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Gastro tour in Armenia. Gastronomic tour to Armenia Yerevan-Zvartnots-Echmiadzin-Yerevan Brandy Factory

14.07.2023

Armenia: a story about the features of tourism and recreation. Useful information about Armenia for the traveler.

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Armenian cuisine is one of the most ancient in the world. Two thousand years ago, civilization had not yet begun to emerge in some places, but the ancestors of modern Armenians already knew how to bake bread, fry shish kebab and make wine. Armenian cuisine is a lot of meat (most often lamb and beef), hot spices, rich spicy soups, a lot of fresh vegetables and herbs, a variety of cheeses, sujuk sausage and lavash for a snack (in some regions, according to ancient custom, it is baked immediately with a supply for several months), as well as famous Armenian cognacs and wines.

Caucasian hospitality and the warmth of the local people transform gastronomic tours to Armenia from an interesting experience into pure pleasure.

Types of gastronomic tours

Many Armenian dishes are associated with holidays and rituals, so tastings are often accompanied by stories about the history of the origin of a particular dish. Most recipes have not changed for many centuries, so the preparation process is often slow.

Most tours, in addition to tastings, include master classes on preparing traditional Armenian dishes. Sometimes this happens in a restaurant under the leadership of a chef, sometimes in the home of an ordinary Armenian family (often in a village) under the supervision of the mistress of the house. Tourists will learn how to cook shish kebab (khorovats) and bake lavash in a special oven - tondyr. Some tours include vegetarian versions of dishes - for example, vegetable khorovats.

A mandatory part of the program is excursions to local attractions. Short tours (2-4 days) include a sightseeing tour of Yerevan, trips to ancient monasteries around the capital (for example, the Khor Virap Monastery, which offers a very beautiful view of Mount Ararat), trips to Mount Ararat itself and Mount Aragats (the highest in Transcaucasia ), to Lake Sevan and to the Sevan Monastery.

If time permits (for example, a tour lasts 5 days or more), it will also include a trip to the northern wine regions: Vayots Dzor (southeast of Armenia) and Tavush (northern part of the country, almost on the border with Georgia and Azerbaijan).

You can also diversify the program with a visit to a carpet factory and a master class where you can try to weave your own carpet.

Wine and cognac tours

Cognac grape varieties ripen best on Armenian soil. There is winemaking here too, but firstly, it is significantly inferior to Georgian, and secondly, Armenian cognac has long become one of the symbols of the country.

Wine tours can even be one-day, and they are often combined with gastronomic ones. A mandatory item on the program is a visit to the Yerevan Ararat Brandy Factory with a tour and tasting of at least two types of cognac: three and ten years old. Longer trips include trips to wineries (one of the best is considered to be the plant in Argavand in the Armavir region) with tasting of 4-5 different types of wine and a short lecture on Armenian winemaking.

Sometimes Armenian fruit vodkas are included in a wine or cognac tasting: peaches, pears, plums and the famous high-strength mulberry vodka.

In May 2017, the first Armenian Cognac Festival was held in the Armenian city of Tsakhkadzor in the mountains. More than 30 cognac factories took part in it, which brought their best samples, mobile eateries and kebab shops worked, the best Armenian chefs gave master classes, and musical groups, tightrope walkers and other artists also performed. Everyone liked it so much that they decided to make this event an annual event.

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What is the price

A full-fledged gastronomic tour for 4 days with a stop at Lake Sevan, excursions to monasteries and a cognac factory includes everything except flights to Yerevan: accommodation in a three-star hotel, transfers and excursions, meals (full board, including in a restaurant), culinary masters -classes, tastings, entrance tickets to all museums according to the program and medical insurance. A longer tour (5-7 days) with a stop in the village of Areni, Vayots Dzor region, to a local winery will cost more (without air tickets).

Sometimes gastronomic tours to Armenia are combined with similar tours to Georgia. This journey will take 8-9 days.

The cost of independent travel can be calculated based on the following prices:

  • flight from Moscow to Yerevan and back,
  • accommodation in a good "three ruble" in the center of Yerevan,
  • dinner for two with wine - approx.
  • an hour-long excursion to the Ararat cognac factory with a tasting of two cognacs 3 and 10 years old.

