Based on 746 reviews
Private trip with Ancient Monasteries, Armenian Culture and Village Food
Duration
Meals
Accommodation
Activities
The Yerevan Tour is a private 5-day, 4-night trip based in Armenia’s capital. You stay in one central boutique hotel for all four nights and explore Yerevan and the heritage sites within an hour’s drive.
In the city, you visit Republic Square, the Cascade Complex, and the Matenadaran, home to one of the largest collections of Armenian manuscripts. Outside Yerevan, a licensed English-speaking guide takes you to Garni Temple, Geghard Monastery, Echmiadzin Cathedral, and the ruins of Zvartnots.
The trip includes private airport transfers, a lavash-baking demonstration with a village lunch, and welcome and farewell dinners. It suits couples, culture lovers, and travelers, adding a short stop in Armenia to a wider trip. For longer routes, see our Armenia tour packages.
| Item | Details |
|---|---|
| Duration | 5 Days / 4 Nights |
| Destination | Yerevan, Armenia |
| Tour Type | Private, customized departures |
| Accommodation | One 4-star boutique hotel in central Yerevan, all 4 nights |
| Hotel Options | Republica Hotel Yerevan or Tufenkian Historic Yerevan Hotel |
| Transportation | Private air-conditioned vehicle and driver for scheduled excursions |
| Guide | Licensed English-speaking guide on Days 2, 3, and 4 |
| Airport Transfers | Private, on arrival and departure |
| Arrival Airport | Zvartnots International Airport (EVN) |
| Airport to Hotel | About 15–20 minutes, longer in traffic |
| Meals Included | 4 breakfasts, 1 lunch, 2 dinners |
| Activity Level | Light to moderate walking, with stairs and uneven paths |
| Best Time | May to early June and September to mid-October |
| Best Start Days | Monday to Thursday |
| Price | On request, quoted for your dates and group size |
| International Flights | Not included |
Your private driver meets you in the arrivals hall at Zvartnots International Airport (EVN). The airport lies about 12 km west of the center, and the transfer takes about 15–20 minutes outside rush hour.
Check in and rest
Check into the Republica Hotel Yerevan or Tufenkian Historic Yerevan Hotel and rest after your flight. Change a small amount of money into Armenian dram for cafés, taxis, and market stalls.
Cascade Complex
In the late afternoon, walk or take a short taxi to the Cascade Complex. The outdoor stairway has 572 steps and rises about 118 meters.
If you prefer not to climb, use the indoor escalators that run up through the Cafesjian galleries. The garden at the bottom displays modern sculpture, including works by Fernando Botero.
From the upper terraces, look south for Mount Ararat on a clear evening. Peregrine keeps the Cascade visit flexible around your arrival time, the weather, and your energy.
Welcome dinner
Your welcome dinner is at a local Armenian restaurant. Try dolma, grape leaves stuffed with meat and rice, and khorovats, meat or vegetables grilled over coals.
Overnight: Republica Hotel Yerevan or Tufenkian Historic Yerevan Hotel
Meals: Welcome dinner
Transfer: Private airport transfer
Day 2 is a guided city tour of Yerevan on foot with your licensed English-speaking guide.
Republic Square
Start at Republic Square after breakfast. Your guide explains Tamanian’s plan for the oval square and the national style of its arcaded tuff buildings.
The stone changes tone through the day, from soft pink in the morning to deep orange near sunset. Morning light also keeps the square quieter for photos.
Matenadaran
Continue to the Matenadaran, the Mesrop Mashtots Institute of Ancient Manuscripts. The museum is open Tuesday to Saturday from 10:00 to 17:50, and the entrance fee is included.
The collection holds more than 20,000 manuscripts and fragments. In the exhibition halls, you see illuminated Gospels, early maps, and medieval medical and scientific texts. Allow about 90 minutes inside.

