Armenian Odyssey

Overview

The Armenian Odyssey is a 13-day travel plan through Armenia’s heartland. The tour offers cultural tours and scenic landscapes. It begins in Yerevan, with landmarks like Mother Armenia and the Cascade. The itinerary includes sites such as Echmiadzin, Zvartnots, and Republic Square. Guests will also see Geghard, Garni, and the southern regions of Khor Virap and Areni.

This tour provides a look at the sights of Karahunj and Tatev Monastery. Guests can also visit Lake Sevan, Haghpat, and Sanahin Monasteries. The trip continues to Gyumri’s historic district and ends with visits to Byurakan and Amberd. Guests will see Armenia’s heritage and modern sites on this trip.

Armenian Odyssey Map

Highlights of Armenian Odyssey Tour

• Visit all of Armenia’s UNESCO sites (Geghard Monastery, Etchmiadzin Cathedral, Archaeological Site of Zvartnots, Monasteries of Haghpat and Sanahin).
• See the Symphony of Stones, where basalt columns create a natural rock formation.
• Ride the Tatev cable car (the world’s longest non-stop reversible aerial tramway).
• Walk through the village of Khendzoresk, where cave residences are carved into the cliffsides.
• Travel across Selim Pass, an ancient mountain route on the Silk Road trade network.
• See the well-preserved Amberd Fortress, dating back to the 7th century.
• Visit the Byurakan Observatory, an astronomical research facility.

Travel Itinerary

Day 1: Yerevan (Arrival)

• Upon your arrival at Zvartnots International Airport, you will be transferred to your hotel in Yerevan.
• You will then check in.
• Overnight stay in Yerevan.

Day 2: Yerevan

• Your day begins at Victory Park, where the Mother Armenia Statue provides a view of the city.
• Next, you will visit the Cascade stairway.
• Afterward, you will see the Opera Building.
• The tour then continues to Echmiadzin, the oldest cathedral in Armenia and a UNESCO World Heritage Site.
• The day will conclude with a visit to the Zvartnots ruins, a UNESCO World Heritage Site, before a visit to Republic Square to see the dancing fountains.
• Overnight stay in Yerevan.

Fountains Dance Yerevan

Day 3: Geghard-Garni-Yerevan

• The day begins with a drive to Geghard Monastery, a UNESCO site built into rocks.
• Next, you will take a detour through Grani Gorge to see the “Symphony of Stones” natural rock formations.
• After that, you will head to Garni village to see the Garni Temple.
• Following a lunch break, you will visit the Genocide Memorial Complex.
• The day will conclude with a visit to a traditional carpet shop.
• Overnight stay in Yerevan.

Garni Gorge

Day 4: Khor Virap-Areni-Noravank-Jermuk

• Your day begins in southern Armenia’s Ararat Province with a visit to Khor Virap Monastery.
• Afterward, you will travel to Areni village to taste wine at a local winery.
• You will also visit the Areni-1 cave, which has yielded archaeological discoveries.
• The tour then continues through a canyon to reach the Noravank Monastery.
• The day ends in Jermuk, a mountain resort town known for its hot mineral springs.
• Overnight stay in Jermuk.

Noravank Monastery

Day 5: Karahunj-Tatev-Khndzoresk-Jermuk

• Your day begins with a visit to Karahunj, an observatory dating back 7,500 years.
• Afterward, you will proceed to Tatev Monastery, a medieval center of education.
• Next, you will ride the world’s longest cable car over the 320-meter-deep Vorotan River Canyon.
• The journey continues with a stop at “Devil’s Bridge” before a final visit to Khndzoresk, known for its historic cave dwellings.
• Overnight stay in Jermuk.

Tatev Cable Car (World’s longest non-stop reversible aerial tramway)

Day 6: Selim Pass-Noraduz-Lake Sevan

• Your day begins by traveling northward to Gegharkunik Province along the Great Silk Road.
• Next, you will pause at Selim Pass to explore the 14th-century Selim Caravansary.
• From there, you will visit Noraduz, known for its vast collection of khachkars.
• Afterward, you will proceed to Lake Sevan, one of the world’s highest freshwater lakes.
• Overnight stay in Sevan.

Noraduz-carved Armenian cross-stones

Day 7: Lake Sevan-Haghartsin-Dilijan

• Your day begins at Sevanavank Monastery, perched on the Sevan Peninsula.
• Afterward, you will see the Surb Arakelots and Surb Astvatsatsin temples, which are surrounded by many carved stones called khachkars.
• Next, you will continue your journey north to Tavush Province.
• The tour will stop in the resort town of Dilijan, known for its arts and crafts.
• You will then have an excursion to the medieval Haghartsin Monastery.
• Overnight stay in Dilijan.

Dilijan with it’s green nature

Day 8: Parz Lake-Haghpat-Sanahin-Debed Canyon

• Your day begins with a trip to Parz Lake in Dilijan National Park.
• Next, you will visit the UNESCO-listed monasteries of Haghpat and Sanahin, which were built in 976 AD.
• These monasteries overlook the Debed River and are examples of Armenian architecture.
• After the tour, you will return to the village to relax and enjoy the rest of the day.
• Overnight stay in Haghpat.

Haghpat Complex located north of Armenia

Day 9: Stepanavan-Gyumri

• Your day begins with a drive to Gyumri, the second-largest city in Armenia.
• Along the way, you will visit Stepanavan Dendropark, one of the largest gardens in Armenia.
• Afterward, you will continue your drive to reach Gyumri.
• Overnight stay in Gyumri.

Day 10: Gyumri

• The 10th day of Armenian Odyssey begins by exploring the city center and taking a walk through Gyumri’s historic district.
• Afterward, you will see the Black Fortress (Sev Berd), which offers a view of Gyumri and the surrounding area.
• Next, you will visit the Gyumri Kumayri Historic District, where you will find museums, art galleries, and other places of interest.
• Overnight stay in Gyumri.

Black fortress or “Sev Berd” located in Gyumri

Day 11: Byurakan-Alphabet-Amberd-Yerevan

• Your day begins with a visit to Byurakan, a village at the foothills of Mount Aragats, to see the Byurakan Observatory.
• Next, you will have a look at the Armenian Alphabet Monument, which was established to celebrate the 1600th anniversary of the alphabet’s foundation.
• Afterward, you will drive to Amberd, a historical landmark that has been well-preserved since the 7th century.
• Overnight stay in Yerevan.

Byurakan Observatory founded in 1946 by Viktor Hambardzumyan

Day 12: Yerevan

• Final day of Armenian Odyssey begins with a visit to Matenadaran Museum.
• Afterward, you will visit the Ararat Brandy Company to sample Armenian cognac.
• Next, you will go to the Vernisaj open-air market, where you can find Armenian crafts, artworks, and souvenirs.
• Overnight stay in Yerevan.

Vernisaj Open Market

Day 13: Yerevan (Departure)

• Departure from your hotel is according to your flight time.

• Contact for the price