Armenia has a rich cultural heritage, and this heritage is reflected not only in its historical sites, but also in its rich cuisine. Our gastronomic tour to Armenia gives you the opportunity to get to know Armenia from a new side. During the “Tastes of Armenia” tour, you will be able to get acquainted with the history of the creation of dishes, their meanings, take part in a master class on making dishes, and of course, try dishes made with your own hands. Besides,

You will visit the central vegetable market, where you can buy all the goodies that Armenia offers you. In Armenia you will spend your most delicious holiday with us!

Tour type: Accompanied by a guide

Duration: 7 days/ 6 nights

Route duration : 850 km

Quantity: on request

Accommodation: hotel

Start - end of the route: Yerevan

Gastronomic tour to Armenia: tour program

Day 1

Arrival

Arrival in Armenia, landing at Zvartnots International Airport, Meeting at the airport with a guide and driver, transfer to Yerevan. Check-in at a hotel in Yerevan, overnight in Yerevan.

Nutrition: (-/-/-)

Overnight: Yerevan

Distance: 15 km

Day 2

Yerevan-Zvartnots-Echmiadzin-Yerevan Brandy Factory

Meals: (B/O/–)

Overnight: Yerevan

Distance: 70 km

Day 3

Yerevan-Lake Sevan-Dilijan-Lake Parz-Haghartsin-Yerevan

Lake Sevan. Lake Sevan is the largest lake in Armenia and the Caucasus region. It is also one of the largest high-altitude freshwater lakes in the world. This huge mountain lake is located at an altitude of about 1900 meters above sea level. Visit to Sevanavank Monastery. Sevanavank (IX century) located on a peninsula that used to be an island. Please note that the path leading to the monastery

Visit to the Khor Virap monastery (IV – XVII centuries). Enjoying the beautiful view of the biblical Mount Ararat. Khor Virap (meaning “deep dungeon”) was built on the site where Grigor Lusavorich (Gregory the Illuminator) was imprisoned for 13 years, before the adoption of Christianity as the state religion in 301 AD. Areni village. Areni is one of the winemaking centers in Armenia.
It was not far from the village that the oldest winery in the world was discovered. Visit to the Areni winery, tour of the factory and tasting of locally produced wines. Lunch in Areni. Participation in a master class on making dolma. The famous Armenian dolma has 2 variations - minced meat wrapped in grape leaves and a second, summer version, minced meat wrapped in cabbage leaves, as well as tomatoes, eggplant and peppers. Sounds delicious, doesn’t it? Lunch from a dish prepared by yourself. Return to Yerevan. You can also book one-day excursion tours around Armenia on our website. You can get acquainted with the excursions by going to

Meals: (B/O/–)

Overnight: Yerevan

Distance: 250 km

Day 5

Yerevan-Garni-Geghard-Yerevan

Gastronomic tour to Armenia: Ayas tour

A trip to the Kotayk region and a visit to the Garni Fortress (III-II centuries BC) - a pagan temple of the Sun, built by King Trdat in 77. - the only Hellenistic style temple in the CIS countries, the building of which was completely restored. Currently, the ruins of the royal palace and a bathroom of stunning mosaic work can be found next to the temple. To the northeast of Garni, higher along the gorge of the Azat River, there is an outstanding monument of medieval Armenian architecture - Geghard (IV-XII centuries), a unique cave monastery included in the UNESCO World Heritage List. In the village of Garni, participate in the ritual of baking lavash. Then you will be able to taste durum - an Armenian sandwich, homemade cheese and greens wrapped in pita bread. Return to Yerevan and participate in the preparation of homemade shish kebab. Enjoy your time at home. Return to the hotel.

