Classic Armenia

 

Yerevan	Ani Plaza Hotel	4 nights
Odzun	Haghpat Guesthouse	1 night
Yerevan	Ani Plaza Hotel	2 nights

Click on the name of the hotel for details.  The Haghpat guesthouse is a small family-run property with home-cooked meals.  The bedrooms are ensuite but general facilities are limited.

8 days from £995

excluding international flights

ARMENIA FACTFILE

DAY 1 - Arrive in Yerevan.

On arrival in Yerevan you will be met by a representative of World Discovery outside immigration and customs. You will then be taken by private car direct to your hotel. Recommended flight from London: bmi from London Heathrow (see below). If you are travelling from a country other than the UK we would be happy to give you guidance on your flight options.

DAY 2 - Yerevan.

Your World Discovery Armenia holiday begins after breakfast when your guide will collect you from your hotel for a private guided tour of Armenia's capital city.  The history of Yerevan dates back to the 8th century B.C. and today's tour includes a visit to the excellent History Museum.  You will also visit the moving Armenian Genocide Museum, a memorial to the tragic events of the early 20th century.  After lunch in a traditional restaurant, you will visit the central food and fruit market of Yerevan, followed by a leisurely stroll through the city.  Tonight you are invited to a welcome dinner.
Meals included: Full breakfast, lunch, dinner.

DAY 3 - Echmiadzin.  Zvartnots.

After breakfast you will be taken some 20 kilometres outside the city to Echmiadzin, the spiritual capital of Armenia.  Visit the superb church of St Hripsime, completed in the year 618 AD on the site of an earlier 4th century mausoleum, and renowned for its fine Armenian architecture of the classical period.  Echmiadzin Cathedral, centre of the Armenian Apostolic Church, is one of the world's oldest Christian churches, first built by Gregory the Illuminator in 301 to 303 A.D.  Continue to the ruins of the 7th century Zvartnots Cathedral (pictured), now a UNESCO World Heritage Site, before returning to Yerevan for lunch at a local restaurant.  The rest of the day is at leisure.
Meals included: Full breakfast, lunch, dinner.

DAY 4 - Khor Virap Monastery.  Areni.  Noravank.

About 45 kilometres from Yerevan lies Khor Virap Monastery, situated close to the border with Turkey beneath the biblical Mount Ararat.  Dating from the 4th century, it is one of the most venerated churches in the country.  After a brief stop at Areni Winery to taste the highly-regarded local wine, continue to the isolated Noravank Monastery (pictured), a great religious and cultural centre of the 12th century which is dramatically located in a narrow gorge surrounded by red cliffs.  Enjoy an unusual lunch in a cave cafe before driving back to Yerevan.
Meals included: Full breakfast, lunch, dinner.

DAY 5 - Lake Sevan.  Dilijan.  Haghpat.  Dzoraget.

After breakfast drive to Lake Sevan, the largest lake in the Caucasus as well as the second highest freshwater lake in the world.  Visit the well-known 9th century Sevanavank Monastery, located on a pensinsula (previously an island) at the eastern edge of the lake.   Afterwards head towards the north of Armenia through spectacular forested mountains to Dilijan, where you will visit a ceramics workshop and woodcarvers’ studio. Visit a village inhabited by the Molokan peoples, a religious minority who refused to obey the Russian Orthodox Church, before continuing to the UNESCO World Heritage architectural complex of Haghpat (976 A.D.).  After lunch in a local restaurant, drive to the town of Dzoraget for an overnight stay.
Meals included: Full breakfast, lunch, dinner.

DAY 6 - Amberd Fortress.  Ashtarak.  Return to Yerevan.

This morning's first visit is to the 9th century Amberd Fortress (left), dramatically situated half way up Mount Aragats at a height of 2,300m (7,355ft). The fortress stands on a rocky cape and contains vestiges of a fortified three-storied palace, a church built in 1026, a palace bathhouse with two domes, a central heating system, water tanks and a water-supply system.  Proceed to Ashtarak, one of the most ancient cities of Armenia, to visit the tiny Karmravor Church, which still retains traces of early frescoes.  After lunch, taken in the house/museum of a famous Armenian writer, drive back to Yerevan.
Meals included: Full breakfast, lunch, dinner.

DAY 7 - Garni Temple.  Geghard Monastery.

Armenia's most famous attraction is the wonderful Hellenistic citadel and temple at Garni, an hour's journey from Yerevan.  Built in the first century A.D. by the Armenian King Tiridates, it is dedicated to a heathen god, probably to Mithra, the god of the sun, whose figure stood in the depth of the sanctuary.  Lunch is at a local house in Garni where you will have opportunity to watch the Armenian national bread lavash being baked, as well as barbeque-making in an underground stove called a tonir. In the afternoon visit the magnificent Geghard Monastery, another UNESCO World Heritage Site, partly carved out of the living rock.  Return to Yereven where in the evening you will enjoy a farewell dinner.
Meals included: Full breakfast, lunch, dinner.

DAY 8 - Depart for home.

Transfer to the airport for your homeward flight.
Meals included: Full breakfast, lunch, dinner.

 

The Amazing Tatev Monastery

In the remote south of Armenia lies the magical Tatev Monastery (9th century).  Inaccessible for many years, it can now be visited via the world's longest aerial tramway.  Why not extend your stay in Armenia to include a visit to this unique destination?  

 

International Flights.

We recommend the daily direct non-stop services of bmi from London Heathrow:
Heathrow/Yerevan. Depart at 13.25; arrive Yerevan at 23.10
Yerevan/Heathrow. Depart at 05.50; arrive Heathrow at 07.25

 

Armenia Holidays: Classic Armenia (Tour Reference: WDAR001)
2012 Departures
Price per person based on a minimum of two persons travelling together:

Daily departures	Price
All dates	£995

Single Room Supplement on request.

The price includes:

• Hotel accommodation as listed above in twin-bedded or double rooms with private facilities.
• 7 full breakfasts, 6 lunches and 6 dinners as shown in the itinerary.  Please note that most dinners will be taken at local restaurants rather than in your hotel (private transportation will be provided).
  
• Private transportation throughout.
• All sightseeing as shown, including entrance fees.
• The services of a private English-speaking guide for all included sightseeing.

Not included in the price:

• International flights (see our recommendation above). We are happy to discuss the flights with you and give you further guidance
• International airport taxes
• Tipping.
• Armenian Visa.  This is best obtained on arrival in Yerevan (we will send you a form to complete in advance).  The price is currently AMD 3,000 (approximately £6).
  

A deposit of £250 per person is required at the time of booking. The balance of the price for your Armenia holiday must be paid at least 8 weeks before your departure date.