13 to 19 September 2026

Elya, our Host

We will base ourselves in Yerevan, with the exception of an overnight trip to Goris, and take excursions to the best of Armenia.

Day 1 – Meet in Tbilisi and cross the border into Armenia. Saffron lunch, Dilijan, Sevan Lake and welcome dinner

Day 2 – All about Yerevan and Armenian food

Day 3 – Khor Virap & Noravank Monasteries and wine

Day 4 – Tatev Monastery & Karahunj

Day 5 – Geghard Monastery and Garni

Day 6 – Photoshoot, brandy and farewell

Day 7 – Farewell

Day 1 : Welcome to Armenia, saffron experience & Sevan Lake

Activity level: Low, though to reach Sevan Monastery there are a few stairs.
Driving: 1h from Tbilisi to the border and 3 hours from the border to Yerevan with stops along the way.

Our tour starts at 8am in Tbilisi where we will meet as a group and board the bus towards the border with Armenia in Sadakhlo, 1 hour away.

We will complete border formalities, leave Georgia behind, and enter Armenia to start our adventure.

We will cross the mountainous area in the north of Armenia towards the village of Sarigyugh where we will stop at a female owned and run saffron project where we will learn about how this precious crop is grown and harvested.

A full month-long harvest will collect a mere 2 kg of this invaluable spice and employ 20 women from the local community.

The project uses saffron to spice pasta, bread crackers and tea and we will taste these products and have a saffron lunch with the project leaders.

After lunch, we will continue our journey south towards Yerevan with stops at Dilijan and Sevan Lake to visit the monastery of the same name and enjoy the views.

Dilijan is Armenia’s little Switzerland, with its stone and wood houses and towering trees that are part of the Dilijan National Park. Famous with artists and celebrities, Dilijan makes for a nice stop to stretch our legs and walk the picturesque city center.

We will continue our drive to Yerevan with one last stop at Sevanavank Monastery.

Originally built from three churches in 874 on an island, the drop in water level that occurred in the 20th century created the current peninsula the churches are located on.

Only three of the churches, only 2 are standing today and are prime examples of Armenian medieval architecture. Inside one of them we can see a stone cross that depicts Jesus, one of the few to do so, as well as many other scenes of the Bible.

After a quick pit stop for some pomegranate juice, we will get back in the bus for the final drive to the capital.

We will check in to the hotel, freshen up and go back out to enjoy our first Armenian dinner as a welcome to the country at the 19th century Mamik Guest House where we will immerse ourselves into Armenia culture by the hand of a “grandmother” (mamik in Armenian).

Our welcome will be interactive, with singing of traditional songs and a tour of the house, its basement and its attic. We will also participate in making our dessert: ghapama, a traditional Armenian dish that consists of stuffing a pumpkin with dried fruits and nuts, rice and honey and is the symbol of abundance and prosperity.

We will also meet and chat with the project’s co-owner and hear about the vision for this heritage house.

After dinner, we will return to the hotel.

Inclusions: Group transfer from Tbilisi to the border and help to finalise border procedures. Minibus transportation for the entire day. Saffron lunch experience, welcome dinner with wine.

Day 2 : All about Yerevan

Activity level: Between 10,000 – 15,000 steps in the city with mild incline and plenty of stops. Chance to walk up the 550+ steps to the top of Cascade.
Driving: 1 hour in total.

We will have breakfast at the hotel and head out on foot to explore the city sights and tastes.

Yerevan is not only the capital of Armenia since 1918, but it is also the heart of the country and one of the oldest continuously inhabited cities in the world. 

After breakfast at the hotel, we will explore the uniqueness of the city’s streets with its mix of Soviet architecture with Armenian influences, Art Deco buildings and newly renovated streets.

We will visit the Opera Theater, the Cascade Monument, a unique example of Art Deco and Soviet monumental architecture, Republic Square, and the Mother Armenia / Victory Statue (a short ride away). 

After all the walking, we will need to refuel with a food tour that will highlight some of the most famous Armenian dishes on a Gastro tour of Yerevan. We will try the following dishes.

Spas, a creamy Armenian soup made from yogurt, wheat, and herbs. Light yet nourishing, it is enjoyed warm in winter and chilled in summer. This simple yet flavorful dish reflects Armenia’s deep-rooted dairy traditions and love for comforting meals.

Manti are crispy, boat-shaped dumplings filled with seasoned spinach, baked to perfection, and topped with garlic yogurt and spiced butter. This unique take on a classic Armenian dish balances earthy flavors with a satisfying crunch, making it a festive favorite.

Qyufta is a finely minced meat dish, blended with spices and onions, then shaped into tender meatballs and eaten with grated butter. Whether boiled, steamed, or enjoyed raw as “chi kofte,” this dish highlights Armenia’s rich culinary techniques, with the Ishkhan Qyufta from Lake Sevan being a prized variation.

