Secrets of Armenia

This unique and exceptional tour will allow you to ‘touch’ the sources of human civilization. Moreover, it may inspire you to re-consider the history of humankind. Immerse yourself in the history, culture, and landscapes of the beautiful Caucasus region; explore ancient settlements and fortresses, and intriguing cave towns. Go for an adventure to Armenian Highland to see rock carvings (petroglyphs) dated 12,000 BC (though some scientists state they are much older). Visit the oldest astronomical observatory in the world – Karahunj – built thousands of years before Stonehenge in England or Egyptian pyramids and discover the mystery of Orion Constellation! Find out the mystical connection between the ancient civilizations and Armenian history, get the key to open the door and reveal the lost knowledge of our ancestors.

During the tour our guests also will have a great opportunity to taste various delicious Armenian Cuisine. We created special menus which include only natural Armenian food, which will definitely surprise you with its taste and quality. Our lunches and dinners include best restaurants in Yerevan, cozy family style village restaurants and ones which have fascinating views.

Local researcher, Mr. Vazgen Gevorgyan, who has devoted his life to an exploration of the mysteries of Armenia and ancient civilizations will accompany you during some of the tours. So you will have a chance to receive the information about the latest researches and ask your questions direct to Vazgen.

Tour Itinerary

Day 1: Arrival to Yerevan

Arrival to Yerevan International Airport Zvartnots. A representative of Sidon Travel company will welcome our guests at the airport and transport them to the hotel in Yerevan. After the check-in process at the hotel, our guests will have time to rest. Overnight stay at the hotel.
Day 2: Yerevan City Tour - History Museum - Brandy Factory

Breakfast at the hotel. You will start your tour with panoramic city tour of Yerevan. You will also visit the History Museum which houses collections of Armenian artifacts from the fields of archaeology, ethnography and the fine arts exhibit. We will continue the sightseeing with a visit in Brandy factory with tasting of 3 types of famous Armenian cognac. Lunch during the tour. Back to the hotel. Overnight in Yerevan.
Day 3: Yerevan - Etchmiadzin - Zvartnots - Ancient plateau of Agarak - Yerevan

After breakfast drive to Etchmiadzin – the oldest and most important Christian Armenian temple. Built between 301-303 AD, it is the oldest Christian cathedral in the world. Next, we will visit Zvartnots which boast of a precious, though ruined, architectural complex of buildings from the 7^th century. Lunch during the tour. Trip to the magnificent complex Agarak – ancient settlement with numerous mysteries and secrets. It is a Prehistoric Plateau, located in the foothills of Mount Aragats (the highest in Armenia) and has a unique energy that has a therapeutic effect on people. Excavations, ancient burial chambers, places of worship. Back to the hotel. Overnight in Yerevan.
Day 4: Yerevan –Garni – Geghard – Yerevan

Breakfast at the hotel in Yerevan. Visit Garni, the only pagan temple in Armenia. Also see the magnificent canyon and organ-like vertical cliffs. Take part at a traditional lavash (traditional Armenian bread) making ceremony. Lunch during the tour with amazing view on the gorge. Visit Monastery of Geghard, carved in a solid rock. The monastery has an amazing architecture, energy and stunning acoustics. Back to Yerevan. Overnight.
Day 5: Yerevan – Noravank – Karahunj – Goris

Breakfast at the hotel in Yerevan. Depart from Yerevan to Goris (250 km far from Yerevan). Trip to Noravank Monastery. A magnificent monument of medieval Armenian architecture, surrounded with gorgeous red rocks. An amazing architecture, polygonal masonry walls and dome are continuity of time. Lunch. Then visit the oldest observatory Karahunj (prototype of Stonehenge). The site is much older than Stonehenge in England and Egyptian Pyramids. Check in the hotel. Dinner. Overnight in the cosy city of Goris.
Day 6: Goris - Tatev Monastery – Ditaket - ‘City of Knowledge’ – Goris

