Soviet Armenia
· 3.10. Our journey starts in the capital city Yerevan, one of the oldest cities in the world. After check-in at the hotel and a late lunch, we will start our 7-day tour of Armenia with our fellow travelers. We will visit the local colorful Yerevan market with typical Armenian goods like red wine, best pomegranate juice, or local Snickers made of nuts - sold exclusively by the Armenian babushkas. After this experience, we will have a look at some tourist attractions like Republic Square and Cascade Gardens for the light start. On the top of the Cascade, we will have a look at the Soviet theme park with the statue of Mother Armenia having its twin in Georgia also, and a brutalist gem - the Yerevan gate. If we will have luck, from here we will have a perfect view of the fabulous 5137 meters high Ararat mountain the symbol of Armenia, now located in Turkey.
· 4.10. After breakfast, we are going to have a ride 13-kilometer-long Yerevan Metro. The system only has 10 stations and one line - the journey is just 30 euro cents per drive. The subway system even survived the Armenian earthquake in 1988. We jump out at Shengavit station which is a very different part from the city center. Full of Soviet architecture and very laid-back. From here we will move to the concrete jungle Malatia-Sebastia with 142 000 inhabitants, also nicknamed - Bangladesh. This part is inhabited mainly by the Armenian genocide survivor’s families, as a whole of Armenia the area is very safe. After the good lunch, we will have a visit to the Armenian genocide monument built for those almost 1.5 million Armenians killed. A sad place overlooking the city, but a big part of Armenian history. After this experience, we are going to walk near the Hrazdan stadium with the local market happening during the weekends. We start our late afternoon at the oldest part of the city called Kond. We will spend the evening in Yerevan´s city center.
· 5.10. Today we leave the capital to take the train to Gyumri, the second biggest city in the country, destroyed by the earthquake in 1988. The starting point is the Yerevan Railway station built in 1902, one of the most beautiful ones in the Post-Soviet world. The scenic train ride takes us 2 hours and drives along the heavily guarded Turkish border - the relations between the countries from the genocide are still very hostile. On the way, we see the Armenian medieval capital Ani, now located in Turkey, and also the highest mountain in Armenia, Mount Aragats 4090 meters high. After arriving at the station in Gyumri we will enjoy the beautiful railway station built in 1979. After check-in, we will have a look at the Iron Fountain the monumental piece of Soviet Architecture. We will also have a walk to the local market and explore the city center built from black stone - all this was rebuilt after the big 1988 earthquake.
· 6.10. After breakfast, our driver takes us to Spitak, where in the mountains, one of the 40000 Soviet youth centers is located. A very nostalgic place full of interesting mosaics from the 1970s. Afternoon we will continue our journey to the city of Vanadzor, a Soviet-designed city located just a few kilometers from the Georgian border. Vanadzor is an industrial city, but very warm in the atmosphere. The city used to be one of the main Chemical industry producers in all of the Soviet Union. We will have a look at the old factories, and beautiful Soviet architecture pieces - a bus station and a train station with a full Soviet railway system map mosaic. Through the vibrant market where we will taste a classic dry fish from the lake Sevan, we will have a walk to the viewpoint near the abandoned Kirokovan hotel.
· 7.10. Leaving Vanadzor for the natural wonder of Armenia, the lake Sevan. This is the biggest lake of the Caucasus region 1900 metres high. We will visit the almost 1300-year-old Sevanavank monastery and Hayravank monastery. This is a must-see in the oldest Christian country in the world. We will taste the local grilled fish from the lake also. Through the mountain pass over 3000 meters high we will enjoy the beautiful Caucasian Mountains and drive to the 800-year-old Orbelian caravanserai - the place that used to be the ancient Silk Road hotel hundreds of years ago. Overnight in Yeghenadzor.
· 8.10. Morning fresh walk around Yeghenadzor, which was the capital city of the Republic of Mountainous Armenia - the Anti-Bolshevik resistance against Soviet rule. From here we continue to the Areni - the capital of Armenian wine where we will taste some. They have made wine for more than 6200 years here. The next stop is the Khor Virap monastery, the symbol of Armenia with a beautiful view of Ararat mountain 5137 meters high. Afternoon we will drive to the 2000-year-old temple in Garni. Arriving in Yerevan in the evening.
· 9.10. A day trip for a little trekking under the highest Armenian Mount Aragats awaits us today. Time for urbex at Orgov space center built from 1975-1985. One of the finest examples of Soviet architecture and science. Afternoon return to Yerevan to visit the legendary Ararat brandy factory followed by the shopping and laid-back wandering after a hard first part of the day. Now we understand what Armenians say about the country Armenia is not Europe or Asia - Armenia is Caucasus. Flying home.
What is included in the price:
accommodation with breakfast in 3, 4* hotels and guesthouses
English-speaking guide with a private car
Sevan and Hayravank monastery entrance
Ararat distillery tour and brandy tasting
special Armenian dinner
local surprise at the end
What is not included in the price:
flights and visas ( we will recommend the easiest and most economical ways)
personal expenses
travel insurance
What to bring with you: comfortable outdoor shoes, a rain jacket.
