Food & Wine – Gastronomic Tour to Armenia

3 Reviews

8 days/7 nights

Small Group (2-13)

Any Date

Half Board

Age: 0+

Price:

67,565RUR

85,998RUR

Book now

The Highlights of the Tour

Areni wine - Ararat brandy - Armenian BBQ

Feel the life pulse in the high mountain villages Visit the oldest wine cellar in Noah’s land Taste the well known ArArAt cognac Learn the secrets of Armenian BBQ preparation Take part in the master class of Armenian sweet sujukh preparation Explore Echmiadzin Cathedral - the mother church of Armenian Apostolic Church and one of the oldest cathedrals in the world Have a trip to the-13th-century UNESCO World Heritage Monastery – Geghard

Itinerary What's included Reviews Accommodation Trip maps Packing checklist Essential information Why book Availability

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ITINERARY

Introduction

Anybody who tasted a dish from Armenian cuisine would definitely assure you that it was one of a kind. With our Food and Wine Gastronomic tour to Armenia, you will have an experience not only to taste different dishes from Armenian cuisine but also take part in making some of them. This tour will allow you to have family visits to rural areas, enjoy the mountainous fresh air and try very unique and delicious meals from Armenian traditional cuisine. By choosing Food and Wine Gastronomic tour to Armenia you will have an opportunity to make Armenian traditional lavash, tasty tolma, taste Armenian famous wine and world-famous ArArAt Cognac. With our tour you will get the true taste of Armenian cuisine, moreover, you will be amused by the spirit and hospitality of Armenians.

Day 1 - Arrival - Yerevan City Tour

The sights of Yerevan

The tour will begin with a city tour around Yerevan – the ancient city which is 29 years older than the Eternal City of Rome. Nowadays Yerevan is a lively and charming city with green parks, pink buildings, cheerful and hospitable people. From the observation platform of the Victory Park, you will admire the whole city from a bird’s eye view. The walk will continue to the Cascade – this unique construction is a museum of modern art, as well as a favorite place of Yerevan residents. Further, you will walk along the main street of the city, see the Opera and Ballet Theater and several central streets of Yerevan. In the evening, you will have a welcome dinner and a wine tasting at the wine restaurant.

Overnight: Hotel in Yerevan

Meals: Dinner

Day 2 - Saghmosavank - Amberd - Voskevaz Winery

Armenian Winery - Kasakh River gorge

In the morning you will head to Saghmosavank Monastery located atop the yawning gorge carved by the Kasakh River. Amazing view of the canyon will open in front of you once you reach the monastery. You will continue uphill to the Amberd fortress proudly standing on the foot of Mount Aragats (2300 meters above sea). Amberd was once the patrimony of Pahlavuni princes and was a strategically important stronghold of the Armenian kings of Bagratuni. The lunch will be organized in the yard of the local resident house. A bit later you will head to the real wine castle. It is Voskevaz Winery the name of which is translated as “a golden bunch”. Here you will have a wonderful tour around the old winery. You will get acquainted with all the stages of wine fermentation and taste the wines that received the gold and silver medals at MUNDUS VINI exhibition held in Germany.

Overnight: Hotel in Yerevan

Meals: Breakfast, Lunch

Day 3 - Geghard - Garni - Lavash Baking - Ararat Brandy Factory

ArArAt Brandy Factory - Geghard

After breakfast at the hotel, you will head to the picturesque Azat River Canyon, where Geghard Cave Monastery is located. You will continue your trip to Garni Pagan Temple of the 1st century AD, the only preserved sample of Hellenistic architecture in the Caucasus region. The surrounding landscape with deep Azat River Gorge and Geghama Mountain Range gives a distinct charm to the temple. Your lunch will be served outdoors, accompanied by traditional bread baking demonstration in tonir (oven in the ground). Hot, newly baked lavash with cheese and fresh greens smells fantastic and is worth tasting. You will continue to Yerevan to taste some excellent cognacs in ArArAt Brandy Company. In Armenia, the cognac making tradition goes back to the 19th century. ArArAt trademark of Yerevan Brandy Company is well known over the world.

