Armenia has a rich cultural heritage, and this heritage is reflected not only in its historical sites, but also in its rich cuisine. Our gastronomic tour to Armenia gives you the opportunity to get to know Armenia from a new side. During the “Tastes of Armenia” tour, you will be able to get acquainted with the history of the creation of dishes, their meanings, take part in a master class on making dishes, and of course, try dishes made with your own hands. Besides,

You will visit the central vegetable market, where you can buy all the goodies that Armenia offers you. In Armenia you will spend your most delicious holiday with us!

Tour type: Accompanied by a guide

Duration: 7 days/ 6 nights

Route duration : 850 km

Quantity: on request

Accommodation: hotel

Start - end of the route: Yerevan

Gastronomic tour to Armenia: tour program

Day 1

Arrival

Arrival in Armenia, landing at Zvartnots International Airport, Meeting at the airport with a guide and driver, transfer to Yerevan. Check-in at a hotel in Yerevan, overnight in Yerevan.

Nutrition: (-/-/-)

Overnight: Yerevan

Distance: 15 km

Day 2

Yerevan-Zvartnots-Echmiadzin-Yerevan Brandy Factory

Meals: (B/O/–)

Overnight: Yerevan

Distance: 70 km

Day 3

Yerevan-Lake Sevan-Dilijan-Lake Parz-Haghartsin-Yerevan

Lake Sevan. Lake Sevan is the largest lake in Armenia and the Caucasus region. It is also one of the largest high-altitude freshwater lakes in the world. This huge mountain lake is located at an altitude of about 1900 meters above sea level. Visit to Sevanavank Monastery. Sevanavank (IX century) located on a peninsula that used to be an island. Please note that the path leading to the monastery

Visit to the Khor Virap monastery (IV – XVII centuries). Enjoying the beautiful view of the biblical Mount Ararat. Khor Virap (meaning “deep dungeon”) was built on the site where Grigor Lusavorich (Gregory the Illuminator) was imprisoned for 13 years, before the adoption of Christianity as the state religion in 301 AD. Areni village. Areni is one of the winemaking centers in Armenia.
It was not far from the village that the oldest winery in the world was discovered. Visit to the Areni winery, tour of the factory and tasting of locally produced wines. Lunch in Areni. Participation in a master class on making dolma. The famous Armenian dolma has 2 variations - minced meat wrapped in grape leaves and a second, summer version, minced meat wrapped in cabbage leaves, as well as tomatoes, eggplant and peppers. Sounds delicious, doesn’t it? Lunch from a dish prepared by yourself. Return to Yerevan. You can also book one-day excursion tours around Armenia on our website. You can get acquainted with the excursions by going to

Meals: (B/O/–)

Overnight: Yerevan

Distance: 250 km

Day 5

Yerevan-Garni-Geghard-Yerevan

Gastronomic tour to Armenia: Ayas tour

A trip to the Kotayk region and a visit to the Garni Fortress (III-II centuries BC) - a pagan temple of the Sun, built by King Trdat in 77. - the only Hellenistic style temple in the CIS countries, the building of which was completely restored. Currently, the ruins of the royal palace and a bathroom of stunning mosaic work can be found next to the temple. To the northeast of Garni, higher along the gorge of the Azat River, there is an outstanding monument of medieval Armenian architecture - Geghard (IV-XII centuries), a unique cave monastery included in the UNESCO World Heritage List. In the village of Garni, participate in the ritual of baking lavash. Then you will be able to taste durum - an Armenian sandwich, homemade cheese and greens wrapped in pita bread. Return to Yerevan and participate in the preparation of homemade shish kebab. Enjoy your time at home. Return to the hotel.