Meals: (B/O/–)

Overnight: Yerevan

Distance: 90 km

Day 6

Yerevan-Amberd-Lake Kari-Ohanavank-Sakhmosavank-Yerevan

Gastronomic tour to Armenia: Amberd

Breakfast in the hotel. Visit to the Amberd fortress. Amberd was built in the 7th-13th centuries, on the edge of the gorge, and not far from the church there is the Vagramashen monastery. In the area near the fortress, the remains of the royal bathhouse have been preserved. Direction to Lake Kari, which is located on the slopes of Mount Aragats, at an altitude of 2300 meters above sea level. Continuation and visit to the churches of Ohanavank (IV-XIII centuries) and Saghmosavank (XIII century), which are located on the steep gorge of the Kasakh River. Dinner. Khash is on the menu. Khash is a very fatty broth made from veal legs. The broth cooks for a very long time, throughout the night. In ancient times, khash was considered a dish of the poor, since the rich gave all the meat and bones to the poor, and they had no choice but to make broth from the remaining bones. This is how the name khash came about, which in translation from Armenian means to cook. Khash is not only a dish, it is a whole ritual that involves toasts, long conversations, and of course, the dish. Return to Yerevan.

Meals: (B/O/–)

Overnight: Yerevan

Distance: 155 km

Day 7

Departure

Airport transfer. Have a safe trip home.

Meals: (B / – / –)

Distance: 15 km

Price per tour

The price is for 1 person

Price includes

  • Transport
  • Transfers from the airport
  • Accommodation (in a double room)
  • Breakfast lunch
  • Entry tickets
  • All master classes (on making lavash, gata, dolma)
  • Guide services
  • Taxes

Price does not include

  • Flights
  • Insurance
  • Dinners
  • Alcoholic drinks
  • Add. expenses

For more detailed information regarding the tour, please visit How to Book or simply email us at .

Many of us have heard a lot about Armenian hospitality. Receiving guests means, first of all, feeding them well. Armenia is famous for its simple but very tasty dishes. By going on our gastronomic tour to Armenia, you will learn the secrets of traditional Armenian cuisine and try dishes typical of different regions of the country. Tastings, lunches and dinners will take place in authentic restaurants and rural houses, where everything is prepared from fresh ingredients.

In addition, of course, we will get acquainted with the amazing Armenian culture, visit rock monasteries, on the shores of the famous Lake Sevan and in a medieval fortress, see the main Armenian shrines, amazing mountains and rivers, friendly streets of the Armenian capital.

Tour program:

