100% customisable travel idea
Armenia, from every angle Monasteries, shimmering lakes and ancient cities
Armenia - Yerevan - Gyumri - Dilijan - Lake Sevan
100% customisable travel idea
Armenia - Yerevan - Gyumri - Dilijan - Lake Sevan
100% customisable for you
Upon arrival, private transfer to Yerevan city centre. Stay for four nights on a small leafy square, north of Republic Square. Built as a private residence in the early 20th century, the grey stone house has a striking presence. It looks very solid too! Inside, the decor creates a cosy atmosphere with impeccable taste. The building's original features and materials have been used to good effect. Wood and stone create a warm atmosphere, with rugs adding the finishing touch. With the small number of rooms you feel as if you are in an Armenian family home, exactly the effect intended as you enter.
Our suggestion for the evening - Sunset from the Cascade. Terraced gardens and limestone steps cascade down from the sky to the esplanade. Started in the 1970s and completed at the dawn of the new millennium, this slightly old-fashioned monument was once a post-socialist meeting place and now houses a contemporary art centre. At sunset, climb to the top to enjoy Armenian mezze and a Kilikia beer with the locals. It’s hard to beat the panoramic view of the city.
Sheltered by the massive, snow-capped silhouette of Mount Ararat, the Armenian capital is home to more than a third of the country’s population. Founded in 782 BC, Yerevan became a stronghold and the centre of a fertile agricultural region. However, it was in the Early Middle Ages that it truly developed. Conquered by its Persian, Arab and then Ottoman neighbours before becoming part of the USSR, it boasts a rich heritage despite the deep scars of its Soviet years.
On your schedule today - Private tour of Yerevan. Your guide is adamant: even though you visited the Cascade the previous evening, you have only scratched the surface when it comes to the highlights of the City of Seven Hills. There is the sober Republic Square, home to the seat of government and most definitely a must-see. There is the Matenadaran, a unique library with its incredible collection of 20,000 manuscripts. There is the moving Armenian Genocide Memorial. There is the Vernissage Market, teeming with people and all sorts of goods and souvenirs. Add to that the History Museum of Armenia, where visitors go to put all this in its historical and social context.
On your schedule - Religious sites with a private guide. Three religious monuments, three styles, three histories and a whole day to take it all in. Start with Garni Temple (built in the 1st century), a classical colonnaded structure with 24 basalt columns built on a plateau. Built by King Tiridates I of Armenia, it is said to have been dedicated to the Armenian sun god Mihr. A little to the east, Geghard Monastery sits against a cliff of jagged pink rocks. Its sumptuous chapels, carved into the rock, are lined with black basalt slabs held up by large engraved columns. Finally, about 20 km (12 miles) from the capital, lie the cathedral and churches of Etchmiadzin , the residence of the Supreme Patriarch and Catholicos of All Armenians. It's like the Vatican of the east. On the way back to Yerevan, stop at the archaeological site of Zvartnots , whose name, which means the "Temple of the Vigilant Forces" speaks volumes. The UNESCO World Heritage Site was built in the 7th century. Although the grand palace that once stood here was destroyed by an earthquake in the 11th century, the impressive remains of the cathedral can be seen in a remarkable circular layout.
On your schedule - The Kond neighbourhood with a private guide. Perched on its rocky hillside, Kond is one of the oldest districts in Yerevan. It feels like the only one. Surrounded by apartment blocks, it still stands firm against invaders. No one knows for how much longer. So seize the opportunity to step back in time. With its winding, narrow alleyways, uneven steps and crumbling plaster you need a private guide to find your way through the maze of streets and make sense of it all. Find out about the unique character of this old neighbourhood and its challenges. Get to know the Kondetsis, who you’ll see drinking coffee and gossiping animatedly. Leave with a new and fuller understanding of the capital.
Drive to Gyumri in a private vehicle with an Armenian driver.
On the way - Stop to visit Amberd Fortress. Built to be impregnable with its massive volcanic stone walls and watchtowers, this medieval stronghold served to defend the area against enemy invasions. Then, stop at the village of Aruch to visit Aruchavank or the Cathedral of Aruch. While its construction began in the 7th century, the year it was completed is the subject of much debate. The mystery only adds to its appeal.
