About this experience
You will immerse yourself in an atmosphere of warmth, legends, and mountain air. I want to show you the country through the eyes of a local and make you feel like 'one of us'. We will admire the majestic Ararat, fall in love with a monastery surrounded by red rocks, and explore millennia-old caves. And in the end, we will visit the hospitable Mger, where you can make sweet sharots (churchkhela) or cook Armenian tolma with the hostess.
What to Expect
Warmth of Armenia
I have collected the coziest places in Armenia for you, which will help you see its magnificent history, fall in love with atmospheric monasteries, and feel the warmth of grandmother's hands.
- Monastery Khor Virap. The closest and safest point to Mount Ararat - Armenia's guardian. Christianity began to flourish in these places, as according to the Bible, Noah's Ark once arrived at Ararat.
- Monastery Noravank. One of the most magical places in Armenia. The monastery blends seamlessly with nature, and is guarded by majestic red giants. The construction was done by the Armenian medieval Michelangelo - Momik. He is the only master who dared to make a sculpture of God - and it was here.
- Bird Cave and Winery in Areni. What would humanity be without women and wine? We will see an ancient ritual winery dating back 6-7 thousand years. And we will visit a cave where a 6000-year-old skull fragment was found. Here, a pair of leather sandals dating back 5500 years was discovered - along with many other artifacts.
Culinary masterclass at winemaker Mger's place
Finally, we will visit the cozy village of Areni. I will tell you about when the Jewish community arrived in Armenia and how they live in this village. We will walk around the village and see the ancient Astvatsatsin church - the first work of the Armenian Michelangelo - Momik. And at the end, we will be welcomed by the hospitable Mger (already a local celebrity). Over a conversation, we will have a cup of Armenian-style homemade coffee or fragrant herbal tea and try shpot (a thick fruit syrup). Mger's grandmother will show us how to properly make sweet sharots (Armenian churchkhela) and give us some treats for the road. And enthusiasts of homemade cuisine will be able to cook Armenian tolma with the secret of this house.
On the way back, we will stop by a modern winery where we will taste wine made from an endemic grape variety.
Organizational Details
- The tour is conducted in comfortable Nissan, Honda, or Mercedes cars with professional drivers
- We will pick you up from your place of stay and drop you back
- The cost of the sweet masterclass in the village of Areni for two is 20 euros, and tolma - 30 euros
