Armenia Ring Tour “The Beauty of the High Mountains” (10 days / 9 nights)

Armenia, Armenia, Armenia… A country that touches the heart of everyone who visits. It’s impossible not to fall in love with its stunning nature, delicious food, and the warm hospitality of its people.

If you’re still deciding where to go on holiday, we invite you to join our ring tour around Armenia – “The Beauty of the High Mountains” (10 days / 9 nights). During the trip, you’ll explore ancient sites, get to know Armenia’s rich and unique culture, and create unforgettable memories. The delicious local food and warm welcome from the people always leave a lasting impression.

Let our professional team take care of all the planning. A trip to Armenia with “ExploreArmenia” offers unforgettable experiences at great prices.

Arrival and meeting at the airport.

Your journey in Armenia starts with a city tour of Yerevan, the capital city. Yerevan is known for its unique mix of old and new architecture, green streets, and many fountains.

Next, we’ll visit the “Megerian” Carpet Factory, where you’ll see how traditional Armenian carpets are made by hand. You’ll also enjoy a short tour that explains how the carpets are produced.

After that, we’ll go to the Cascade Complex, a huge staircase 500 metres long (572 steps) with fountains, flowerbeds, and an open-air museum with about 30 sculptures by famous artists. Inside the Cascade is the Gafesjian Centre for the Arts, spread across five levels.

Hotel check-in.

Breakfast at the hotel.

We’ll start the day with a visit to the “Erebuni” Museum, located at the base of Arin Berd hill. At the top of the hill stood the ancient Erebuni Fortress, built in 782 BC during the Urartian period. The museum, opened in 1968, displays many interesting items from that time, including weapons, armour, clay tablets with cuneiform writing, cups, jugs, and seals.

Our journey through Armenia continues to the Garni Temple, the only standing Ancient (Greco-Roman-style) pagan temple in Armenia. It was built in the 1st century by King Tiridates I and dedicated to the sun god Mithra. Nearby, the Azat River Gorge is known for its stunning basalt rock columns, formed by ancient volcanic lava flows.

We’ll also join a lavash baking masterclass. Lavash is a traditional Armenian flatbread, and in 2014, it was added to UNESCO’s Representative List of the Intangible Cultural Heritage of Humanity.

Next, we’ll visit the Geghard Monastery, which is a UNESCO World Heritage Site with special protection status. Its full name is Geghardavank, which means “Monastery of the Spear.” The name comes from the spear of Longinus—the Roman soldier who, according to tradition, pierced Jesus’s side. The spear is now kept in the treasury of the Etchmiadzin Cathedral.

The day ends with our return to Yerevan.

Breakfast at the hotel. Check-out from the hotel.

We’ll begin the day with a visit to Khor Virap Monastery, set at the foot of Mount Ararat. This important pilgrimage site is linked to the story of Grigor Lusavorich (Gregory the Illuminator), who, according to legend, was imprisoned here for around 14 years by King Tiridates III for preaching Christianity. If you wish, you can go down into the underground prison — it’s about 6 metres deep and 4.4 metres wide.

From up close and in all its majestic glory, Mount Ararat — the symbol of Armenia — will unfold before your eyes.

Next, we’ll visit Noravank Monastery, a beautiful 13th–14th century complex set in a narrow gorge carved by the Amaghu River, near the town of Yeghegnadzor. The monastery is surrounded by stunning red cliffs, making it one of Armenia’s most scenic spots.

We’ll then head to Tatev Monastery, a historic religious and educational centre from the 9th–13th centuries.

To reach it, we’ll take the “Wings of Tatev” — the world’s longest non-stop double-track cable car, stretching 5752 metres across the Halidzor–Vorotan Gorge. The ride offers breathtaking views of the surrounding landscape.

Overnight in Goris.

Breakfast at the hotel. Check-out from the hotel.

We’ll continue exploring Armenia with a trip to Khndzoresk, famous for its “Cave village.” People lived in these caves until 1958. In 2012, a “Hanging bridge” was built across the gorge, connecting the two sides of the old village. The bridge is 63 metres high, 160 metres long, and weighs 14 tonnes.

