Vineyards & Valleys: Armenia Uncorked

Travelling east of the city to Kotayk province, first visit the gloriously located Geghard Monastery, a UNESCO World Heritage-listed monastic complex comprising various caves, chambers and chapels. Continue to the Hellenic temple of Garni, which dates back to the 8th century BCE and is not just the only Greco-Roman collonaded structure in Armenia but in the entire former Soviet Union. Enjoy breathtaking views into the canyon and Geghard Monastery below. Lunch will be in rural Garni village and will include a master class on baking lavash – traditional Armenian flatbread.

Following lunch, enjoy a gentle one-hour walk along the Azat River gorge. Starting in Garni, the walk takes you down to the Azat River gorge and the famous ‘Symphony of Stones’. Also dubbed the ‘Basalt Organ, these unique stone columns rise up around 50 meters from the ground.

Today’s walk is graded easy to moderate and takes around one hour. The distance is approximately 3.5 km at an altitude of 1,230 to 1,400 metres.

End your first day in the Armenian capital with an excursion to the celebrated Yerevan Brandy Company. Made exclusively from high-quality Armenian grapes and crystal spring water, using a traditional method of double distillation, which was introduced in 1887, you will learn about the various stages of brandy production and have an opportunity to sample this renowned alcoholic beverage for yourself.

This morning, explore the sprawling ruins of Amberd, a 10th-century fortress with commanding views of Armenia’s highest peak, Mount Aragats. From the ‘Fortress in the clouds’, the 7 km ancient trail winds through forest and plain towards the Arkashian River valley to the village of Antarut. It is a moderate hike with one steep downhill section (the trail can be hiked in reverse, starting at Antarut).

The walk is of moderate difficulty with one steep section and takes around three hours. The distance is approximately 7 km at an altitude of 2,174 to 1,689 metres.

Next, visit Van Ardi Winery, located in a village on the outskirts of Yerevan. In 2008, Varuzhan Mouradian and his family made a bold decision to leave their lives in Los Angeles and pursue a deep passion for the art of wine, embarking on a generational journey to explore Armenian wine culture. Van Ardi is the first boutique winery in Armenia and plays a significant role in the country’s wine renaissance, having received gold and silver medals for its wines. During the visit, tastings will be offered, along with opportunities to meet the winemakers. Lunch will be at Van Ardi Winery.

Returning to Yerevan, there is the option to visit Vernissage – a large open-air market that sells bric-a-brac, carpets, jewellery and souvenirs. This evening, you are free to explore Yerevan’s restaurants and wine bars. We recommend the city’s highly acclaimed In Vino wine bar and can assist with reservations.

Today, drive to Vayots Dzor, Armenia’s wine country, a region that enchants with its rolling vineyards, ancient monasteries, and rugged landscapes. From the village of Amaghu, hike to Noravank, a centuries-old monastery, through a deep, narrow canyon surrounded by red cliffs. The walk takes about 1½ hours, passing through moderate terrain surrounded by high cliffs and deep gorges.

This morning’s walk is graded easy to moderate and takes between one and two hours. The distance is approximately 3.5 km at an altitude of 1,390 to 1,558 metres.

Noravank is a splendid monument of medieval Armenian architecture surrounded by significant natural beauty. Historians say the church is reminiscent of tower-like burial structures created in the early years of Christianity.

Continue to Areni, where you will uncover the secrets of the 6,000-year-old winery in Areni-1 cave before continuing to the Old Bridge Winery for wine tastings and lunch. Old Bridge Winery is a family business that started in 1998 and has grown into an award-winning boutique vineyard. Using indigenous grapes like Areni, Old Bridge Winery produces rich reds and elegant vintages that reflect Armenia’s ancient winemaking heritage. The vineyards are situated on the right bank of the Arpa River, near the village of Arpi, at an altitude of 1,250 to 1,300 meters above sea level.

Next, visit Momik Family Winery to taste their handcrafted wines and enjoy the beautiful setting of the vineyards surrounded by rugged highlands and mountains. Continue the short distance to Lele Vayots Dzor Hotel for dinner and overnight.

After breakfast, take a late morning drive to Trinity Winery, which was established in 2009 in Aghavnadzor village, close to Areni Cave. Trinity Wines are rich in tradition, legends, and faith, with opportunities for tastings and meetings with the winemakers. Travelling back towards Yerevan through the fertile Ararat Valley, make a stop at Tushpa Winery. Nestled beneath the biblical Mt. Ararat, this winery boasts six hectares of vines planted at an elevation of 800 meters. Enjoy wine tastings and lunch here.

Following lunch, visit one of Armenia’s most celebrated landmarks: the ancient monastery of Khor Virap. Weather permitting, the views of Mount Ararat from this vantage point are spectacular. Return to Yerevan and check into your hotel. The remainder of the day and evening is yours to enjoy at your leisure in Yerevan. Please feel free to ask us for recommendations on fine dining experiences in the city or for assistance with reservations.

Today is a long but rewarding day spent exploring the landscapes, national parks and wineries of northeast Armenia. After breakfast, head to Lake Sevan, the so-called ‘Blue Pearl’ of Armenia. At an altitude of 2,000m above sea level, the lake is Armenia’s largest body of water and the greatest in the Caucasus region. Following a short photo stop, continue to Dilijan, where you’ll find yourself in a strikingly different landscape. Often nicknamed ‘Little Switzerland’, the picturesque town is surrounded by alpine forests and rolling hills.

From nearby Parz Lake in Dilijan National Park, start the 2½ to 3-hour hike through scenic woodland and meadows and the wildly beautiful Areguni pass to Goshavank Monastery, a 12th-century house of worship that is home to one of the finest examples of khachkar artwork in the world. For those with more energy to burn, the hike can be continued to Lake Gosh, a further 5 km roundtrip. Lunch is at a local restaurant near Goshavank.

Today’s walk is graded as moderate and takes around three hours. The distance is approximately 8 km at an altitude of 1,230 to 1,423 metres.

Back in Dilijan town, visit Hovaz Wine Rooms, a cosy place where you can enjoy Armenian wines with meat and cheese snacks. Learn about the group of young entrepreneurs working in the wine and viticulture industry, in Armenia who established Hovaz in 2018.

Return to Yerevan later this afternoon. Time permitting, there is the option to stop at Lake Sevan again and visit the small monastic complex of Sevanavank.

This morning visit the city of Vagharshapat, where Echmiadzin Cathedral is considered one of the oldest churches in the world and a revered place of pilgrimage for Armenian Christians. Nearby Zvartnots Cathedral, on the other hand, is an evocative ruin that is even more appealing if the weather is clear and Mount Ararat can be seen in the background.

Continue to the largest winery in Armenia, Tierras Armenia Karas, which is an Argentinian-Armenian family business run by Eduardo Ernekian and his niece, Juliana. This premium vineyard was established in 2002 in the Armavir region, known for its volcanic soil, which is ideal for viticulture. The winery produces a variety of wines, including red, white, and sparkling varieties, using both indigenous and international grape varieties. Enjoy a tour and taste their exceptional wines, accompanied by cheese and light snacks.

Return to Yerevan for your final night in Armenia.

A private transfer will take you from your hotel to Yerevan International Airport, where you will check in for your onward flight.