Breakfast at the hotel in Goris. Trip to Tatev Monastery by the longest cable car in the world. Here is the 8th Wonder of World, the swinging pole – pointing to the constellation of Orion. There are millions of columns, pillars, obelisks in the world, but only in Tatev a multi-ton pillar can swing at a mere touch of a hand! Using their fundamental knowledge in the field of astronomy, mathematics, physics,
chemistry, philosophy, architecture and construction, our ancestors established this unique pillar, where the mysteries of the universe, the mysteries of that time, the secrets of the calendar have been encrypted. Lunch during the tour in the forest on the edge of deep gorge with a breathtaking view. On the way back stop at the observation deck of the river gorge Vorotan. City of knowledge, here you will have a chance to visit newly discovered and yet not excavated ancient city. Exploration of middle plateau. The ruins of houses, architectural details ancient burial ground. Return to Goris. Dinner. Overnight.
Day 7: Goris - Ukhtasar - Goris or Goris - Khndzoresk – Goris

Breakfast at the hotel in Goris. Ughtasar – lost in the high mountains, a lake with crystal clear waters will reveal memories of prehistoric times. The petroglyphs offer a unique insight into the lives of our ancestors thousands of years ago. The petroglyphs can only be accessed by an adventurous off-road uphill climb in a Soviet 4×4 UAZ (3 hour drive from the highway for round trip, access is possible from June to September). Over 2,000 decorated rock fragments extend to the foot of the mountain. The petroglyphs, some believed to date back to the Paleolithic Era (12,000 BCE) or even more, are carved onto dark brownish-black volcanic stones left behind by an extinct volcano. Although the site was discovered in the early 20th century, it is still not fully understood today. Lunch-box. Drive back to hotel. Dinner. Overnight in Goris.

The second option is the cave city of Khndzoresk (in case of bad weather). Which is located at a distance of 8 km from Goris. Khndzoresk is widely famous for its canyon with picturesque rock formations and ancient cave settlements. The artificial caves, some of which are currently used as stables and warehouses, used to be inhabited till the 1950s..
Day 8: Goris – Selim – Caravanserai – Noraduz - Dilijan

Breakfast at the hotel – check out. On the way cross through Caravanserai, one of the most famous parts of ancient great Silk Roads. You can trace the Silk Road in Armenia by following its caravanserai, or inns; medieval stopping points where caravan riders and their pack animals spent the night. The Selim Pass Caravanserai is a valuable example of these inns along the Armenian Silk Road. Continue to Noraduz which is truly considered to be forest of khachkars (cross stones), displays hundreds of khachkars, the most stunning of which are the so called ”embroidered” ones typical to the 13th-14th centuries. A scenic drive along the Sevan Lake, it is a truly impressive sight – the lake supplies water to 28 rivers and is the source of the Hrazdan river. In the sun the perfectly still water surface turns almost turquise. It is the biggest Armenian lake and one of the highest located freshwater lakes in the world. Lunch on the shore of Sevan lake, a great opportunity to taste the fish of Sevan. Continue to Dilijan – the forest kingdom of Armenia. Check in the hotel. Dinner. Overnight in Dilijan.
Day 9: Dilijan - Haghartsin – Goshavank – Dilijan

Breakfast at the hotel. Dilijan city tour. Visit Haghartsin Monastery which represents an indescribable example of blend of nature with architecture. It was founded in the 10-11th centuries, though new buildings were added in the 12-13th centuries. Lunch. Drive to visit Goshavank Monastery. It is used to be one of the most famous religious and cultural centers in medieval Armenia which was founded by the famous medieval scientist, fabulist Mkhitar Gosh. Here you can see one of the most beautiful khachkars of Armenia. Drive back to hotel. Dinner. Overnight in Dilijan.
Day 10: Dilijan - Haghpat – Sanahin - Yerevan

Breakfast at the hotel, check-out. Drive to Lori Region, which is located in the north of the country. It is home to the UNESCO World Heritage Sites of Haghpat and Sanahin monasteries. Visit Sanahin and Haghpat Monasteries. The two monastic complexes represent the highest flowering of Armenian religious architecture, whose unique style developed from a blending of elements of Byzantine ecclesiastical architecture and the traditional vernacular architecture of the Caucasian region. Lunch during the tour on the bank of a river. Drive back to Yerevan. Check-in to the hotel. Farewell dinner. Overnight in Yerevan.
Day 11: Departure Yerevan

Free day. Transfer to the airport. End of service.