Rural Tour to Armenia

4.6

7 days/6 nights

Small Group (2-13)

Any Date

Half Board

Age: 0+

Price:

1,252USD

1,425USD

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The Highlights of the Tour

Travel around the most curious and cozy villages of Armenia Get acquainted with the way of life of the local population Taste delicious natural country products Try to prepare Armenian sweet cake gata by your own hands Learn the secrets of Armenian honey making Watch the demonstration of Armenian national bread lavash baking

Armenian villages and national products

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

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ITINERARY

Introduction

By choosing our Rural Tour to Armenia, you will travel around the most curious and cozy villages of Armenia, get acquainted with the way of life of the local population and taste delicious natural country products.

Day 1 - Arrival - Yerevan City Tour

Day 2 - Yerevan - Khor Virap - Noravank - Chiva - Yeghegnadzor

Khor Virap - Noravank

The second day will begin with a trip through the Ararat valley to the monastery of Khor Virap, the history of which is related to the adoption of Christianity in Armenia. It offers the most spectacular view of Mount Ararat as Khor Virap is located in close proximity to the mountain. The way will continue to the monastery of Noravank (XIII cent.), located among the red rocks of the gorge of indescribable beauty. After the excursion, you will go to the village of Chiva, where the locals will treat you with a delicious meal, prepared from natural products. Together with the hospitable hosts, you will be able to take part in the preparation of Armenian national sweet – gata. The day will end with a trip to Yeghegnadzor, where you will have a visit to the wine house producing the best sorts of Armenian wines. Here you will enjoy wine tasting. Overnight will be in a guesthouse in Yeghegnadzor.

Overnight: Guesthouse in Yeghegnadzor

Meals: Breakfast, Lunch

Drive: 160 km /100 mi / 2 hrs

Day 3 - Selim Pass - Noratus - Sevan - Hayravank - Chkalovka

Day 4 - Sevanavank - Chambarak - Getik - Dilijan

Day 5 - Dilijan - Fioletovo - Aparan - Proshyan

Day 6 - Ashtarak - Yerevan

Day 7 - Departure

Transfer to the airport, departure.

Meals: Breakfast

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INCLUSIONS/EXCLUSIONS

The tour price includes

Comfortable transport (vaccinated drivers)
Accommodation for 6 nights in 3* European class hotel (standard twin/double room)
Breakfasts and Lunches
Master classes and wine tasting in Yeghegnadzor
English speaking guide service for all days (vaccinated guides)
All admission fees
3 bottles (0,5 l) of water per day

The tour price doesn't include

Flights (available upon request)
Medical insurance
Additional night75 USD
3* Single supplement176 USD
4* upgrade p/p (dbl/twin room)79 USD

TRIP REVIEWS (3)

Greta Gilbert

What did you like best in your trip? Everything! It was a wonderful tour. We saw so many amazing, beautiful things, including wonderful Yerevan, the Gerhard Monastery and the Garni Temple, with the incredible symphony of stones formation just below it, Etchmiatsin Church, the museum of manuscripts, the fascinating Zvarnots Ruins, the haunting church of Saint Rhipsime,the Genocide Memorial, the ancient Khor Virap Monastary, the beautiful and isolated Noravank Monastary, the Areni cave ruins (so incredible!), the picturesque journey to the Caravansarai at the top of Selim Pass, Armenian Stonehenge (also just incredible!), the Noravus cemetary and the incredible ancient ruins around beautiful Lake Sevan, the sublime Sevanavank Monastary, the spectacularly situated Tatev Monastary (and the exciting, scenic tram ride to it) the Debed gorge and the fascinating ruins of Sanahin and Hagpat Monastaries that dot its edges, and the incredible painted Monastary of Akhtala. This is not to mention the delightful home visits we had with beekeepers' and cheesemakers' families, or the incredible meals we had throughout. It was an absolutely wonderful trip and we loved every minute of it!

What didn't you like in trip? We didn't like that it had to end!

What would you add to your trip? We would have made it longer if we could have.

Guide: Vahe was our guide for all but one of the days of the tour and he was just magnificent! He made the trip so special for us. He was always looking for ways to enhance our tour, including taking us to additional places of interest beyond what was planned, and delighting us with little surprises. He was so knowledgeable and passionate about Armenia, and we were so grateful for his openness, thoughtfulness, and warmth. He went above and beyond for us. We love you, Vahe! Arthur was our guide for one day of our tour (the tour of Yerevan) and he was also just wonderful. Thank you, Arthur! Both of our guides spoke excellent English and were great communicators.

Driver: Vahe was an excellent driver. We felt totally safe in his very capable hands.

Car: Perfect car for the tour.

Hotels: Great. We especially loved Qefo Hotel.

Would you recommend our company to your friends? Yes, wholeheartedly. Lucine was our contact for organizing the tour and she was very responsive, knowledgeable, professional, kind, and patient with us. When we requested several last minute changes to the itinerary, she was able to make them happen for us. She was an absolute delight to work with.