A staple of Armenian cuisine, Tolma consists of grape leaves or vegetables stuffed with a flavorful blend of minced meat, rice, and herbs. Slow-cooked and served with garlic yogurt, it embodies the essence of Armenian hospitality and the perfect harmony of simple ingredients.

We can’t end the tour without trying gata, a beloved Armenian pastry, known for its rich, flaky layers and sweet, buttery filling called “khoriz.”

Each region has its own variation, from the decorative styles of Garni to the hearty loaves of Artsakh. Enjoyed with tea or coffee, Gata is more than a dessert, it’s a symbol of love, celebration, and Armenian baking traditions.

At the end of the day, we will visit the fruit market to see the pretty creations combining dried fruits and nuts into beautiful decorative pieces.

With so much food in our bellies, the evening will be free for you to enjoy the fountain and light music show at Republic Square or any other part of the city.

Overnight at Paris Hotel 4*.

Inclusions: Breakfast at the hotel, food and history walking tour of Yerevan, transportation in a minibus.

Day 3 : Khor Virap & Noravank Monasteries and wine

Activity level: Short walks up to Khor Virap, Noravank Monasteries and Areni Cave.
Driving: 4 hours with several stops along the way.

Today we are leaving Yerevan to head south towards Gori with stops along the way at some of the most iconic monasteries and a winery that is taking the lead in recovering grape varieties lost during the Soviet times.

Armenian monasteries are much more than religious sites; Each monastery has its own style and character, and they are an indispensable part of the unique and impressive local architecture. 

One of the most revered monasteries among Armenians is Khor Virap (“Deep Well”), which we will visit in the morning.

Its image from afar, with Mount Ararat in the background, and a lush vineyard in the foreground, is one of the iconic images that remains etched in the mind of anyone who visits the country. 

Khor Virap is a fortified monastery and pilgrimage destination for Armenians because it was the location where St. Gregory the Illuminator, considered to be resposible for converting Armenia into Christianity, was kept imprisoned for 13 years.

We will visit the small monastery and take photos with the photogenic Mount Ararat in the background as we hear about the border changes between Armenia and Turkey and why the mountain’s current location in within Turkish territory.

We will continue the day south with a visit to the oldest cave winery excavated in Armenia 6100 years old and believed to be the oldest in the world. 

After visiting the cave, we will continue to the Vayots Dzor region to explore the Arpa River Valley, a rocky gorge that conceals an architectural treasure, the UNESCO-listed Noravank Monastery, or “new monastery”.

A religious and cultural center in the 13th century, Noravank is considered to be one of the most beautiful medieval monuments in Armenia thanks to its carvings and its location against red rocky cliffs.

Lunch will be next to the monastery at a peaceful open air restaurant with beautiful mountain views.

After lunch, we will head over to Krya Winery to meet the founder and owner, Tatevik, for a chat, tour and tasting of the winery’s best bottles from the tasting room’s panoramic views

Krya Winery is a boutique winery working solely with its own grapes grown on the estate that is bringing back forgotten grape varieties and experimenting with what Armenian wines before the Soviet Union replaced all wine making with brandy production.

For Tatevik, winemaking is considered an art, where passion and true love can be felt in every bottle and the name Krya (meaning “turtle” in Armenian) was chosen as a symbol of longevity, fertility, vitality, and patience.

We will end the day in Goris, where we will check in to our traditional hotel and enjoy a group dinner.

Inclusions: Breakfast at the hotel, guided tours of Khor Virap and Noravank Monasteries, visit to Areni Cave, tour and tasting of Krya winery, lunch at a local restaurant and dinner in Gori.

Day 4 : Tatev Monastery & Karahunj

Activity level: Less than 5,000 steps.
Driving: Approximately 4 hours with stops.

After breakfast at the hotel, we will check out and continue our journey with a drive through the scenic landscapes of southern Armenia towards the medieval Tatev Monastery, one of the country’s most important spiritual and cultural centers.

Reaching the complex is an unforgettable experience in itself, as you board the “Wings of Tatev”, the world’s longest reversible cable car, which glides silently over the Vorotan Gorge for 5.7 km, or 12 minutes, offering breathtaking views of deep canyons and forested mountains.

The cable car holds the record for being the longest in the world and was finished in 2010. It saves 40 minute drive through a zigzagging road.

At Tatev Monastery, the serene atmosphere contrasts with the dramatic rocky plateau to create a sense of timelessness, allowing you to imagine the life of monks who once studied, prayed, and taught within its walls.

Tatev Monastery is the most important alongside Noravank which we visited the day before. It is famous internationally and one of the most stunning of all the Armenian monasteries, especially thanks to its location.

The complex is included in the tentative list of UNESCO world heritage sites and is located on an outcrop jutting out of the mountain.

