Treasures of Armenia

Day 1 London to Kiev, Ukraine.

Fly by scheduled flight. Arrive this evening and transfer to the Opera Hotel, Kiev for a two night stay. Dinner will be in the hotel this evening. (D)

Day 2 Kiev.

This morning enjoy a guided tour of this vibrant and friendly capital city including Pecherska Lavra and National Museum of the History of the Ukraine in World War Two. (B, L)

Day 3 Kiev to Yerevan, Armenia.

After a leisurely breakfast continue exploring Kiev with a stop at Independence Square and the Golden Gate before a visit to St Sophia Cathedral. Erected in 1037 by unknown architects in Russian-Byzantine style to commemorate the victory of King Yaroslav the Wise over the Petcheneg tribes, the cathedral contains a unique collection of mosaics composed of different colours and shades, and frescoes on religious and secular themes. After lunch transfer to the airport for the evening flight to Yerevan. Arrive and check into the Grand Hotel, our base for the next five nights. (B, L)

Day 4 Yerevan.

After a late breakfast we will explore the Armenian capital, Yerevan. During our city tour see Republic Square, Abovyan Street and City Park and visit the Genocide Memorial and the museum dedicated to the victims of the Great Genocide that took place in 1915. Also visit the Cascade which houses the Cafesjian Centre for the Arts, dedicated to bringing contemporary art from all over the world to Armenia and presenting the best of Armenian culture to the world. After lunch visit the History Museum. Enjoy dinner this evening in a local restaurant with authentic Armenian cuisine. (B, L, D)

Day 5 Yerevan.

Today we further explore Yerevan starting with a visit to Matenadaran, a museum and scientific institute of ancient manuscripts which holds one of the world’s richest collections of Medieval manuscripts and books spanning a broad range of historical and cultural subjects. We continue to the Carpet Museum where specially trained weavers demonstrate traditional methods of Armenian carpet making. For lunch, enjoy a selection of Armenian cuisine before visiting a brandy factory. Brandy is a strong part of Armenian culture and heritage and has been for generations. Learn the local processes they use and special grape varieties chosen, finishing with a tasting of the local produce. (B, L)

Day 6 Etchmiadzin & Zvartnots.

This morning following breakfast we make our way to the city of Etchmiadzin. The main cathedral, a UNESCO World Heritage Site, is reputed to be one of the world’s oldest cathedrals and is a special place of pilgrimage for all Armenians around the world. After a tour of the cathedral enjoy a special authentic lunch hosted by an Armenian family. On our return journey to Yerevan we will stop en-route at Zvartnots Cathedral. Built in the 7th century AD, this UNESCO World Heritage Site is today unfortunately in ruins, but even in ruins it reflects its unique architectural value and is still an impressive sight. (B, L)

Day 7 Khor Virap & Noravank.

This morning we will drive to Khor Virap Monastery which dates back to the 4th century. From here admire the beauty of Mount Ararat in the distance and also see the closed border between Turkey and Armenia located just 20 kilometres away. We will visit the chapel which was constructed over the deep dungeon where Gregory the Illuminator, the patron saint and first official head of the Armenian Apostolic Church, was imprisoned for 13 years. We then make our way towards Noravank, travelling through countryside that emerges into a scenic rocky mountainous gorge. The hot and dry climate makes this area renowned for wine making and is believed to be the location of the oldest winery, dating back 6000 years. We will visit the 13th century monastery standing high in the valley surrounded by red cliffs before enjoying lunch in a local restaurant. (B, L)

Day 8 Sevan Lake & Dilijan.

Today we make our way to Dilijan, commonly known by locals as the small Switzerland of Armenia. The town is surrounded by dense forest with surprisingly rich vegetation and offers a cool and refreshing climate to the arid surrounds. En-route visit Sevanavank Monastery, originally made from three churches the monastery was built on an island on Sevan Lake. The island monastery was, according to historians of the time, used both for worship and pilgrimage and as a place of exile for Armenian noblemen who had fallen into disgrace. The receding waters in the 20th century created the current peninsula you see today. Enjoy a scenic panoramic view of the lake and transfer to Dilijan where we will enjoy lunch before continuing to the Haghartsin Monastery, beautifully nestled in the heart of the forest. Later check in to the Best Western Paradise Hotel for a two night stay. Dinner will be in the hotel this evening. (B, L, D)

Day 9 Dilijan & Molokan Village.

Following a leisurely breakfast embark on a short walking tour of the quaint town of Dilijan before driving to see the 13th century Goshavank monastic complex that is named after Mkhitar Gosh, a prominent writer, lawyer and author of the Code of Law. We will have a late lunch in a Molokan village at one of the local houses where we can learn of the lifestyle of the village people. Dinner will be in the hotel this evening. (B, L, D)

Day 10 Ashtarak & Yerevan.

After breakfast drive to Ashtarak, passing through Vanadzor, the 3rd largest city in Armenia, where you can still see traces of the Soviet Union times. In Ashtarak visit the 13th century Saghmosavank Monastery that received its name from the religious ecclesiastical songs performed in the monastery. Following a local lunch we will continue to Yerevan and check in to the Grand Hotel for a three night stay. Enjoy dinner in a local restaurant this evening. (B, L, D)

Day 11 Geghard & Garni.

After breakfast we drive to the Geghard Cave Monastery, a UNESCO World Heritage Site that is partially carved out of the adjacent mountain, assuring the great acoustics of this sacred place. We will enjoy a vocal concert of Medieval Armenian songs inside the cave. A short transfer takes us to Garni village, where during lunch we will enjoy traditional Armenian cuisine. After lunch we will visit the Garni pagan temple, built in the 1st century AD and a UNESCO World Heritage Site. Sited on a hillside high above the Azat River, Garni is the only pagan temple that remains in Armenia after the adoption of Christianity. Inside we will enjoy a special Duduk performance, the national musical instrument made of apricot tree. (B, L)

Day 12 Aragatsotn Wine Region & Yerevan.

This morning we stop at a local food market before driving to the region of Aragatsotn to visit a winery. The volcanic soil in the region is rich in minerals and properties that, along with the ample sunshine, makes the perfect climate for growing grapes. Visit the picturesque wine estate set against the backdrop of the inspiring Mount Ararat, Ara and Aragats and enjoy a wine tasting of different varieties and lunch. Return to Yerevan for some time at leisure. This evening our farewell dinner will be held at a local restaurant. (B, L, D)

Day 13 Yerevan to London.

Early transfer from the hotel to the airport for our return scheduled indirect flight to London. (B)