Meals: (B/O/–)

Overnight: Yerevan

Distance: 90 km

Day 6

Yerevan-Amberd-Lake Kari-Ohanavank-Sakhmosavank-Yerevan

Gastronomic tour to Armenia: Amberd

Breakfast in the hotel. Visit to the Amberd fortress. Amberd was built in the 7th-13th centuries, on the edge of the gorge, and not far from the church there is the Vagramashen monastery. In the area near the fortress, the remains of the royal bathhouse have been preserved. Direction to Lake Kari, which is located on the slopes of Mount Aragats, at an altitude of 2300 meters above sea level. Continuation and visit to the churches of Ohanavank (IV-XIII centuries) and Saghmosavank (XIII century), which are located on the steep gorge of the Kasakh River. Dinner. Khash is on the menu. Khash is a very fatty broth made from veal legs. The broth cooks for a very long time, throughout the night. In ancient times, khash was considered a dish of the poor, since the rich gave all the meat and bones to the poor, and they had no choice but to make broth from the remaining bones. This is how the name khash came about, which in translation from Armenian means to cook. Khash is not only a dish, it is a whole ritual that involves toasts, long conversations, and of course, the dish. Return to Yerevan.

Meals: (B/O/–)

Overnight: Yerevan

Distance: 155 km

Day 7

Departure

Airport transfer. Have a safe trip home.

Meals: (B / – / –)

Distance: 15 km

Price per tour

The price is for 1 person

Price includes

• Transport
• Transfers from the airport
• Accommodation (in a double room)
• Breakfast lunch
• Entry tickets
• All master classes (on making lavash, gata, dolma)
• Guide services
• Taxes

Price does not include

• Flights
• Insurance
• Dinners
• Alcoholic drinks
• Add. expenses

For more detailed information regarding the tour, please visit How to Book or simply email us at .

TOUR PROGRAM

Day 1 Yerevan

• Arrival at Yerevan, meeting at the airport (in the first half of the day) .
• Transfer. Accommodation in a hotel in Yerevan.
• Walking tour in the capital of Armenia, Yerevan, is one of the oldest cities in the world.
• Visit to the Cascade Complex, a unique monument of Armenian architecture - Cascade. The cascade looks like a huge multi-tiered tower. The decorations of fountains, various modern statues and obelisks contain ornaments that relate to the ancient Armenian state of Urartu.
• Museum “Cafesjian Art Center”, Matenadaran- a repository of ancient books and rare manuscripts, where more than 17,000 ancient manuscripts are stored - the pride of the Armenian people, a repository of ancient Armenian writing. In front of the building stands a monument to Mesrop Mashtots, the creator of the Armenian alphabet.
• Further monuments to William Saroyan, Martiros Saryan, Aram Khachatryan,Opera and Ballet Theatre, Freedom Square, Mashtots Avenue, square, France, Swan Lake, Abovyan street, which has preserved the appearance of the old city,
• “Northern Avenue”, Republic Square- the central square of the Armenian capital. Here is the Museum of the History of Armenia, the government building, the central post office building, the Marriott Hotel, as well as dancing fountains.
• Dinnerin a national restaurant- tanapura soup and assorted Armenian dolma.
• Free time.
• Night in Yerevan.

Day 2 Yerevan - Sevan - Yerevan

• Breakfast at the hotel.
• Excursion to the lake Sevan. The lake is called the “pearl of Armenia”. A lake of extraordinary beauty, it is located at 2000 m above sea level and is one of the largest mountain lakes in the world. Hiking to the top of the Akhtamar peninsula, you will visit the church Astvatsatsin(9th century). Here, if you wish, you can release a pair of sacred doves of the Land of Noah into the sky, and all your cherished wishes will come true! The observation deck offers a wonderful view of the endless Lake Sevan.
• Dinner in a restaurant made from the gifts of the lake.
• Relaxation on the shore of the lake.
• Return to Yerevan.
• A visit to the food market, where you can admire fresh fruits, original dried fruits (candied apricots “shalakh”, dried apricots and figs, homemade halva, peaches stuffed with various nuts, sweet “sujukh”, numerous types of cookies with nuts and fruit jams, pies and a variety of preserves. )
• Night in Yerevan.