· 3.10. Our journey starts in the capital city Yerevan, one of the oldest cities in the world. After check-in at the hotel and a late lunch, we will start our 7-day tour of Armenia with our fellow travelers. We will visit the local colorful Yerevan market with typical Armenian goods like red wine, best pomegranate juice, or local Snickers made of nuts - sold exclusively by the Armenian babushkas. After this experience, we will have a look at some tourist attractions like Republic Square and Cascade Gardens for the light start. On the top of the Cascade, we will have a look at the Soviet theme park with the statue of Mother Armenia having its twin in Georgia also, and a brutalist gem - the Yerevan gate. If we will have luck, from here we will have a perfect view of the fabulous 5137 meters high Ararat mountain the symbol of Armenia, now located in Turkey.
· 4.10. After breakfast, we are going to have a ride 13-kilometer-long Yerevan Metro. The system only has 10 stations and one line - the journey is just 30 euro cents per drive. The subway system even survived the Armenian earthquake in 1988. We jump out at Shengavit station which is a very different part from the city center. Full of Soviet architecture and very laid-back. From here we will move to the concrete jungle Malatia-Sebastia with 142 000 inhabitants, also nicknamed - Bangladesh. This part is inhabited mainly by the Armenian genocide survivor’s families, as a whole of Armenia the area is very safe. After the good lunch, we will have a visit to the Armenian genocide monument built for those almost 1.5 million Armenians killed. A sad place overlooking the city, but a big part of Armenian history. After this experience, we are going to walk near the Hrazdan stadium with the local market happening during the weekends. We start our late afternoon at the oldest part of the city called Kond. We will spend the evening in Yerevan´s city center.
· 5.10. Today we leave the capital to take the train to Gyumri, the second biggest city in the country, destroyed by the earthquake in 1988. The starting point is the Yerevan Railway station built in 1902, one of the most beautiful ones in the Post-Soviet world. The scenic train ride takes us 2 hours and drives along the heavily guarded Turkish border - the relations between the countries from the genocide are still very hostile. On the way, we see the Armenian medieval capital Ani, now located in Turkey, and also the highest mountain in Armenia, Mount Aragats 4090 meters high. After arriving at the station in Gyumri we will enjoy the beautiful railway station built in 1979. After check-in, we will have a look at the Iron Fountain the monumental piece of Soviet Architecture. We will also have a walk to the local market and explore the city center built from black stone - all this was rebuilt after the big 1988 earthquake.
· 6.10. After breakfast, our driver takes us to Spitak, where in the mountains, one of the 40000 Soviet youth centers is located. A very nostalgic place full of interesting mosaics from the 1970s. Afternoon we will continue our journey to the city of Vanadzor, a Soviet-designed city located just a few kilometers from the Georgian border. Vanadzor is an industrial city, but very warm in the atmosphere. The city used to be one of the main Chemical industry producers in all of the Soviet Union. We will have a look at the old factories, and beautiful Soviet architecture pieces - a bus station and a train station with a full Soviet railway system map mosaic. Through the vibrant market where we will taste a classic dry fish from the lake Sevan, we will have a walk to the viewpoint near the abandoned Kirokovan hotel.
· 7.10. Leaving Vanadzor for the natural wonder of Armenia, the lake Sevan. This is the biggest lake of the Caucasus region 1900 metres high. We will visit the almost 1300-year-old Sevanavank monastery and Hayravank monastery. This is a must-see in the oldest Christian country in the world. We will taste the local grilled fish from the lake also. Through the mountain pass over 3000 meters high we will enjoy the beautiful Caucasian Mountains and drive to the 800-year-old Orbelian caravanserai - the place that used to be the ancient Silk Road hotel hundreds of years ago. Overnight in Yeghenadzor.
· 8.10. Morning fresh walk around Yeghenadzor, which was the capital city of the Republic of Mountainous Armenia - the Anti-Bolshevik resistance against Soviet rule. From here we continue to the Areni - the capital of Armenian wine where we will taste some. They have made wine for more than 6200 years here. The next stop is the Khor Virap monastery, the symbol of Armenia with a beautiful view of Ararat mountain 5137 meters high. Afternoon we will drive to the 2000-year-old temple in Garni. Arriving in Yerevan in the evening.
· 9.10. A day trip for a little trekking under the highest Armenian Mount Aragats awaits us today. Time for urbex at Orgov space center built from 1975-1985. One of the finest examples of Soviet architecture and science. Afternoon return to Yerevan to visit the legendary Ararat brandy factory followed by the shopping and laid-back wandering after a hard first part of the day. Now we understand what Armenians say about the country Armenia is not Europe or Asia - Armenia is Caucasus. Flying home.
What is included in the price:
accommodation with breakfast in 3, 4* hotels and guesthouses
English-speaking guide with a private car
Sevan and Hayravank monastery entrance
Ararat distillery tour and brandy tasting
special Armenian dinner
local surprise at the end
What is not included in the price:
flights and visas ( we will recommend the easiest and most economical ways)
personal expenses
travel insurance
What to bring with you: comfortable outdoor shoes, a rain jacket.