Lunch
Lunch is at your own cost. Your guide can suggest nearby cafés serving lahmajun, a thin flatbread topped with spiced minced meat.
Vernissage Market
In the afternoon, walk to Vernissage, the open-air market near Republic Square. Stalls sell carpets, silver jewelry, walnut backgammon boards, ceramics, paintings, and souvenirs.
The market trades through the week, but the full artisan section is largest at weekends. If your free time falls on a Saturday or Sunday, come back for the bigger market.
Evening
Spend the evening on Saryan Street, where wine bars pour Areni and other Armenian wines. Dinner is at your own cost.
Overnight: Same hotel in Yerevan
Meals: Breakfast
Included: Guided city walk, Matenadaran entry
Day 3 is the Garni Temple and Geghard Monastery tour, east of Yerevan, with your guide and private vehicle.
Charents Arch
Leave Yerevan after breakfast and stop at the Charents Arch on the road toward Garni. The stone arch carries lines by the poet Yeghishe Charents about Mount Ararat. Allow about 15 minutes for photos on clear mornings.
Garni Temple
Continue to Garni, about 30 km from Yerevan. Garni Temple dates from the 1st century AD, under King Tiridates I.
An earthquake in 1679 brought the temple down, and restorers rebuilt it between 1969 and 1975. Walk around its columns and podium, then look down into the Azat River gorge.
The Garni site is open Tuesday to Sunday and closed on Mondays. The entrance fee is included.
Symphony of Stones
Next, visit the Symphony of Stones, walls of tall basalt columns lining the gorge below Garni. Your driver can take you down a rough road, or you can walk a steep path from the village.
The path is uneven and steep in places. Wear shoes with a good grip and take your time on the way back up.
Lavash demonstration and village lunch
Stop at a village bakery in the Garni area for a lavash demonstration. Bakers stretch the dough thin and slap it onto the inside wall of a tonir, a clay oven set in the ground.
Try stretching a sheet yourself where the bakers allow it. Your included lunch features fresh lavash with cheese and herbs.
Geghard Monastery
Drive about 15–20 minutes to Geghard Monastery. Its churches and tombs are largely cut into the rock, and the main complex dates to the 13th century.
The site is listed by UNESCO as the Monastery of Geghard and the Upper Azat Valley. Entry is currently free. To compare Geghard with other sites, read our guide to the best monasteries in Armenia.
Return to Yerevan in the late afternoon. Dinner is at your own cost.
Overnight: Same hotel in Yerevan
Meals: Breakfast, Lunch
Included: Garni entry, lavash demonstration, village lunch
Day 4 heads west of Yerevan to the spiritual center of the Armenian Apostolic Church.
Echmiadzin Cathedral
Drive about 20 km to Vagharshapat, a city also known as Echmiadzin. The drive takes about 30–40 minutes.
Echmiadzin Cathedral is the mother church of the Armenian Apostolic Church, first built in AD 301–303. The cathedral is open again after a long restoration, with its re-consecration in 2024.
Your guide explains the cathedral’s role and the history of the surrounding complex. Allow about 90 minutes, and dress modestly with shoulders and knees covered.
Optional: Echmiadzin Treasury
The treasury displays relics, manuscripts, and church silver. A separate admission fee applies, and the treasury closes on Mondays.
Zvartnots Cathedral ruins
On the way back, stop at Zvartnots, about 5 km east of Echmiadzin. The church dates from the middle of the 7th century and was probably ruined by an earthquake in the 10th century.
Walk the circular ground plan, see the reconstructed columns, and visit the small site museum. The site is open Tuesday to Saturday from 10:00 to 17:30 and Sunday from 10:00 to 15:00, and is closed on Mondays. The entrance fee is included.
Echmiadzin and Zvartnots share one UNESCO listing, the Cathedral and Churches of Echmiatsin and the Archaeological Site of Zvartnots.
Farewell dinner
Return to Yerevan in the afternoon. Your farewell dinner is included at a central Armenian restaurant.