Day 3 Yerevan - Echmiadzin - Zvartnots - Yerevan

• Breakfast at the hotel.
• City Tour Echmiadzin, the spiritual center of the Armenian Apostolic Church. Visit to the Etchmiadzin Cathedral of the 4th century. included in the list of UNESCO World Heritage Sites, and Church of St. Hripsime.
• On the way back visiting the ruins of an ancient temple Zvartnots.
• Lunch at a national restaurant. Khashlama - (lamb, tomatoes, sweet peppers, potatoes).
• Excursion to Yerevan th cognac factory "Ararat". Familiarization with the technology of making cognac. Inspection of the cellars, “Alley of Presidents”, where you will have an exceptional opportunity to get acquainted with the history of cognac production in Armenia, learn about the stages of production of Armenian cognac, as well as tasting legendary Armenian cognacs, enjoy the beauty, unique aroma and taste of various varieties of cognac from a primary source. You will learn all about the history of creating the best cognac in the world. You will visit the only place in the world where the very Cognac that Churchill drank is produced. M. Gorky once appreciated the taste of Armenian cognac: “It is much easier to climb Mount Ararat than from the Ararat cellars.”
• Night in Yerevan.

Day 4 Yerevan - Garni - Geghard - Yerevan

• Breakfast at the hotel.
• Trip to the village Garni, where is pagan temple, dedicated to the sun god Mithras (Helios), and the Garni fortress built in the 1st century.
• Drive To monasteryGeghard, the rock-hewn temple of St. Geghard (12th - 13th centuries), translated as “holy spear” in honor of the very same spear that was kept in it for a long time, which pierced the body of Christ on the cross. (Geghard - Spear). The temple is located high in the mountains in the picturesque gorge of the Azat River. This is a masterpiece of Armenian medieval architecture. It is a complex consisting of a main church, two cave churches, and a tomb. In the first cave temple, a cold spring flows out of the rock, which is still an object of worship to this day. It is believed that its holy water heals diseases, rejuvenates, and gives beauty. UNESCO World Heritage Site. Nowadays the Holy Spear is kept in the Etchmiadzin Museum.
• National lunch, where you can get acquainted with the process of preparing Armenian lavash in a tondyr.
• Return to Yerevan.
• Restx.
• Night in Yerevan.

Day 5 Yerevan

• Breakfast at the hotel.
• Transfer to the airport.
• Departure.

The tour price includes:

• transfer airport – hotel – airport;
• accommodation;
• lunch according to the program;
• entrance tickets to museums and historical and cultural centers;
• cognac tasting;
• escort car and all transfers according to the route;
• excursion services;
• Russian speaking guide.

Additional charges:

• air ticket;
• medical insurance;
• alcohol;
• services not included in the tour price.

The tour operator reserves the right to change the time and order of excursions without changing the general service program.

Attention! The price is for 2 people. For a group of 4 people and for 1 person, the cost of the tour is on request.

ATTENTION!

Please provide the necessary information upon the arrival of tourists at the starting point of the tour after purchasing tickets:

• Flight number, time of arrival, tourists’ mobile phone number for emergency contact.
• Please send information to:

Description

Armenian cuisine is one of the most ancient on Earth. The secrets of preparing many dishes have been passed down from generation to generation for many centuries. The peculiarity of Armenian cuisine is its diversity. A large number of meat dishes is a consequence of the development of cattle breeding and poultry farming. It is also the source of a variety of milk-based products such as matsoni and a huge range of different cheeses. In addition to meat and dairy products, Armenian cuisine uses a wide range of grains and legumes - spelt, wheat, rice, barley, beans, peas, lentils. Also, it is impossible to imagine an Armenian table without a large number of vegetables and a variety of herbs and greens. We invite you to our unique gastronomic tour, in which you will taste various dishes of Armenian cuisine, and also take part in their direct preparation.

Program

Day 1: Yerevan

• Arrival in Yerevan
• Meeting at the airport, hotel accommodation
• Sightseeing tour of Yerevan
• Welcome dinner

Day 2: Garni – Geghard – Bjni

• For breakfast, delicious Armenian scrambled eggs with tomatoes will be waiting for us, after which we will go to the Geghard monastery complex. This is a unique architectural structure, part of which is carved into the rock.
• After exploring this unique complex, we will move to the neighboring village of Garni, where the only temple preserved on the territory of Armenia dating back to the era of paganism and Hellenism is located.
• We will also walk along the gorge, where you will see a small miracle of nature called the “Stone Symphony”.
• Next, we will learn how to bake the well-known Armenian bread lavash and prepare shish kebab in tonir.
• For dessert we will taste delicious Armenian gata.
• In the afternoon we will go to the village of Bzhni, famous for its mineral water. There we will be taught how to cook a local dish - goose tolma.
• In the evening we will return to Yerevan.

