Armenia Tours and Travel

YPT Tours to Armenia

Join one of our Armenia Tours to discover this little country located in the Caucasus. This former Soviet republic is full of ancient history, beautiful landscapes and interesting architecture, from ancient churches to brutalist Soviet buildings.

Armenia has a history stretching back millennia, evident in its ancient monasteries clinging to cliffsides and UNESCO World Heritage Sites like the Etchmiadzin Cathedral. It also offers dramatic landscapes, like the otherworldly rock formations of the Debed Canyon or the wildlife paradise of Dilijan National Park.

On our Armenia tours, you’ll travel across the country hearing stories of injustices and resilience, after the Armenian Genocide. You’ll also learn how the collapse of the Soviet Union impacted the country; when complex ethnic division intensified, causing recent wars between the neighbouring countries.

Group Tours to Armenia

We currently run a yearly Complete Caucasus tour where you can visit Armenia along with their neighbouring countries Georgia and Azerbaijan.

Complete Caucasus Tour: Azerbaijan, Georgia & Armenia

Independent Tours to Armenia

Having run tours to Armenia for many years, Young Pioneer Tours have been able to create a great network of local partners, hotels, guides and off-the-beaten-track itineraries and activities for Armenia. Prices depend on the number of people and what level of accommodation you desire, but YPT can arrange everything you need for a perfect independent trip.

Independent Armenia tours can focus exclusively on the country, or be combined with tours to Georgia, Azerbaijan, Turkey or any country where there are direct flights to.

Example of an Armenia Itinerary (6 days, 5 nights)

Day 1 – Yerevan

Arrive at your own leisure into Yerevan – the capital city of Armenia is well connected with many European and Asian countries. Self-transfer to our centrally located hotel.
Pre-tour meeting will be held at the lobby of our hotel at 6:00pm to discuss the tour itinerary and to meet your fellow travellers and YPT guide.
Head out for dinner and drinks in traditional restaurant
Overnight in Yerevan

Day 2 – Yerevan

Breakfast before our visit to Yerevan will start with the Mother Armenia monument – a powerful symbol of Armenia representing peace through strength. However during the Soviet era, a statue of Stalin once stood here.
Our walking tour will also cover important sites including the Cascade Complex, the National Opera and Ballet Theatre, the National Assembly and many more buildings which were constructed during the Soviet Union.
You’ll have some time to explore and capture some pictures along the walking tour. There are many Soviet and Armenian architecture wonders here, or you simply grab a coffee and enjoy the capital city.

Afternoon

Lunch at a local restaurant, we recommend trying tjvjik consisting of lamb or beef liver with additional offal – a popular Soviet Armenian film was centred around this dish.
At the Armenian Genocide Memorial complex, locally known as Tsitsernakaberd, you’ll learn about the massacres and forced deportations of Armenians. This is very much a delicate and sensitive subject: even today countries deny that there was a genocide.
We’ll continue our tour of Yerevan before heading to the hotel to relax and freshen up.
We’ll head to our favourite restaurant which serves amazing khorovats alongside some local beer and Ararat!
Overnight stay in Yerevan.

Day 3 – Yerevan

Early morning start with breakfast to make the most of our time in Yerevan.
No trip to Armenia would be complete without visiting the UNESCO World Heritage Site of Geghard, locally referred to as Ayrivank, meaning “the Monastery of the Cave”. The mediaeval monastery was founded in the 4th century and was carved out of the surrounding mountain cliffs.
Garni Temple is our last visit. This is the only surviving Colonnaded Greco-Roman temple found in the former Soviet Union. Its origins are still unclear however the Armenian deity, Mihr the god of Sun, was worshipped here.
We’ll continue past Garni Gorge witnessing the “symphony of stones” before visiting a large open-air market, a perfect place for a final purchase of Soviet antiques, before we transfer back to Yerevan.

Afternoon

After lunch, free time to relax or explore a bit more of Yerevan on your own
Dinner and drinks
Overnight in Yerevan

Day 4 – Lake Seven

We’ll have an early morning start with breakfast at our hotel.
Your road trip continues to Lake Sevan, the largest lake in the Caucuses. We’ll spend some time here enjoying the natural beauty. Those who wish to go for a swim are free to do so.
In Dilijan, a charming town surrounded by nature, we’ll learn about its cultural importance before checking another forgotten Soviet monument: the 50th anniversary of Soviet Armenia.
We’ll visit a seldom but powerful Soviet era monument, Mother Armenia, created by Mehrabyan.