Overnight: Hotel in Yerevan

Meals: Breakfast, Lunch

Day 4 - Khor Virap - Areni - Noravank - Hermon - BBQ Making

Armenian BBQ - Noravank

After breakfast, you will head to the south to Khor Virap Monastery which offers the best view of Mount Ararat. In clear days Biblical Ararat seems so close as if on the hand reach. You will continue your trip to the second largest winemaking areas of Armenia, Arpa River Valley. This region is well known for its endemic sort of grape Areni, the red wine made of this grape. In Areni caves the archaeologists found the oldest winemaking facilities in the world. The next stop will be at Noravank Monastery – another gem of the Armenian architecture which stands amidst the red rock valley. Then you will go to Yeghegnadzor town to meet winemaker Arman. He will treat you to local wines and vodka. After lunch, you will head to a cozy rural hotel in the village of Hermon, located in the valley of incomparable beauty. During the dinner, the hospitable hosts will share the most valuable skills of cooking Armenian barbeque. The appetizing aroma of barbeque prepared by your own hands – what can sound more tempting? The hotel has all the conveniences for a cozy evening rest.

Overnight: Hotel in Hermon Village

Meals: Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner

Day 5 - Selim Pass - Noratus - Cheese Tasting - Sevan Lake - Sevanavank - Yerevan

Selim Pass - dolma - Sevan

This day you will have a very scenic journey along the section of the Great Silk Road. Here you will have an opportunity to see one of the well-preserved caravanserais where merchants and travelers stayed for an overnight during their journey. In a few kilometers, you will reach azure Lake Sevan. It is one of the highest and largest freshwater lakes in the world, located at about 2000 meters above the sea level. Have you ever tried cheese aged in wine? If not, you will have such an opportunity as we will organize a meeting with an interesting person who prepares such dainties with great success. A little later you will spend some pleasant time at Lake Sevan and then continue your tour to Tsakhkunq village. Here the chef cooker Yuri will surprise you with dishes made according to old recipes, as well as conduct a master class for you.

Overnight: Hotel in Yerevan

Meals: Breakfast, Lunch

Day 6 - Vagharshapat - Echmiadzin Cathedral - Machanents

Armenian winery - Echmiadzin Cathedral

In the morning you will have a trip to Echmiadzin town – the religious center of all Armenians. First, you will visit the church of St. Hripsime (7th century), which is one of the most beautiful Armenian churches of the early Middle Ages. It was built on the place of the death of one of the Christian virgins who fled to Armenia from Rome. The main sight of the town is Echmiadzin Cathedral which is considered one of the first Christian cathedrals in the world. It is included in the UNESCO heritage list. Lunch will be served in a unique art center, where the owners will share with you their secrets of Armenian traditional sweet cake preparation.

Overnight: Hotel in Yerevan

Meals: Breakfast, Lunch

Day 7 - Free day

Yerevan food market

This day we advise you to visit the food market famous for its fresh fruits, beautifully decorated dried fruits, delicious pickled vegetables and spices.

Overnight: Hotel in Yerevan

Meals: Breakfast, Lunch

Day 8 - Departure

Transfer to the airport, departure

INCLUSIONS/EXCLUSIONS

The tour price includes

Airport transfers
Accommodation in 3* hotels and guesthouse (7 nights/double rooms)
Half board (breakfasts + 5 lunches), welcome dinner, dinner in Hermon
All transfers in air-conditioned vehicles
English speaking guide-driver service for all days
All admission fees
1 bottle (0.5 litre) of water per day per person
All wine and cognac tasting

The tour price doesn't include

Flights
Medical insurance
Visa fee
Dinners

TRIP REVIEWS

Simona Goldstein 18.05.2018

Guide: our guide was Haykuhi, very nice person, friendly and kind, very explicit (English at high level)and clear on the information, good knowledge on all sites. She was on time every day, as per our schedule. We will be glad to have her on our future trip to Georgia.

Driver: our driver was Aram(don't remember the exact name), very nice person and good driver. he took care of our luggage with kindness and calm. he was on time every day as per our schedule.

Car: 5

Hotels: All hotels were very nice and clean and the breakfasts were delicious. every day same idea, but something new.

What did you like best in your trip? The beautiful landscapes of Armenia, the people who are very warm and nice, the great food and once again, the landscapes. The itinerary was wonderful.

What didn't you like in trip? The roads must be improved and the advertising, must be on the first place of improvement. nothing to do with your company. just to pass over to the proper offices.

What would you add to your trip? nothing, just Thank You!!

Would you recommend our company to your friends? Definitely we'll recommend your company to our families and friends. We also, will like to book our future trip to Georgia with Arara.

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Randa and Badran 31.03.2017

Dear Araratour Manager:

My wife and I wish to thank Araratour for organizing our recent successful trip to Armenia. In particular, we wish to thank and recognize your excellent employee Ms. Lusine Masuryan for her professional work, attention to details and her follow-up. She was truly one of the best travel executives we dealt with in our lifetime of travel. Ms. Masuryan responded on time to over 35 emails and offered workable solutions to our needs. Part of the success of the trip is owed to her excellent ability to respond to our needs. Another person who deserves credit is Ms. Anna who was our guide. I know that she is a freelancer and not part of Araratour, but she was an incredible source about Armenia and its history. Anna and her driver were punctual, helpful and excellent sources about your lovely country. I will recommend your agency to my friends and mention it on Trip Advisor soon.

