Duration: 5 Days / 4 Nights
Type of Tour: Cultural / Historical / Nature / UNESCO Sites
Ideal For: First-time visitors, couples, small groups
Best Season: Year-round

This 5-day journey offers a perfect introduction to Armenia’s rich heritage. Explore Yerevan’s historic streets, visit UNESCO-protected monasteries in Lori, admire the panoramic views from Khor Virap, and discover the spiritual heart of the nation at Ejmiatsin Cathedral. This tour combines cultural treasures, architectural marvels, and natural beauty at a relaxed pace suitable for first-time visitors.

Tour Highlights

✔ Explore Yerevan’s historic streets including Baghramyan, Mashtots, and Abovyan Avenues
✔ Visit the History Museum of Armenia and Cascade Complex
✔ Discover contemporary art at Cafesjian Center for the Arts
✔ Explore Sanahin and Haghbat Monasteries in Lori Province
✔ Visit Aramyants Castle Mansion
✔ Admire Khor Virap Monastery with panoramic views of Mt. Ararat
✔ Discover Noravank Monastery and the Areni 1 Cave
✔ Tour the spiritual center of Armenia: Ejmiatsin Cathedral, St. Hripsime Church, and Zvartnots Cathedral
✔ Armenian brandy tasting at a local factory
✔ Perfect classical tour for history and culture enthusiasts

Day 1 – Arrival & Yerevan Walking City Tour

Duration: 3–4 hours | Distance: 13 km | Meals: None

Arrive at Zvartnots International Airport and meet your Santa Maria Tours representative. Transfer to your hotel in Yerevan. Begin your city tour in the capital, founded in the 8th century BC and originally known as Erebuni.

Stroll along Baghramyan Avenue, Mashtots Avenue, and Abovyan Street, seeing historic houses and buildings. Visit the History Museum of Armenia to learn about Armenia’s origins. Continue through the Cascade, leading to the Opera and Ballet Theater, and explore the Cafesjian Center for the Arts.

Overnight: Hotel in Yerevan

Day 2 – Haghbat, Sanahin & Aramyants Castle

Duration: 9–10 hours | Distance: 345 km | Meals: Breakfast

Drive to Lori Province to visit Haghbat and Sanahin Monasteries, UNESCO World Heritage Sites founded in the 10th century. Admire their intricate architecture, beltowers, gavits, scriptoriums, and chapels. Continue to Aramyants Castle Mansion, built by oil producer Mikael Aramyants in Swiss style between 1903–1906, with its dramatic history and cypress-lined front.

Overnight: Hotel in Yerevan

Day 3 – Khor Virap, Noravank & Areni 1 Cave

Duration: 7–8 hours | Distance: 260 km | Meals: Breakfast

Visit Khor Virap Monastery, where St. Gregory the Illuminator was imprisoned, offering panoramic views of Mt. Ararat. Stop for lunch in Areni village. Explore Noravank Monastery, a 13th-century complex with red cliffs and remarkable stone carvings by sculptor Momik. End the day at Areni 1 Cave, where the oldest human shoe (3,900 BC) and oldest winery were discovered.

Overnight: Hotel in Yerevan

Day 4 – Ejmiatsin Cathedral, St. Hripsime, Zvartnots & Noy Brandy Factory

Duration: 5–6 hours | Distance: 42 km | Meals: Breakfast, brandy tasting

Visit the spiritual heart of Armenia: Ejmiatsin Cathedral, St. Hripsime Church, and Zvartnots Cathedral, a 7th-century church restored in the 1940s. Learn about Armenia’s Christian heritage and architectural marvels. End the day with a tour and tasting at the Noy Brandy Factory.

Overnight: Hotel in Yerevan

Day 5 – Departure

Duration: 1 hour | Distance: 13 km | Meals: Breakfast

Private transfer to Zvartnots International Airport for your departure.

Overnight: None