Armenia
Armenia Weekend Escape
Step into Armenia for a long weekend filled with ancient heritage, welcoming tables, and beautiful landscapes.
The experience
Overview
Step into Armenia for a long weekend filled with ancient heritage, welcoming tables, and beautiful landscapes. Discover the lively streets of Yerevan, explore mountain monasteries and dramatic gorges, taste freshly baked lavash, and enjoy the wines of Areni. This private journey brings together memorable experiences while leaving room to enjoy the moments in between.
- Duration
- 4 days / 3 nights · Private journey
- Overnight stays
- 3 nights in Yerevan
- Arrival
- Zvartnots International Airport, Yerevan
- Departure
- Zvartnots International Airport, Yerevan
Along the way
Schedule
- Day 1
Your journey begins with a personal welcome at Zvartnots International Airport and a private transfer to your hotel in Yerevan. After check-in, enjoy some time to settle in.
- Day 2
After breakfast, leave the capital behind and travel towards the landscapes of the Azat Valley.
Begin with a stop at Charents Arch, where Mount Ararat appears beyond the valley when the weather is clear. Take a moment to enjoy the view before continuing towards Garni.
At Garni Temple, elegant stone columns rise above a dramatic gorge. Explore the grounds with your guide, discover the temple’s history, and take in the surrounding mountain scenery.
Continue into the gorge to see the Symphony of Stones. Here, towering basalt columns form striking patterns along the cliffs, creating one of the day’s most unusual sights.
Your next stop is Geghard Monastery, where carved stone passages lead into chambers partly cut into the mountain. Explore its courtyards and quiet interiors, taking time to appreciate the craftsmanship and atmosphere.
Later, discover the tradition of lavash baking. Watch thin sheets of dough being baked in a tonir, then taste the warm bread with local cheese and fresh herbs.
Return to Yerevan for an evening at leisure.
- Day 3
After breakfast, set off towards Armenia’s southern wine country, passing open plains, vineyards, and rugged hills.
Begin at Khor Virap Monastery, closely connected with the country’s Christian history. Its setting on the Ararat plain offers one of Armenia’s most recognisable views, with Mount Ararat forming a magnificent backdrop when visibility allows.
Continue to Areni, a village known for its winemaking traditions. Visit Areni-1 Cave to learn about the region’s ancient wine heritage, then enjoy a wine tasting at a local winery, discovering the flavours and stories behind the wines.
Later, follow the road through a narrow canyon to Noravank Monastery. Surrounded by red cliffs, the monastery feels closely connected to the landscape around it. Walk through the grounds, admire the carved stonework, and enjoy the views across the gorge.
Return to Yerevan in the evening.
- Day 4
After breakfast, discover the Armenian capital with your guide, with the sightseeing schedule arranged around your departure time.
Begin at the Cascade Complex, where terraces and outdoor sculptures create a meeting place for art, architecture, and everyday city life. Enjoy views over Yerevan before continuing towards the Opera House.
Walk along Northern Avenue, lined with cafés and shops, and reach Republic Square, where the city’s distinctive stone façades frame its central gathering place.
If time permits, enjoy a final coffee or browse for Armenian sweets and souvenirs before departure.
At the agreed hour, your driver will take you to Zvartnots International Airport for your onward flight.
Destination Highlights
- Yerevan and its city landmarks
- Charents Arch and Garni Temple
- Symphony of Stones and Geghard Monastery
- Khor Virap and the Ararat plain
- Areni and Noravank Monastery
Signature Experiences
- Tasting warm lavash with cheese and fresh herbs
- Discovering local wines at an Areni winery
- Walking through the Garni Gorge beside basalt columns
- Exploring Yerevan with a guide, timed around your flight
Inclusions and Exclusions
What’s included
- Private airport transfers on arrival and departure.
- 3 nights of accommodation in Yerevan with daily breakfast.
- Your choice of a 4-star or 5-star hotel, subject to availability.
- Private transportation in a comfortable, air-conditioned vehicle throughout the scheduled tours.
- Professional guide speaking your preferred language during sightseeing.
- Guided visits as described in the itinerary, with the Yerevan city tour scheduled according to flight times.
- Lavash-making experience with bread, cheese, and herb tasting.
- One wine-tasting experience at a local winery in Areni.
- One bottle of water, 0.5 L per person, on each sightseeing day.
Not included
- International flights.
- Entrance fees to attractions, archaeological sites, and museums, including Garni Temple, Symphony of Stones, and Areni-1 Cave
- Lunches, dinners, and beverages, except the tastings listed above.
- Personal travel insurance.
- Early check-in and late check-out.
- Optional activities and additional museum visits.
- Personal expenses and gratuities.
- Any services not expressly listed as included in the tour price.
Make it your own
Optional experiences
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Welcome or farewell dinner with Armenian cuisine and live music.
Enjoy Armenian cuisine and live music at a welcome or farewell dinner arranged around your itinerary.
-
Armenian brandy distillery visit and tasting.
Discover Armenia’s brandy-making tradition with a distillery visit and tasting. The venue and tasting selection are confirmed when booking.
-
Traditional cooking experience featuring dolma or gata.
Discover traditional Armenian cuisine through a hands-on cooking experience featuring dolma or gata. The choice of dish is confirmed when booking.
-
Private photography session in Yerevan.
Capture memorable moments of your journey with a professional photographer at selected scenic locations.
Your journey with Arivio
Let’s plan your journey.
Tell us your preferred dates and a little about your plans. We’ll help you explore the options for this journey.
Armenia Weekend Escape
info@ariviotravel.com