Monastery (“deep dungeon”), often called the cradle of Christianity, as Armenia was the first nation to adopt Christianity as a state religion. On clear days, the monastery offers the most beautiful views of Mount Ararat (5,137 m). Return to Yerevan. Free evening.

Day 9: Departure

Transfer to the airport. Flight home.