In autumn, ask for ghapama, a pumpkin stuffed with rice and dried fruit. If you want more dining choices on other nights, Saryan Street has a good spread of independent restaurants.
Overnight: Same hotel in Yerevan
Meals: Breakfast, Farewell dinner
Included: Guided Echmiadzin and Zvartnots visit, Zvartnots entry
Day 5 gives you a free morning in central Yerevan before your private transfer to the airport.
Free time
Enjoy breakfast at the hotel, then walk around Republic Square or along Northern Avenue. If your flight leaves later in the day, revisit Vernissage or the History Museum of Armenia.
Last-minute shopping
Pick up Armenian brandy, dried apricots, or pomegranate wine and other pomegranate products. Pack bottles in checked luggage, as liquids over 100 ml are not allowed in hand luggage.
Transfer to the airport
Your driver collects you from the hotel at the agreed time and drives you to Zvartnots International Airport. Peregrine schedules the pickup from your confirmed flight time.
If your flight leaves in the evening, ask Peregrine about late checkout. Late checkout depends on hotel availability.
Meals: Breakfast
Transfer: Private transfer to Zvartnots International Airport
Customize this trip with help from our local travel specialist that matches your interests.
We also operate Private Trips.
The Yerevan private tour combines private sightseeing with the comfort of a hotel base. You see Armenia’s main heritage sites near the capital without long drives or repeated packing.
A private vehicle and driver handle every scheduled excursion, and your guide joins you on Days 2, 3, and 4. You move at your own pace instead of following a group coach.
You check in once and return to the same room every evening. Both hotel options sit a few minutes’ walk from Republic Square.
Geghard Monastery and the Echmiadzin and Zvartnots group are both on the UNESCO World Heritage List. Garni Temple adds a rare example of a Greco-Roman temple in the region.
Near Garni, you watch bakers make lavash, Armenia’s thin flatbread, in a tonir oven. Lunch follows with fresh bread, cheese, and herbs.
A driver meets you at Zvartnots International Airport and returns you to the airport on Day 5. You do not need to arrange taxis on arrival.
The tour runs on dates you choose. Peregrine sets the day order around site opening schedules and your walking preferences.
Yerevan is Armenia’s capital and the base for this whole trip. Much of the center is built from tuff, a volcanic stone in shades of pink, orange, and grey. Architect Alexander Tamanian planned Republic Square and much of central Yerevan in the 1920s. Arcaded government buildings and the History Museum of Armenia surround the square.
North of the center, the Cascade Complex climbs a hillside in a series of terraces. The sculpture garden at its foot belongs to the Cafesjian Center for the Arts. The Matenadaran stands at the top of Mashtots Avenue. Vernissage, the city’s open-air craft market, lies a few steps from Republic Square.
Northern Avenue is a pedestrian street running toward the Opera House area. Saryan Street is known for wine bars and small restaurants. Yerevan sits at about 990 meters above sea level. Mount Ararat, at 5,137 meters, rises across the border in Turkey and fills the southern skyline on clear days.
Start the Yerevan Tour on a Monday, Tuesday, Wednesday, or Thursday. These start days keep every included site open on its planned day.
| Start Day | Day 2 (Matenadaran) | Day 3 (Garni) | Day 4 (Zvartnots) | Works? |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Monday | Tuesday | Wednesday | Thursday | Yes |
| Tuesday | Wednesday | Thursday | Friday | Yes |
| Wednesday | Thursday | Friday | Saturday | Yes |
| Thursday | Friday | Saturday | Sunday | Yes, visit Zvartnots before 15:00 |
| Friday | Saturday | Sunday | Monday | No, Zvartnots closed |
| Saturday | Sunday | Monday | Tuesday | No, Matenadaran and Garni closed |
| Sunday | Monday | Tuesday | Wednesday | No, Matenadaran closed |
The Matenadaran opens Tuesday to Saturday. Garni and Zvartnots are closed on Mondays, and the Echmiadzin Treasury is closed on Mondays as well. If your dates start on Friday, Saturday, or Sunday, Peregrine reorders the days so you still see every site.