Next, we’ll explore Carahunge (also called “Zorats Karer”), a prehistoric site located 1,770 metres above sea level. It’s often called the “Armenian Stonehenge”.  The site is made up of large standing stones, some of which have round holes at the top. Karahunj is believed to be one of the oldest observatories in the world.

Then we’ll visit the spa town of Jermuk, in the Vayots Dzor region. It’s known for its natural beauty and famous mineral water, which is bottled and sold across Armenia. It’s located on the Arpa River. You can try water at different temperatures in the Mineral Water Gallery. We’ll also visit the Jermuk Waterfall and see nearby medieval cave complexes.

Next, we’ll visit the Selim Caravanserai (also called Orbelian’s Caravanserai), one of the best-preserved caravan inns in Armenia. These buildings once gave shelter to traders travelling between Europe and the East. The caravanserai is located near the top of the Selim Pass, at 2,410 metres above sea level. An inscription above the entrance shows that construction began in 1326–1327 and finished in 1332.

After that, we’ll travel to Noratus, a village near Lake Sevan. This village is known for having the largest collection of Armenian khachkars in the world and the oldest armenian cemetery. The word “khachkar” translates as “cross-stone.” The oldest khachkar in the Noratus cemetery, also spelled Noraduz, is believed to date back to the 9th century AD.

We’ll visit a local craft cheese producer – the Mikaelyan family – in Armenia’s Gegharkunik region. They make unique and delicious cheeses, including ones made with alcohol, caciotta, cheese wrapped in grape leaves, and their own version of parmesan, which they call “Armesan”, You’ll have the chance to taste all these special flavours during the visit.

Overnight stay by Lake Sevan.

Breakfast at the hotel. Check-out from the hotel.

We’ll start the day with a drive along the shores of Lake Sevan – the largest freshwater lake in the Armenian Highlands and the biggest in the South Caucasus. It’s an important source of drinking water for the whole region.

Our first stop will be Sevanavank Monastery, located on the Sevan Peninsula (which used to be an island). It offers attractive views over the lake and is one of the most legendary religious sites in Armenia.

We’ll then enjoy a 30-minute boat ride on Lake Sevan (available from mid-May to mid-October).

Next, we’ll head to the Tavush region and visit the lovely spa town of Dilijan, set along the Agstev River, often called the “Armenian Switzerland” thanks to its lovely green forests, mountains, and fresh air.

From there, we’ll visit Haghartsin Monastery, a beautiful complex built between the 10th and 13th centuries with help from the royal Bagratuni family.

After that, we’ll visit the village of Gosh to see Goshavank Monastery (12th–13th centuries). In the past, it was an important religious, cultural, and learning centre. It is mentioned in sources as a seminary, university, etc.

We’ll continue exploring Armenia with a visit to the town of Ijevan. There, we’ll go on a guided tour of the Ijevan Wine Factory, which was built in 1951. It’s located between the Aghstev and Spitak Jur rivers. Since the area is in the north-east of Armenia, it has a good climate for growing European types of grapes. Today, the Ijevan Wine Factory is one of Armenia’s leading exporters of wine and brandy. And of course, after the tour, we’ll enjoy a tasting of local Armenian wines.

Overnight stay in Dilijan.

Breakfast at the hotel. Check-out from the hotel.

In the morning, we’ll travel to the Lori region in the north of Armenia. Our first stop is the village of Sanahin, where we’ll visit a beautiful old monastery, built between the 10th and 13th centuries. Sanahin Monastery is a UNESCO World Heritage site.

We’ll also visit the Mikoyan Brothers Museum. It tells the story of Anastas Mikoyan, a Soviet politician, and his brother Artem Mikoyan, a famous aircraft designer. Artem helped create the well-known MiG fighter planes, which were used in World War II and later became the first Soviet jet planes.

Then we’ll head to Akhtala, a small town in a deep gorge of river Debed. There we’ll visit Akhtala Monastery, built in the 10th century. It was once a fortress and is famous for its colourful wall paintings (frescos). Every year in September, people from different backgrounds—Armenians, Greeks, and Georgians—come here to visit.

Next, we’ll visit Haghpat Monastery, which is still active today. It’s in the village of Haghpat and was built in 976 during the time of King Ashot III. Like Sanahin, it is also a UNESCO site and was once an important place for learning and religion.

