• 12 to 18 September, 2027

Lia, 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 – Departure

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 3-4 hours (depending on traffic) 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 trip. This may requires us to carry our luggage across.

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

Saffron is a very delicate and premium product that requires extensive manual work.

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 sells the saffron as a spice, and uses it to spice pasta, bread crackers and tea, and we will taste these products and have delicious compote lemonades under the shaded trees.

After the visit we will continue our journey south towards Yerevan and drive through the alpine town of Dilijan and stop on the shores of Sevan Lake tfor lunch followed by a visit to the monastery of the same name and enjoy the views.

Dilijan is Armenia’s little Alpine village, with its stone and wood houses and towering trees that are part of the Dilijan National Park.

Lunch by the lake is a common weekend trip by those living in Yerevan and allows us to sample the lake cuisine, with trout being the local specialty, at a female owned restaurant.

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.

Of the original three churches, only 2 are still standing today and are prime examples of Armenian medieval architecture.

Inside one of them we can see a stone cross that depicts Jesus Christ, one of the few to do so, as well as many other scenes from the Christian Bible.

Once in Yerevan, we will head straight to our very special celebratory welcome dinner at the 19th century Mamik Guest House where we will feel Armenian heritage by the hand of the project’s founder.

Our welcome will be interactive, with singing of traditional songs and a tour of the house, its basement and its attic to learn about daily rural Armenian life.

We will also learn how to prepare our dessert: ghapama, a traditional Armenian dish that consists of stuffing a pumpkin with dried fruits and nuts, rice, butter and honey, and cooking it in the oven. Ghapama is the symbol of abundance and prosperity and will be the best way to start off the tour.

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

After dinner, we will check in to the hotel.

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

Day 2 : Gastro, wine and shopping tour of Yerevan

Activity level: Between 10,000 – 15,000 steps in the city with mild incline and plenty of stops.
Driving: Maximum 1 hour.

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

Yerevan is both the capital of Armenia (since 1918), 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) time permitting . 

During our walk, we will stop at a wine bar to learn amore about Armenia’s wine and how it is making a come back after decades of Soviet focus on brandy. We will also refuel with some of the most famous Armenian dishes and make stops at female owned stores.

The female owned wine bar will be a great way to learn about Amenia’s wine tradition which dates back 6,000 years and is only now experiencing a revival with ancient varieties being replanted and great female wine markers shaking things up.

We will try a few of the wines from female owned wineries as we leave about local varieties.

When it comes to food, we will try the following dishes:

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.

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 will enjoy a hands-on Armenian baklava experience, learning how to prepare this traditional sweet and discovering the secrets behind its delicate layers and rich flavors.

Lahmajo is a traditional Armenian thin flatbread topped with finely minced meat, tomatoes, herbs and aromatic spices, freshly baked and served with lemon and fresh greens

We will also stop at several stores and markets to learn more about local handicrafts and designers making waves. Here are some of the stops on the itinerary.

A silver jewerly artist bringing back Armenian designs to modern times.

A natural cosmetic store known for its plant-based products inspired by the Armenian landscape. We will explore natural skincare and beauty products, learn about traditional botanical ingredients.

We will end the morning at Vernissage market, an open air handicraft and artisans market in the city center where you can find leather good, silver jewelry, pottery, carpets and more.

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, wine tasting, shopping and history walking tour of Yerevan, transportation in a minibus if necessary (most of the day will be on foot).

Day 3 : Khor Virap & Noravank Monasteries and wine

Activity level: Short walks up to Khor Virap, Noravank Monasteries and Areni Cave.
Driving: 3 hours with several stops along the way.

Today we are leaving Yerevan to head south with stops along the way at some of the most iconic monasteries in Armenia, 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 ago, 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. We will chat, tour and taste 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, and it is bringing back forgotten grape varieties and experimenting with what Armenian wines were 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. The name Krya (meaning “turtle” in Armenian) was chosen as a symbol of longevity, fertility, vitality, and patience.

We will return to Yerevan and you will have free time for dinner.

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

Day 4: Cooking class, photoshoot and market

Activity level: Less than 5,000 steps.
Driving: Approximately 90min.

Today is a relaxed day that starts later than usual with a fun photoshoot with traditional ethnic Armenian dresses.

We will start the morning with a visit to a female owned and run photography studio that is also a unique cultural space dedicated to preserving Armenia’s rich photographic and sartorial heritage.

We will have the opportunity to dress in authentic traditional Armenian costumes and take part in an elegant professional photo session, creating a beautiful commemorative portrait to cherish as a lasting memory of their journey.

We will continue to Zara’s home for an intimate
and authentic culinary experience.

Zara is a TV personality and celebrity chef that has an infectious smile and is always ready to host and have a great time.

We will immerse ourselves in the traditions of Armenian home cooking through a hands-on culinary master class in the art of preparing traditional Armenian pasta and homemade noodles using time-honored techniques and local recipes.

The experience will be complemented by a delicious homemade lunch, served in the welcoming
atmosphere of the guest house. There may be liquors and lots of sweets to end the morning.

After lunch, we will return to Yerevan and you will have free time to enjoy the city’s lively evenings.

Overnight at Paris Hotel 4*.

Inclusions: Breakfast at the hotel, cooking class and lunch, professional photoshoot and market visit. Transportation in a private minibus.

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 life 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.

We’ll also 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 recently faced 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 : Brandy and farewell

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

Sleep in and enjoy breakfast at the hotel and one last free morning to visit the many museums in Yerevan, do some shopping or relax.

We will start after lunch with a visit to Gum market, a large, local food market to sample sweets, dried fruits and nuts and see all the other traditional Armenian foods such as pickles, cheese, breads and more.

This is your chance to try things you probably have never tried before and buy souvenirs to take home.

We will continue to Ararat 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.

Our brandy tasting with an aroma tasting experience that will pair brandies with different aromas so we learn to identify them.

This is a new premium experience designed for those who want to also have some fun and learn how to use their senses in the brandy tasting.

After the visit, we will return to the hotel and get ready for our farewell dinner, 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, market visit, guided visit of brandy factory with aroma experience, 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.

Lia is a certified tourist guide in Armenia and she has also worked at the Sergey Parajanov Museum and the ARARAT Brandy Museum, which deepened her love for Armenian art and culture.

She specialises in cultural, food, wine, and brandy tours, creating experiences that are both authentic and memorable.

Armenian is her mother tongue, she also guides in English and Russian and is currently learning Greek.

Photography is one of Lia’s passions, and she loves capturing special moments.

Armenia is her motherland, and it brings her real joy to share its stories, flavors, and spirit with our guests.