Breakfast at the hotel. Trip to the northern Armenia, the magical place of forested mountains and deep canyons. Visit to the masterpieces of Armenian medieval architecture - the Monastery complex Haghpat (11th – 13th cc.), that are included in the UNESCO World Heritage List (2000). Drive to mountainous resort Dilijan, or so called “Armenian Switzerland”, which is well-known for its forests as well as for its mysterious flora and fauna. During the drive one can enjoy the unbelievable change of the surrounding environment and land shaft from the mountainous lake to the green and rich forest mountains.

Lunch in a local restaurant.

Small walking city tour in Dilijan: visit to handicrafts’ street, where one can watch the preparation of different national souvenirs from wood, stone and ceramics.

O/N in Dilijan.

Breakfast at the hotel. Drive to Getik village. Meeting with the beekeepers with possibility to watch honey making process, honey tasting. Taking part in the preparation of Armenian cheese. Grain Cleaning, roasting process to make Armenian national dessert: poxindz or aghandz.

Lunch with bio homemade food.

Drive to Lake Sevan which is one of the wonders in Armenia. This blue lake is one of the greatest high mountainous freshwater lakes of Eurasia. On a clear and sunny day, the water is often of a deep turquoise colour. Total surface of the lake is 940 km2. Akhtamar peninsula is the most popular destination to enjoy the breath-taking view on Sevan Lake, make photos for sweet memories and visit the ancient Sevanavank Monastery (IX century), which stands in its greatness on the peninsula overlooking the lake for centuries.

O/N in Sevan.

Breakfast at the hotel. One of the most interesting places to visit during your trip to Armenia is the Pegan temple devoted to the God of Sun - Myrth in Garni. According to some cuneiform records in Greek language, the temple was built in 77AD by King Trdat (Arshakid Dynasty). The temple is Greco-Roman style with characteristic pillars. It stands proudly on a rocky ridge with the deep canyon presenting a beautiful view.

Family hosted lunch in village house and watching of “Lavash” (Armenian traditional flat bread baked in stone-made oven) making process. It is possible to organize cuisine master class such as: butter or Armenian yogurt making process in old vertical butter churn, tasting of pure mountain flower honey (seasonal: only August-September). Degustation of different homemade confitures.

Geghard dates back to XII-XIII centuries and presents a unique caved temple. The word Geghard means “holy spear” in the honor of the long-preserved spear, the same spear that pierced the body of crucified Christ, which were brought here by Apostle Thaddeus. It is now exhibited in the museum of Etchmiadzin Cathedral. Nestled at the end of a rugged gorge, Geghard was clearly a sacred spot even in antiquity, with a seep of water coming out of the rock. The temple is located in the mountains of picturesque gorge of Azat river. This is a masterpiece of the Armenian medieval architecture with the main church, two caved churches as well as burial-vault. The cold spring coming out from the cliff is believed to be a holy water which heals from illnesses, rejuvenates people and grants beauty. Geghard Monastery is included in the UNESCO World Heritage list (2000). Concert of liturgical songs in the monastery Geghard where amazing acoustics allows everyone to enjoy crystal-clear sound.

Drive back to Yerevan.

Breakfast at the hotel. Visit to Khor Virap Church – the place of imprisonment of St. Gregory the Illuminator, who stayed here in the small dungeon for 13 years without any food, accused by the Armenian King of preaching Christianity. It is one of the holy places for the Christian world. Here is also the closest and most spectacular view of the gorgeous biblical mountain Ararat shining with its two white peaks. It is one of the few ancient towns, built by the special design of the famous Carthaginian general Hannibal. After the defeat in a war against Rome, he found shelter in Armenia. Optional: order life duduk music. Duduk is famous Armenian national instrument, which was used in Gladiator and many other movies. Possibility to get involved in the process of harvest in one of the villages of Ararat valley (only in October).

Continuing tour to Areni village, wine tasting. Areni is famous for its wine making. Recent archaeological excavations found 6000-year-old winery with 5 wine cellars. Within the underground wine cellar, archaeologists discovered a wine press for stomping grapes, fermentation and storage containers, drinking cups, grape vines, skins, and seeds. Though evidence of wine has dated back 7,000 years, this is the earliest winery and wine cellar found to date. The findings indicated large scale wine production, quite possibly the earliest retail winery. Archaeologists suggest that our early ancestors used wine in ceremonies to honour the dead. It is also thought as a gift, placed and consumed inside the tombs. Wine-pressing tools have been found installed into burials and tombs, and drinking cups around the graves. Illustrations from that time reflect this evidence. According to Armenian and US scientists these findings are the oldest and the most reliable evidence of wine production on the Planet dating back 6100 years. It is the first time that a complete archaeological site of wine production is discovered. Later in 2008 here’s found a 5,500-year-old leather shoe, which is a one-piece leather-hide shoe that has been dated few hundred years older than the one found on Ötzi the Iceman, making it the oldest piece of leather footwear in the world.

Route to the next destination, Noravank monastery (13-14 cc.), goes through such an incredibly beautiful scenery, that the visitors cannot resist stepping out of the vehicle and walk all the way to the Monastery with their cameras to enjoy and record the unique bizarre-shaped precipitous red cliffs. The most ancient monument of Noravank is St. Karapet Church (IX - X cc.). The Church, completed in 1339, is said to be the masterpiece of Momik, a talented sculptor and a miniaturist.

Lunch in a local restaurant with picturesque view on red rocks.

Drive back to Yerevan. 

O/N in Yerevan

Breakfast at the hotel. Drive to Aragatsotn ragion , visit the monastery complexes of Saghmosavank situated on the edge of the precipitous gorge of the Kasakh river. The Church of Zion in Saghmosavank (1215 y.), the main temple, was erected by Prince Vache Vachutyan. The book depository of Saghmosavank located on the territory of the Monastery, was built in 1255 A.D. under Prince Kurd Vachutyan. Many richly ornamented stone crosses have been preserved on the territory of the monasteries.

Drive to Ashtarak town.

Presentation of traditional rural customs and habits, Armenian songs and ceremonial dances during the lunch with homemade food in a yard.

Drive back to Yerevan. Visit to Armenian brandy factory, "ArArAt’’ which keeps the tradition of the legendary Cognac since 1887. Degustation of 2 types of Armenian brandy (possible to order upgraded package including degustation of 3 types of brandy).

O/N in Yerevan.