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 – June 11th – 21st 2025 – €2495

Unseen Soviet Armenia Tour –  October 14th – 20th 2025 – €1495

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 (7 days, 6 nights)

Day 1 – Yerevan

• Arrive at your leisure in Yerevan, the capital and largest city of Armenia. The city is well-connected to many European countries. Self-transfer to our centrally located hotel. 
• We will meet at 4:00pm in the lobby of our hotel for a pre-tour meeting. You’ll meet your fellow travellers, your YPT guide, and go over the itinerary.
• We’ll head to the Ararat Distillery, which was popular during the Soviet era, particularly in Belarus, Russia, and Ukraine. Tour the Ararat museum and distillery, followed by a tasting session.
• For dinner, we’ll head out to our favourite restaurant serving delicious khorovats, Armenian kebabs grilled over charcoal.
• Overnight stay in Yerevan.

Day 2 – Yerevan

• Breakfast at the hotel before we head out with our expert local guide.
• We’ll start at Republic Square, locally known as “Hraparak”. Here you’ll find Soviet-era buildings functioning as the Government House, the History Museum, the National Gallery, and the Armenia Marriott Hotel.
• We’ll continue down Northern Avenue to the Opera House, a grand building constructed to commemorate the 10th anniversary of Soviet Armenia.
• Next is the Yerevan Cascade, consisting of 572 steps and 5 hillside terraces. From the top, you’ll enjoy breathtaking views of Yerevan and the Ararat Valley.
• We’ll see the Mother Armenia monument, a powerful symbol of the country, representing peace through strength.
• You’ll have some time to explore Victory Park at your own pace or visit the exhibition dedicated to the Nagorno-Karabakh War of 1988–1994 and the recent unjust war caused by Azerbaijan.

Afternoon

• For lunch, we’ll head to a local restaurant that serves dolma, consisting of rice, minced meat, or offal, wrapped with grape leaves.
• Next, we’ll experience the Yerevan metro system, making our way to Yeritasardakan Station. Opened in 1981, this futuristic-looking station also doubles as a bomb shelter.
• We’ll then visit the Yerevan Railway Station, an impressive building constructed in 1956 and renovated in 2010 by Russian Railways. The railway museum offers insights into the history of Armenian and Soviet train journeys.
• After a busy day, we’ll return to the hotel to relax and freshen up before heading out for dinner.
• Overnight stay in Yerevan.

Day 3 – Yerevan – Kotayk Province – Gegharkunik Province – Sevan Peninsula – Yerevan

• Early morning starts with breakfast at the hotel.
• We’ll embark on a scenic road trip to the Kotayk Province, the only province that doesn’t share a border with a foreign country.
• The Arch of Charents is a monument dedicated to the poet and Bolshevik Party member, Yeghishe Charents.
• We’ll continue to the Garni Temple, a remarkable example of Greco-Roman architecture and the finest preserved Hellenistic building in the former Soviet Union.
• Next, we’ll visit the Aghbyurak Reservoir, where we’ll find a monument dedicated to the 40th anniversary of victory in the Great Patriotic War.

Afternoon

• We’ll have a picnic lunch, picking up supplies from a local store and enjoying our meal outdoors.
• For aviation enthusiasts, there’s an opportunity to visit a Yakovlev Yak-40 plane, nicknamed the “Codling” by NATO.
• Our journey continues through the Kotayk Province to Hrazdan. During the Soviet era, the city was heavily industrialized.
• One of the most iconic images from a Vogue magazine photoshoot in Soviet Armenia features model Jerry Hall in a red swimsuit at the Arshaluys monument. This single image immortalized the sculptor, photographer, and model.
• We’ll visit the Sevan Monastery, also known as Sevanavank, a monastic complex located on the Sevan Peninsula.
• The Guesthouse of the Armenian Writers Union, situated on the shores of Lake Sevan, was a retreat for the Writers Union during the Soviet era.
• We’ll head back to Yerevan, and on arrival, we’ll go straight for dinner and drinks.
• Overnight stay in Yerevan.

Day 4 – Yerevan – Aragatsotn Province – Gyumri

• Breakfast before we check out of our hotel and head towards Gyumri.
• Armenia is set to unveil the world’s tallest statue of Jesus Christ, a monumental addition that will become a landmark attraction and boost tourism in the country.
• We’ll then head to Tsovinar Lake to see an abandoned Tu-134 plane. During a flight from Lviv to Yerevan, the plane encountered a severe storm over Abkhazia.
• We’ll arrive at the Byurakan Observatory, located on Mount Aragats, which was a major astronomy center in the Soviet Union. The observatory has monitored flare stars, supernovae, and hundreds of galaxies. Its ROT54 (Orgov Radio-Optical Telescope) recorded the explosion of a red giant, and numerous scientific articles were published in the USSR and the West.

