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Your adventure in Armenia starts with an arrival at Zvartnots International Airport, leading to a traditional Armenian dinner and a night's stay in a centrally located hotel, immersing you immediately in the local culture.
The next day is filled with discovery in Yerevan, exploring architectural gems like the Republic Square and the Opera House, and a stroll through the Cascade to admire sculptures by artists like Fernando Botero. Visits to the Geological Museum and the poignant Tsitsernakaberd Genocide Memorial, along with the spiritual centers of Echmiadzin and Zvartnots, both UNESCO sites, enrich the day with historical depth.
Venturing to the Ararat Valley unveils the Khor Virap Monastery against Mount Ararat's stunning backdrop, followed by fossil hunting in Urtsadzor, a tour of the Noravank Monastery, and a taste of local wine at Areni, ending with hospitality in Eghegnadzor.
The journey continues to Gladzor, a medieval cultural beacon, and through Ertich Gorge's natural wonders, visiting the Mozrov Cave, and concluding in Jermuk, famous for its healing mineral waters.
A trek to the Selim Caravanserai and the dormant volcano Armagan offers breathtaking landscapes and a peek into Armenia's trading history and geological marvels, before an evening in Vardenis.
Lake Sevan dazzles with its beauty, complemented by historic visits to Hayravank and the Lchashen archaeological site, revealing ancient stories before heading to Aghveran for the night.
A visit to Bjni uncovers geological and historical sites, leading to a scenic trek to the serene Mayravank Monastery and a winter wonder in Tsaghkadzor, before returning to Yerevan, filled with reflections on the journey.
The trip nears its end with a spiritual visit to the Garni pagan temple, the Geghard Monastery, and a scholarly stop at the Matenadaran, housing ancient manuscripts, capped off with a farewell dinner celebrating the journey's experiences.
As you prepare for departure, the memories of Armenia's stunning landscapes, rich history, and welcoming culture mark the start of a lasting bond with this enchanting country, leaving a treasure trove of experiences to cherish.
Explore our Geological Trip in Armenia
Itineraries
Day 1
Meeting at “Zvartnots” International Airport
Dinner in an Armenian traditional restaurant. Overnight at a centrally located hotel
Day 2
Yerevan City tour. Visit to Geological museum, the memorial of the Genocide – Tsitsernakaberd – Echmiadzin – Zvartnots – Yerevan
Breakfast at the hotel. Trip around the pink city of Alexander Tamanyan (1878- 1936): City centre, the Republic Square, the Opera House, walking tour in the Cascade where you will see the works of famous Fernando Botero, Barry Flanagan, etc. Afterwards, you will visit the Geological museum after O. Karapetyan. The museum was founded in 1937. Here there are several departments worth visiting, i.e those of mineralogy, mineral resources and archeology. Trip to Titsernakaberd, Holly Echmiadzin – the main seat of the Catholicos of All Armenians. In 301 Christianity was adopted as a state religion in Armenia. Lunch at the “Cross of Armenian Unity”. On the way back to Yerevan will visit Zvartnots – “temple of angels”. Both Echmiadzin and Zvartnots are listed as UNESCO World Heritage sites. Return back to Yerevan. Dinner. Overnight at the hotel
Day 3
Yerevan – Khor Virap – Urtsadzor – Areni Noravank – Eghegnadzor
Breakfast at the hotel. Visit to the Ararat Valley where you will firstly see the Monastery Khor Virap. Khor Virap (meaning «deep dungeon») is one of the most popular tourist destinations in Armenia. It stands before the snowcapped flanks of Mountain Ararat offering a spectacular view of the mountain, the national symbol of Armenia. Walking tour around Khor Virap. Continue the way to Urtsadzor where you will have a possibility to collect fossils from the remains of fauna from the basin of the pool of the River Vedi as well as to see landslides. On the way to Noravank, visit to Areni Wine factory. Lunch. Trip to Noravank (XIII c.) – the pearl of the Armenian religious architecture. On the way you will see the Cave Areni where in 2008 the oldest leather shoe in the world has been found – 5500 years old. You will continue your trip to Eghegnadzor. You will be hosted by the locals. Dinner and overnight at comfortable rooms.
*The walking tour will last for 2 hours, the distance is 2 km. (optional: to go on foot to Noravank by walking the last 5 km along the canyon of the River Gnishik, 2 hrs.)