The Yerevan Tour includes 7 meals: 4 breakfasts, 1 lunch, and 2 dinners.
| Meal | Included | Days |
|---|---|---|
| Breakfast | 4 | Days 2, 3, 4, and 5 at the hotel |
| Lunch | 1 | Day 3 village lunch with the lavash demonstration |
| Dinner | 2 | Day 1 welcome dinner and Day 4 farewell dinner |
| Total | 7 |
Lunches on Days 2 and 4 and dinners on Days 2 and 3 are at your own cost. Drinks and other personal dining expenses are not included unless your final quotation confirms them.
Armenian food centers on grilled meat, fresh herbs, flatbread, and dried fruit. Our Armenian food guide covers more dishes and dining tips.
The Echmiadzin Treasury is optional and not included.
You stay for 4 nights at a 4-star boutique hotel in central Yerevan. Peregrine confirms your hotel, room category, and availability at booking.
| Feature | Republica Hotel Yerevan | Tufenkian Historic Yerevan Hotel |
|---|---|---|
| Location | 7/1 Pap Tagavor Street, formerly Amiryan Street | 48 Hanrapetutyan Street |
| Walk to Republic Square | About 3 minutes | Short walk, near Vernissage |
| Style | Modern boutique hotel | Boutique hotel with traditional Armenian design and Tufenkian carpets |
| Dining | Breakfast buffet | Kharpert Restaurant, with jazz at dinner |
| Pool | Not listed | Outdoor swimming pool |
| Nights | 4 | 4 |
| Room Category | Confirmed at booking | Confirmed at booking |
Republica Hotel Yerevan is a boutique hotel about a three-minute walk from Republic Square, with a metro station next door. It suits travelers who want to walk to the main city sights.
Tufenkian Historic Yerevan Hotel stands near Republic Square and the Vernissage market. Its rooms use handmade Tufenkian carpets, and the hotel has an outdoor pool and the Kharpert Restaurant.
Armenia’s entry rules depend on your nationality, passport type, and travel purpose. Check your requirements before you book international flights.
Citizens of many countries can visit Armenia without a visa. The list includes the United States, the United Kingdom, the EU and Schengen countries, Canada, Australia, and Japan. Permitted stay lengths vary by nationality.
Travelers who need a visa can usually apply online through the official Armenia e-Visa portal of the Ministry of Foreign Affairs. The portal lets you check the rules for your passport before you apply.
Apply well before departure and keep a printed or digital copy of your approved e-visa.
Carry a passport that stays valid for your whole trip. Some airlines and entry categories ask for longer validity, so check with your airline as well. For more practical advice before you travel, read our Armenia travel tips. Entry rules can change, so confirm the current requirements before departure.
Zvartnots International Airport (EVN) is Armenia’s main international gateway, about 12 km west of central Yerevan. Your private driver meets you in the arrivals hall with a name board. The transfer to your hotel takes about 15–20 minutes, depending on traffic. Peregrine sends your driver’s details before you travel.
A private air-conditioned vehicle and professional driver cover all scheduled excursions. Your guide travels with you on Days 2, 3, and 4. You return to the same hotel after each excursion. On free evenings, taxi apps such as Yandex Go and GG are widely used in Yerevan.
On Day 5, your driver collects you at the agreed time for the transfer to Zvartnots. Plan to reach the airport about three hours before an international flight.
The best time for the Yerevan Tour is May to early June and September to mid-October. Mild temperatures suit city walking, and clear days give the best chance of Mount Ararat views.
| Period | Conditions |
|---|---|
| April | Mild, with some rain |
| May to early June | Recommended for sightseeing |
| July to August | Hot and dry, so plan outdoor visits early |
| September to mid-October | Recommended, with pleasant sightseeing conditions |
| November | Cooler and quieter |
| December to March | Cold, with possible snow at Garni and Geghard |
Weather varies from year to year, so treat this table as a planning guide. Our guide to the best time to visit Armenia covers seasons and festivals in more detail.
