Itinerary

1. Day 1: Arrival

   • Arrive and head to Yerevan.

   Check in and spend your time at leisure.

2. Day 2: Soviet Yerevan City – Alexander Tamanyan Museum

   • Start the day with the Soviet Yerevan city tour, where you can witness the legacy of Armenia’s communist past presented through modernist architecture, art, local habits and stories by the guide.

   • Explore the hidden gems of Armenia’s capital remains of the Soviet way of life and how things have changed in recent decades.

   • Visit the museum of the prominent architect Alexander Tamanyan later that day, who reconstructed the city during the early Soviet period.

3. Day 3: Lake Sevan – GUM Market

   • Hop on a one hour drive to one of the largest freshwater mountain lakes in the world, Sevan. Here you will hear the story about how communist policies damaged the ecosystem and brought to over 20 meters decrease of water in the lake.

   • Visit the Soviet-era sanatorium, the famous Writers Union building, as well as the medieval Sevanavank monastery located in a peninsula.

   • Explore the Sergei Parajanov Museum, where you enjoy the unmatched creativity of Parajanovs art and hear the story of this unique art film director, artist and genius, repressed by communist authorities.

   • Head to the GUM market where groceries are sold the same way since the 20th century.

4. Day 4: Khor Virap Monastery – Areni Wine Region

   • Take a trip towards the Soviet favourite spa-resort town Jermuk which begins with a stop at the Khor Virap monastery, which is also the closest point to the Mount Ararat.

   • Visit the public ‘galleria’ of hot natural mineral water fountains, a famous waterfall, Communist-era sanatoriums, etc. On the way back, stop near the Areni village, famous for winemaking and excavations of the oldest-found winery in the world. After the excursion of the factory, you have an opportunity to taste local homemade wines.

5. Day 5: Garni Tample – Charents Arc

   For the last day, you still have a half-day excursion of the must-see sights in Armenia.

   • Visit the UNESCO recognized Garni Pagan Temple and Geghard Monastery. 
   • Stop by the famous Charents Arc and listen to the story of prominent Armenian poet and Soviet dissident Yeghishe Charents.