Day 3: Amberd - Byurakan - Saghmosavank - Ovanavank

• After breakfast we will go towards Mount Aragats - the highest mountain in the territory of present-day Armenia.
• We will rise to a height of about 3000 m, where the ancient fortress of the 7th century is located - Amberd.
• Even higher, at an altitude of 3300 m above sea level, is the beautiful lake Kari Lich, whose name translates as “lake of stone”.
• Next we will descend to the village of Byurakan, located on the mountainside. There we will taste a dish called hapama. Hapama is made from pumpkin, which is stuffed with rice and dried fruits.
• On the way back to Yerevan we will make a stop at the Saghmosavank and Hovhanavank monasteries, which are located on the edge of the picturesque Kasakh gorge.
• In the evening we will walk around Yerevan and stop by one of the best restaurants in Armenia, where a light dinner will await us - fermented milk soup and harisa porridge.

Day 4: Dilijan - Haghartsin - Sevan

• We are going to one of the greenest cities in Armenia - the famous resort Dilijan.
• After a walk around Dilijan, we will go to one of the most mysterious places in Armenia, immersed in the greenery of mountain forests - a monastery complex of the 11th-13th centuries. - Haghartsin.
• Next, we will go to visit one of the local residents. Where delicious home-cooked food will await us.
• We will spend the second half of the day on Lake Sevan - the largest alpine lake in the world. Here we will taste local trout and Sevan crayfish, known far beyond the borders of Armenia.

Day 5: Khor Virap – Noravank – Areni – Goris

• Breakfast
• Departure to the Khor Virap monastery located at the very foot of Mount Ararat, which is famous for the fact that it was here that the first Catholicos of All Armenians, Gregory the Illuminator, spent many years in captivity.
• Next, our path will lie to one of the most beautiful monasteries in Armenia - Noravank, surrounded by steep red cliffs.
• After getting acquainted with Noravank, we will go to the nearby village of Areni, which can be called the wine center of Armenia. We will taste the best varieties of wine, and also learn how to prepare delicious khashlama from young lamb.
• In the evening we will arrive in the city of Goris, where a light dinner will await us.
  

Day 6: Khndzoresk – Tatev – Yerevan

• After a delicious breakfast, we will move towards, without a doubt, the most magical place in Armenia - the village of Tatev.
• Our path there will take us along the longest cable car in the world, which stretches over the Vorotan Gorge.
• After you learn everything about the Tatev Monastery and feel the soul of these magical places, we will go to the local residents who will teach you how to cook the famous Armenian flatbread with greens, Zhengyalov hats. We will also taste real homemade Matsoni and village cheese.
• In the evening we will return to Yerevan.

Day 7: Etchmiadzin – Zvartnots

• Departure to the religious center of Armenia - the city of Etchmiadzin, where the Cathedral is located - the residence of the Catholicos of All Armenians, as well as the ancient churches of Saints Hripsime and Gayane.
• In Etchmiadzin we will have a tasting of kofta - meat balls made from the most tender minced meat obtained by beating meat for a long time.
• On the way back we will make a stop near the ruins of the ancient temple of Zvartnots, destroyed by a strong earthquake at the end of the last millennium.
• Depending on the departure time, we can visit with a guided tour. "Yerevan Brandy Factory"
• At the end of the program, we will take you to the airport to meet you again in the future and organize another exciting trip through our small but rich country with beautiful and interesting places.