Tatev Monastery was built in the 9th century monastery and was home to one of the most important medieval universities in Armenia.

We will have lunch at a local restaurant and continue on our way back to Yerevan, with a stop at Karahunj, or “stone treasure”, often referred to as the Armenian Stonehenge.

This prehistoric site is believed to be an ancient observatory, where rows of massive stones numbering 223 stand mysteriously against the open sky.

We will end the day in Yerevan with free time for dinner.

Overnight at Paris Hotel 4*.

Inclusions: Breakfast at the hotel, lunch en route, transportation in a minibus, guided visits of Tatev Monastery and Karahunj, tickets to the cable car.

Day 5 : Geghard Monastery and Garni

Activity level: Less than 5,000 steps.
Driving: Approximately 2 hours with stops.

After breakfast at the hotel, we will head towards the Kotayk region.

The first stop of the day will be Geghard Monastery, a UNESCO World Heritage site from the 13th century, located in the picturesque Azat River valley.

Geghard Monastery is the second most important in Armenia alongside Tatev Monastery and is a stunning construction half carved from the mountain rock.

We will enjoy a private vocal concert at one of the churches in the monastery that is famous for its incredible acoustics. The concert will be performed by a female ensemble and bring Armenia’s monastery music to live in the place where it is meant to be heard.

We will then head to lunch with a fun lavash bread making masterclass by the local women.

Lavash bread is traditionally made by women. Wherever you see the traditional Armenian bread, look for a group of women nearby, efficiently preparing the bread as a well coordinated group in the traditional underground ovens.

The wheat and water dough is divided into balls, which are then rolled out into thin layers on an oval cushion. The show begins when they start slapping it against the walls of a traditional conical clay oven.

You will get the chance to see and participate in the bread making before using it to make the typical burtuch roll wrapping the lavash around Armenia’s salty cheese and fresh herbs.

In 2014, lavash, its preparation, significance, and appearance as an expression of culture in Armenia, was inscribed on the UNESCO Representative List of the Intangible Cultural Heritage of Humanity.

We will enjoy lunch at the garden of the large, female-owned countryside mansion, under the shade of local trees and with a feast of local trout.

After lunch, we will continue the day to Garni Temple which boasts 2,000 years of history and offerings to the sun, the God it was erected for.

At the edge of a cliff, overlooking the flowing Azat River, Garni Temple resembles the Parthenon and is the eastermost Greco-Roman construction in the world and the best preserved Hellenistic temple in the former Societ Union.

The complex also includes thermal baths with a pretty floor mosaic that has survived.

We will then organize a descent to the Azat River Canyon with 4×4 cars. The canyon is surrounded by beautiful landscapes, including the Symphony of stones basalt rock formation made of hexagonal columns.

We will end the day at Masoor Art House to learn about the biography and literary heritage of Armenian women intellectuals of the 20th century, such as Zapel Yesayan or Diana Abgar, and chat with the founders about their vision for the house and their commitment to the community.

Armenian women didn’t get the visibility they deserved during the Russian Empire and Soviet Union so Masoor House stepped in as the only place in the country to showcase them.

We will also learn about Armenian carpet making and designs, traditional costumes and the struggles the country has been in recently with Azerbaijan through the Nagorno-Kharabagh conflict.

We will end the day preparing the famous Armenian cake, gata, made of sweet layers of sugar, cinnamon, flour, egg and butter and decorated with a 100 year old mould.

You will have free time for dinner back in Yerevan.

Overnight at Paris Hotel 4*.

Inclusions: Breakfast at the hotel, lavash masterclass and lunch at local restaurant, transportation in a minibus, guided visits of Geghard Monastery with private concert and Garni Temple, descend and walk of Azat river Canyon, Masoor House visit, gata masterclass.

Day 6 : Photoshoot, brandy and farewell

Activity level: Less than 5,000 steps.
Driving: Less than 1 hour.

After the longer day the day before, we will start a bit later today with a private visit to either Ararat or Noy Brandy Factory to learn how brandy is made and why it is so important to Armenia.

We will also taste the world famous Armenian Brandy, the only one which can use the name Cognac.

The day will continue with a very special photoshoot at the studio of a female photographer that is the first in the country to offer sessions with traditional Armenian costumes.

We will learn about each of the costumes and try them on for a vintage professional photo. The final edits will be sent by email.

Our farewell dinner will be a celebration of our journey through the country and of all the Armenian women who made it special.

Overnight at Paris Hotel 4*.

Inclusions: Breakfast at the hotel, transportation in a minibus, guided visits of brandy factory, vintage photoshoot with Armenian costumes, and farewell dinner.

Day 7 : Departure

Wake up to one last breakfast at the hotel before making your way to the airport. The hotel can help organize a transfer or you can use Bolt to book your own.

Inclusions: Breakfast at the hotel.