Make your Year in Armenia with one of our wonderful Self Drive Tours and Vacations

Touring Armenia has never been this simple with our Self Drive Tours of Armenia that offer superb service and back up at the best possible prices. We have created Self Drive Armenia Tours that take in all areas of Armenia in order to cater to all of your vacation tastes. Nowhere will you find a more comprehensive offering of self drive vacations and tours of Armenia. It is important to note that all self drive tours can be customized to suit your requirements. The following examples represent just a small selection of the Armenia tours that we have to offer.

All of our touring Armenia packages can be extended or shortened to suit your exact arrival and departure dates to and from Armenia.

For a truly memorable Armenian vacation ask about a Private Chauffeured Tour of Armenia. We can provide chauffeur-driven luxury cars for one, two or three persons and luxury vans, mini-buses or coaches for larger tour groups. All of our tour chauffeurs are experienced and approved driver/tour guides - you could not be in better hands while you are touring Armenia!

Detailed itinerary for the 7 Night Best of Armenia Self Drive/Chauffeured Tour of Armenia

This is just a summary of the day to day itinerary. You will be provided with a considerably more comprehensive daily itinerary upon booking your Armenia vacation package.

Day 1: Yerevan city to Echmiadzin 

Early arrival in Yerevan. After collecting your rental car at the airport or at the hotel, your first stop is Republic Square, the heart of Yerevan city, where National Gallery of Armenia is situated. Tsitsernakaberd and the Genocide Museum is located on a hill overlooking Yerevan. It is a memorial dedicated to the victims of the 1915 Armenian Genocide. Some of the key sites that will be visited include the sculptures, Opera House, Victory Park, the Cascade, the major streets and boulevards of Yerevan such as Mashtots boulevard, where Matenadaran depository which is rich with ancient manuscripts is located there; Tumanyan, Baghramyan, Sayat-Nova and  Abovyan streets; streets where you can see new cathedrals and historic monuments.

Drive to Armavir region. Holy Echmiadzin Cathedral is at the heart of the Armenian Apostolic Church. Founded in 4th century, it is securely located in a walled compound. In one of his dreams, St. Gregory the Illuminator saw the hand of Jesus Himself pointing to where this church must be built. Like the Pope of Vatican City, this is where the Catholicos of All Armenians resides. Zvartnots Cathedral, established in the 7th century, it was built as the main cathedral and has a vital architectural value.

Back to the capital. Yerevan is not only attractive during the day; it has a busy night life. You begin the tour from Opera Square continue to the Cascade and go up to Mother Armenia Monument. From this part of the city you will have the chance to see the beauty of Yerevan by night. Afterward you go to the Republic Square to see colored and singing fountains of Yerevan. Then you simply take a stroll through the streets of this quaint city to enjoy the great pubs, clubs and restaurants and enjoy the traditional Armenian food and music on offer.

Day 2: Yerevan to Garni Pagan Temple and Geghard Monastery

You have a number of touring options today. Chief amongst these is the Garni Pagan Temple and Geghard Monastery driving tour. Garni is ancient pagan temple of the 1st Century A.D. Nearby, are the ruins of intricate mosaic bath. The view of Garni is simply breathtaking. The cliff walls of well preserved basalt columns along the sides of the gorge, carved out by the Goght River will make this one of the highlights of your tour. This portion is typically referred to as “Symphony of the Stones”. On the way to the historical monument of the pagan temple of Garni one may admire the beauty of the Ararat Mountain from the Arch of Charents. Following the Kotayk Marz drive, you then arrive at Geghard Monastery (10th-12th Century). Partly carved out of the mountain, Geghard is an incredible ancient monastic complex. Inside the walls of the complex, at the end of the road, one can visit all the churches which are interconnected. It is listed as a UNESCO World Heritage Site. Overnight in Yerevan.

Day 3: Yerevan to Khor Virap Monastery, Areni Village, Noravank Monastery, Goris

Your first stop today is Khor Virap Monastery (4th century). Khor Virap is now located inside the monastery walls which sits at the top of a hill overlooking Mount Ararat at the closest possible range from the Armenian border. After Khor Virap you’ll start for Areni village which is known for its sublime production of Armenian wine. You’ll visit Areni Wine Factory and enjoy a wine-tasting extravaganza.  Continue south and visit spectacular Noravank (12th – 14th century). Through the narrow gorge of the Darichay River, the 13th century monastery is surrounded by sharp, red cliffs. Noravank includes a two-storey church, S. Astvatsatsin. Then proceed to Goris to overnight at the hotel.

