Wine & Gourmet Tour

Breakfast at the hotel. First, we will visit the Museum of Ancient Armenian Manuscripts -Matenadaran, which houses more than 17,000 manuscripts. Afterwards, you will tour the city’s main sights. Lunch and dolma making masterclass in Machanents Family Restaurant.  Later, we’ll make an excursion to the UNESCO-listed Armenian Catholic cathedral in Ejmiatsin and Zvartnots.

Return and overnight in Yerevan.

Breakfast at the hotel. This morning we will drive out to Garni. Stroll through the canyon and over the 9^th Century bridge to reach this pagan temple. Nearby, you will visit the legendary Geghard Monastery. We’ve also arranged a visit to a local house where you'll help prepare a typical Armenian flat bread-lavash. Return to Yerevan. Visit the Armenian Brandy and Cognac Factory "ARARAT" with the tasting of the legendary Armenian brandy.

Overnight in Yerevan.

Breakfast at the hotel. Drive towards Mount Aragats, the highest mountain in the country. Visit of the medieval Amberd Fortress (7^th Century) with a cross-domed church from 1026, near the Aragats (4,096 m). Here offers a beautiful view of the quiet surroundings. Visit of the winery "ArmAs", tasting of Armenian wines. Lunch with a local family, where we'll get acquainted with the production process of the Armenian noodle "Arischta". Drive to the village of Saghmosavan. Visit of the Saghmosavank Monastery (13^th Century) high above the magnificent Kazakh Canyon.

Return and overnight in Yerevan.

Breakfast. Through the Ararat Mountain, today we'll drive to the south of Armenia. First visit is the Khor Virap Monastery (17^th Century), which is located directly on the Armenian-Turkish border. From here we will enjoy a magnificent view of the biblical Mount Ararat. Drive to Noravank Monastery (13^th Century), which is at the end of a gorge and was 13^th to 14^th centuries bishop seat. Before we reach the monastery, we will make a small detour in a village. Together with a village family we'll make the Armenian cheese, grill the traditional Schaschlick (Barbeque) in Erdofen. Drive to the village of Hermon. Free time.

Overnight at the hotel in the village of Hermon.

Breakfast. Excursion to Vardeniats Pass and visit the medieval Selim Pass or Orbelian’s Caravanserai on the ancient Silk Road that once crossed the pass at 2,410 meters. Descent to Lake Sevan, "the blue pearl of Armenia" (1,900m above sea level). The lake is 78 km long and 56 km wide. Through the spa town of Dilijan we'll continue the tour to the Ijevan Wine Factory, which is known for its white wine production. Tasting of Armenian white wines. End the day in the "Apaga Resort" in the village of Yenokavan.

Dinner and overnight in "Apaga Resort".

Breakfast at the hotel. After breakfast we will drive to the second largest industrial city of Armenia -Alaverdi. We’ll visit the monasteries of Sanahin and Haghpat (both listed on the UNESCO World Heritage Site, both 10^th-13^th centuries). In a good weather, Haghpat Monastery offers a magnificent view of the mountain landscape. The Church of the Redeemer in Sanahin and The Church of the Holy Haghpat (10^th century) are donated by Queen Khosrovanush, whose sons are depicted in the gable field of the eastern facades of these churches. Architecturally impressive in both monasteries are the library rooms, which experienced a sad fate during the Mongol rule. We’ll admire the Tutewordu crucifix in Sanahin and the All Savior Cross-stone in Haghpat. Uniquely beautiful is the bell tower in Haghpat, which stands on the highest point of the monastery complex. Lunch in the village of Haghpat in a small local restaurant. After lunch drive back to Yerevan.

Overnight in Yerevan.

Breakfast. Check-out from the hotel. Transfer to the Zvartnots International Airport for departure.

Have a safe flight!