Short Break in Armenia
Short Break in Armenia – Tailormade Tour 5 Days from £945 per person based on 2 people travelling sharing a room.
Armenia is a fascinating mixture of cultural influences. Proud of its independence, its alphabet, and its Christian heritage, Armenia has more than a whiff of former Soviet Republic, indeed crossing Yerevan’s busy Republic Square (built over a nuclear bunker) risks being run over by one of many shiny white Lada Nivas.
Except for Georgia, relations with neighbouring states are best described as mixed. The Armenian Genocide, despite overwhelming evidence, is denied by the Turkish government, while the unresolved conflict with Azerbaijan over the territory of Nagorno Karabakh still festers.
However, among contemporary Armenians, certainly in the towns and cities, these realities lead to a strong sense of identity and a desire to live life loud. Fine wines, an excellent local cuisine and a penchant for jazz are perhaps manifestations of this – Charles Aznavour was Armenian, but then again so is Kim Kardashian?
Among Graeco-Roman ruins and ancient monasteries, the country’s landscape is characterised by wide expanses, grassy plains and big skies.
This short break in Armenia will give you an excellent insight into this fascinating frontier state.
From your base in vibrant Yerevan, explore the most intrinsic areas of the city, before on Days 3 and 4 heading out of the city to observe incredible architecture and historical monuments such as the remarkable UNESCO listed Geghard monastery carved from the mountain, and Khor Virap with its incredible views of Mt. Ararat.
Also gain an insight into Armenian culture, even trying your hand at traditional bread making and tasting delicious wine in one of the world’s oldest wine producing nations.
- Fitness
- Off the beaten track
- Culture
- History
- Wildlife
Tour pace
Moderate
Tour style
Traveller
Relaxed Pace
Relaxed tours are easy paced with plenty of leisure time built in. The tour will in all probability still be off the beaten track, with the occasional early start and there may still be occasional long drives. In general on a relaxed pace tour you can enjoy easy-going activities and experiences with opportunities to absorb the sights and immerse yourself in the local surroundings.
Moderate Pace
Moderate pace tours are ideal if you want a tour experience that combines activities and experiences with some time to relax. Typically you will be active and busy for part of the day but then also have time to rest and recharge your batteries. In general on a moderate paced tour there may be some long journeys involved but the tour is not an expedition or a road trip. On a moderate paced tour it will be necessary to have some early starts.
Busy Pace
A busy paced tour means that you can expect to be doing, seeing or experiencing something new almost every day, and moving on from place to place to pack in as much as possible. There may be early starts, long journeys and tiring days along the way, but you’ll return home feeling you’ve really experienced as much as you possibly could.
Pioneer Class Tours
On our Pioneer tours, you will be amongst an elite group of intrepid travellers and some of the first to explore a country that few have been privileged enough to discover. Of course, exploring such areas of the world will come with its challenges; it may mean several nights camping, long journeys by 4WD and the need to maintain a degree of flexibility for when carefully laid plans change. These are challenging tours in countries and areas that may have poor infrastructure, high levels of poverty and illiteracy. This can translate in to low standards in hotels, bad roads and poor driving standards among other issues. We try and smooth out as much of these issues as we can but you should be prepared to experience the bad with the good.
Traveller Class Tours
Our Traveller itineraries are at the core of our programme. These journeys are designed for travellers who still want to discover a land away from the tourist crowds but expect minimum standards. Accommodation will be primarily hotel based, although you could still find yourself camping, or the guest of a local family. Depending on the destination and itinerary, you’ll likely be travelling in a private vehicle, with occasional use of public transport. This is adventure travel with some of the rough edges smoothed out.
Itinerary
Day 1 – Arrival in Yerevan
Upon arrival in Armenia, you will be welcomed and transferred to your hotel in central Yerevan. Overnight Tufenkian Historic Hotel Yerevan. No meals or guided activities scheduled today.
Note if you arrive early we can provide a quote for early check in and for any extra activities you may wish to do.
Day 2 – Yerevan sightseeing
After breakfast meet your local guide and enjoy a half-day walking city tour of Yerevan, including Victory Park with its high-scale view point over the city, Cascade and the Gafeschian Centre of Art, The North Avenue, the Opera House and Republic Square. Visit the Genocide Memorial and museum dedicated to the victims of the genocide that took place in 1915 and the memorial of eternal fire. Also enjoy a short visit to Matenadaran – a Museum and Scientific Institute of ancient manuscripts, which houses a unique collection of ancient manuscripts covering such topics as philosophy, law, mathematics, medicine and geography. The rest of the afternoon will be at leisure for you to relax perhaps al fresco at a local café or explore independently. Finish the day at the Vernissage flea market, a large open-air market for handmade souvenirs, carpets, silver and jewellery.
