Armenia and Eastern Turkey

Welcome to lively and ancient Yerevan. Our tour starts from Victory Park, from where we will enjoy the panoramic view of Yerevan and the magnificent Mount Ararat. Next, we will explore the Cascade complex. This dynamic area is popular with locals for its cafes, restaurants, and beautiful artwork. Our journey continues to Matenadaran, one of the largest repositories of manuscripts in the world. During the tour, we will pass famous landmarks such as the Opera House, Northern Avenue, and their surroundings, showcasing a mix of architectural styles. Our way will take us to the center of Yerevan, Republic Square, a lively center full of historical information about Armenia and Yerevan. We will also explore the remote part of the city, the Kond district, away from the center. We will have a leisurely walk through the narrow streets of Kond, which will take us back to the past era, opening a unique view of the capital.

Today we will go out of the city to explore the Armavir region. Our first stop will be the famous Etchmiadzin Cathedral, the world's first Christian church. Next, we will visit the famous memorial and ethnographic museum of Sardarapat. The architecture of the museum faithfully replicates the medieval Armenian fortifications. On the way back to Yerevan, we will pass by the ruins of Zvartnots Cathedral. It is a 7th-century structure with a stunning backdrop of Mount Ararat. Here you can see excavated wine cellars, which proves that winemaking has been practiced in this region for a long time. In the evening, we will return to Yerevan, where you can enjoy a peaceful evening or immerse yourself in the city's vibrant cultural scene. Options abound, including attending an opera or ballet performance or visiting a glamorous jazz club featuring world-class musicians, all at affordable prices.

We will start our third day with a visit to Khor Virap Monastery. It is the birthplace of Christianity as the state religion. Here you will immerse yourself in the history of Armenia and have a wonderful view of the Biblical Mount Ararat. Then our tour will take us to the Old Areni Winery where we taste local wines made from the endemic grape, Areni. We will have lunch at a local guest house, where we will taste traditional Armenian dishes. Our next stop is Areni 1 Cave, the world's oldest winery, dating back an astonishing 6,100 years. The world's oldest shoe was also found here. Then we will go to Noravank, among the red rocks built from the same stone. Then we will pass by the beautiful Spandaryan Reservoir. Evening we will reach Goris, and a nice dinner awaits at the hotel in Goris.

On the fourth day, our adventure begins in the historic village of Khndzoresk, where we will discover a large number of caves where people lived up to the first half of 20th cnetury. The swinging bridge will connect us with the Old and New Khndzoresks. Later on we will have a delicious lunch in a restaurant with a wonderful view of Tatev Monastery. Tatev Monastery is one of the most significant and picturesque historical places in Armenia. Tatev Monastery was an important cultural, educational, and spiritual center in the Middle Ages. In the 14th and 15th centuries, it had a university where scientists studied and taught various subjects. We will also have experience in the Tatev cable car. This cable car is one of the longest in the world, spanning over 5.7 kilometers (about 3.5 miles) and offering stunning views of the Vorotan Gorge. On the way, we will have a stop at the magnificent Shaki waterfall. The next place will be Hermon village for rest and overnight. If the weather conditions are good, we will see a night sky and find ourselves searching for the Milky Way among the stars.

Today we will travel in time. Let's go along the historic Silk Road. We will have a stop at Selim's caravanserai, where traders from China, India, and Europe used to stop. From the pass, we will have an indescribable view of endless cascading mountains on the horizon. Continuing our journey, we will visit Noratus Khachkars, located in the village of Noratus, which is famous for its collection of khachkars. Here we will have the opportunity to visit a family cheese farm and taste the unique flavors of local aged cheeses infused with wine and brandy. Driving along Lake Sevan, one of the highest freshwater lakes in the world, located at an altitude of about 2000 meters, we will enjoy a family lunch in a local house. Our next stop is Dilijan, often referred to as Armenia's "little Switzerland", known for its national parks and invigorating mountain air. Exploring the Old Dilijan complex, characterized by its charming wooden terraces and artisan shops, we will take a stroll through this picturesque town, immersing ourselves in its wonderful atmosphere.

In the framework of our program, Lori is included on the sixth day. Lori region allows you to admire centuries-old churches of UNESCO World Heritage sites. Here we will have a great opportunity to visit the two ancient monasteries of Aghtala and Hagpat. Although Dsegh village is definitely a must-see. It impresses its visitors with its wonderful nature, people, and interesting cultural places. We will have lunch together in a local restaurant. 

During all those days, we tried our best to show our guests the Armenian culture and history, but the seventh day promised to be more interesting. We will visit the second-largest city of Armenia, Gyumri. It is the creative capital and historical center of the country with its black and orange architecture, pottery workshops, and beautiful cafes. The tour will continue to another ancient Marmashen Monastery with its incredible location on the Akhuryan River and the Armenian-Turkish borders.

After breakfast, we checked out from the hotel in Gyumri and continued our trip to Kars via Akhalkalaki. We will pass the Armenia-Georgia border and later after a 2.5-hour drive, we reach the Georgian–Turkish border. Here we change the vehicle and guide and pass the border. After passing the border we are going to Kars for rest and overnight. 

After breakfast, we will continue to Ani․ No mention of a visit to Kars would be complete without a visit to the stunning ruins of Ani. At one time, Ani was the flourishing capital of the Armenian Bagratunyat kingdom. It is currently a dilapidated but impressive structure in a beautiful valley that you must see if you are in western Turkey.  The remains of the city include several churches also the shell of the Cathedral of Ani, a mosque along a well-preserved defensive wall. the citadel, The city of Ani is located on the border with Armenia. After that, we will drive back to Kars and visit Fethiye Mosque and 12 Apostles Church.

After having breakfast, we will drive to Dogubeyazit, passing the Biblical mountain of Ararat, and visiting the Ishak Pasha Palace. Ishak Pasha Palace is an impressive historic site in Eastern Turkey, renowned for its unique blend of architectural styles and historical significance.  It is situated on a hill, offering stunning views of the surrounding landscape and Biblical Mount Ararat.İshak Pasha Palace is a must-visit for its architectural beauty, historical importance, and picturesque setting. Then we will go to the city of Van. On the way, we will have a stop in Muradiye waterfall. You can admire not only the waterfall but also the impressive surroundings. The waterfall is unique in all seasons. 

After breakfast, we will visit the Van Archaeology  Museum. It is a notable institution showcasing the region's rich cultural and historical heritage. Extensive collection of artifacts from the Urartian period, including inscriptions, weapons, jewellery, and pottery. Then we boat to Akdamar Island where we visit the beautifully restored 10th century Armenian Church of the Holy Cross also known as Akdamar Church. We end the day and our tour with a visit to the 3000-year-old Castle of Van to watch the sunset over Lake Van. The sunsets here are known for their rich and varied hues, including orange, pink, red, purple, and gold. Colors often blend seamlessly into one another, creating a dynamic and ever-changing canvas. And Lake Vana acts like a mirror, reflecting the bright colors of the sunset. This creates a stunning visual effect where the sky and water seem to merge making the scene even more beautiful.

In the morning after breakfast enjoy your free time and get ready for your flight. Check out from the hotel and your private airport transfer will move you to the airport.