Armenia: In The Shadow Of Mt Ararat
Group Tour
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Overview
Spanning cultures and continents, Armenia lies at the heart of the Caucasus, its ancient monasteries and candlelit churches standing silent sentinel over centuries of conflict and religious devotion.
Watched over by the biblical heights of Mount Ararat, its mountains and forests play host to a stunning collection of ecclesiastical treasures, from the beautiful cathedral at Echmiadzin, to the serene majesty of the Khor Virap and Tatev Monasteries.
This incredible journey ...
Spanning cultures and continents, Armenia lies at the heart of the Caucasus, its ancient monasteries and candlelit churches standing silent sentinel over centuries of conflict and religious devotion.
Watched over by the biblical heights of Mount Ararat, its mountains and forests play host to a stunning collection of ecclesiastical treasures, from the beautiful cathedral at Echmiadzin, to the serene majesty of the Khor Virap and Tatev Monasteries.
This incredible journey takes us into the heart of this remarkable country, offering us a chance to discover the very soul of Armenia as we travel from its bustling capital and into the remote fortresses, ancient caravanserais and breathe in the spectacular landscapes of the Dilijan National Park and Transcaucasian Trail. Deeply religious, staunchly traditional and steeped in the bloody passage of history, Armenia is emerging as one of Europe’s most fascinating destinations.
HIGHLIGHTS
At a glance
MEALS
TRANSPORT
On this tour we will use minibuses.
GROUP SIZE
EXPERT TEAM
ACCOMMODATION
4 nights x Superior
ENTRANCE FEES
FITNESS RATING
WILD MILES
ACCOMMODATION
As an overall ethos, wherever possible we aim to use characterful accommodation that enhances the overall travel experience, not just offers a bed for the night. This can obviously vary dramatically from country to country and from trip to trip. On this trip we mainly will be in comfortable hotels. Please note that the accommodation mentioned in the itinerary is intended as a guide only and is always subject to availability.
FITNESS RATING
LOW: You should be comfortable walking around towns and cultural sites. May include some optional walks (typically 1-2hrs).LOW/MODERATE: May be of a long duration and/or involve numerous border-crossings. May include easy/moderate day walks (up to 2-3hrs/day). You should be relatively fit and lead a generally active lifestyle.
MODERATE: May include several easy/moderate day walks (up to 2-5hrs/day) possibly at altitude. You should be relatively fit and lead a generally active lifestyle. Previous experience of similar trips helpful.
MODERATE/HIGH: May involve several days of moderate hiking (up to 3-6 hrs/day) possibly at altitude. You must be a fit and active traveller with appropriate trekking experience.
HIGH: May involve several days of moderate/strenuous trekking (up to 4-7 hrs/day) possibly at altitude. You must be a very fit and active traveller with appropriate trekking experience.
Wild Miles Club
When you book a trip with Wild Frontiers you are awarded points, which are based on the return distance from London to the arrival city of your trip. Points are awarded for all our holidays, including both our escorted group tours and tailor-made trips. When you accrue points, you will qualify for the following discounts on all future bookings:
| Blue | More than 10,000 points | 2.5% discount |
| Bronze | More than 30,000 points | 5% discount |
| Silver | More than 45,000 points | 7.5% discount |
| Gold | More than 60,000 points | 10% discount |
Map & Itinerary
Individual departures may vary so please refer to the information in the tour specific links in the Dates and Prices section below
DAY 1: Tour starts in Yerevan
DAY 1: Tour starts in Yerevan
Our journey begins in Yerevan, one of the world’s oldest continuously inhabited cities, which can date its origins back to the 8th century BC and the founding of the Erebuni Fortress by King Argisthi in 782. Sitting on the banks of the Hrazdan River, against the impressive backdrop of Mount Ararat, the Armenian capital has been at the heart of the staunch and traditional Armenian Highlands for centuries. Rooms will be available in Yerevan from this afternoon. Those arriving on the group flights will arrive late this evening.
