Taste of Armenia – Unique Culture, Gastronomy and Wine

Arrive in Yeravan, where you will be met and transferred to your hotel. The rest of the day is free for you to relax although if you arrive early enough you may wish to head out for some sightseeing in the afternoon and evening.

After breakfast take a city tour of Yerevan the capital and largest city of Armenia, and one of the world’s oldest continuously inhabited cities. Situated beside the Hrazdan River, Yerevan is the administrative, cultural, and industrial centre of the country. It has been the capital of Republic of Armenia (1st Armenian Republic) since 1918, the thirteenth in the history of Armenia, and the seventh located in or around the Ararat plain.

The history of Yerevan dates back to the 8th century BC, with the founding of the fortress of Erebuni in 782 BC by king Argishti I at the western extreme of the Ararat plain. Erebuni was “designed as a great administrative and religious centre, a royal capital. In 2018 Yerevan celebrated its 2800th anniversary.

After the city tour you will visit a famous Ararat Cognac factory, Yerevan Brandy Company, producer of the brand ARARAT. Here you will visit the museum and hear about the 120 year old history of Armenian brandy production. You can walk around the ageing cellars to see the ancient barrels and smell the delicate aroma before visiting the tasting hall to sample some of the famous brandy.

Dinner tonight is in a typical Armenian restaurant where you can taste the unique Armenian dish “Khurjin”. Translated from Armenian, this word means “knapsack” (pouch). This dish has got its name due to its appearance: khurdzhin is lamb meat stuffed with onions, bell peppers, tomatoes and baked inside lavash (Armenian bread) in the form of a bag. This seals in the flavours and makes for tender and delicious aromatic lamb.

You will also taste the special Armenian salad made from the local greens – “Aveluk” (mountain sorrel) – loved by all Armenians.

Overnight in the hotel in Yerevan.

Today you will drive to the Ararat region. Visit the Khor Virap monastery. KhorVirap (meaning “deep pit” or “deep well”) is an Armenian Apostolic Church monastery located in the Ararat valley in Armenia. The monastery was host to a theological seminary and was the residence of Armenian Catholicos.

KhorVirap’s fame as a monastery and pilgrimage site is attributed to the fact that Saint Gregory the Illuminator, was initially imprisoned here for 13 years. A chapel was initially built in 642 AD at the site of KiratVirap by Nerses III the Builder as a mark of veneration to Saint Gregory. Over the centuries, it was repeatedly rebuilt. In 1662, the larger chapel known as the “St. Astvatsatsin” (Holy Mother of God) was built around the ruins of the old chapel, the monastery. Now, regular Church services are held in this church. It is the most visited pilgrimage site in Armenia.

After visiting the monastery enter the Armavir region. Here you will visit Echmiadzin – the spiritual centre of the Armenian Apostolic Church and the residence of the Catholicos of All Armenians. Visit the Mother Cathedral of Holy Echmiadzin – one of the most ancient and beautiful examples of Christian architecture. It was founded to commemorate the proclamation of Christianity as the national religion of Armenia. The original building was completed in 303 AD. The Echmiadzin Cathedral is the seat of the throne of the Supreme Patriarch and Catholicos of All Armenians. In 2000 it became a UNESCO world heritage site.

In the city of Vagharshapat (where Echmiadzin Cathedral is located) there is a cultural and gastronomic centre with a national home-style restaurant, located in a marvellous garden. You will have lunch here so that you can taste the famous “Echmiadzin kyufta” – balls of steamed beef which is traditionally served with pilaf.

After lunch visit the UNESCO protected Zvartnots – a 7th century aisled tetraconch Armenian cathedral built by the order of Catholicos, Nerses the Builder between 643-652. Now in ruins, it is located at the edge of the city of Echmiadzin in Armavir Province of Armenia. Zvartnots stodd until the end of the 10th century, but there are no historical records about the cause of its collapse. A close copy of the cathedral was erected in Ani by Tiridates the Architect under the reign of Gagik I Bagratuni during the final decade of the 10th century. Zvartnots is added to the list of

On the way back to Yerevan you will visit the village of Musaler, where the wine cellar Maran is located. Here you will get to taste 6 kinds of Armenian wine, accompanied with lavash (Armenian traditional bread) and different types of Armenian cheese.

Overnight in the hotel in Yerevan.

Drive to Kotayk region to visit Monastery Geghard – one of the most famous medieval monasteries in Armenia. The complex of medieval buildings is surrounded by beautiful landscape, surrounded by towering cliffs at the entrance to the Azat river valley. According to the legend the monastery housed the spear which had wounded Christ on the Cross, and from which comes its present name Geghardavank (the Monastery of the Spear).

It was allegedly brought there by the Apostle Thaddeus, first recorded in a document of 1250. The church with its surrounding structures is included in the UNESCO World Cultural heritage List.