Day 4
Eghegnadzor – Ertich Gorge - Djrovank – Mozrov – Agarakadzor – Jermuk
Breakfast and visit to the Monastery in Gladzor. Gladzor has been a major cultural center of the middle ages. One of the famous monasteries in Syunik region is the Monastery Tanaat. It reached its peak between XIII—XIV centuries, when Gladzor, a famous university and a library, was its territory. Transfer to the village Arpi and walking tour to Djoravank. In Ertich Gorge you will see interesting geological structural forms both angular and tectonic, corrugated structures, as well as you will gather resources. Picnic. Transfer to the village Mozrov where you will visit the Mozrov Cave. On the way to Agarakadzor stop at mineral springs. Arrival at Jermuk. Tour in the City. Dinner and overnight at the hotel.
*The duration of the walking tour 2 hrs. The distance 2.5 km
Day 5
Jermuk – Selim passage – Mount Armagan – Sotk – Vardenis
Breakfast at the hotel.Selim Passage – one of the preserved caravanserais in Armenia. It has been the rest spot for most of the caravans trading the goods through Armenia to Europe and the West. It was built in 1332 under the reign of Chesare Orbelyan and is located on the Esatern slope of the Selim passage (2410 m.). Afterwards, you will see the dried volcano Armagan (2829 m.). Climb to the Crater Lake where breathtaking views of mountain range from Geghama Vardenis, Sevan to Ararat and Aragats. Picnic on the top of the mountain. Continue your way to Sotk. Ten kilometers from the village is Sotk gold mine. It is the largest gold deposit in Armenia. Arrival at Vardenis, dinner and overnight at locals.
* The duration of the walking tour is 7 hrs. The distance is 17 km
Day 6
Vardenis – Hayravank – Lchashen – Sevanavank – Aghveran
Breakfast and trip to the Lake Sevan – “the Blue Pearl” of Armenia. Sevan is one of the largest alpine lakes in the world situated at the altitude of 1896 meters above sea level. On clear and sunny days it looks like a piece of sky that have descended to the earth among the mountains. Visit to Hayravank (IX c.) which is situated in the village Hayrivank. Continue your way to Lchashen – an archeological complex till the period Urartu (Central Caucasian archaeological culture from the 3rd millennium BC. to the Middle Ages). The complex consists of a cyclopean fortress (up to VII century. BC. Then IX-XIII century), settlements, cemeteries, dozens of mounds, cromlechs, burial ground and stone boxes. Up to 1956 the complex was under the Lake Sevan. Due to the shallowing of the Lake it was on the land. Here you will find the coastal sea sediments and stones. те обмеления озера. Здесь вы увидите приозерные осадки и каменные моря. Lunch on the Lake shore. Trip to Sevanavank. It was founded in the 4th century. Arrival at Aghveran. Dinner and overnight at a 4* hotel
Day 7
Aghveran – Bjni – Mayravank – Tsahkadzor – Yerevan
Breakfast at the hotel. Transfer to Bjni. On the way you will see the angular dissonances, crystalline metamorphic terrain, geological and tectonic corrugated structures. Visit to the church Bjni (1031) where you can see flows of lava on the opposite slope of the ridge Geghama, Hrazdan gorge, Bjni fortress. Start trekking in the opposite direction of the River Hrazdan. Crossing the gorge of the river you will reach the monastery Mayravank (XI-XII century). Walking along the trail, you’ll see a corrugated structure and other biological features. Picnic at the Monastery. Tsaghkadzor – our marvelous and beautiful winter resort. It is situated at the altitude of about 1841 m. above the sea level. Visit to the Monastery of Kecharis which was built in the XI century by the Pahlavuni. The construction continued until the middle of the XIII century. Return back to Yerevan. On the way you will gather obsidians. Dinner and overnight in Yerevan.
*The duration of the walking tour is 3hrs. The distance is 5 km
Day 8
Yerevan – Garni – Geghard – Matenadaran – Yerevan
Breakfast at the hotel. Visit to Garni pagan temple (I Century AD). Walking tour around the symphony of the stones. Picnic. Trip to Geghard Monastery (XIII c.), UNESCO World Heritage Site. Return back to Yerevan. Visit Matenadaran – one of the largest depositories of ancient manuscripts in the world. It is a research institute after Mesrop mashtoc. There are more than 17 000 manuscripts. Farwell dinner. Overnight.
*The duration of the walking tour 1.5 hrs. The distance is 5 km.
*The duration of the walking tour depends on the level of the difficulty
Day 9
Departure day
Breakfast at the hotel. Transfer to the airport
Accommodation at a centrally located hotel
Breakfasts
Transportation by an air-conditioned vehicle
Professional English-speaking guide
Entrance tickets
Ropeway tickets
Extra meal
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