DAY 2: In & around Yerevan
DAY 2: In & around Yerevan
This morning we drive a short distance to the UNESCO site of Echmiadzin, the spiritual centre of the country and the home of the head of the Holy Armenian Apostolic Church. We’ll visit the city’s stunning cathedral*, one of the oldest churches anywhere in the world and purportedly home to a number of sacred relics, including a piece of Noah’s Ark and the Holy Lance from Geghard. After a chance to observe Sunday mass - a remarkable sight in itself - in this most revered of places, we will visit the 7th century archaeological site of Zvartnots, also UNESCO. We will then return to Yerevan where there will be time to visit the colourful Vernissage Market and the city’s Matenadaran Museum, one of the world’s richest repositories of medieval manuscripts and books.
*Please note, Etchmiadzin Cathedral is undergoing restoration and is currently closed. There is no official information yet on when it will re-open. It may be possible to walk around the outside of the cathedral and take photographs, but there is scaffolding. The visit to Etchmiadzin will also be comprised of the other churches and monasteries, St Hripsime being the second grandest one there.
DAY 3: Yerevan – Khor Virap - Norovank – Areni - Karahunj – Goris
DAY 3: Yerevan – Khor Virap - Norovank – Areni - Karahunj – Goris
Today’s journey takes us by way of the pilgrimage site of Khor Virap, one of Armenia’s most spectacularly sited monasteries. Credited with bringing Christianity to Armenia, St Gregory is the patron saint and the first official head of the Armenian Apostolic Church, so this, the site of his incarceration, is held in great respect by the Armenian Christians. This is also the closest point in Armenia to the biblical slopes of Mount Ararat and the majestic views across to the holy mountain add a certain reverence to the setting. From here we then head on to the 13th century monastery of Noravank to view its beautiful stone crosses. Afterwards we will continue to the wine producing region of Areni Village where we will enjoy a short visit to one of the local wineries to sample a variety of wines and discover how they are produced. We will finally take a short walk to and around the site of Karahunj, the Armenian equivalent to Stonehenge, before ending our journey in the traditional town of Goris, set amongst the winding mountain roads of Southern Armenia.
DAY 4: In & around Goris
DAY 4: In & around Goris
This morning we will visit the magnificently situated Tatev Monastery, taking the cable car across the Vorotan Canyon (at 5.7km, the longest cable car in the world). A former centre for the arts and sciences, Tatev Monastery has been a bastion of culture and learning for centuries and today its extensive grounds hold three churches, a refectory, a library, vault and several residences. We will then travel to explore by foot the fascinating cave village of Khndzoresk whose 400 dwellings were still lived in up to a couple of decades ago. Next we will visit the museum of Axel, an Armenian writer and public activist who was tragically murdered during Stalin’s 1937 assassinations.
DAY 5: Goris – Selim Caravanserai – Lake Sevan – Dilijan
DAY 5: Goris – Selim Caravanserai – Lake Sevan – Dilijan
Departing Goris we will head north for the shores of Lake Sevan, stopping on route at the well preserved and atmospheric Selim Caravanserai, an important staging point in the 14th century built in 1332 by Chesan Orbelian. We will visit Noratus, the largest cemetery of khachkars in Armenia, and the medieval Sevanavank Monastery located on the shore of Lake Sevan. Next we will drive to the 'Armenian Switzerland' region of Dilijan where we will enjoy a cookery masterclass on ‘tolma’ - the traditional Armenian dish combining minced meat, rice, various herbs and spices, rolled in grape leaves. We will spend the next two nights in this beautiful alpine town.