In Gyumri, stay for one night in the city centre. Built in the 1870s, your new accommodation was first a hotel, then a maternity hospital and later an administrative centre for the KGB, before finally becoming a hotel once more. From this eventful history, it has kept its original facade and retro interiors. The lobby offers a warm welcome, if only because of its size. Paintings adorn the walls here and there, and there is even a mural by a well-known Armenian painter. In the rooms, some of which overlook the city, there is a mix of modern furnishings and vintage touches. Traditional Armenian carpets bring it all together with a flourish.
On your schedule - Private tour of Gyumri. Armenia’s second-largest city has a distinctive appearance. In 1988, a violent earthquake destroyed most of the Soviet-era architecture of Leninakan. Only the 18th and 19th century buildings of the old Kumayri district were left intact. The Cathedral of the Holy Mother of God on Vartanants Square is typical of this prosperous era. Not far away, the October Cinema, built in 1926 and spared by earthquakes, is a rare example of Soviet art. On Charles Aznavour Square, you can see a statue of the famous singer and songwriter. At the Dzithoghtsyan Museum, daily life in 19th-century Gyumri is presented through its exhibits. A private guide translates all the vital information for you.
Another private transfer with a driver to return to Dilijan, north of Lake Sevan, in the Tavush region.
On the way - The roadsides act as shops for Armenian producers. A few makeshift tables, a canvas for shade, and perhaps a sign to catch your eye, that's all it takes. The stalls are full of juicy apricots, crunchy carrots, grilled corn on the cob, wine and dried fruit. There’s everything you need for a delicious picnic on the grass. Shortly before you arrive, make one final stop to admire Harghartsin Monastery (12th-13th century) in its forest setting. Finally, the vehicle slows as it reaches Dilijan, nestled in the heart of beautiful, rugged and densely wooded countryside.
Stay for one night a little off the beaten path. The stone house has a classic design, with sky-blue window frames and a large garden, perfect for unwinding after a journey. The rooms are bright, simple and comfortable. From the large covered terrace, there is a panoramic view over the town. Known for its mineral-rich waters, Dilijan has preserved many of its traditional houses and Russian villas, and even has a hint of modernism. The old centre with its small sloping streets, galleries and carved wooden balconies has been restored. It feels like stepping back into the 19th century. The atmosphere is very special.
Return to Yerevan, still travelling in a vehicle with a local driver.
On the way -The route leads to the shores of Lake Sevan, one of the largest high-altitude lakes in the world and one of the three Armenian "seas", along with Lake Van and Lake Urmia. Novelists and poets have written in praise of this peaceful countryside, the monasteries, and the deep blue of a "piece of sky fallen to earth among the mountains". At the northern tip of the lake, Sevanavank Monastery stands on a peninsula.
Back in the capital, stay for your final night in a contemporary city-centre hotel. The exterior already hints at the property's bold, graphic aesthetic. Inside, this design choice is immediately striking with the clean, modern and sophisticated lines. The rooms reflect a true classic hotel style, with large windows looking out over the city.
On your schedule for the evening - Dinner and live music in one of the capital’s iconic clubs. Yerevan by night is a must for this final night. The bands perform in turn, playing jazz, rock, blues, Latin or classical music, each with their own distinct style. And all with an Armenian flavour of course. Speaking of food, we don't know what will be on the menu, except that there will be three courses. One of the country's classic dishes is khash , a rich cow’s feet soup served with crumbled lavash bread, washed down with mulberry vodka. Another contender for the title of national dish is khorovadz or grilled meats and ghapama, pumpkin stuffed with dried fruits and honey, might also make an appearance.
Our suggestion before you leave - The Sergei Parajanov Museum. Eccentric, poetic and avant-garde to say the least, this Armenian artist, best known for being a talented filmmaker, was a truly colourful character. A national hero, he developed his own cinematic style while making his experimental films Sayat Nova (The Colour of Pomegranates), and Shadows of Forgotten Ancestors. Because of his flamboyant style and refusal to conform, he was arrested several times by the Soviet regime. His house in the Armenian capital has been turned into a museum in his honour.
Private transfer to the airport and return international flight.
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