Overnight stay in Haghpat village.

Breakfast at the hotel. Check-out from the hotel.

In the morning, we will visit Odzun Monastery, which dates back to the 6th century. The church has been rebuilt and restored several times. In the 19th century, two bell towers were added on the eastern side. The most recent restoration was finished in 2014 with help from experts from the Polytechnic University of Milan in Italy.

Our next stop is Lori Fortress, a medieval castle in the Lori region. From 1065 to 1113, Lori was the capital of the Armenian Kingdom of Lori. The fortress was built in the 10th century. Its main part covered 8.5 hectares and was protected by strong stone walls about 200 metres long. There was also a water ditch running along the walls.

Next, we will visit the Stepanavan Dendropark (also known as “Sochut” Park), located near the town of Stepanavan. The park covers 35 hectares, including 17.5 hectares of natural forest and 15 hectares of decorative trees. It lies at an altitude of 1,550 metres above sea level. In the 1930s, a Polish biologist named Edmund Leonowicz visited Armenia, was impressed by its nature, and decided to create a dendropark here. He also built a house in the area. The park was officially founded in 1933.

We will then travel to the city of Gyumri, Armenia’s second-largest city by population and the regional centre of Shirak. Archaeologists believe that the first settlements in this area date back to the Bronze Age. The site where Gyumri now stands was once known as Kumayri in ancient times.

Overnight stay in Gyumri.

Breakfast at the hotel. Check-out from the hotel.

We’ll start the day with a city tour of Gyumri. The city is known for its 19th-century architecture and urban buildings. The historical district of Kumayri is the oldest part of Gyumri, with a unique architectural style. There are over a thousand buildings here, built in the 18th and 19th centuries. It’s one of the few places in Armenia, and even in the world, where you can still see original Armenian city architecture. Most of the buildings in this area survived two major earthquakes, in 1926 and 1988.

We’ll visit the museum of Frunzik Mkrtchyan (also known as Mher Mkrtchyan), a well-known Armenian actor. Some of his most famous films include “The Tango of Our Childhood”, “Kidnapping, Caucasian Style”, “Vanity of Vanities”, and “Mimino”. The house was built at the start of the 20th century from black tuff stone and was originally a home.

After that, we’ll visit the Dzitoghtsyan Museum of National Architecture and Urban Life. The museum is located in an old mansion and holds collections related to Gyumri’s history and everyday life, along with paintings and other works of art.

Then we’ll see the Black Fortress, also known as Sev Berd. It was built during the time of the Russian Empire, in the mid-19th century, after the Russian -Turkish War of 1828–1829. Today, it is one of Gyumri’s most important historical and architectural landmarks.

After the tour, we’ll travel to Yerevan. Hotel check-in in Yerevan.

Breakfast at the hotel.

We will visit the Tsitsernakaberd Memorial, dedicated to the victims of the Armenian Genocide of 1915, and visit the Genocide Museum.

Next, we will visit the "ArArAt" Brandy Factory, where we’ll have a guided tour and taste two types of Armenian brandy – a 3-year-old “Ararat” and a 10-year-old “Akhtamar”.

Afterwards, we’ll head to Holy Etchmiadzin – the spiritual centre of the Armenian Apostolic Church and the seat of the Catholicos. We’ll visit Etchmiadzin Cathedral (301–303, thoroughly restored in 483–484 AD), which is listed as a UNESCO World Heritage Site.

Our last stop will be the ruins of the Zvartnots Temple, which was destroyed by an earthquake. The remains of the temple and the area around it have been included in the UNESCO World Heritage List since 2000.

Return to Yerevan.

Breakfast at the hotel. Check-out from the hotel.

We’ll visit Yerevan’s Central Market, known for its wide variety of dried fruits. Dried fruits are a national pleasure in Armenia and often enjoyed with a glass of brandy. You’ll find dried fruit made from all sorts of things – not just the usual apples and apricots, but even watermelon, melon, and tomatoes!

Then we’ll head to the Vernissage, a popular outdoor market where local artists and craftspeople sell their work. Here you’ll find handmade wooden chess sets and backgammon boards, ceramics in traditional designs, handmade jewellery, traditional musical instruments, silver items, paintings, and much more.

Transfer to the airport.

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