Departure from St. Petersburg

Departure from Moscow

  • Any flight arriving in Yerevan before 14:00.
  • 1 day
  • Arrival at Zvartnots International Airport before 14:00.
  • Transfer to the hotel.
  • Hotel accommodation.
  • Bus tour of Yerevan.
    We will see a monument to David of Sasun, the hero of the Armenian folk epic, telling about the struggle of heroes against the Arab invaders; Haghtanak Park (which means “victory” in Armenian), where the majestic “Mother Armenia” monument is located and offers a beautiful view of the entire city; the Cascade architectural complex, at the base of which is the “Revived Armenia” obelisk; Opera House and many other architectural monuments of the city of Yerevan.
  • Visit to Matenadaran.
    This name bears the Institute of Ancient Manuscripts, a museum and research center for ancient Armenian manuscripts and one of the largest repositories of manuscripts in the world: not only in Armenian, but also in Russian, Hebrew, Latin, Arabic, and Greek. Here we will see richly illustrated medieval books and ancient manuscripts, the oldest of which date back to the 5th century.
  • Visit to the Ararat cognac factory.
    The factory has existed since 1887 and carefully preserves the traditions of cognac production. It was founded by the Yerevan merchant Nerses Tairyan and subsequently sold to the Russian partnership "Shustov and Sons". After the revolution, the enterprise was nationalized, but never stopped operating. During the tour, we will learn the secrets of production and try three types of cognac: three, five and ten years old.
  • Dinner at the Yerevan Tavern with a national show program.
    Here we will try veal khashlama - this is a popular Armenian dish that is prepared from meat with vegetables. They say its name comes from the Armenian word “khashel”, which means “meat cooked in a piece”.
  • Return to the hotel.
  • Day 2
  • Breakfast in the hotel.
  • Visit to the pagan temple of Garni.
    We will see a rare monument of the pre-Christian period of Armenian history. The temple in Garni was built in the 1st century AD in the architectural traditions of Hellenism, that is, it is a typical Greek temple with columns along the perimeter. The inscriptions on the walls of the temple are also made in Greek - they tell that the temple was founded by King Trdat I. The temple was badly damaged during an earthquake in the 17th century, but during the years of Soviet power it was completely restored.
  • Excursion to the Geghard rock monastery.
    This is a fantastic example of medieval Armenian architecture of the 12th-13th centuries, listed as a UNESCO World Heritage Site. In the distant past, the monastery was called Ayrivank (“monastery in the rock”), and in the 13th century it received the name Geghard in honor of the spear kept in the monastery - the same one with which Jesus was pierced on the cross. The cliffs surrounding the monastery are part of the Gokht River gorge and fascinate with their beauty.
  • Lunch in a rural house.
    The owner of the house also owns a fish farm. We will be able to catch our own trout, which will be cooked for lunch.
  • Return to Yerevan.
  • Free time.
  • Day 3
  • Breakfast in the hotel.
  • Visit to the Hovhanavank Monastery.
    The monastery complex consists of a church built by Gregory the Illuminator, the Church of the First Christians and the Church of St. Karapet. The monastery walls with towers from the 12th-13th centuries have also been partially preserved. and ancient tombstones. Once upon a time there was a cultural center of the Ararat region. Calendar art, philosophy and music were studied at the local school.
  • Visit to the Amberd fortress.
    The Amberd fortress was built in the historical province of Aragatsotn, 7 km northwest of Ashtarak, on the southern slope of Mount Aragats, on a triangular plateau. The historical defensive complex includes a 7th-century castle and an 11th-century church. This is one of the few surviving fortresses on the territory of Armenia, although it also lies in ruins - it was destroyed by the Mongols during their campaign in Transcaucasia in the 13th century. However, the ruins are very picturesque and allow you to imagine the appearance of the fortress. Even the underground passages leading from the fortress to the gorge and the water supply system have been preserved.
  • Visit to Lake Kari.
    The lake is located on Mount Aragats at an altitude of 3207 m. It is of glacial origin. Throughout the winter, the lake is covered with snow and ice, so the water remains quite cold all year round. The Arkashen River originates from Lake Kari. The surroundings of the alpine lake are very picturesque and excellent for walking.
    A visit to the lake is possible under favorable weather conditions.
  • Dinner.
    We will try the ancient Armenian dish khash - beef leg soup. Traditionally this dish is eaten with vodka.
  • Return to Yerevan.
  • 4 day
  • Breakfast in the hotel.
  • Moving to Southern Armenia.
  • Visit to the Khor Virap monastery.
    The monastery is located at the foot of the biblical Mount Ararat, where, according to legend, Noah's ark landed after the Flood. Once upon a time, this place was the location of the ancient capital of Armenia - Artashat, founded by King Artashes I. Under the monastery is an underground prison where Gregory the Illuminator, thanks to whom the Armenians adopted Christianity, spent 15 years in captivity. Anyone can go down to this underground prison, located at a depth of 6.5 meters.
  • Visit to the Areni wine region.
    It is here that red wine is produced from local grapes of the same name. We will stop to try this great drink.
  • Lunch at the restaurant "Lchak".
    Here we will try tanapura, a light soup made from the fermented milk drink matsun, and zorovats, a pork kebab. We will also have a master class on making Armenian lavash - by the way, Armenian lavash is included in the UNESCO list of intangible heritage.
  • Excursion to the Noravank monastery complex.