Tour cost:

The tour price includes:

• Meeting and Transfers Airport – Hotel – Airport
• Accommodation in a 3* hotel with double occupancy
• Three meals a day and all master classes
• Comfortable transport with a driver for the entire route
• Russian speaking guide
• Entrance fees to specified museums and cultural centers

The tour price does not include:

• Flight to Yerevan and back (Moscow - Yerevan - Moscow - about 15,000 rubles)
• Excursion to the Yerevan Brandy Factory ($21 per person)
• Medical insurance ($1 per person per day)
• Alcoholic drinks outside the program

Many of us have heard a lot about Armenian hospitality. Receiving guests means, first of all, feeding them well. Armenia is famous for its simple but very tasty dishes. By going on our gastronomic tour to Armenia, you will learn the secrets of traditional Armenian cuisine and try dishes typical of different regions of the country. Tastings, lunches and dinners will take place in authentic restaurants and rural houses, where everything is prepared from fresh ingredients.

In addition, of course, we will get acquainted with the amazing Armenian culture, visit rock monasteries, on the shores of the famous Lake Sevan and in a medieval fortress, see the main Armenian shrines, amazing mountains and rivers, friendly streets of the Armenian capital.

Tour program:

Departure from St. Petersburg

Departure from Moscow

• Any flight arriving in Yerevan before 14:00.