Afternoon

• Lunch at a local restaurant in Orgov. We recommend trying Lahmajun, Armenian flatbread with spiced lamb.
• We’ll continue to Gyumri to see the impressive Mother Armenia monument, another female personification of Armenia. You’ll have free time to explore the complex at your own pace.
• The Black Fortress, locally known as “Sev Berd,” is an abandoned Russian imperial fortress built after the Russo-Turkish War.
• The Church of Saint Arsenius is the largest Russian church in Armenia. Named after the Archbishop of Serbia, the church is undergoing restoration after serving various purposes, including as an orphanage, cattle shelter, and even a cinema.
• Check in to our hotel and head straight out for some delicious Armenian food and drinks.
• Overnight stay in Gyumri.

Day 5 – Gyumri – Lori Province – Odzun

• Early morning starts with breakfast before we check out, ready to explore the hidden gems of Gyumri and the Lori Province.
• We’ll start at the Iron Fountain, a stunning example of Soviet modernism. Once a centrepiece of the Polytechnic University Campus, it miraculously survived the devastating 1988 earthquake that destroyed much of the surrounding area.
• We’ll continue exploring Gyumri, visiting an abandoned textile factory where you’ll find a beautiful Soviet mosaic depicting the Great Patriotic War.
• The Gyumri railway station is another highlight, with its impressive bas-relief “Victory” and a stunning stained-glass window adorning the dome.
• Before leaving Gyumri, you’ll have the opportunity to visit the Cathedral of the Holy Mother of God and the Holy Savior’s Church, the latter of which was severely damaged in the earthquake.

Afternoon

• We continue towards Lori Province, stopping at a local restaurant along the way for lunch.
• Upon arrival at our destination, we’ll do a 20-30 minute hike to reach an abandoned Pioneer camp, one of the best-preserved in Armenia. The highlight is the swimming pool adorned with a beautiful Soviet mosaic.
• Next, we’ll head to Vanadzor, the third-largest city in Armenia, which was spared from the earthquake.
• We’ll explore Vanadzor, including the impressive Soviet-era train station, where you can see how well-connected the city was to all the republics by examining the original wall map.
• We’ll check into our hotel in Odzum and head out for dinner and drinks.
• Overnight stay in Odzum.

Day 6 – Odzun – Lori Province – Yerevan

• Breakfast at the hotel before we check out and head out to explore.
• Odzun Church, constructed in the 5th-7th centuries, is famous for its funerary monument, a gift from an Indian king in the 8th century.
• We’ll visit another abandoned Pioneer camp, which thrived during the Soviet era, where children would spend their summer and winter holidays.
• Horomayr Monastery is a monastic complex that extends from the top to halfway down a cliff. The short hike is well worth it for the stunning views over the Lori Gorge.
• We’ll continue our adventure to Sanahin Monastery, a UNESCO World Heritage site and a masterpiece of religious architecture. The monastery was protected as a historical and cultural monument during the Soviet era.
• The Mikoyan Brothers Museum is a Soviet-era museum dedicated to brothers Anastas and Artyom Mikoyan. Anastas played a vital role in administering food throughout the Soviet territory, while Artyom was the co-designer of the MiG fighter jets.

Afternoon

• Lunch, we’ll head to a café for coffee and traditional Armenian nutmeg cake. We’ll have some time to relax before we continue.
• The Abandoned Cable Car Station is a popular destination for urban explorers. You can explore the site, which still contains the original control panel and machinery.
• Haghpat Monastery, famous for its frescoes, overlooks the Debed River. Constructed between the 10th and 13th centuries, it’s a masterpiece of religious architecture. It is also listed as a UNESCO World Heritage site alongside the Sanahin Monastery.
• Once we’re ready, we’ll take a scenic journey back to Yerevan. On arrival we’ll check into our hotel to freshen up and relax.
• Dinner and drinks at a popular Armenian restaurant to celebrate our final night together.
• Overnight stay in Yerevan.

Day 7 – Yerevan

• A leisurely morning starts with breakfast – Tour concludes 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

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