    Built in the 13th century, the monastery is located on the ledge of a narrow winding gorge formed by a tributary of the Arpa River. The road to the monastery goes along the gorge of the Gnishik River. Noravank Canyon is rich in caves, rare flora and fauna. The splendor of nature around is breathtaking, and the medieval monastery itself is very beautiful, especially the Church of the Blessed Virgin Mary and the bas-reliefs on the stone walls of the monastery.
  • Moving to Germon.
  • Hotel accommodation.
  • Dinner.
    At dinner we will try harisa - a puree soup made from boiled wheat and chicken. Analogs of arisa are found in many eastern countries, but it is in Armenia that this dish is considered national.
  • 5 day
  • Breakfast in the hotel.
  • Cooking master class.
    We have to learn how to select and pump out honey, prepare Chechil cheese or bake baklava. The master class depends on the time of year.
  • Visit to the village of Noratus.
    Here is the largest concentration of khachkars on the territory of modern Armenia. A khachkar is an architectural monument in the form of a stone stele with a carved image of a cross. There are several thousand such steles in Armenia; they appeared in the country from the first years of Christianity - and continue to be installed to this day. Khachkars mark memorable places; they are placed in memory of national events, revered saints, heroes who died for their homeland, and separated lovers. Khachkars are an integral part of the national Armenian culture.
  • Visit to Hayravank Monastery.
    The compact monastery complex stands on a small rock and looks more like a fortress. The first cathedral here was presumably built in the 9th-12th centuries - since then the monastery has remained active. Next to the monastery is the Spitak Berd castle ("White Fortress"). According to legend, Hayravank was once connected to the castle by an underground passage, and therefore received the name “cave monastery”.
  • Excursion to Lake Sevan.
    This is the largest lake in the Caucasus. On its northwestern coast we will visit the Sevanavank monastery. According to the chronicles, the first church on Lake Sevan, Surb Harutyun (Church of the Resurrection), was built by Gregory the Illuminator on the site of a pagan temple on the island. It was destroyed due to the earthquake of 995. In the 9th century, the monk Mashtots Yeghivardetsi (later Catholicos Mashtots I Yeghivardetsi) founded a full-fledged monastery with churches of St. Apostles and St. Mother of God. He was patronized by the daughter of King Ashot I, Princess Mariam. Subsequently, the monastery was surrounded by a wall, which was destroyed in the 16th-17th centuries.
  • Lunch at a coastal restaurant near Lake Sevan.
    Here we will try dishes of ishkhan (trout), whitefish and Sevan crayfish.
  • Transfer to Dilijan.
  • Accommodation in a guest house.
    The guest house is famous for its traditional Armenian dishes from the chef.
  • Dinner at the guest house.
  • Day 6
  • Breakfast at the guest house.
  • Excursion around Dilijan and its surroundings.
  • Visit to the Haghpat Monastery.
    The monastery complex was founded in 976 during the reign of Ashot I Bagratuni. This is one of the largest monasteries in Armenia, it includes the Church of St. Nshan, St. Astvatsatsin (Virgin Mary), St. Gregory, parish, chapel, printing house, library, bell tower, refectory, chapel-grave and khachkars - carved stone steles.
  • Visit to the Sanahin Monastery.
    It was founded in the 10th century by Ashot III Vogormats. The monastery became the administrative center of the Kyurikyan dynasty and their family crypt. The monastery was once an important cultural center of Armenia and had a rich library. At the monastery school they taught the humanities, music and medicine, and wrote scientific papers.
  • Dinner.
    We will take part in making bread, try goat khashlama, dishes made from local greens, and fruit vodka.
  • Return to Yerevan.
  • Hotel accommodation.
  • Day 7
  • Breakfast in the hotel.
  • Visit to the Vernissage and Tashir markets.
    The Vernissage flea market is a favorite place among city guests. Here you can find carved chess and backgammon, handmade jewelry, ceramics, traditional musical instruments, carpets and paintings. The Tashir market sells all the most delicious things in Armenia: vegetables, fruits, meat, and there is a wide selection of nuts, dried fruits and traditional sweets.
  • Visit to Zvartnots.
    "Zvartnots" translated from ancient Armenian means "Temple of Vigilant Angels". This is the greatest monument of early medieval Armenian architecture, included in the UNESCO World Heritage List. The construction of the temple was carried out in the 7th century; it was once a round three-tiered structure with a huge dome, and was decorated with ornamental carvings, reliefs, columns, mosaics and frescoes. In the 10th century the temple collapsed during an earthquake. Archaeological excavations have been conducted on the territory of Zvartnots for more than a hundred years. At the moment, the first tier of the temple has been completely restored.
  • Excursion to Etchmiadzin - “Armenian Vatican”.
    We will visit the spiritual center of Armenia and the residence of the Catholicos of All Armenians - the head of the Armenian Apostolic Church. Here we will go to the cathedral, built in the 4th century, and to the treasury museum of Etchmiadzin, where especially revered relics are kept, the most famous of which is “Saint Geghard,” the spear that pierced the side of Christ.
  • Lunch at the restaurant.
    At lunch we will try Etchmiadzin kyufta. These are cutlets, or rather meatballs, a common dish in the South Caucasus. Unlike their neighbors, Armenians make kufta not from lamb, but from beef, and serve it with butter and hot tsitsak pepper.
  • Airport transfer.
  • Departure to St. Petersburg: after 16:00 by any flight.
  • Departure to Moscow: after 16:00 by any flight.
  • ATTENTION!!! Departure from any region is possible. Check flight availability with the manager.