• 1 day
• Arrival at Zvartnots International Airport before 14:00.
• Transfer to the hotel.
• Hotel accommodation.
• Bus tour of Yerevan.
  We will see a monument to David of Sasun, the hero of the Armenian folk epic, telling about the struggle of heroes against the Arab invaders; Haghtanak Park (which means “victory” in Armenian), where the majestic “Mother Armenia” monument is located and offers a beautiful view of the entire city; the Cascade architectural complex, at the base of which is the “Revived Armenia” obelisk; Opera House and many other architectural monuments of the city of Yerevan.
• Visit to Matenadaran.
  This name bears the Institute of Ancient Manuscripts, a museum and research center for ancient Armenian manuscripts and one of the largest repositories of manuscripts in the world: not only in Armenian, but also in Russian, Hebrew, Latin, Arabic, and Greek. Here we will see richly illustrated medieval books and ancient manuscripts, the oldest of which date back to the 5th century.
• Visit to the Ararat cognac factory.
  The factory has existed since 1887 and carefully preserves the traditions of cognac production. It was founded by the Yerevan merchant Nerses Tairyan and subsequently sold to the Russian partnership "Shustov and Sons". After the revolution, the enterprise was nationalized, but never stopped operating. During the tour, we will learn the secrets of production and try three types of cognac: three, five and ten years old.
• Dinner at the Yerevan Tavern with a national show program.
  Here we will try veal khashlama - this is a popular Armenian dish that is prepared from meat with vegetables. They say its name comes from the Armenian word “khashel”, which means “meat cooked in a piece”.
• Return to the hotel.
• Day 2
• Breakfast in the hotel.
• Visit to the pagan temple of Garni.
  We will see a rare monument of the pre-Christian period of Armenian history. The temple in Garni was built in the 1st century AD in the architectural traditions of Hellenism, that is, it is a typical Greek temple with columns along the perimeter. The inscriptions on the walls of the temple are also made in Greek - they tell that the temple was founded by King Trdat I. The temple was badly damaged during an earthquake in the 17th century, but during the years of Soviet power it was completely restored.
• Excursion to the Geghard rock monastery.
  This is a fantastic example of medieval Armenian architecture of the 12th-13th centuries, listed as a UNESCO World Heritage Site. In the distant past, the monastery was called Ayrivank (“monastery in the rock”), and in the 13th century it received the name Geghard in honor of the spear kept in the monastery - the same one with which Jesus was pierced on the cross. The cliffs surrounding the monastery are part of the Gokht River gorge and fascinate with their beauty.
• Lunch in a rural house.
  The owner of the house also owns a fish farm. We will be able to catch our own trout, which will be cooked for lunch.
• Return to Yerevan.
• Free time.
• Day 3
• Breakfast in the hotel.
• Visit to the Hovhanavank Monastery.
  The monastery complex consists of a church built by Gregory the Illuminator, the Church of the First Christians and the Church of St. Karapet. The monastery walls with towers from the 12th-13th centuries have also been partially preserved. and ancient tombstones. Once upon a time there was a cultural center of the Ararat region. Calendar art, philosophy and music were studied at the local school.
• Visit to the Amberd fortress.
  The Amberd fortress was built in the historical province of Aragatsotn, 7 km northwest of Ashtarak, on the southern slope of Mount Aragats, on a triangular plateau. The historical defensive complex includes a 7th-century castle and an 11th-century church. This is one of the few surviving fortresses on the territory of Armenia, although it also lies in ruins - it was destroyed by the Mongols during their campaign in Transcaucasia in the 13th century. However, the ruins are very picturesque and allow you to imagine the appearance of the fortress. Even the underground passages leading from the fortress to the gorge and the water supply system have been preserved.
• Visit to Lake Kari.
  The lake is located on Mount Aragats at an altitude of 3207 m. It is of glacial origin. Throughout the winter, the lake is covered with snow and ice, so the water remains quite cold all year round. The Arkashen River originates from Lake Kari. The surroundings of the alpine lake are very picturesque and excellent for walking.
  A visit to the lake is possible under favorable weather conditions.
• Dinner.
  We will try the ancient Armenian dish khash - beef leg soup. Traditionally this dish is eaten with vodka.
• Return to Yerevan.
• 4 day
• Breakfast in the hotel.
• Moving to Southern Armenia.
• Visit to the Khor Virap monastery.
  The monastery is located at the foot of the biblical Mount Ararat, where, according to legend, Noah's ark landed after the Flood. Once upon a time, this place was the location of the ancient capital of Armenia - Artashat, founded by King Artashes I. Under the monastery is an underground prison where Gregory the Illuminator, thanks to whom the Armenians adopted Christianity, spent 15 years in captivity. Anyone can go down to this underground prison, located at a depth of 6.5 meters.
• Visit to the Areni wine region.
  It is here that red wine is produced from local grapes of the same name. We will stop to try this great drink.
• Lunch at the restaurant "Lchak".
  Here we will try tanapura, a light soup made from the fermented milk drink matsun, and zorovats, a pork kebab. We will also have a master class on making Armenian lavash - by the way, Armenian lavash is included in the UNESCO list of intangible heritage.
• Excursion to the Noravank monastery complex.