Afternoon

we’ll grab a much-deserved lunch.

After, we’ll head back Yerevan
Farewell dinner and drinks in Yerevan
Overnight in Yerevan

Day 5 – Yerevan

Breakfast in our hotel
Tour concludes at 4:00pm. YPT can arrange additional nights in Yerevan and airport drop-off for a fee. We are more than happy to provide advice for ongoing flights.

Bespoke Armenia Tours

Soviet architecture and monuments

Armenia is full of Soviet relics, monuments, brutalist architecture, abandoned buildings such as a Young pioneer camp and an abandoned resort. We can take you to the birthplace of the MIG jet designer, to Soviet cosmos observatories, great patriotic war memorials and more! At YPT we know the best hidden locations for all things soviet.

Armenian Culture

Armenia is home of some of the oldest churches and monasteries in the world and forts and castles from mediaeval times, for example the Medieval Goris Cave Dwellings. With our local guides, learn in depth about the singularities of this country, to understand the past and present conflicts in this region of the world.

Nature and hiking

The Caucasus mountains are a natural wonder, from the most iconic mountain Aragats, a volcano 4,090 m above sea level. And the beautiful forest mountains around Tatev, where you can also find the longest non-stop cable car for amazing views of the region.

Nagorno Karabakh

The Nagorno Karabakh region, also known as Republic of Artsakh, was an unrecognised state since 1994, that got de facto independence from Azerbaijan after two years of war. In 2023, this republic was dissolved, causing a mass departure of the population that was mostly of Armenia ethnicity. Unfortunately it’s not possible to visit the region just now (2024), but we are keeping an eye on when it will be possible to visit again, regardless of which state controls it. For more information, please visit our page: Can you travel to Nagorno Karabakh (Artsakh)?

Filming in Armenia

Through our media arm Pioneer Media , we can make arrangements for productions, journalists, or others, to film within Armenia from big budget to guerrilla productions. We can also arrange meetings in country, as well as correct visas for journalist wishing to do projects within the country.

Frequently asked questions about travel to Armenia

Do I need a visa to travel to Armenia?

The majority of nationalities, including the European Economic Area (EEA), United Kingdom, the USA, Australia, Canada, and New Zealand, do not need a visa to visit Armenia for a stay up to 180 days. More information can be found here

What is the best time to visit Armenia?

Spring to September would be the best time to visit Armenia, when temperatures are mild and there are less chances of rain. Winter can be cold, but can be a good option for those who enjoy snow.

Is Armenia safe for tourists?

Armenia is mostly a safe country. You probably won’t notice anything nor feel threatened at any time, but precautions should always be taken. In Yerevan, like in any other city, avoid displaying your passport, large sums of cash and valuables.

The regions bordering Azerbaijan are still tense and better to be avoided, although there haven’t been major violent incidents since September 2023.

What currency is used in Armenia?

The currency in Armenia is the dram. $1 (USD) is worth approximately 388.87 Armenian Dram. We recommend checking the exchange rate prior to the tour. There are ATMs available in all the big cities and most businesses will accept credit cards. However, it is recommended to have cash, especially in the rural areas where ATMs can be hard to find and credit cards may not be accepted. Euros and US dollars can be easily exchanged.

Are there any health precautions I should take before travelling to Armenia?

There are no compulsory vaccines to enter armenia. However, travellers are advised to check with their healthcare provider for vaccinations. Common recommended vaccinations include hepatitis A and B, Poli, and routine vaccinations.

What is the local etiquette and customs in Armenia?

There are no clothing restrictions in Armenia, but legs and shoulders should be covered when entering an Armenian church. Sometimes, women can also be asked to cover their hair. Even though homosexuality was decriminalised in 2003, the population can still be intolerant. A considerable degree of social disapproval and rejection remains, which is why public displays of affection between people of the same sex are discouraged, including in the capital, Yerevan.

Is it possible to use a SIM card for mobile communication in Armenia?

You can get a SIM card when arriving at the airport. They are also sold in mobile provider stores. Alternatively, you can get an eSIM, for example on the Airalo app. There is WiFi in most hotels, restaurants and cafes. Note that in most rural areas the signal could be weak.

Why travel to Armenia with Young Pioneer Tours?

We know where to find the most of the beaten track spots, we not only know some very cool places, but also how to save money and make the most of a trip to Armenia. By travelling with us, you’re sure to find YPT’s ethos of good times, jam-packed itineraries, great food discoveries and a healthy dose of partying.