Attention:

  • To participate in this tour you must have a valid visa and health insurance.
  • To participate in tours to the Republic of Belarus, Armenia, Georgia, Uzbekistan and Turkey, a visa is not required.
  • The tour program does not include visits to water parks, shopping malls and fish shops.
  • In late autumn, winter, early spring, due to the short daylight hours, visiting some of the objects stated in the program may take place in the dark.
  • The organizer is not responsible for queues at border checkpoints, delays in transit associated with customs, border and other official formalities, weather conditions, as well as traffic jams.
  • If weather conditions on the route may threaten the safety of tourists (heavy snowfalls, low/high air temperatures, mudflows, rainstorms, floods, forest fires, smog, etc.), the organizer reserves the right to unilaterally change the tour program: replace some objects to others, and if replacement is impossible, exclude objects from the program.

    • 3450 rub. Extra night in a single room

    *Optional, additional payment at the office.

    Cost of the tour with hotel for 1 person:

    37500 rub. 2-seater

    45650 rub. 1-seater


    We can organize this tour especially for you, taking into account your wishes regarding the program, time and place of departure!

Arisa, khash, kufta, khashlama, tanapura, tolma - if these words don’t mean anything to you, then this tour is an ideal opportunity to learn about the centuries-old tradition of Armenian cuisine, try new dishes and drinks and add a special gastronomic piquancy to your trip.

National cuisine can tell a lot about a country, its culture, history, and customs. In this sense, Armenian cuisine can truly amaze with its diversity and versatility. The Armenians themselves treat their cuisine very carefully and with great love - for us it is an honor to treat a dear guest, and every owner strives to please the guest with the most delicious and unique dishes. During a gastronomic tour of Armenia, we will taste the gifts of sunny Armenia, dishes and drinks found only in this region, and at the same time we will visit interesting places and learn a lot about one of the oldest countries in the world. This tour is equally suitable for all those who have already been to Armenia and want to spice things up

Tour chips

  • Tasting the most delicious and famous dishes of Armenian cuisine.
  • Participation in master classes on cooking Armenian dishes.
  • Tasting of Armenian wines and the famous Ararat cognac - in the cellar of the plant.
  • Visiting the most important sights of the country.
  • Overnight stay in colorful guest houses and hotels.
  • Tasting Armenian homemade fruit vodka
  • Shopping in the famous Yerevan markets

Day 1: Airport – Yerevan – city tour

Upon arrival in Yerevan, we will immediately go on a tour of the city and visit the famous Matenadaran Museum-Institute of Ancient Manuscripts. By the way, in addition to historical documents, the most ancient Armenian recipes for dishes, tinctures, and perfumes are stored here. After Matenadaran, the famous ArArAt cognac factory awaits us, we will walk through the cellar, learn the technology of preparing original Armenian cognac and, of course, taste the legendary cognac. During lunch we will try “tanapur” soup, which is very popular among Armenians, as well as assorted Armenian dolma. After a short rest at the hotel, we will go on an evening walking tour around the center of Yerevan with a visit to the famous Cascade - an open-air museum, the Opera building, an observation deck in Victory Park, which offers a picturesque view of Yerevan. In a colorful Armenian restaurant we will listen to live performances of Armenian folk songs and dances, and also try the meat dish khashlama.

Day 2: Yerevan – Amberd – Aragats – Yerevan

Early in the morning of the second day we will go to the medieval fortress of Ambert on the slope of Mount Aragats. In addition to its picturesque nature, this place is famous for serving delicious khash. There is a good restaurant near Lake Kari, where we will taste a dish that many people come to Armenia for. The dish is very satisfying, it is prepared all night and served early in the morning - with irreplaceable appetizers: garlic, radishes, herbs. After a walk in the fresh air we will return to Yerevan.

