Armenia Wine Tour

Arrive in Yerevan, the capital of Armenia. You will be met by our driver for drop-off at the hotel, where check-in begins at noon. After a rest, your guide and driver will meet you at the hotel for a private city tour to the following:

• Matenadaran, also known as the Mesrop Mashtots Institute of Ancient Manuscripts, which holds nearly half of the world’s 30,000 Armenian manuscripts, including original texts and early 5th-6th century writings, plus over 400,000 scientific texts in multiple other languages.
• Cascade Complex, whose 500 steps serve as a modern city symbol and house the Cafesjian Center for the Arts.
• Holy Mother of God Katoghike Church (13th century), one of the city’s oldest churches which is famous for the historic engravings on its walls and for its mysterious disappearance from the public eye on two occasions.
• Saint Gregory The Illuminator Cathedral (2001), the world’s largest Armenian Apostolic cathedral which sits atop a hill and consists of three churches, a bell tower and dozens of arches.
• Tsitsernakaberd (1967), the Armenian Genocide Memorial Complex on Tsitsernakaberd Hill which is dedicated to the early 20th-century massacre victims.
• EVN Wine Academy, sponsored by ICARE Foundation and Agribusiness Teaching Center, where you will learn the history and nuances of Armenian winemaking through an informative presentation and wine tasting.
• Yerevan Ararat Brandy Factory, an old cellar with 120 years of experience in brandy making where you can taste their world-famous brandy and learn how it is produced.

Transfer back to the hotel. Overnight at the hotel in Yerevan.
Meals provided: none

Meet your private guide and driver in Yerevan to travel to Vayots Dzor Region in southeast Armenia, otherwise known as Armenian Wine Region.

• On the way, discover Khor-Virap Monastery (dates vary), located near Mt. Ararat in Artashat (Artaxata), ancient capital of Armenia. Originally a royal dungeon, the site now includes a beautiful monastery, the remains of an old chapel, monks’ cells and the original dungeon.
• Visit Tushpa Wine Cellar, a traditional family-owned Armenian winery managed by Mihran Manasserian.
• Drive to Noravank (85km, 1hr, 30min) for an excursion to Noravank Monastery (13th century), located on a beautiful mountainous precipice near Zangezur Canyon. The complex includes St. Karapet Cathedral and the St. Gregory and St. Astvatsatsin sepulchers, as well as various cross-stone khachkars.
• Explore nearby Areni Cave, where the world’s oldest shoe and winery were discovered and where ancient qvevri wine vessels are still on display.
• Tour Areni Winery, one of Armenia’s most popular wineries. Admire its traditional stone walls and wooden door and taste local wines distilled from grapes, apricots and pomegranates.

Return to Yerevan for drop-off at the hotel (110km, 2hrs). Overnight at the hotel in Yerevan.
Meals provided: breakfast

Meet your private guide and driver in Yerevan to travel to Aragatsotn Province, where you’ll visit the following:

• Karmravor Church (7th century), whose name aptly means “reddish”. Situated in the small town of Ashtarak, it is also known as the Holy Mother of God Church and is the only historical church in Armenia still possessing its original roof.
• Hovhannavank Cathedral (13th century), a famous educational and theological center on the cusp of the Kasagh River in Ohanavan which is famous for its cruciform design and umbrella-shaped dome.
• Saghmosavank Monastery (13th century), erected by Prince Vache Vachutian and known for its manuscript collection. Its dazzling view of the Kasagh River Canyon leaves many speechless.
• Armenian Alphabet Monument (2005), larger-than-life recreations of local letters which were created in Artashavan village to celebrate the 1600th anniversary of the Armenian alphabet.
• Drive to Amberd village (27km, 50min) to explore Amberd Fortress (dates vary), located 2300 meters above sea level on the slope of Mt. Aragats, the highest peak in Armenia. Much of the famous castle’s bath house and robust walls, as well as the 11th-century Vahramashen Church, remain intact.
• Continue to Oshakan (30km, 40min) to Saint Mesrop Mashtots Church (dates vary), an Armenian Apostolic Church and popular pilgrimage destination built to mark the grave of Mesrop Mashtots, father of the Armenian alphabet.

Aragatsotn Region is home to the largest wine factory in Armenia, while almost every village also has a winery, each with distinguishing characteristics. We will visit two of the most popular:

• Armenia Wine Winery was built according to Armenian classical architecture and is a favorite destination of tourists and wine enthusiasts.
• Voskevaz Winery is situated in the village of Voskevaz (meaning “Golden Wine”) on the edge of the Kasagh River. Observe the wine-making process and enjoy a wine tasting session.

Drive back to Yerevan (35km, 40min). Overnight at the hotel in Yerevan.
Meals provided: breakfast

Enjoy free time in the morning for sightseeing and souvenir shopping. You may walk though Republic Square and Vernisaj Market, the largest souvenir bazaar in Yerevan which holds some of the finest examples of Armenian folk art, a large selection of unique jewelry and exclusive handmade masterpieces.
Check out of the hotel by noon for transfer to Yerevan International Airport. End of Armenia Wine Tour.
Meals provided: breakfast