Best wishes,

Randa and Badran

Dubai, UAE

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Tabitha Laigle 26.11.2014

What did you like best in your trip? Arara travel company created the best itinerary for my husband and me. We saw beautiful monasteries surrounded gorgeous landscapes. My favorite place was Tatev Monastery. I also love Geghard Monastery and Noravank Monastery.

What didn't you like in trip? I loved every thing about the trip, but my least favorite stop was at Jermuk. I liked it, but it cannot be compared to the other amazing sites.

What would you add to your trip? Nune was also very helpful and always responded to my e-mails the same day. Your feedback about your guide: I was afraid that we would not be able to see Tatev Monastary because of the weather, but Ara, our driver/guide was an amazing driver. He made our trip very special. He was very patient and accommodating. He taught us about Armenia culture and answered all of questions. I really felt like we made a new friend. Your feedback about your driver: Ara had brand new tires which came in handy with the snow. The car was clean and comfortable.

Hotels: Cascade Hotel was in an excellent location in Yerevan, and their breakfast was good. The family at B&B in Goris was very friendly. The breakfast was simple.

Would you recommend our company to your friends? Absolutely! We had a wonderful vacation and want to come back soon.

Thank you!

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TRIP ACCOMMODATION

Cascade

LucyTour

Silachi

TRIP MAP

PACKING CHECKLIST

Documents:

Passport, flight ticket (printed or electronic), insurance, visa (if required)

First aid kit:

Bandaids / plasters, special medicine or drugs in permanent use, antibacterial gel/wipes, antiseptic cream, lip balm

Essentials:

Credit/debit cards, cash (cards can be used in the large cities and cash in regions), moneybelt, laptop/tablet/phone, chargers, camera with extra memory cards and batteries, outlet adapter

Dressing:

There are no restrictions regarding clothes; scarf or shawl is advisable for churches

Clothes for Spring / Autumn:

Long pants/jeans, long sleeve blouses, light raincoat, jacket, comfortable waterproof shoes, umbrella

Clothes for Summer:

T-shirts, shorts, long sleeve blouses for evening, sandals, umbrella, sun protection, sun glasses, sunhat

Clothes for Winter:

Warm coat, warm wool sweater, long warm trousers, long boots (waterproof), scarf, gloves

ESSENTIAL INFORMATION

WHY BOOK WITH ARARA

GUIDES WITH 5+ YEAR EXPERIENCE

We work only with professional guides and guides who have experience in tourism for more than 5 years

THE BEST PRICE IN THE MARKET FOR HIGH-QUALITY SERVICE

With Arara you book at first hand from a qualified local Armenian agency. Avoid surcharges applied by intermediaries and save money!

LICENSED AIR CONDITIONED TRANSPORT

We provide our tourists with comfortable air-conditioned transport

Ethnic dances and performances

During the tour, you will have master classes on performing Armenian ethnic dances

Participation in cooking classes

During the tour, you will have master classes on the preparation of Armenian national bread lavash and local barbeque

Overnight in regions

We provide accommodation in the regions which allows our tourists not to get tired of a long journey, experience the full color of Armenia and minimize driving distance.

Reviews More about Arara

GUARANTEED TOUR DATES

Start		End	Price	Space left
Any Day Any date from Yerevan	8 days	Individual Sep 28, 2019 to Yerevan	74,314 RUR	2+ Spaces left	Book now
Saturday May 11, 2019 from Yerevan	8 days	Saturday May 18, 2019 to Yerevan	67,565 RUR	13 Spaces left	Book now
Saturday Jun 8, 2019 from Yerevan	8 days	Saturday Jun 15, 2019 to Yerevan	67,565 RUR	13 Spaces left	Book now
Saturday Jun 22, 2019 from Yerevan	8 days	Saturday Jun 29, 2019 to Yerevan	67,565 RUR	13 Spaces left	Book now
Saturday Sep 7, 2019 from Yerevan	8 days	Saturday Sep 14, 2019 to Yerevan	67,565 RUR	13 Spaces left	Book now
Saturday Sep 21, 2019 from Yerevan	8 days	Saturday Sep 28, 2019 to Yerevan	67,565 RUR	13 Spaces left	Book now

Any Day

Any date

from Yerevan

8
days

Individual

Sep 28, 2019

to Yerevan

to Yerevan

Space left

13 67,565 RUR

Book now

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