Welcome to Yerevan, the capital of Armenia. Here, you will first be greeted by a German-speaking tour guide and escorted to your city hotel, where you can check in and rest for a bit. Today, we will explore the Armenian capital located at the foot of the biblical Mount Ararat, one of the oldest capitals in the world. You will visit Republic Square, the Cascade, and the Opera House on a pleasant walk in the heart of the city. Under the architect Alexander Tamanian, ancient stone-cutting traditions were revived, and Republic Square became a showcase for a new, self-assured country. Passing by the "Yerevan" radio station, we will drive to the impressive Cascade, which forms the heart of the city. From here, you can enjoy a beautiful view of the entire city. We will continue past the village of Musaler, where survivors of the Musa Dagh, made famous by Franz Werfel, were resettled, and head to Echmiadzin, the seat of the Armenian Catholicos and the religious center of the Armenian people. Enjoy a cozy lunch in the shade of apricot trees. Visit a gem of Armenian church architecture, the 7th-century Church of Hripsime. Tour the Genocide Memorial at Tsitsernakaberd. Overnight stay in Yerevan, Ani Central Inn 4*. (B/L/D)

Today, we will explore the Ararat Plain, where Noah, after descending from Mount Ararat, planted the first grapevine. The Ararat Plain plays an important role in the country's winemaking. Drive to the Monastery of Chor Virap, where we can enjoy a splendid view of Mount Ararat. Winemaking in this region dates back to the 3rd millennium BC. In a cave in the province, wine barrels with traces of wine from that era were discovered. Here grows the endemic grapevine Areni, from which the renowned red wine “Areni” is made. Lunch in a natural cave. A fantastic experience! Visit the Noravank Monastery, located at the end of the beautiful Amaghu Gorge. It impresses with its unique exterior reliefs and its reddish facade, which blends almost seamlessly with the rocky surroundings at sunset. Continue south to the city of Goris, situated in lush greenery. Overnight stay in Goris, Boutique Hotel Khoreayi Dzor 4*. (B/L/D)

A beautiful excursion to the massive monastery complex of Tatev, perched above a steep gorge, where a significant university once existed. We will reach the monastery via the world’s longest cable car (5.7 km), which is now listed in the Guinness Book of Records. A short hike to the cave city of Khndzoresk, where people lived as recently as the 19th century. Dinner with an Armenian family. Short HIKE approx. 1 hour Overnight stay in Goris (B/D)

Today, you will visit one of the oldest megalithic monuments of the early civilization—Zorats Qarer, which is over 7,000 years old. For a time, this monument was considered by a group of scientists to be the world’s oldest astronomical observatory, named Karahundsch, alongside Stonehenge. Crossing the Orbelyan Pass (2410 m), we will reach the stunning mountains of Vayots Dzor. On the way, we will visit the only well-preserved caravanserai in Armenia on the Silk Road. Continue to the blue pearl of Armenia, Lake Sevan, which is twice the size of Lake Constance and one of the largest mountain lakes in the world (located about 1900 meters above sea level). Visit the old churches on the peninsula with the famous cross-stone. At dinner, enjoy typical Armenian home-cooked dishes in the living room of a family. Overnight stay in Dilijan, Green Hill Guesthouse (B/D)

Walk through the center of Dilijan, exploring the old style of the city from the 19th century. Drive over the Spitak Pass to Mount Aragats, the highest peak in Armenia (4095 m). Visit an interesting bakery in Aparan, where you can see how Armenian flatbread, lavash, is baked. See the sculptures of the Armenian alphabet made from colorful tuff stone. Today’s lunch will be in a beautiful orchard with an Armenian family. Continue to Yerevan. Overnight stay in Yerevan. (B/L)

Tour of the Matenadaran Library, one of the largest and most valuable manuscript collections in the world. Drive to Garni, the summer residence of Armenian kings, famous for its Hellenistic temple (1st century), the only one preserved in the Caucasus. On the way, stop at the Eghishe Charents Arch, where you can enjoy a typically picturesque view of the Biblical Mount Ararat. Continue to Geghard: visit the cave monastery located at the end of a gorge, one of the most significant pilgrimage sites in Armenia. Late lunch with a private family, where you will see how Armenian flatbread lavash is baked! Overnight stay in Yerevan. (B/L)