Day 4: Goris to Carahunge, Tatev, Nagorno Karabagh, Gandzasar Monastery

One of your longest days of your tour brings you from Goris to Nagorno Karabagh, one of the most picturesque places of historical Armenia. First stop on the way to Karabagh will be Carahunge (in the south, close to town Goris), which was created in the mountains of nowadays Armenia and has a history of 7.500 years. Name Carahunge comes from the words Car - means stone and hunge - means voice, sound. Shortly after this, you arrive at Tatev Monastery (13th century). It is one of the masterpieces of Armenian medieval architecture. It is located next to more than 100 meters deep gorge of the Vorotan River. According to historians, the Tatev hosted a small community of monks in the 4th century. The trip to the Tatev Monastery is an adventure, going through gorges and valleys and then riding above mountains on cable car. Continuing on to magnificent Karabagh. Passing forests, architectural and historical monuments in Kharabagh, you’ll get to Gandzasar Monastery which is located in the very heart of Karabagh’s historical province of Khachen. The word "Gandzasar" is translated from Armenian as "Treasure-Mountain". It is a treasure, indeed. The architecture of the Monastery harmonically blends with the surrounding nature. Overnight in Stepanakert, the capital of Karabagh.

Day 5: Karabagh to Jermuk and Sevan via Selim, Ijevanatun and Noradus

Today, the hauntingly beautiful Jermuk awaits you. It is a town-resort in the southern Armenian province of Vayots Dzor, 53 km east of Yeghegnadzor. It is famous for its hot springs and its brand of mineral water that is bottled in the vicinity. The town is considered to be attractive for its huge waterfall, the natural bridge, the lake, its forests with the walking trails and mineral water pools. You then arrive at Selim caravansarai - medieval Silk Road point, Ijevanatun caravanserai and Noradus. Noradus is the largest field of Khatchkars. Continue your sightseeing to Lake Sevan peninsula and Sevanavank Monastery. At about 2000 meters above sea level, Lake Sevan is the blue gem of Armenia. Its white sandy beaches can be seen from the peninsula where the Sevanavank monastery, consisting of two churches, proudly stands as the guardian of the Lake. Overnight in Sevan, Best Western Bohemian Resort.

Day 6: Sevan to Dilijan, Haghardzin and Goshavank, Tsaghkadzor, Yerevan

Departing Sevan, it is time to discover the splendor of the North of Armenia. Haghartsin monastery is nestled in a temperate rainforest on a mountainside. It is one of those spots in Armenia that feels like you are walking through a huge, unreal movie set. Goshavank, meaning "Monastery of Gosh", is a 12-13th century Armenian monastery located in the village of Gosh in the Tavush Province of Armenia. On the road to and from Haghardzin and Goshavank, you pass through Dilijan, the one of the most picturesque and architecturally traditional towns in Armenia. Continue to enjoy the nature of Armenia and drive to Tsaghkadzor (“Valley of flowers”) and visit Kecharis Monastery, built in 11-13th century. Tsaghkadzor is a unique spot to discover Armenia’s flora and fauna. Located in Kotayk region, 50 kilometers north of Yerevan, this resort town is surrounded by lush green forests and alpine meadows. Back to Yerevan for overnight.

Day 7: Yerevan to Saghmosavank, Haghpat and Sanahin, Odzun, Yerevan

Today we travel to Aragatsotn Marz. First stop will be the monastery complexes of Hovhanavank and Saghmosavank which are five kilometers apart and situated in the villages of the same names of the Ashtarak district. Both monuments perch on the edge of the precipitous gorge of the Kasakh River. Their silhouettes dominate the adjacent villages and rise sharp against the background of the mountains crowned by Mount Aragats. After Saghmosavank you’ll start for Lori Marz, Monasteries of Haghpat and Sanahin. In the very north of Armenia, within a few kilometers from the town of Alaverdi, stand the twin monasteries known as Haghpat and Sanahin. “Sanahin” relates to Haghpat (Sa-na-hin) meaning “this one is older than the other”. Both of these medieval Armenian masterpieces were established in the late 10th century. Both monasteries, which have been incorporated as part of UNESCO Heritage sites for international protection, are adorned with a splendid landscape. Odzun is a historical town in the Armenian province of Lori. It is situated on a plateau above the left bank of the Debed river gorge, a few kilometers south of the town of Alaverdi. It is famous for the 5-7th century Odzun Church, one of the finest Armenian basilicas with a cupola. Return to Yerevan.

Day 8: End of Tour

This morning, check out of your hotel for the journey home.