Wine Holiday in Armenia

Day 1: Yerevan
Arrival to Yerevan early in the morning, meeting at Zvartnots International Airport with GoArmenia representative waiting for you in the arrival hall. Transfer to the hotel and leisure time. Free time in the city. Overnight in the hotel.

Day 2: Yerevan City Tour
Yerevan City tour including all major sights such as monument Mother Armenia, Cascade Complex, Baghramyan Ave, Armenian Genocide Memorial Complex, Opera House and Republic Square. Before dinner, enjoy an introduction and tasting of 5 Armenian wines with the sommelier. Overnight in Yerevan.

Day 3: Etchmiadzin, Zvartnots, Karas Winery
Breakfast at the hotel. Trip to Echmiadzin City (Vagharshapat), considered to be the spiritual center of all Armenians! This tour includes the visiting of St. Hripsime church. This amazing building has stood upright from the day of its construction since 618 A.D, making it one of the oldest standing churches in the world. Next stop will be the Holy Echmiadzin – the world’s first Christian Cathedral built in 301-304. Later, visit to Karas winery, one of the biggest vineyards in Armenia, followed by a 3-4 course Armenian lunch at a local restaurant. On your way back, visit Zvartnots Temple (7th century). All the mentioned churches are included in the UNESCO heritage sites list. Return to Yerevan and visit to Ararat Brandy Factory: excursion with tasting of 3 preimum types of brandy. Dinner and overnight in Yerevan.

Day 4: Khor Virap, Areni, Noravank (Areni/ South Wine Route)
Start your trip to Ararat valley, the southern wine route, visiting the most popular wineries and one of the most popular sites of the Armenian history. You’ll visit high altitude vineyards, see indigenous grape varieties and taste different types of wines. Our first stop is the Monastery of Khor Virap, which is located 200 meters away from the Turkish border and is considered to be a pilgrimage center for all Armenians, from where we can have the best view of Biblical Mount Ararat. Later, visit Areni village, famous for its rich wine history and vineyards. Visit the Areni Cave or Bird’s Cave, where archaeologists, found the world’s oldest wine cellar (6200 years old). Visit Noa Vineyards, one of the high altitude vineyards in the world and enjoy a wine tasting with a view of the mountains. Continue to Noravank Monastery surrounded by red rocks. Stop by the enchanting Momik winery, a small wine cube located in the heart of hectares of vineyards. Hosted by owner and the winemaker himself, you’ll learn the history of the winery and try their Oinest white, red and rose along with 2 vintages. Enjoy a lunch and wine tasting in the vineyards. Drive back to Yerevan.

Day 5: Lake Sevan, Garni, Geghard, Stone Symphony
After breakfast, visit Lake Sevan - the biggest lake in Armenia and one of the highest altitude freshwater lakes in the world (1900m). Its crystal-clear transparent water changes colours several times a day. Visit Sevan Monastery, located on the peninsula that offers magnificent panoramic views of the lake and surrounding mountains. Continue to the pagan temple of Garni (77 AD) - only Hellenistic temple extinct in the region. Later visit Garni Gorge - a wonderful canyon shaped by the river Goght. This part of Garni Gorge typically means as the "Symphony of the Stones". A trip to the cave Monastery Geghard (4-13th cc., UNESCO). Lunch in a local family house where we can see the baking process of Armenian traditional flatbread, lavash. Return to Yerevan and stop by Vernissage - an open air market for handmade Armenian Souvenirs or the traditional market GUM for local delicacies: dry fruits, spices, fresh fruits and vegetables. Dinner and overnight in Yerevan.

Day 6: Aragatsotn Wine Route
After breakfast, visit the Aragatsotn Province. The wine produced in Aragatsotn is mainly from the vineyards located to the south of the Aragats and Arteni mountains. First stop is the “Armenia Wine” factory for an introduction to Armenian wine, excursion inside the factory-brandy production units, ageing cellars, souvenir shop and a wine tasting. Stop by the Wine History Museum located in Armenia Wine. Lunch at the local restaurant where you can enjoy special dishes inspired by wine and grapes from the chef. In the afternoon visit to Van Ardi Winery – a family run boutique winery located in the ancient winemaking region of Aragatsotn, nestled between the mountains Ararat, Aragats, and Ara. Later visit Armenian Alphabet Monument and Saghmosavank monastery (13th century) complex. Return to Yerevan. Dinner and overnight in Yerevan.

Day 7: Yerevan
Breakfast at the hotel. Day of the departure. Transfer to the airport. End of the program.