8 Day Private Self Drive Tour in Armenia

What's Included

Meeting and pickup

Itinerary

Day 1
The vibrant capital Yerevan
6 stops
1
10.00 a.m. Meeting with your English-speaking guide at your hotel and walk through the world-famous city of Yerevan including a visit to a famous factory (surprise!)with a small tasting. The first stop is at the famous Cascade complex with the marvelous views over Yerevan with the Sculpture park of famous international artists.
1 hour • Admission ticket included
2
The Armenian National Academic Theater of Opera and Ballet named after Alexander Spendiaryan
You stop around the famous Opera building of Yerevan and listen to the history of this lively city.
30 minutes • Admission ticket free
3
Mesrop Mashtots Avenue
You walk along the main boulevard of Yerevan and see the street life, shops, Cafe's and parks.
45 minutes • Admission ticket free
4
Republic Square
At the Republic Square you reach the heart of the city with the parliament and the National Museum of Fine Art
45 minutes • Admission ticket free
5
Vernissage Market
You visit the wonderful Open Air Antique Market called "Vernissage" where you can find a great variety of arts and crafts products, souvenirs, carpets, books, art and charming Cafe's
1 hour • Admission ticket free
6
Noy Yerevan Ararat Brandy-Wine-Vodka Factory
Visit of a famous Brandy factory with your guide
1 hour • Admission ticket included
Day 2
The fertile Ararat valley
4 stops
7
Khor Virap
Your Self-drive tour starts at 9.00 a.m. with delivery of the rental car to your hotel. South of Yerevan in the Ararat Plain lies your first destination, the beautiful Khor Virap Monastery at the foot of Mount Ararat. You can visit this holy place with the Church of Saint George and enjoy the grandiose views to the two mountains of the Ararat, which is located on the territory of Turkey.
2 hours • Admission ticket free
8
Areni
You continue South to the famous Wine region around the village of Areni and may visit one of the local wineries.
1 hour 30 minutes • Admission ticket free
9
Noravank Monastery
At the junction of the road to Noravank you can stop and see the famous Areni-1 cave with stunning insights into the life of the early Armenians. You continue to Noravank Monastery with it's breath taking location in a rocky gorge.
2 hours • Admission ticket free
10
You continue to the town of Yeghegnadzor, the provincial capital of Vayots Dzor Province. Have a stroll along the center and continue to your charming guesthouse.
1 hour 30 minutes • Admission ticket free
Day 3
Day trip to the Spa of Jermuk
4 stops
11
Jermuk
Day trip with your car to Jermuk. Jermuk is a famous resort in Armenia known for it's Spa's and the healthy Mineral water of different temperatures. Have an exciting walk to the hot water springs with it's exciting Soviet Armenian architecture and enjoy the parks around.
2 hours • Admission ticket free
12
30 minutes away are hot springs where you can take a bath. As the road is very rocky and difficult we recommend you to hire one of the local 4x4 drivers that bring you safely to the hard to find attraction.
2 hours • Admission ticket free
13
Visit the Yermuk waterfalls and take fantastic photos here.
1 hour 30 minutes • Admission ticket free
14
Visit famous Gndevank Monastery from the 10th century. From the main road leads a small old road which is blocked and you need to walk 1,5 kilometers up.
2 hours • Admission ticket free
Day 4
Drive over the Selim Pass to Lake Sevan
5 stops
15
Today you drive north over the Selim Pass to Lake Sevan. You first stop is at the historic Aghnjhadzor Caravanserai at the historic Silk Road, that is very well preserved but often over looked.
40 minutes • Admission ticket free
16
Vardenyats Pass (Selim Pass)
Close to the pass stands the famous Orbelian's Caravanserai from the 14th century at a height of 2,410 metres (7,910 ft) above sea level. Orbelian's Caravanserai is the best preserved caravanserai in the entire country. Have a photo stop here.
40 minutes • Admission ticket free
17
Noratus Cemetery
You drive along the beautiful shore of Lake Sevan to one of the biggest cemeteries in Armenia to Noratus, where you can see lots of awesome cross stones and engraved pictures that tell stories about the Armenians throughout the centuries.
3 hours • Admission ticket free
18
Monastery Sevanavank
You continue north and turn right onto the peninsula and visit the beautiful monastery of Sevanavank with its fantastic views over Lake Sevan and the mountains around. You can buy local souvenirs like precious stones or taste the local dishes of fresh fish from the lake. The most famous fish is "Ishkhan", a trout species.
2 hours • Admission ticket free
19
Dilijan
You cross another pass today on your road to Dilijan, that is a touristic center in the heart of the Dilijan National Park. Have a walk in the beautiful old town and continue to your guesthouse in Dilijan.
2 hours • Admission ticket free
Day 5
In Dilijan National Park
3 stops
20
Lake Parz
Today you have several options for hiking tours in the National Park. Maps can be found at the Tourist Information Center in the heart of Dilijan. You can have a hiking tour from lake Parz to the village of Gosh of approx. 3.5 km one way.
4 hours • Admission ticket free
21
Drive to the famous monastery of Haghartsin and enjoy this historic complex and the silence of the forests around.
2 hours • Admission ticket free
22
Goshavank Monastery
Visit famous Goshavank monastery, dated to the 12th - 13th century. This impressive monastery which has remained in relatively good condition also houses one of the world's finest examples of a khachkar. (Cross stones)
1 hour 30 minutes • Admission ticket free
Day 6
In Gyumri and a visit at a local Armenian family
2 stops
23
Today you drive westwards to the second biggest town of Armenia, Gyumri. You pass the city of Vanadzor and may visit the Vanadzor Museum of Fine Arts at the Tumanyan Square.
2 hours • Admission ticket free
24
Gyumri
You continue to the city of Gyumri, which developed very favorable in the last 15 years. It has a charming Old town and boulevard and some healthy Vegan Cafe's with herbal teas and honey from the mountains. Continue to your hotel, where our guide will pick you up at 16.00 for a Culinary afternoon in a typical Armenian family. Enjoy!
6 hours • Admission ticket free
Day 7
To Garni and Gehard
3 stops
25
Garni Temple
Today you drive past the massive Aragts mountain via Yerevan bypass to the famous temple of Garni. Garni is famous for its fortress complex containing the 1st-century AD Garni Temple. This is a unique architectural landmark in the region of the South Caucasus.
4 hours • Admission ticket free
26
The Monastery of Geghard
Only 7 kilometers from Garni you should see the the medieval monastery complex of Geghard, one of the most impressive sites in Armenia. For many Armenians it's a very holy place as it holds the spear which had wounded Jesus at the Crucifixion.
2 hours • Admission ticket free
27
Yerevan
You continue back to the center of Yerevan to your hotel, where your rental car will be picked up in the evening.
1 hour 10 minutes • Admission ticket free
Day 8
Departure day
1 stop
28
According to your departure time from Yerevan Zvartnots International Airport we organize your airport transfer from your hotel.
3 hours • Admission ticket free

Additional info

• Public transportation options are available nearby
• Specialized infant seats are available
• Not recommended for travelers with spinal injuries
• Not recommended for travelers with poor cardiovascular health
• Travelers should have at least a moderate level of physical fitness
• Not recommended for travelers with altitude problems. You travel on altitudes between 900 and 2400 meters.

Tags

Rating