Museums

In the morning meet your group participants and tour leader, trip briefing. We start our trip with the fascinating Museum of Armenian History, which gives a superb oversight of ancient cultures of Armenian Highland.

From here our route continues to southwest, to the site of ancient Garni, the only standing monument of Hellenistic architecture in Caucasus. Built on a naturally fortified plateau and maintaining a commanding view of deep gorges, the elegant temple is a potent symbol of the power of Mitra, God of Sun. The next stop of our trip is the magnificent Monastery of Geghard cut in solid rocks with exquisite cross-stones hewn out of the cliff face, a splendid and challenging architectural construction to say the least. Time free to explore this vast complex on your own, back to Yerevan.

Overnight: Hotel in Yerevan, Meal plan: Breakfast

Museums

Breakfast at hotel. We first visit the Royal City of Metsamor, a vast archaeological site, now a museum with a spectacular collection of over 22,000 artefacts, jewellery and weapons dating from Neolithic times. There is ample time to explore the museum and have a walk at the site with the remains of burial sites, and a fire temple built 28 centuries ago. Detailed on-site discussions and explanations of the archaeology finds and archaeology studies offered by the archaeologist/guide of the museum.

Travel to the Vatican city of Armenia, Holy Echmiadzin. Experience a fascinating journey through time, descend to the ruins of the pagan sanctuary beneath the altar and pay tribute to the Treasury of Mother Cathedral with striking collection of biblical archaeological relics of Christianity. It is difficult not to get caught up in the spiritual atmosphere of this sacred site. Proceed to explore the impressive ruins of Zvartnots Temple, a magnificent cathedral dating back to the VII c. Consider the distinctive construction techniques and stunning bas relief carvings of this great structure. Back to Yerevan, evening free.

Overnight: Hotel in Yerevan, Meal plan: Breakfast

Voluntourism

Five days spent in regions of Armenia. Through our cooperation with a pioneering archaeology project you can take part in excavations as a volunteer archaeology assistant in various sites in Armenia. Working with Dr. Boris Gasparyan (Institute of Archaeology, Yerevan) and his team as an archaeology assistant you will help find further evidence about functions of various sites and important aspects of fascinating ancient cultures that thrived here. You will spend mornings excavating and afternoons washing, sorting, and classifying archaeological finds, all under the supervision of Dr. Yengibaryan and his assistants. You will be living with the archaeological team at village homes or guesthouses near sites. For many a highlight of the trip, this not-for-profit project helps contribute to research leading to informed decisions on conservation of archaeological sites and creation of new national parks, reserves and protected areas. Information on specific sites is currently being updated and will be provided shortly.

Overnight: Village homes/guesthouses, Meal plan: Breakfast

The day is dedicated to the exploration of ancient capitals of Armenia. Visit one of the seven villages forming the territory of ancient Dvin. Occupied from early prehistory until Median times, Dvin boasts an early Mesopotamian trading colony from about 3000 B.C. Excavations last revealed nine major levels of occupation and rich temple offerings were found by the excavators. Explore what was once a forum, a market and an elaborately decorated royal palace. Visit field archaeological museum. Proceed to Khor Virap Monastery occupying a beautiful location with biblical Mount Ararat dominating the skyline. Proceed to the site of ancient Artashat, a city founded by ambitious King Artashes in the 2nd c AD. Financed by taxes on the caravans, which passed this way between the Mediterranean and Mesopotamia, Artashat was once a flourishing city. Back to Yerevan.

Overnight: Hotel in Yerevan, Meal plan: Breakfast

We continue the exploration of ancient civilizations of the Armenian Highland. Today we visit two sites related to the mighty Kingdom of Urartu, the contemporary of Babylon and Persia. We explore the ruins of Teyshebaini Fortress of VII c. BC and Erebuni, the birthplace of modern Yerevan. Here the history truly comes to life as you walk amidst the ruins of temples evoking onetime military and economic might and examine the amazingly well-preserved cuneiform inscriptions recording the achievements of kings of Urartu - Argishti and his son Rusa and the extent of their empires.

Museums

Later a visit to the Museum of Archeology with a wealth of rare archeologial finds providing a fascinating glimpse into the world of lost civilizations.

Overnight: Hotel in Yerevan, Meal plan: Breakfast

Sightseeing

Free day to explore Yerevan at your own pace. You may wish to wander in the labyrinth of Vernisage arts & crafts market, the paradise for souvenir hunter, climb up to Mayr Hayastan monument to get a bird’s eye view of the city or climax your day with a visit to Yerevan Brandy Company to explore the secrets of making the delicious, internationally acclaimed beverage, the favourite of Winston Churchill.

Overnight: Hotel in Yerevan, Meal plan: Breakfast