ABOUT THE TOUR
The Republic of Armenia, the first nation to adopt Christianity as its religion in the 4th century, has a rich cultural heritage as witnessed in the museums of its capital, Yerevan, and in the remarkable early churches, monasteries, and cave dwellings set in the majestic mountain scenery of the South Caucasus. We begin in Yerevan with a city tour including the State Museum of Armenian History, with collections documenting ancient history through to modern times, and the Armenian Genocide Museum and Memorial. We also visit the historic churches at Etchmiadzin, including the ruined church of Zvartnots and Etchmiadzin Cathedral, and the Sergei Parajanov Museum with its eclectic works by the artist.
Leaving the city, we travel south to the monastery of Khor Virap, with its splendid views of Mount Ararat, and the evocative Noravank Monastery complex. We continue south to the picturesque town of Goris and we visit the impressive walled monastery at Tatev and the home and museum of Armenian prose writer Axel Bakounts. Crossing the Selim Pass, we visit Orbelian’s caravanserai, before continuing to Lake Sevan, one of the largest mountain lakes in the world, and onwards to Dilijan, surrounded by the forests of the Dilijan National Park. Here we visit the remote Goshavank Monastery and the Makaravank and Haghartsin Monasteries before our journey back to Yerevan. The tour ends with the remarkable rock-carved churches at Geghard, the Hellenistic Temple at Garni and the magnificent Matenadaran, a depository of over 12,000 ancient manuscripts.
TOUR LEADER
Chris Caldicott
Since travelling to some of the most remote parts of the world as Photographer-in-Residence to the Royal Geographical Society, Chris Caldicott has continued his globetrotting lifestyle as a freelance photographer, writer and lecturer specialising in food and travel. He has had several books published about food, travel and the spice trade and visited 118 countries on assignments to capture evocative images and write about memorable experiences for publications such as Vanity Fair, Condé Nast Traveller, The Sunday Times, Harpers Bazaar, Tatler, House and Garden and The Telegraph.
DAY-BY-DAY OVERVIEW
Tuesday 15 September – London / Paris / Yerevan
Air France flight from London Heathrow via Paris to Yerevan (not included in the cost of the tour).
Group transfer to the 5-star Armenia Marriott Hotel on Republic Square where three nights are spent.
Overnight: Armenia Marriott Hotel, Yerevan
Wednesday 16 September – Yerevan
City tour of Yerevan including Republic Square, the State Museum of Armenian History, the Government and National Assembly buildings, Opera Square, Cascade steps and Mother of Armenia Statue.
Lunch at a local restaurant. Visit the Genocide Memorial and Museum. Dinner at the Megeryan Carpet Factory.
Overnight: Armenia Marriott Hotel, Yerevan
Thursday 17 September – Yerevan & Etchmiadzin
Excursion to Etchmiadzin including Zvartnots Cathedral ruins, Etchmiadzin Cathedral, St. Hripsime and St. Gayane Churches and the Treasury Museum of Etchmiadzin.
Cooking demonstration and lunch at Cross of Armenian Unity NGO in Etchmiadzin. Return to Yerevan and visit the museum of cinema director and artist Paradjanov. Dinner at a local restaurant.
Overnight: Armenia Marriott Hotel, Yerevan
Friday 18 September – Yerevan / Goris
Drive to Khor Virap Monastery with its spectacular view of Mount Ararat. Continue to the Areni Caves.
Lunch and wine tasting in the Vayots-Dzor region. Visit the mysterious standing stones of Karahunj or Carahunge and drive on to Goris. Check into the boutique Red Roof Hotel where two nights are spent. Dinner at the hotel.
Overnight: Red Roof Hotel, Goris
Saturday 19 September – Goris & Tatev
Visit the town of Goris. Continue to Tatev and take the “Wings of Tatev” cable car to Tatev Monastery.
Lunch at a local restaurant in Tatev. Return to Goris. Visit the home and museum of Armenian prose writer Axel Bakounts with tea. Dinner at a local restaurant.
Overnight: Red Roof Hotel, Goris
Sunday 20 September – Goris / Lake Sevan / Dilijan
Drive through the Selim Pass to Lake Sevan with a visit en route to Orbelian’s Caravanserai. Cheese tasting at Miqayelyan Cheese Factory.
Lunch at a local restaurant. Visit Noradus Cemetery and Hayravank Monastery. Continue to Dilijan and check into the boutique Dilijazz Hotel where one night is spent. Dinner at the hotel.
Overnight: Dilijazz Hotel, Dilijan
Monday 21 September – Dilijan / Yerevan
Visit Sharambeyan Street and Esayan Museum followed by Makaravank and Goshavank Monasteries.
Lunch at a local restaurant. Visit Haghartsin Monastery. Drive to Yerevan and check into the Armenia Marriott Hotel where a further two nights are spent. Dinner at the hotel.
Overnight: Armenia Marriott Hotel, Yerevan
Tuesday 22 September – Yerevan
Visit Geghard Monastery and the Hellenistic Temple at Garni.
Lunch in a local house in Garni with demonstration of Armenian bread (lavash) baking. Return to Yerevan and visit the Matenadaran Library of ancient manuscripts. Farewell dinner at a local restaurant.
Overnight: Armenia Marriott Hotel, Yerevan
Wednesday 23 September: Yerevan / Paris / London
Group transfer to Yerevan Airport and Air France flight via Paris to London Heathrow (not included).
TOUR DATE: 15 – 23 SEPTEMBER 2026
SINGLE SUPPLEMENT: £595
Price Includes
- Accommodation throughout as shown in the itinerary
- Breakfast daily; 7 lunches; 7 dinners
- All entrance fees, visits, excursions and transportation as per the itinerary
- Gratuities in restaurants for included meals; gratuities to guides/s; gratuities to driver/s; porterage
- Local English-speaking guide/s
- The services of your tour leader throughout
Price Excludes
- International flights
- Travel insurance
- Items of personal expenditure (e.g. telephone calls / laundry etc.)
- Government levies or taxes introduced after costing and publication of this programme on 18/07/25
Planning my first solo trip felt like a big step, but The Ultimate Travel Company made it easy from the outset. I reached out over a year in advance, and Rob Kent quickly put together a thoughtful itinerary based on exactly what I was looking for, securing great flights and always being available to talk things through. Everything ran smoothly and I felt looked after every step of the way. The accommodation in Japan, Fiji and Tahiti was excellent and the experiences unforgettable.
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