Soviet Armenia heritage tour
Yerevan - Gyumri - Vanadzor - Sevan - Yeghenadzor - Yerevan
· 3.10. Meet and greet at Yerevan airport. Today we visit the local Yerevan market with typical Armenian goods like wine, pomegranate juice, or local Snickers made of nuts - sold exclusively by the Armenian babushkas. Later, we will have a look at some tourist attractions like Republic Square and Cascade Gardens for the light start, followed by the Soviet theme park with the statue of Mother Armenia and Yerevan Gate. If we are lucky, from here we will have a perfect view of Mount Ararat.
· 4.10. We start with the 13-kilometer-long Yerevan subway system built in. The system only has 10 stations and costs just one-third of one euro. We jump out at Shengavit station full of Soviet architecture. Next stop is Malatia-Sebastia with 142,000 inhabitants, also nicknamed Bangladesh, inhabited by the Armenian genocide survivors, followed by the genocide monument, built for almost 1.5 million Armenians killed. Afternoon visit to the oldest part of the city called Kond. Dinner in a local restaurant.
· 5.10. Leaving capital to take the train to Gyumri from 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, where the relations are still very tense. From the train we will see the Armenian medieval capital, Ani, now located in Turkey. Gyumri Railway station was built in 1979, the Iron Fountain, a monumental piece of Soviet Architecture, followed by the local market, and explore the city center built from black stone - all this was rebuilt after the big 1988 earthquake, all we will have a chance to see here.
· 6.10. Drive to Spitak, where in the mountains, one of the 40000 Soviet youth centers is located. Nostalgic place full of Soviet mosaics from the 1970s, followed by the drive to the city of Vanadzor, a Soviet-designed city located just a few kilometers from the Georgian border. The city used to be one of the main Chemical industry producers in all of the Soviet Union. We will have a look at a Soviet bus 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 Lake Sevan, we will have a walk to the viewpoint near the abandoned Kirokovan hotel.
· 7.10. Today we are going to Lake Sevan. This is the biggest lake of the Caucasus region, 1900 metres high. The 1300-year-old Sevanavank monastery and the Hayravank monastery will be visited. This is a must-see in the oldest Christian country. We will taste the local grilled fish from the lake for lunch. Through the Caucasian mountain pass, over 3000 meters high, we got 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, followed by Areni, the 6200 years old capital of Armenian wine, where we will taste some. The next stop is the Khor Virap monastery, the symbol of Armenia, with a beautiful view of Ararat mountain, a symbol of Armenia and Armenian people, 5137 meters high, now located in Turkey. Afternoon, we will drive to the 2000-year-old temple in Garni. Overnight in Yerevan.
· 9.10. Today we will go for a little trekking under the highest Armenian Mount Aragats, 4090 meters high. Time for urbex at Orgov space center built from 1975-1985 during Soviet Armenia times. One of the finest examples of Soviet architecture and science. Afternoon return to Yerevan to visit the legendary Ararat brandy factory, followed by shopping and laid-back wandering after a hard first part of the day.
Now we understand why Armenians say Armenia is not Europe or Asia - Armenia is the Caucasus. Flying home from Yerevan.
Is the Soviet Armenia heritage tour not ideal for you?
Check Iran during the Persian New Year tour here.
What is included in the price:
accommodation with breakfast in 3*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.
Yerevan - Gyumri - Vanadzor - Sevan - Yeghenadzor - Yerevan
· 3.10. Meet and greet at Yerevan airport. Today we visit the local Yerevan market with typical Armenian goods like wine, pomegranate juice, or local Snickers made of nuts - sold exclusively by the Armenian babushkas. Later, we will have a look at some tourist attractions like Republic Square and Cascade Gardens for the light start, followed by the Soviet theme park with the statue of Mother Armenia and Yerevan Gate. If we are lucky, from here we will have a perfect view of Mount Ararat.
· 4.10. We start with the 13-kilometer-long Yerevan subway system built in. The system only has 10 stations and costs just one-third of one euro. We jump out at Shengavit station full of Soviet architecture. Next stop is Malatia-Sebastia with 142,000 inhabitants, also nicknamed Bangladesh, inhabited by the Armenian genocide survivors, followed by the genocide monument, built for almost 1.5 million Armenians killed. Afternoon visit to the oldest part of the city called Kond. Dinner in a local restaurant.
· 5.10. Leaving capital to take the train to Gyumri from 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, where the relations are still very tense. From the train we will see the Armenian medieval capital, Ani, now located in Turkey. Gyumri Railway station was built in 1979, the Iron Fountain, a monumental piece of Soviet Architecture, followed by the local market, and explore the city center built from black stone - all this was rebuilt after the big 1988 earthquake, all we will have a chance to see here.