DAY 6: Dilijan - Transcaucasian Trail in Dilijan National Park – Dilijan
DAY 6: Dilijan - Transcaucasian Trail in Dilijan National Park – Dilijan
Today there is the option to set out on a full day's hike, using the ongoing Transcaucasian trail project. The terrain will vary today from well beaten paths to grassland and scree underfoot. As this is an alpine area, much of the walking will be forested but there will be break points to enjoy some wonderful vistas. On route you will visit Lake Parz, one of Dilijan's most attractive natural sites and the medieval Haghartsin Monastery. The refectory of Hagahrtsin is unique and there are a number of very interesting khachkars (cross stones) in the Monastery. From here you will reach Goshavank Monastery. The Monastery was established by Mkhitar Gosh, the famous scientist and author of medieval Armenia. Approx. 4 hrs walking (Total distance 6kms)
DAY 7: Dilijan - Garni - Yerevan
DAY 7: Dilijan - Garni - Yerevan
This morning we will head back towards the capital, stopping to visit the 1st Century Garni Temple, Garni Gorge and the Symphony of Stones. We will then head to a local Armenian restaurant where you can tuck into a delicious home cooked meal and can learn how to bake the national Armenian bread, lavash. On arrival into Yerevan we will visit the Memorial to the 1915 Genocide, before heading out for our final dinner.
DAY 8: Tour ends in Yerevan
DAY 8: Tour ends in Yerevan
Those on the suggested group flights will have an early transfer to the airport. For all other clients, the tour will end after breakfast.
ACCOMMODATION USED ON THIS TOUR
Opera Suite Hotel, Yerevan
Opera Suite Hotel is a four-star hotel situated in the heart of Yerevan, ideal for sightseeing. The hotel has 106 Suites with high-quality service and a signature Italian style. The hotel is divided into Deluxe Suite, Suite, Executive Suite and Royal Suite separated into smoking and non-smoking suites. Floor to ceiling glass windows provide excellent panoramic views in the Sinatra Restaurant, serving a mixture of local and international dishes. Other food facilities include the Giardino Terrace Cafe, Lobby Bar or Forty Four Sky Bar. Head to the rooftop and find the outdoor and indoor pools with a retractable roof or relax on the sunbathing terrace before enjoying a traditional Thai massage in the Thai Penthouse Wellness Centre and Spa. There is also a fitness centre on the second floor.
Mirhav Hotel, Goris
Mirhav Hotel is a centrally located, newly built hotel designed according to Goris' traditional architectural style. Its nineteen rooms are simply but stylishly furnished with local carpets and furniture. All are a good size with an en-suite shower room, and some have balconies overlooking the tree lined streets of Goris. The hotel has its own restaurant with a large pleasant garden overlooking the river and it is centrally located for nearby amenities. It comes recommended as one of the best hotels in the region.
Tufenkian Old Dilijan Complex, Dilijan
Close to the centre of Dilijan, the Tufenkian is a renovated stone complex located directly on historical Sharambeyan Street. The eight rooms are simple and modern but with very traditional features, natural colours and extra comforts such as kettles and satellite television. Breakfast is served in the attached Haykanoush restaurant which also specialises in rich Western Armenian cuisine for lunches and dinner. The complex around the hotel has a number of small workshops which specialise in traditional Armenian crafts such as carpets, wood carvings, ceramics and furniture, as well as a bakery and delightful souvenir shops all promoting local handicrafts. The English speaking staff are helpful and welcoming.
Hotel Rating
Hotel Rating
Hotel Rating
Accommodation displayed here should be taken as a guide only. *Please refer to the Detailed Itinerary of your individual departure for more information.
PRIVATE HOLIDAYS: DATES DON’T FIT?
All group tours can be taken on a private basis.
Additional Details
Responsible Travel
With local people, culture and eco-systems in mind, responsible travel and sustainable tourism are at the core of Wild Frontiers. We believe that a successful trip not only delivers a unique and unsurpassable journey for our travellers but also benefits the people and places we visit.
When designing our tours, we actively seek out experiences that have a positive impact on the communities and precious environments we visit - from supporting social enterprises; resting our heads in rural homestays; and eating at locally owned restaurants; to helping fund conservation projects that protect wildlife and their habitats.
Visit the Responsible Travel area of our website to read more, including the work of the Wild Frontiers Foundation through which we fundraise to aid community empowerment and education projects.