  Built in the 13th century, the monastery is located on the ledge of a narrow winding gorge formed by a tributary of the Arpa River. The road to the monastery goes along the gorge of the Gnishik River. Noravank Canyon is rich in caves, rare flora and fauna. The splendor of nature around is breathtaking, and the medieval monastery itself is very beautiful, especially the Church of the Blessed Virgin Mary and the bas-reliefs on the stone walls of the monastery.
• Moving to Germon.
• Hotel accommodation.
• Dinner.
  At dinner we will try harisa - a puree soup made from boiled wheat and chicken. Analogs of arisa are found in many eastern countries, but it is in Armenia that this dish is considered national.
• 5 day
• Breakfast in the hotel.
• Cooking master class.
  We have to learn how to select and pump out honey, prepare Chechil cheese or bake baklava. The master class depends on the time of year.
• Visit to the village of Noratus.
  Here is the largest concentration of khachkars on the territory of modern Armenia. A khachkar is an architectural monument in the form of a stone stele with a carved image of a cross. There are several thousand such steles in Armenia; they appeared in the country from the first years of Christianity - and continue to be installed to this day. Khachkars mark memorable places; they are placed in memory of national events, revered saints, heroes who died for their homeland, and separated lovers. Khachkars are an integral part of the national Armenian culture.
• Visit to Hayravank Monastery.
  The compact monastery complex stands on a small rock and looks more like a fortress. The first cathedral here was presumably built in the 9th-12th centuries - since then the monastery has remained active. Next to the monastery is the Spitak Berd castle ("White Fortress"). According to legend, Hayravank was once connected to the castle by an underground passage, and therefore received the name “cave monastery”.
• Excursion to Lake Sevan.
  This is the largest lake in the Caucasus. On its northwestern coast we will visit the Sevanavank monastery. According to the chronicles, the first church on Lake Sevan, Surb Harutyun (Church of the Resurrection), was built by Gregory the Illuminator on the site of a pagan temple on the island. It was destroyed due to the earthquake of 995. In the 9th century, the monk Mashtots Yeghivardetsi (later Catholicos Mashtots I Yeghivardetsi) founded a full-fledged monastery with churches of St. Apostles and St. Mother of God. He was patronized by the daughter of King Ashot I, Princess Mariam. Subsequently, the monastery was surrounded by a wall, which was destroyed in the 16th-17th centuries.
• Lunch at a coastal restaurant near Lake Sevan.
  Here we will try dishes of ishkhan (trout), whitefish and Sevan crayfish.
• Transfer to Dilijan.
• Accommodation in a guest house.
  The guest house is famous for its traditional Armenian dishes from the chef.
• Dinner at the guest house.
• Day 6
• Breakfast at the guest house.
• Excursion around Dilijan and its surroundings.
• Visit to the Haghpat Monastery.
  The monastery complex was founded in 976 during the reign of Ashot I Bagratuni. This is one of the largest monasteries in Armenia, it includes the Church of St. Nshan, St. Astvatsatsin (Virgin Mary), St. Gregory, parish, chapel, printing house, library, bell tower, refectory, chapel-grave and khachkars - carved stone steles.
• Visit to the Sanahin Monastery.
  It was founded in the 10th century by Ashot III Vogormats. The monastery became the administrative center of the Kyurikyan dynasty and their family crypt. The monastery was once an important cultural center of Armenia and had a rich library. At the monastery school they taught the humanities, music and medicine, and wrote scientific papers.
• Dinner.
  We will take part in making bread, try goat khashlama, dishes made from local greens, and fruit vodka.
• Return to Yerevan.
• Hotel accommodation.
• Day 7
• Breakfast in the hotel.
• Visit to the Vernissage and Tashir markets.
  The Vernissage flea market is a favorite place among city guests. Here you can find carved chess and backgammon, handmade jewelry, ceramics, traditional musical instruments, carpets and paintings. The Tashir market sells all the most delicious things in Armenia: vegetables, fruits, meat, and there is a wide selection of nuts, dried fruits and traditional sweets.
• Visit to Zvartnots.
  "Zvartnots" translated from ancient Armenian means "Temple of Vigilant Angels". This is the greatest monument of early medieval Armenian architecture, included in the UNESCO World Heritage List. The construction of the temple was carried out in the 7th century; it was once a round three-tiered structure with a huge dome, and was decorated with ornamental carvings, reliefs, columns, mosaics and frescoes. In the 10th century the temple collapsed during an earthquake. Archaeological excavations have been conducted on the territory of Zvartnots for more than a hundred years. At the moment, the first tier of the temple has been completely restored.
• Excursion to Etchmiadzin - “Armenian Vatican”.
  We will visit the spiritual center of Armenia and the residence of the Catholicos of All Armenians - the head of the Armenian Apostolic Church. Here we will go to the cathedral, built in the 4th century, and to the museum-treasury of Etchmiadzin, where especially revered relics are kept, the most famous of which is “Saint Geghard,” the spear that pierced the side of Christ.
• Lunch at the restaurant.
  At lunch we will try Etchmiadzin kyufta. These are cutlets, or rather meatballs, a common dish in the South Caucasus. Unlike their neighbors, Armenians make kufta not from lamb, but from beef, and serve it with butter and hot tsitsak pepper.
• Airport transfer.
• Departure to St. Petersburg: after 16:00 by any flight.
• Departure to Moscow: after 16:00 by any flight.
• ATTENTION!!! Departure from any region is possible. Check flight availability with the manager.

