Gastronomic journey in Armenia

Trip Description

Accomodation

Stay program

• day 1

  Yerevan

  Welcome at Zvartnots International Airport. Transfer to the hotel. Rest.

• day 2

  City tour in Yerevan

  Meeting with the guide at the hotel reception at 9 am. Yerevan, one of the oldest cities in the world, welcomes you! First visit to the Matenadaran, which preserves thousands of ancient manuscripts with timeless charm. Continue to the Megerian factory to discover the mystery of the creation of handmade Armenian carpets. Next, we invite you to a cooking master class. With the chef, we will prepare delicious traditional specialties and try to discover some secrets of Armenian cuisine.

• day 3

  Yerevan – Garni – Geghard – Cooking master class – Sevanavank – Sevan

  At the beginning of the day, we will head towards the Kotayk region. We will visit the Geghard rock monastery, a UNESCO World Heritage site. Later, a walk in the Garni gorge to admire its superb basalt organs. Then, an ascent to visit the unique pagan temple of Garni (1st century). After the visit, we will have the opportunity to meet a pleasant host family. We will get to know real Armenian cuisine. The main dish will be "Tolma": grape or cabbage leaves are stuffed with minced meat, rice, onions, and spicy herbs, then rolled up like small cigars. Depending on the season, you can prepare summer Tolma, which will also include eggplants, peppers, and tomatoes. After tasting the homemade dishes, we will continue our journey to Lake Sevan, "the blue pearl of Armenia". On the Sevan peninsula, we will go explore the Sevanavank monastic complex. Rest.

• day 4

  Sevan – Goshavank – Haghartsin – Cooking master class – Dilijan

  Today, we will visit the picturesque town of Dilijan, "the Armenian Switzerland." Thick forests, untouched landscapes, and hills surround the town like a natural rampart. In the deep forests, we will visit the monasteries of Haghartsin (11th c.) and Goshavank (12th-13th c.), witnesses to the history and ancient culture of Armenia. Later, we will visit a very beautiful town called Sharambeyan, which was previously restored by the Tufenkian Foundation. Here is the "Old Dilijan" hotel-museum, with a truly original style, featuring antique furniture and handmade carpets. In the gourmet restaurant, we will have another cooking master class. Step by step, you will learn how to prepare the famous "ghapama," a popular Armenian dish made with pumpkin, raisins, other dried fruits, apples, nuts, cinnamon, and honey.

• day 5

  Dilijan – Gyumri: Master class in cooking

  The day will be dedicated to discovering the Shirak region, with a stop in Gyumri, the second largest city in Armenia. It is a place of art and culture, traditions, hospitality, and humor. We will go explore the old town with its beautiful old houses, colorful facades, and typical wooden balconies. We will attend the preparation of different dishes and will be able to enjoy the almond taste of fresh trout. You can also taste mint or thyme tea. Rest.

• day 6

  Gyumri – Haritchavank – Yerevan

  During a beautiful walking tour through the city of Gyumri, we will observe the daily and artisanal life of the local people. Continuation of the journey to the village of Haritch. Exploration of Haritchavank from the 7th century. Return to Yerevan. Free time for individual discoveries.

• day 7

  Yerevan – Zvartnots – Etchmiadzin – Aknashen – Khor Virap – Yerevan

  Trip to Etchmiadzin, the religious capital of all Armenians. On the way, we will visit the ruins of the 7th-century Zvartnots Cathedral. Next, we will visit the Etchmiadzin Cathedral. We will continue to the village of Aknashen. Later, we will gather there around a table set with delicious national specialties. On the menu: "lavash," traditional Armenian bread, "khorovats" (barbecue), and "gata," a typical Armenian butter cake. Before returning to the capital, we will go explore the 4th-century Khor Virap Monastery.

• day 8

  City tour in Yerevan

  Today, it is time to visit the craft market, where you can admire beautiful creative objects, witnesses of Armenian culture and traditions. Later, we will take part in another master class on preparing "pakhlava", a pastry filled with walnuts, almonds, or pistachios. At the end, while it is still warm, honey is added as it is cut into diamond shapes. In the evening, we will visit a real gourmet restaurant, offering refined cuisine and good Armenian wine.

• day 9

  Return flight

  Transfer to the airport. End of our services.