Culinary Masterclass with a family in Dilijan
On this tour the group will visit Dilijan, located in northern Armenia, famous for its beautiful surroundings and spa resorts. The area is popular with tourists who want to enjoy the amazing landscapes. As part of the Wild Frontiers responsible travel ethos the group will support a local family in Dilijan. We will join the family for a culinary masterclass followed by lunch. Supporting local people and local businesses by utilising their services can have a positive economic impact on the community.
Getting There
If you would like us to send you a quote for the suggested tour flights or on any alternative flight that may suit you better, please let us know, noting that for our US clients, we will most likely refer you to one of our preferred partners. For this trip our suggested flights from the UK (subject to change) are shown below.
If you wish to arrange your own flights you are completely free to do so and in this case we can arrange any transfers or supplementary accommodation that you may require. However please note that if you are planning on making your own flight arrangements, we recommend that you first check with us to see if the trip is guaranteed. We then suggest that you purchase flights that are flexible and ideally refundable as due to the nature of adventure travel, itineraries and destination accessibility can change at any time. For more information, please refer to our booking conditions.
| Flight Code | Departing | Arriving |
|---|---|---|
| AF 1681 | London Heathrow (LHR) 09:00 | Paris Charles De Gaulle (CDG) 11:25 |
| AF 1060 | Paris Charles De Gaulle (CDG) 14:20 | Yerevan Airport (EVN) 21:05 |
| AF 1061 | Yerevan Airport (EVN) 10:00 | Paris Charles De Gaulle (CDG) 13:20 |
| AF 1280 | Paris Charles De Gaulle (CDG) 16:10 | London Heathrow (LHR) 16:35 |
Visas
Visas are necessary for many of the destinations we travel to and while we aim to provide you with the most up-to-date information, requirements frequently change and as such for the latest advice we advise that you check with the relevant embassies or contact a reputable visa agency. More details can be found here - www.wildfrontierstravel.com/visa
For this tour UK passport holders currently do not require a visa for Armenia.
Non-UK passport holders or non-UK residents should contact the relevant embassies for individual requirements.
Extensions
If you have more time available, why not arrive early to adjust to a new time zone or just to get a feel for the country before your tour starts? Or alternatively you might choose to allow a few extra days after the tour to relax or to undertake some further exploration.
The choice is completely yours and we can usually arrange anything from simply additional accommodation and transfers to full tailor-made itineraries.
Below is just a small sample of what you could do. Please contact the office for more details and to discuss your individual requirements.
Georgia
Why not travel via the Debed canyon to neighbouring Georgia with its own unique culture and traditions? Allow 4-10 days.
Azerbaijan
Continue on across the Caucasus and take a trip further east to see Georgia’s very different neighbour. The Silk Road crossroads town of Sheki and the bizarre capital of Baku are just some of the highlights that await. Allow 4-6 days.
Nagorno Karabagh
Venture into the disputed mountainous region of Nagorno Karabagh. Please note that the British Foreign & Commonwealth Office (FCO) sometimes advises against certain parts of this extension. Before deciding to book this extension you should first read the advice on their website - www.gov.uk/foreign-travel-advice - and talk to us. Allow 2-3 days.
Governmental Travel Advice
Many governments issue advice which highlights potential hazards their citizens might experience when travelling abroad. We strongly suggest you refer to your country’s particular advisory site before booking and contact us if you have any queries or concerns. Click to follow links to the advice of the British Foreign, Commonwealth & Development Office (FCDO) or the US State Department.
Non-UK citizens should consult the travel advice of their respective governments.
Key Information
CLIMATE
The weather conditions can be extremely varied (even within the course of a day!). The Greater Caucasus Range moderates local climate by serving as a barrier against cold air from the north and the relatively small territory covers different climatic zones, which are determined by distance from the Black Sea and by altitude. The climatic zones range from humid subtropical to snow and glaciers. Armenia is often described as a sunny country. The climate is highland continental, dry with four seasons. Temperatures can vary considerably between seasons; the summer is generally pleasant reaching 25C, though in the Ararat valley temperatures can climb to 40C but in the mountains the weather can change suddenly and the nights can be cold.