The Yerevan Tour needs no special fitness training. You should be comfortable walking for an hour or two at a time, with some stairs and uneven ground.
Travel insurance is not included. Arrange medical cover before departure, and follow current local guidance during your stay.
Peregrine can adjust this Armenia tour package to your dates and interests. Additional services are quoted separately and depend on availability.
Want to see more of the country? Our 7-day Armenia itinerary adds the Ararat Valley, Lake Sevan, and Dilijan.
Your quotation confirms the deposit, balance due date, and cancellation terms for your dates. Hotel policies can change these terms in peak periods. Read our full Terms and Conditions before you confirm. Buy travel insurance when you pay your deposit, so cancellation cover starts early.
Five days are enough to see Yerevan and its main nearby heritage sites at a relaxed pace. The package gives you two days in the city, two excursion days, and a free morning before departure.
In three days, you can cover the center and one excursion. In a week, you can add Khor Virap, Lake Sevan, or the Areni wine region.
Yes. The tour runs as a private, customized departure for you and your companions only.
A private vehicle and driver cover the scheduled excursions, and a licensed English-speaking guide joins you on Days 2, 3, and 4.
In Yerevan, the tour covers Republic Square, the Cascade Complex, the Matenadaran, and Vernissage Market. Excursions include the Charents Arch, Garni Temple, the Symphony of Stones, Geghard Monastery, Echmiadzin Cathedral, and the ruins of Zvartnots.
Entry fees for Garni, the Matenadaran, and Zvartnots are included. The Echmiadzin Treasury is optional and has a separate admission fee.
The package includes 7 meals: 4 hotel breakfasts, 1 village lunch, and 2 dinners. The dinners are the welcome dinner on Day 1 and the farewell dinner on Day 4.
Lunches on Days 2 and 4 and dinners on Days 2 and 3 are at your own cost. Drinks are excluded unless your quotation states otherwise.
You stay four nights in one 4-star boutique hotel in central Yerevan: Republica Hotel Yerevan or Tufenkian Historic Yerevan Hotel.
Both are a short walk from Republic Square. Peregrine confirms the hotel and room category when you book.
Start on a Monday, Tuesday, Wednesday, or Thursday. The Matenadaran is open Tuesday to Saturday, and Garni and Zvartnots are closed on Mondays.
A Thursday start works too, but Zvartnots closes at 15:00 on Sundays. For other start dates, Peregrine changes the order of days.
May to early June and September to mid-October offer the most comfortable weather for sightseeing. Clear autumn mornings often give the best views of Mount Ararat.
July and August are hot and dry, so outdoor visits work best early in the day. December to March can bring snow to Garni and Geghard.
Many nationalities can visit Armenia without a visa, including citizens of the United States, the United Kingdom, the EU, Canada, Australia, and Japan. Stay lengths vary by nationality.
Other travelers can usually apply for an e-visa through Armenia’s official e-Visa portal. Check your rules before booking flights.
Partly. The Cascade Complex has indoor escalators as an alternative to its 572 steps, and the vehicle can reach the Symphony of Stones by road.
Geghard’s stone floors and some site paths are uneven. Tell Peregrine about mobility needs before booking, so your guide can plan the walking.
Send your dates and group size, and Peregrine will reply with a proposal, hotel options, and pricing. A 30% deposit secures your hotel and guide.
The balance is due 60 days before arrival. Travel documents follow about two weeks before departure.
Yes. Peregrine can add nights, upgrade your hotel, include a winery visit or extra guided day, or adjust the pace.
Additional services are quoted separately and depend on availability.
Based on 746 reviews