· 3.10. Our journey starts in the capital city Yerevan, one of the oldest cities in the world. After check-in at the hotel and a late lunch, we will start our 7-day tour of Armenia with our fellow travelers. We will visit the local colorful Yerevan market with typical Armenian goods like red wine, best pomegranate juice, or local Snickers made of nuts - sold exclusively by the Armenian babushkas. After this experience, we will have a look at some tourist attractions like Republic Square and Cascade Gardens for the light start. On the top of the Cascade, we will have a look at the Soviet theme park with the statue of Mother Armenia having its twin in Georgia also, and a brutalist gem - the Yerevan gate. If we will have luck, from here we will have a perfect view of the fabulous 5137 meters high Ararat mountain the symbol of Armenia, now located in Turkey.
· 4.10. After breakfast, we are going to have a ride 13-kilometer-long Yerevan Metro. The system only has 10 stations and one line - the journey is just 30 euro cents per drive. The subway system even survived the Armenian earthquake in 1988. We jump out at Shengavit station which is a very different part from the city center. Full of Soviet architecture and very laid-back. From here we will move to the concrete jungle Malatia-Sebastia with 142 000 inhabitants, also nicknamed - Bangladesh. This part is inhabited mainly by the Armenian genocide survivor’s families, as a whole of Armenia the area is very safe. After the good lunch, we will have a visit to the Armenian genocide monument built for those almost 1.5 million Armenians killed. A sad place overlooking the city, but a big part of Armenian history. After this experience, we are going to walk near the Hrazdan stadium with the local market happening during the weekends. We start our late afternoon at the oldest part of the city called Kond. We will spend the evening in Yerevan´s city center.
· 5.10. Today we leave the capital to take the train to Gyumri, the second biggest city in the country, destroyed by the earthquake in 1988. The starting point is the Yerevan Railway station built in 1902, one of the most beautiful ones in the Post-Soviet world. The scenic train ride takes us 2 hours and drives along the heavily guarded Turkish border - the relations between the countries from the genocide are still very hostile. On the way, we see the Armenian medieval capital Ani, now located in Turkey, and also the highest mountain in Armenia, Mount Aragats 4090 meters high. After arriving at the station in Gyumri we will enjoy the beautiful railway station built in 1979. After check-in, we will have a look at the Iron Fountain the monumental piece of Soviet Architecture. We will also have a walk to the local market and explore the city center built from black stone - all this was rebuilt after the big 1988 earthquake.
· 6.10. After breakfast, our driver takes us to Spitak, where in the mountains, one of the 40000 Soviet youth centers is located. A very nostalgic place full of interesting mosaics from the 1970s. Afternoon we will continue our journey to the city of Vanadzor, a Soviet-designed city located just a few kilometers from the Georgian border. Vanadzor is an industrial city, but very warm in the atmosphere. The city used to be one of the main Chemical industry producers in all of the Soviet Union. We will have a look at the old factories, and beautiful Soviet architecture pieces - a bus station and a train station with a full Soviet railway system map mosaic. Through the vibrant market where we will taste a classic dry fish from the lake Sevan, we will have a walk to the viewpoint near the abandoned Kirokovan hotel.
· 7.10. Leaving Vanadzor for the natural wonder of Armenia, the lake Sevan. This is the biggest lake of the Caucasus region 1900 metres high. We will visit the almost 1300-year-old Sevanavank monastery and Hayravank monastery. This is a must-see in the oldest Christian country in the world. We will taste the local grilled fish from the lake also. Through the mountain pass over 3000 meters high we will enjoy the beautiful Caucasian Mountains and drive to the 800-year-old Orbelian caravanserai - the place that used to be the ancient Silk Road hotel hundreds of years ago. Overnight in Yeghenadzor.
· 8.10. Morning fresh walk around Yeghenadzor, which was the capital city of the Republic of Mountainous Armenia - the Anti-Bolshevik resistance against Soviet rule. From here we continue to the Areni - the capital of Armenian wine where we will taste some. They have made wine for more than 6200 years here. The next stop is the Khor Virap monastery, the symbol of Armenia with a beautiful view of Ararat mountain 5137 meters high. Afternoon we will drive to the 2000-year-old temple in Garni. Arriving in Yerevan in the evening.
· 9.10. A day trip for a little trekking under the highest Armenian Mount Aragats awaits us today. Time for urbex at Orgov space center built from 1975-1985. One of the finest examples of Soviet architecture and science. Afternoon return to Yerevan to visit the legendary Ararat brandy factory followed by the shopping and laid-back wandering after a hard first part of the day. Now we understand what Armenians say about the country Armenia is not Europe or Asia - Armenia is Caucasus. Flying home.
What is included in the price:
accommodation with breakfast in 3, 4* hotels and guesthouses
English-speaking guide with a private car
Sevan and Hayravank monastery entrance
Ararat distillery tour and brandy tasting
special Armenian dinner
local surprise at the end
What is not included in the price:
flights and visas ( we will recommend the easiest and most economical ways)
personal expenses
travel insurance
What to bring with you: comfortable outdoor shoes, a rain jacket.