16.10.2017

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Ken Kanjian

My family and I have now returned safely to Sydney (New York in the case of my eldest daughter) and are resuming our daily lives but with very fond memories of our stay in Armenia. It was a truly wonderful time for us and we were fortunate to have your guidance in planning the itinerary and in having Ara as our accompanying and knowledgeable tour guide and Ardag as our most skilled driver.

As my eldest daughter said to me as we were leaving Armenia, there was something in the itinerary for each one of us. There was culture, religion, art, wine tasting, excellent food, history, beautiful scenery and panoramic walks – an eclectic blend. We loved Yerevan and its nightlife. We loved the hospitality and friendliness of the common folk – I in particular felt at home even though my Armenian is not very good. I had waited all my life (60 years) to make this pilgrimage and I was not disappointed.

It is very good to see that Armenia is a sovereign and independent state but I was able quite quickly to pick up on the undercurrent of problems which this young state faces. Nevertheless, I regard the existence of the state to be a miracle of sorts and I have every confidence that the intelligence and resourcefulness of the Armenian people will resolve their difficulties one by one and overtime. After all, do not forget that it took centuries of evolution and progress for the West to develop its present day administrative institutions and legal system. These critical underpinnings of society do not occur in short periods but take many years to evolve and require the goodwill and selflessness of generations to bring about fair and equitable societies.

The trip there and back was quite arduous. Our trip to Armenia took 32 hours from Sydney and the return trip was even longer because of an overnight layover in Dubai. Distance is tyrannical for us but I can say without reservation that if Yerevan was say only four hours away by plane, I would gladly visit two or three times a year – that is how much I liked your city and country.

Thank you again for your assistance.

With my best wishes

Vasken

17.09.2017

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Mohammed al Makhmari

What did you like best about your trip? 1 - Generally very well organised. Tour guide and driver had phone numbers of guest houses, places of activity, e.t.c. Who were always there on time to meet us. Rooms were chosen to provide comfort for the family. Activities suited for the children.

2 - Interaction with guest house owners and their families was very valuable. All were kind and some spoke very good English. Our best experiences were in old bridge B&B (Guesthouse and lady owner), Lavash and sudjuk making (Activity & the very kind people), cheese and Gata making (activity & people).
3 - Food quality and variety was great. We had some reservations on the quantity (too much).

What didn't you like about trip? 1 - Long driving day (Tsaghkunk – Chambarak – Berd – Idjevan). This might not be an issue on longer summer days with adult tourists, however the drive was a bit long for the children. Arrived at Berd late and there was little time for the activity. Had to drive back at night in foggy conditions which did not feel safe. Suggestion: Sleep over in Berd instead of Idejevan or sleep over in Idjevan and allocate an extra day for Berd.
2 - Sanitation: Overall we were very happy with the cleanliness of facilities. Idjevan guesthouse: owner must have done her best to keep place clean and was a very jolly lady however lifting the toilet lid there were unpleasant stains below the lid.
Berd: Toilet available during toy making event was not sanitary and had no door.

What would you add to your trip? NIL comments.

Guide: Haykuhi did very best to convey information about places visited and was flexible to change program, e.g. time used for children to play with snow as we found out "Caravan Seray" was not accessible due snow, dry fruit market and jewelry shop on final day. She also interacted with the children and always translated other people's conversations around us and that kept us comfortable.

Driver: Driver was very good. Drove safely and kept comfort of passengers in mind. He always helped with the bags and would like to thank him for that. He was also very helpful to other people (helped preparing wood for Lavash making)

Car: Comfortable. No breakdowns.

Hotels: Cascade: excellent location and amazing staff (no wonder the good reviews online). The only two issues were the sound proofing and smoking rooms (smoke enters from other rooms). Suggestion: Inform tourist of those two issues as they can not be fixed, while recommending the hotel at the same time for its good location and staff.

Would you recommend our company to your friends? Yes, definitely

08.04.2017

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TRIP MAP

WHY BOOK WITH ARARA

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!

Unique itinerary, multi cultural experience

Visit to national minority communities

During the tour, you'll visit the village belonging to Russian Molokan minorities and will get acquainted with their way of life.

Local organic food

During the tour, you will have a degustation of local honey and other village products.

Local cooking experience

During the tour, you will take part in the master class of sweet gata and traditional Armenian cheese.

Overnight in family run B&B

During the tour, you will stay for overnight in villages in guesthouses belonging to local families. Thus you will get in touch with the local population and contribute to the local infrastructure.

Reviews More about Arara

TRIP ACCOMMODATION

Old Bridge B&B (Yeghegnadzor)

Ani Central Inn Hotel (Yerevan)

B&B Guest House Armenia (Dilijan)

Lavash (Chkalovka)

Ani Plaza (Yerevan)

Tufenkian Old Dilijan Complex (Dilijan)

Tufenkian Avan Marak Tsapatagh (Sevan)

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:

Moneybelt, laptop/tablet/phone, chargers, camera with extra memory cards and batteries, outlet adapter

Credit cards and cash:

Credit cards can be used in all capital/big cities at hotels, restaurants, shopping malls, supermarkets, etc. EUR, USD and GBP can be exchanged into the local currency at exchange places and banks.