Nest visit the open-air museum of Garni pagan temple – dedicated to Mithra, God of the sun. Mithra. It is the only surviving monument of the Hellenistic period in Armenia. The temple was built in the 2nd half of the 1st c AD during the reign of king Tiridates I. The fortress, that was used as a summer residence of Armenian royalty, did not survive. Garni pagan temple has a totally unique design and is the only Hellenistic temple in the Caucasus and the former Soviet Union.

Nearby in the village of Garni you will be hosted by a local family for a traditional meal of the regional speciality – ‘garni yara’ – stuffed eggplant cooked in the oven.

For dessert, you can taste real ‘gata’ from Garni. Garni is the birthplace of the famous Armenian gata cake, and you will find it all over the country. However locals believe that the most delicious gata can only be tasted in its home town.

In your hosts’ courtyard you can also watch the process of baking Armenian bread – lavash (so culturally significant to Armenians that it is now listed on the UNESCO List of the Intangible Cultural Heritage of Humanity).

Replete after lunch, visit Sevan Lake, the ‘blue-eyed beauty’ of Armenia, one of the biggest highland freshwater lakes in the world at 1900 m above sea level. Follow the shores of Lake Sevan to the peninsula, where you will see the monastery of Sevanavank (IX cent.) – a wonderful view!

In Dilijan old town you will do a short walking tour. Dilijan is a resort town with mild climate, fresh air to the northeast of Yerevan. It is famous for its spectacular mountain scenery, and is called the ‘Armenian Switzerland’ by the locals, due to the densely forested valleys and mountains and alpine meadows. It is an popular hiking centre.

Overnight in the hotel in Dilijan.

Optional:

In Noravank you can dress up in national costumes, decorations, and have photos taken.

Today, visit Goshavank – 12th or 13th century Armenian monastery located in the village of Gosh in Tavush region. Goshavank was erected in the place of an older monastery once known as Nor Getik, which was destroyed by an earthquake in 1188. Mkhitar Gosh, a statesman, scientist, and author of numerous fables and parables as well as the creator of the first criminal code, took part in the rebuilding of the impressive monastery.

The tour will continue to the city of Ijevan, where the Ijevan winery is located. In the Tavush region, there’s been winemaking for millennia. Archaeological excavations in the region have uncovered various ancient wine-making tools.

Today the winery ‘Ijevan’ is one of the leaders in the export of Armenian wine and brandy. It produces more than twenty varieties of wine and about twenty varieties of cognac. A tasting session of the different varieties of Armenian wine and brandy will be held in the courtyard.

After the degustation it’s time for lunch in Yenokavan village. Here you can taste the main dish of Tavush cuisine, the so-called ‘Tavush pride’ – ‘borani’. Borani is a beef stew, seasoned with dried prunes, chestnuts, greens and fried onions.

The Apaga Resort offers all kinds of outdoor activities, such as horse riding, hiking and trekking in the mountains and forests

Overnight at Apaga Resort, Yenokavan.

You may choose to add an extra night or two here to enjoy the outdoor activities

Visit Filoletovo, a Molokan village where you can join a traditional tea drinking with Russian pies in a local house before strolling around the village.

Continue to the Aragatsotn region where Mount Aragats is located. This is the highest peak of Armenia (4090 m). The 8th century Amberd Castle sits in a spectacular location at an altitude of 2300 m above sea level. You’ll get a chance to walk to fortress, surrounded by alpine meadows and high mountains.

Returning to Yerevan, you’ll stop for lunch in Ushi village, where you have the opportunity to taste Armenian traditional dishes.

After lunch visit Hovhannavank – a medieval monastery located in the village of Ohanavan in Aragatsotn Province. The monastery sits in a dramatic location at the entrance to the Kasagh River canyon.

The oldest part of the monastery is the single nave basilica of St. Karapet (i.e. Holy Forerunner, John the Baptist) which was founded at the beginning of the fourth century by St. Gregory the Enlightener, who baptized Armenia as the world’s first Christian nation. The wooden roof of the early church was replaced in 554 AD with a thatch cover, and the basilica itself underwent profound renovation between 1652 and 1734.

Drive to Yerevan where you will visit Vernissage – a large open-air market. The market is a treasure trove of traditional Armenian arts and crafts. In addition to carved wood and art works, traditional carpets, old collections of coins and medallions, books, jewellery, musical instruments, electronics and even pets are found in the market.

Local produce can also be bought here. In summer succulent fresh fruit tempt shoppers: peaches, cherries, apricots and berries of every description. In winter, dried fruits and nuts, including the strings of syrup-coated walnuts known as sujukh, are popular purchases.

Final night in Yerevan

Optional trips in Yerevan

Matenadaran – (a book depository) – one of the world’s most ancient libraries. Its collections comprise ancient Armenian books and miniature paintings that have gained worldwide fame. Here are around 18.000 manuscripts, which are included in the UNESCO world Heritage list.

The history museum of Armenia provides interesting information about the antiquities and special features of Armenia.

Note that this trip is tailor made and can be adapted to suit your needs.