7 Days Exploring Ancient Heritage

Arrival at Zvartnots International Airport in the early hours of the morning following the overnight flight. On arrival, you will be met and transferred directly to your hotel in Yerevan.

After breakfast, you will begin a guided exploration of Yerevan, discovering how ancient heritage and modern creativity coexist.

Our tour takes in Republic Square, where elegant tuff-stone buildings conceal layers of history beneath their foundations, followed by the Opera and Ballet Theatre, a masterpiece by architect Alexander Tamanyan. At the Cascade Complex, we enjoy panoramic views across the city, often framed by the sacred silhouette of Mount Ararat, before visiting the Cafesjian Museum of Modern Art, which brings a contemporary edge to Armenia’s creative story.

We continue into Kond, Yerevan’s oldest district, wandering its narrow lanes and timeworn houses, a glimpse into the city before grand urban planning reshaped it.

After lunch at a local restaurant, the tone becomes more reflective at the Tsitsernakaberd Memorial, dedicated to the victims of the Armenian Genocide, a powerful and moving site of remembrance.

The day ends with a deeply personal cultural encounter: a visit to a local duduk master in his garden workshop. Here, you will learn about Armenia’s most soulful instrument and enjoy a short live performance… a sound that captures centuries of longing, resilience, and beauty.

In the evening, you will gather with your fellow travellers for a welcome dinner at the Megerian Carpet Factory, surrounded by centuries-old weaving traditions. This special evening includes a hands-on tolma cooking experience, guided by a master cook.

Today we journey south into the dramatic landscapes of Vayots Dzor.

Today, your first stop is Khor Virap, the cradle of Armenian Christianity. Set against one of the most iconic views of Mount Ararat, this monastery marks the place where Armenia’s conversion to Christianity began in the 4th century.

You will continue to Areni-1 Cave, one of the world’s most important archaeological sites, where excavations uncovered the earliest known winery (over 6,000 years old) and the world’s oldest leather shoe. Nearby, visit a family-run winery for a tasting, discovering the distinctive character of Armenian wines shaped by altitude, volcanic soil, and ancient grape varieties.

The day culminates at Noravank Monastery, dramatically set within a narrow red-rock gorge. As sunlight shifts across the canyon walls, the monastery appears almost sculpted from the landscape itself, a breathtaking fusion of architecture and nature.

Return to Yerevan in the late afternoon.

This morning visit the Matenadaran, home to one of the world’s richest collections of ancient manuscripts. Here, beautifully illuminated texts reveal Armenia’s legacy of scholarship, science, and faith preserved through centuries of upheaval.

Leaving the city, travel to the UNESCO-listed Geghard Monastery, partially carved directly into the rock. Inside, echoing chambers and sacred springs create a powerful atmosphere of devotion and legend.

Nearby, we stop at the Symphony of Stones, a natural formation of basalt columns resembling a giant stone organ – one of Armenia’s most striking geological sights.

Lunch is hosted at a local home, where you will take part in a lavash baking masterclass, learning how this UNESCO-listed flatbread is prepared using traditional methods.

In the afternoon, explore the Garni Pagan Temple, dating back to the 1st century AD. Perched above the Azat River Gorge, it stands as a rare reminder of Armenia’s pre-Christian past before we return to Yerevan.

Today, travel north to Gyumri, Armenia’s cultural and creative heart.

Your walking tour begins in the Kumayri historic district, where 18th-19th century architecture has survived earthquakes and political change. Cobbled streets, iron balconies, and stone houses reveal a city shaped by artistry and resilience.

Visit the Dzitoghtsyan Museum of Social Life and National Architecture, housed in a traditional mansion that brings everyday Gyumri life of the past vividly to life.

After lunch featuring regional Shirak dishes, we meet a local blacksmith, witnessing one of Gyumri’s oldest crafts in action. Fire, iron, and hand tools come together as horseshoes, crosses, and decorative pieces are forged – living heritage preserved through generations.

In the late afternoon, return back to Yerevan.

After breakfast, begin with a journey to the Zvartnots Temple ruins, a 7th-century architectural masterpiece whose circular design was centuries ahead of its time.

Continue to Ejmiatsin Cathedral, the spiritual heart of Armenia and widely considered the world’s oldest Christian cathedral. As the seat of the Armenian Apostolic Church, it holds immense historical and religious significance.

Lunch is hosted in a local gastro yard, where you will take part in making Arishta (Armenian pasta) and Gata, a traditional sweet pastry baked in a clay tonir oven.

In the afternoon, visit the Ararat Brandy Factory, enjoying a guided tour and tasting of Armenia’s most famous export – including blends once favoured by Winston Churchill.

Finish the day at Vernissage Market, Yerevan’s lively open-air bazaar filled with crafts, artwork, jewellery, and souvenirs, a perfect place to find meaningful mementoes.