4 Days of Culture, Nature, Cuisine & Traditions of Armenia, Private

Day 1 / 6-Hour-Long Guided Driving and Walking Tour in Yerevan / Visit Erebuni fortress

Erebuni fortress. Visit Erebuni fortress which is an Urartian fortified city

Republic Square. We set off to explore, and we begin our walk from beautiful Republic Square through the city center and up the strikingly modern Cascades for views of Biblical Mount Ararat. During our walk we discover the ancient culture of Yerevan, the city which‌, despite numerous invasion‌, hasn't lost its unique traditions. Walking along Pushkin street we visit old backyards which date back to 19th century and discover old wineries and dental clinics there. During our walk we are also getting acquainted with Armenian History; Architecture; Geopolitics; Economy; Geography; Traditions; Religion History; etc.).

Mirzoyan Library. A gem in the city. Filled with books, journals related to design and photography, and a bar and gallery, the space is peaceful and amazing.

Vernissage Market. Vernissage is a large open-air market in Yerevan, Armenia. The name of the market is the derived from the French word vernissage. Next to the market we will visit Cultural Genocide park where is located the Statue of Garegin Nzhdeh(Armenian military commander); walk in Cultural Genocide park(Khachkars also know as Armenian cross-stones); Metro station Republic Square(discovering Armenian metro)

Lunch. Armenian traditional food(5,000 AMD per person ~ 12 $)

Charles Aznavour Square. In this beautiful square we will see the oldest hotel in Yerevan "Grand hotel Yerevan" which was opened in 1926, during the Soviet period(the hotel facade is richly decorated with black Armenian tuff stone).

The Armenian National Academic Theater of Opera and Ballet. Visit Swan Lake and Opera House. The ground-breaking of the Opera-Theatre took place on 28 November 1930 during the celebrations of the 10th anniversary of Soviet Armenia. On January 20, 1933, the building was officially opened.

Day 2 / Full Day Private Guided Driving Tour to Echmiadzin, Geghard Monastery and Garni Temple

Etchmiadzin Cathedral is the mother church of the Armenian Apostolic Church, located in the city of Vagharshapat. According to most scholars it was the first cathedral built in ancient Armenia, and is often considered the oldest cathedral in the world.

Geghard Monastery. Geghard is a medieval monastery in the Kotayk province of Armenia, being partially carved out of the adjacent mountain, surrounded by cliffs. It is listed as a UNESCO World Heritage Site with enhanced protection status.

Lunch. Armenian traditional food(4,000 AMD per person ~ 10 $)

Garni Temple, a first century A. D. Graeco-Roman pagan temple probably devoted to Mithra. We may hear Armenian visitors give an impromptu choral concert.

Day 3 / Day trip to Khor Virap, Areni wine village and Noravank Monastery

Khor Virap Monastery. The monastery is surrounded by green pasture lands and vineyards within the Ararat plain and is in view of Mount Ararat. The Arax (or Arakas) River flows close by, and the monastery is across from Aralık, Turkey.

Areni village - Areni Wine Factory(wine tasting). ''Hin Areni” winery is located in Areni village, Vayots Dzor region. Vayots Dzor Region and Areni village in particular has been the cradle of Armenian winemaking for millennia. A 6,100-year-old winery was discovered in 2007 in the the village of Areni.

Noravank Monastery. The monastery is best known for its two-storey Surb Astvatsatsin (Holy Mother of God) church. The gorge is known for its tall, sheer, brick-red cliffs, directly across from the monastery.

Lunch Kristina's place restaurant(Noravank Monastery). Armenian traditional food(4,000 AMD per person ~ 10 $)

Day 4 / Day trip to Lake Sevan and Dilijan forested city

Sevanavank Monastery. On the shores of the high-altitude Lake Sevan (the largest body of water in Armenia and the Caucasus region) we pause at Sevanavank Monastery(founded in 874 AD by Princess Mariam the daughter of Ashot king). The Monastery is located on a peninsula at the northwestern shore of Lake Sevan after the artificial draining of Lake Sevan, which started in the era of Joseph Stalin, the water level fell about 20 meters, and the island transformed into a peninsula.

Dilijan National Park. We continue to drive to Dilijan Nature Reserve, characterized by forests of oak and beech. Usually called Armenian Switzerland or Little Switzerland by the locals, it is one of the most important resorts of Armenia. The Sharambeyan street in the center has been preserved and maintained as an "old town".

Tufenkian old Dilijan Complex. The Sharambeyan street in the center has been preserved and maintained as an "old town".

Goshavank Monastery. 13th-century Armenian monastery surrounded by village homes.

Lunch - Getap restuarnt - Nice restaurant with tasty Armenian food location is perfect just on the river(4,000 AMD per person ~ 10 $). Armenian traditional food(4,000 AMD per person ~ 10 $)