Optional activity (not included): Visit the Yerevan Brandy Factory for a guided excursion to the cellars and enjoy a degustation of 2 types of local brandy.
Overnight Tufenkian Historic Hotel Yerevan. (B)
Day 3 – Yerevan – Garni - Geghard (UNESCO) – Lake Sevan – Yerevan
(Overall approx. driving time today is 3.5 hours)
Travel to Kotayk province to explore Geghard Monastery, astonishingly partly carved out of a mountain. Continue to nearby Garni to visit the impressive pagan temple. Enjoy lunch in the village of Garni in an authentic rural environment with a master-class of baking lavash – traditional Armenian flatbread. Continue onwards to beautiful alpine Lake Sevan and take the steps to the top of the peninsula to enjoy breathtaking scenery of the splendid mountain chain surrounding the glittering surface of the lake.
Optional activity (not included): Near Lake Sevan visit a craftsman specialized in khachkars (Armenian cross-stones).
Later return to Yerevan where your evening will be at leisure. Overnight Tufenkian Historic Hotel Yerevan. (BL)
Day 4 – Yerevan – Khor Virap – Tushpa Wine Cellar – Yerevan
(Overall driving time today is approx. 2 hours)
This morning we leave the city and drive through the fertile Ararat valley to the picture postcard monastery of Khor Virap (4th -17th c), one of the sanctuaries of the Armenian Apostolic church and an important pilgrimage site. The views across to the imposing peak of Mt. Ararat are stunning. Continue to the Tushpa Wine Cellar where you will experience Armenian viticulture first hand and learn about historic Armenian wine-making traditions. You will also have lunch here. Armenia is one of the oldest wine producing nations in the world along with neighbouring Georgia. Return to Yerevan where your late afternoon and evening will be at leisure. Overnight Tufenkian Historic Hotel Yerevan. (BL)
Optional extension (not included): Noravank or Echmiadzin
Noravank
The monastery of Noravank, surely one of the most majestic monuments of medieval Armenia. The church had an atrium, which was rebuilt by the famous sculptor Momik.
Echmiadzin
The spiritual centre of the Armenian Church, Echmiadzin was the setting for a series of visions by St Gregory the Illuminator, where columns of fire turned into churches. The first monastery was built, like many others in Armenia, on the site of a pagan temple in the 4th century, rebuilt in the 5th century in a different style and then renovated in the 17th century.
Day 5 – Yerevan Departure
Bid farewell to Armenia as you are transferred to the airport or train station for your onward journey (B)
Please note, it is possible to extend you stay to take in more of Armenia or perhaps take the train to Tbilisi and explore some of neighbouring Georgia – contact us for the many possibilities in the Caucasus region.
Dates & Price.
We offer this Short Break in Armenia for private departures only.
Prices start from £945 per person, based on two people sharing a room.
We can also tailor a similar or totally different itinerary to meet your requirements. Please contact us to discuss your travel plans.
Tour Notes
Flights and overland by train
Return flights from London to Yerevan start at £350. Contact us for a quotation. You can also travel to Armenia overland by train. Contact us for details.
Single Supplement
Single supplement from £195.
Extend the tour
Contact us for options to extend this short break further in Armenia or even into neighbouring Georgia.
Download PDF.
Download the full tour dossier for this trip here.
For expert advice get in touch now with our passionate,
well-travelled team.
+44(0) 191 296 2674 from THE UK
1-800-614-2967 from THE US & CANADA
1-300-956-415 from AUSTRALIA
Tour inclusions.
- Arrival and departure transfers (not guided)
- All accommodation as per itinerary (different accommodation can be booked)
- Services of English-speaking guide from Days 2 – 4
- Meals as listed (B – Breakfast, L – Lunch, D – Dinner)
- Wine tasting where mentioned
- Entrance fees for sites listed as part of the itinerary
- Private transport on tour
Tour exclusions.
- International flights
- Optional activities such as the Brandy Factory and tasting
- Any airport taxes
- Travel Insurance
- Visas if applicable
- Drinks
- Tips (Discretionary)
- Items of a personal nature
Read more about Armenia and our other tours
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