Explore Armenia - Private Tour (Self-Guided)

Arrival to Zvartnots International airport, meet and transfer to the hotel in Yerevan.

Overnight in Yerevan

Yerevan, the capital of Armenia, is a modern, colorful city, situated in the Northeastern part of the Ararat Valley. Yerevan is one of the oldest cities in the world. Drive through the central streets of Yerevan, Republic Square, Opera House, Cascade Monument and stairs, "Mother Armenia" Monument with a fantastic view of Yerevan, Victory Bridge, Hrazdan Stadium, Sports and Concerts Center, Presidential Palace, National Assembly Building, Academy of Sciences. Visit the food Bazaar (GUM) and the Vernissage market, the largest open-air market for arts and crafts in the Caucasus.

Overnight in Yerevan

After breakfast 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.

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.

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.

Overnight in Yerevan

Today is a long but fascinating day! It is dedicated to exploration of Southern Armenia combining the magic of Armenia’s finest medieval architecture with stunning landscapes.  Our first stop is at 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 continue to the south driving 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. Visit Areni, the village of winemakers and tour the world-class archaeological site, the cave complex Areni-1 to see the oldest winery in the world (6100 years old).

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

We visit Lake Sevan, the world’s second largest high-altitude lake at 1900m above sea level. It’s a huge mountain lake which takes up 5% of Armenia’s surface area. Marvel at stunning turquoise waters of the Lake Sevan and dramatic mountain scenery after climbing up the peninsula hill where we visit the 9th century Sevanavank Monastery (optional, over 240 steps to get there).

Continue to Dilijan spa town in Dilijan National Park, a protected area renowned for its serene lakes, picturesque hill trails and peaceful villages. Words alone can’t describe the natural beauty of Dilijan. Many poets used to say, “If there are woods, mountains, streams and mineral waters in paradise, it must be like Dilijan”. Due to its forested mountains and mild climate, Dilijan is named “Armenia’s Little Switzerland”. Take a stroll in Old Dilijan Complex on historic Sharambeyan street. 

Then we continue our journey to Haghartsin, a fairy-tale medieval monastery nestled in the middle of the forest. Back to Yerevan

Overnight in Yerevan

Leave for Echmiadzin town, the Holy See of the Armenian Apostolic Church. Visit St. Hripsime Church built in the 7th century and is considered a masterpiece of early medieval Armenian architecture.

Continue to Echmiadzin Mother Cathedral. Historically, it is the focal point of the town of Echmiadzin, and it’s the oldest church in the world. It was originally built by Saint Gregory the Illuminator as a vaulted basilica in 301-303A.D., when Armenia was the only country in the world the state religion of which was Christianity.

On the way back to Yerevan visit the Ruins of Zvartnots Cathedral. Zvartnots, built as Armenia’s main cathedral in 641-661A.D. was to suppress the Echmiadzin Cathedral by its grandeur. The remnants of Zvartnots, even in ruins, are a majestic sight. The Ruins of Zvartnots are listed among the UNESCO World Heritage Sites. 

Hotel check-out. Transfer to Zvartnots International Airport. Departure