· 6.10. Drive to Spitak, where in the mountains, one of the 40000 Soviet youth centers is located. Nostalgic place full of Soviet mosaics from the 1970s, followed by the drive to the city of Vanadzor, a Soviet-designed city located just a few kilometers from the Georgian border. The city used to be one of the main Chemical industry producers in all of the Soviet Union. We will have a look at a Soviet bus 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 Lake Sevan, we will have a walk to the viewpoint near the abandoned Kirokovan hotel.
· 7.10. Today we are going to Lake Sevan. This is the biggest lake of the Caucasus region, 1900 metres high. The 1300-year-old Sevanavank monastery and the Hayravank monastery will be visited. This is a must-see in the oldest Christian country. We will taste the local grilled fish from the lake for lunch. Through the Caucasian mountain pass, over 3000 meters high, we got 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, followed by Areni, the 6200 years old capital of Armenian wine, where we will taste some. The next stop is the Khor Virap monastery, the symbol of Armenia, with a beautiful view of Ararat mountain, a symbol of Armenia and Armenian people, 5137 meters high, now located in Turkey. Afternoon, we will drive to the 2000-year-old temple in Garni. Overnight in Yerevan.
· 9.10. Today we will go for a little trekking under the highest Armenian Mount Aragats, 4090 meters high. Time for urbex at Orgov space center built from 1975-1985 during Soviet Armenia times. One of the finest examples of Soviet architecture and science. Afternoon return to Yerevan to visit the legendary Ararat brandy factory, followed by shopping and laid-back wandering after a hard first part of the day.
Now we understand why Armenians say Armenia is not Europe or Asia - Armenia is the Caucasus. Flying home from Yerevan.
Is the Soviet Armenia heritage tour not ideal for you?
Check Iran during the Persian New Year tour here.
What is included in the price:
accommodation with breakfast in 3*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.
Yerevan - Gyumri - Vanadzor - Sevan - Yeghenadzor - Yerevan
· 3.10. Meet and greet at Yerevan airport. Today we visit the local Yerevan market with typical Armenian goods like wine, pomegranate juice, or local Snickers made of nuts - sold exclusively by the Armenian babushkas. Later, we will have a look at some tourist attractions like Republic Square and Cascade Gardens for the light start, followed by the Soviet theme park with the statue of Mother Armenia and Yerevan Gate. If we are lucky, from here we will have a perfect view of Mount Ararat.
· 4.10. We start with the 13-kilometer-long Yerevan subway system built in. The system only has 10 stations and costs just one-third of one euro. We jump out at Shengavit station full of Soviet architecture. Next stop is Malatia-Sebastia with 142,000 inhabitants, also nicknamed Bangladesh, inhabited by the Armenian genocide survivors, followed by the genocide monument, built for almost 1.5 million Armenians killed. Afternoon visit to the oldest part of the city called Kond. Dinner in a local restaurant.
· 5.10. Leaving capital to take the train to Gyumri from 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, where the relations are still very tense. From the train we will see the Armenian medieval capital, Ani, now located in Turkey. Gyumri Railway station was built in 1979, the Iron Fountain, a monumental piece of Soviet Architecture, followed by the local market, and explore the city center built from black stone - all this was rebuilt after the big 1988 earthquake, all we will have a chance to see here.
· 6.10. Drive to Spitak, where in the mountains, one of the 40000 Soviet youth centers is located. Nostalgic place full of Soviet mosaics from the 1970s, followed by the drive to the city of Vanadzor, a Soviet-designed city located just a few kilometers from the Georgian border. The city used to be one of the main Chemical industry producers in all of the Soviet Union. We will have a look at a Soviet bus 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 Lake Sevan, we will have a walk to the viewpoint near the abandoned Kirokovan hotel.
· 7.10. Today we are going to Lake Sevan. This is the biggest lake of the Caucasus region, 1900 metres high. The 1300-year-old Sevanavank monastery and the Hayravank monastery will be visited. This is a must-see in the oldest Christian country. We will taste the local grilled fish from the lake for lunch. Through the Caucasian mountain pass, over 3000 meters high, we got 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, followed by Areni, the 6200 years old capital of Armenian wine, where we will taste some. The next stop is the Khor Virap monastery, the symbol of Armenia, with a beautiful view of Ararat mountain, a symbol of Armenia and Armenian people, 5137 meters high, now located in Turkey. Afternoon, we will drive to the 2000-year-old temple in Garni. Overnight in Yerevan.
· 9.10. Today we will go for a little trekking under the highest Armenian Mount Aragats, 4090 meters high. Time for urbex at Orgov space center built from 1975-1985 during Soviet Armenia times. One of the finest examples of Soviet architecture and science. Afternoon return to Yerevan to visit the legendary Ararat brandy factory, followed by shopping and laid-back wandering after a hard first part of the day.
Now we understand why Armenians say Armenia is not Europe or Asia - Armenia is the Caucasus. Flying home from Yerevan.
Is the Soviet Armenia heritage tour not ideal for you?
Check Iran during the Persian New Year tour here.
What is included in the price:
accommodation with breakfast in 3*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.