Day 3: Yerevan – Geghard – Garni – Yerevan

On this day we will go to two truly impressive architectural structures. The first of them, the Geghard monastery complex, was built in the 7th century right into the rock. The monastery complex is included in the UNESCO World Cultural Heritage List. Today we will take part in a master class on making the most Armenian bread - lavash, we will try real village cuisine in a guest house in the settlement of Garni: Armenian shish kebab “khorovats”, vegetables cooked in tonyr, apricot and mulberry vodka, as well as gata confectionery. After lunch, we will take part in a master class on preparing Armenian sujukh, which many jokingly call “Armenian Snickers”. Next we will visit the pagan temple of Garni - the only restored temple from the Hellenistic era in the region. Return to Yerevan.

Day 4: Yerevan – Khor Virap – Areni – Noravank

This day is dedicated to Armenian wine, its history and characteristics. And for this we will go to the famous wine-growing region of Areni. However, even before this, in the morning we will visit the famous Khor Virap monastery, from where Christianity spread to Armenia in the 4th century. Next we will head to the mysterious Noravank monastery complex, which since the 13th century has been collecting stories and legends within its walls, which we will learn about on the spot. In the settlement of Areni, famous throughout the world for its indigenous grape variety of the same name, we will try a variety of wines, including equally popular fruit wines. Interestingly, wine has been produced here for thousands of years, and a cave winery discovered nearby dates back to 3500 BC. We will spend the night in a cozy and colorful guest house of a local winemaker.

Day 5: Areni – Hayravank – Noratus – Sevan – Tsaghkunk

In the morning after breakfast we will head to Lake Sevan - to a simultaneously picturesque and mysterious place - the Noratus khachkar cemetery. For centuries, Armenian stone slabs with engraved crosses – khachkars – were collected here. Off the coast of Sevan we will visit two medieval churches – Hayravank and Sevanavank. In a coastal restaurant we will try shish kebab from Sevan whitefish, ishkhan (trout), as well as a signature dish - kebab from Sevan crayfish. After this, we will go to the Tsakhkunk guest house - a picturesque, cozy place, in style reminiscent of a European house from the beginning of the last century with the introduction of Armenian details. Here we can relax, take a walk around the garden, and a little later we will take part in a master class on cooking lamb in a tonyr.

Day 6: Tsakhkunk - Dilijan - Sanahin - Haghpat - Yerevan

From Tsaghkunk in the morning we will leave for the resort town of Dilijan, surrounded by wooded hills. Here we will visit incredible architectural buildings - the monasteries of Haghpat and Sanahin, which are included in the UNESCO World Heritage List. Today we will enjoy the delicacies of this region - we will learn how to bake bread in a local bakery, try a unique goat meat khashlama, as well as famous dishes from various greens, which are prepared best here. And all this is accompanied by fruit vodkas: dogwood, grape, mulberry. After this we will return to Yerevan. Free evening.

Day 7: Yerevan – Etchmiadzin – Zvartnots – Airport

This is the last day of our delicious trip to Armenia. To begin with, we will go for Armenian sweets to the Tashir market. Here you can buy dried fruits, spices, Armenian mountain teas, sujukh and many other gifts from Armenia. After this, we will go to the market of handicrafts, souvenirs and jewelry Vernissage - a souvenir or gift purchased here will be a reminder of the country and a delicious pastime. After shopping, we will leave Yerevan for Etchmiadzin - the spiritual center of all Armenians. Here is the main temple of the Armenian Apostolic Church - the Etchmiadzin Cathedral, the treasury of which contains Christian relics and documents related to the history of the spread and development of Christianity in the country. We will also visit the ruins of the Zvartnots Temple - one of the main medieval temples in Armenia. For lunch we will try Etchmiadzin kufta - a meat dish that looks like cutlets, but is very different in its taste. Airport transfer.

The price includes the following services:

  • Meeting at Zvartnots airport;
  • Accommodation in Yerevan in double rooms;
  • Comfortable vehicle;
  • Welcome dinner with national program;
  • Guide service;
  • Entrance tickets, tastings, master classes;
  • Unlimited spring water in transport.