IS THIS TRIP FOR ME?
It may sound obvious but Wild Frontiers tours are not always for everyone and it is important to us that the tour you choose is the most suitable. All our tours have a fitness rating as a guideline but you should check the day-by-day itinerary carefully. In certain instances we may ask you to complete a travel questionnaire before confirming your booking in order to ensure your suitability. Should you have any concerns about your ability to partake in any aspect of the tour then please contact the office.
KEY ASPECTS TO CONSIDER
Anyone in a reasonable state of health, with an open mind and a sense of adventure should be perfectly able to cope with this tour, as much of the walking is optional.
THE NATURE OF ADVENTURE TRAVEL
We feel that it’s worth pointing out that while we will always strive to stick as close to the stated itinerary as possible, it may be necessary from time to time to make changes to our itineraries or services (due to weather, political and religious influences etc.) and this can happen with little or no notice. This unpredictability can be one of the most exciting aspects of adventure travel and for many of our clients often leads to unexpected highlights as the tour-leader necessarily adapts the tour to the changing conditions. However we are aware that this lack of assuredness may not suit everyone. As such, with the greatest respect, if you are someone who needs to know that everything will happen exactly as planned, we would kindly suggest that perhaps our tours are not for you. Adventure travel can be infectious and once you’ve caught the bug, it is likely to never leave you, but especially if this is your first such tour we would strongly urge you to give us a call if you have any concerns whatsoever about your suitability for this trip.
TRAVELLING SOLO AND SINGLE SUPPLEMENTS
As a company approximately 70% of our clients are solo travellers, so it’s very unlikely you’ll be alone!
Our prices are typically based on twin-share accommodation but single supplements are not compulsory for any Wild Frontiers tour. If you prefer not to pay a single supplement we’ll pair you with someone else of the same sex for you to share with throughout the trip. On this trip, if you do opt to pay for a single supplement then please note that it will cover you for all nights of the tour.
Please note that paying a single supplement entitles you to lone occupancy of a single room. In many cases these rooms will be of the same size as a double/twin room, but in some cases they may be smaller.
INSURANCE
Insurance that provides cover for emergency repatriation in case of a medical emergency is compulsory for all tours. You should be aware that due to some of the geographical areas visited and some of the activities included on certain of our trips some standard insurance policies may not always provide adequate cover. As such we strongly recommend that you purchase a policy that adequately covers your trip. Please see the Insurance section for more details.
General Information
TOUR PRICE
All our tours are priced on a land-only basis, giving you maximum flexibility when deciding how to get to and from your tour.
DEPOSIT
A £200 (or equivalent) deposit is required to confirm your booking.
PROTECTION FOR YOUR MONEY
For further details please see our travelling with peace of mind page
WILD MILES
This tour will earn you 4502 Wild Miles
WHAT'S NOT INCLUDED
We believe in a completely transparent approach to pricing with no hidden extras. As such, please note that the following are not included in the cost of the tour.
Visas & Travel Insurance: Visas will always be tour/nationality dependent but travel insurance is mandatory
Tips: Always optional but some guidance will be given in the pre-departure information documents
International Flights: Please ask us for an obligation-free quote for flights which originate in the UK
Airport Transfers: We include complimentary transfers if arriving/departing on the suggested group flights
Beverages & any costs of a personal nature: This will include items such as laundry and souvenirs
WILD FRONTIERS COMMUNITY
If you’re still not sure if this trip is right or just want to see get some different perspectives, then why not have a look at the wide variety of resources we have on our website? Browse our community section to read our blogs, watch videos and find out about our events.
WHY WILD FRONTIERS?
We are frequently asked what makes Wild Frontiers different from other tour operators. Visit our Why Wild Frontiers page to find out.