Attention:

• To participate in this tour you must have a valid visa and health insurance.
• To participate in tours to the Republic of Belarus, Armenia, Georgia, Uzbekistan and Turkey, a visa is not required.
• The tour program does not include visits to water parks, shopping malls and fish shops.
• In late autumn, winter, early spring, due to the short daylight hours, visiting some of the objects stated in the program may take place in the dark.
• The organizer is not responsible for queues at border checkpoints, delays in transit associated with customs, border and other official formalities, weather conditions, as well as traffic jams.
• If weather conditions along the route may threaten the safety of tourists (heavy snowfalls, low/high air temperatures, mudflows, rainstorms, floods, forest fires, smog, etc.), the organizer reserves the right to unilaterally change the tour program: replace some objects to others, and if replacement is impossible, exclude objects from the program.

3450 rub. Extra night in a single room

*Optional, additional payment at the office.

Cost of the tour with hotel for 1 person:

37500 rub. 2-seater

45650 rub. 1-seater




We can organize this tour especially for you, taking into account your wishes regarding the program, time and place of departure!

Armenia is an amazing country that everyone should visit. After all, many natural and historical attractions will not leave anyone indifferent. While visiting ancient temples, castles and monasteries, you can immerse yourself in the romance of bygone years. Don’t forget about the magnificent mountain landscapes of the area with magnificent views of waterfalls and lakes.

Features of Armenian national cuisine

Gastronomic tours to Armenia are becoming increasingly popular. And this is not at all surprising, because the cuisine of this South Caucasian country has always been famous for its healthy and wholesome food. Here everyone will have a great opportunity to taste exquisite cognac, various types of cheese and exclusive meat delicacies.

The national cuisine of Armenia implies the use of only fresh and high-quality ingredients in prepared food. The pride of Armenia is cheese. At the same time, every gourmet will be able to choose a variety to suit their taste: salted, fresh, smoked product from sheep, cow or goat milk. One of the most popular Armenian snacks is a dish that consists of herbs, cheese and vegetables. All components are wrapped in pita bread.

If we talk about meat, Armenians prefer lamb and beef. Arriving in this sunny country, you can try pickled pork legs (mozhozh), meatballs (kyufta), shish kebab, dried meat (basturma), various soups with meat broth.

The recipes of Armenian cuisine are so diverse that every tourist will be able to choose a suitable dish that will be remembered for its amazing taste for a lifetime. Many people recommend trying tolma, pilaf with smoked fish or dried fruits, and oven-baked trout stuffed with raisins, ginger and rice (kutap) in the Caucasus. Also, one should not forget about the original assortment of liver and vegetables.

For dessert you will be offered dried fruits, halva, baklava, puff pastries with various fruit fillings.

Where to go and what to try?

The gastronomic tour of Armenia will be quite eventful. After all, tourists will be able to visit significant places in the capital and throughout the country, tasting local culinary delicacies. A mandatory condition is a visit to the Yerevan Brandy Factory, where you are allowed to taste real Armenian cognac, which is famous all over the world.

Some restaurants that host culinary tour participants not only offer their dishes, but also organize interesting master classes conducted by the chefs themselves.

During the trip, you can dine at the Ararat Hall restaurant, visit a winery called Noah, admire the Garni Temple, where chefs will teach anyone how to cook the national bread of Armenia - lavash. There is also the opportunity to go to the village of Areni, where the oldest winery in the world is located. Here you can not only taste, but also purchase grape, apricot, pomegranate, and cherry wine with an exclusive taste. At the same time, prices for such drinks are affordable for everyone.

In the village of Noraduz you will enjoy fish delicacies and tart white wine. In a restaurant near Amberd you will be offered a tasting of the traditional Armenian dish khash. In cold weather, this is one of the most popular culinary masterpieces. They usually eat it in the morning with pita bread, garlic and vodka. This dish is prepared from the shins of cows, which are boiled for several hours beforehand until the tendon separates from the bone and the water becomes a thick and rich broth. This dish is served on the table, generously seasoned with salt and garlic.

All the national dishes of Armenia tasted will give you a sea of ​​positive emotions that are difficult to forget.

The most comfortable time to travel

A culinary tour to Nairi (formerly Armenia) is best booked in good, warm weather. Most vacationers can be seen here in June, but gastronomic trips still remain relevant in other months.

Some attractions and areas can only be visited starting from mid-May, as they are located high in the mountains. At other times of the year, the path there is very difficult (Amberd et al.).

Having enjoyed an interesting and educational trip, you will have memories not only of a beautiful and hospitable country, but also of amazing Armenian cuisine.