Tuesday 14th October – 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. Group members from our Undiscovered Transnistria Budget Tour will arrive in Yerevan in the early hours (flights not included).
• For those in the mood for some brandy, we’ll head at 5pm to the Ararat Distillery, that was popular during the Soviet era, particularly in Belarus, Russia, and Ukraine. This brandy has been favoured by powerful world leaders such as Joseph Stalin and Winston Churchill. We’ll tour the Ararat museum and distillery, followed by a tasting session of 10-year-old (Akhtamar), 15-year-old (Vaspurakan), and 20-year-old (Nairi) brandies (Extra cost: 25 euros).
• We will meet at 7pm 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.
• For dinner, we’ll head out to our favourite restaurant serving delicious khorovats, Armenian kebabs grilled over charcoal.
• Overnight stay in Yerevan.

Wednesday 15th October – Yerevan

• Breakfast at the hotel before we head out with our expert local guide to discover the Soviet heritage in Yerevan, much of which is slowly falling into disrepair.
• 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 take you to a hidden gem, where you can see a Soviet stained-glass window. You’ll be able to send a few postcards to your friends and family from here.
• We’ll continue down Northern Avenue to the Opera House, a grand building constructed to commemorate the 10th anniversary of Soviet Armenia. Our walking tour will then lead us to Martiros Saryan Park, a perfect spot for souvenir shopping.
• Next is the Yerevan Cascade, consisting of 572 steps and 5 hillside terraces. The epic complex is made from white travertine stone, this was the only material available for the large-scale construction. 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. During the Soviet era, a statue of Stalin once stood here, a reminder of the temporary nature of dictatorial glory.
• We’ll visit the abandoned Aragil restaurant. We’ll admire its unique architecture and panoramic views, though entry is not permitted.
• 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.

Thursday 16th October – Yerevan – Kotayk Province – Gegharkunik Province – Sevan Peninsula – Yerevan

• Early morning starts with breakfast at the hotel before we head out to discover Armenia’s hidden Soviet heritage and more.
• 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. Along the way, we’ll take a rest stop to stretch our legs and pick up supplies.
• The Arch of Charents is a monument dedicated to the poet and Bolshevik Party member, Yeghishe Charents. A staunch supporter of Soviet Armenia during Lenin’s era, he tragically became a victim of Stalin’s Great Purge.
• 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.
• Levon’s Divine Underground is a series of holy caves carved out by Levon Arakelyan using only basic tools over 23 years. The project began when his wife Tosya asked him to build a potato cellar beneath their home. Sadly, Levon passed away in 2008, but we can still meet Tosya and hear her stories.
• 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. The monument depicts a woman emerging from the water, initially called “Long live the blue and clear sky,” and stands as a powerful reminder of Armenia’s active participation in the 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 with a cement factory, a Jrarat milk factory, and the “HrazdanMash” machine tool plant. We’ll explore this once-thriving city and visit the monument dedicated to the Victims of the Great Patriotic War and the First Nagorno-Karabakh War.
• No YPT trip to Soviet Europe would be complete without a visit to a monument dedicated to Yuri Gagarin, the first man in space. We’ll explore a town named after the iconic cosmonaut in the Gegharkunik Province.
• 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. Will you try to recreate it?
• We’ll visit the Sevan Monastery, also known as Sevanavank, a monastic complex located on the Sevan Peninsula. The monastery was once an island until the lake was partially drained under Stalin’s regime.
• 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. Unfortunately, the architects fell victim to Stalin’s purges.
• We’ll head back to Yerevan, and on arrival, we’ll go straight for dinner and drinks.
• Overnight stay in Yerevan.

Friday 17th October – 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. Once completed, it will be positioned atop Mount Hatis. We’ll explore the site where the Jesus monument is currently being assembled.
• 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. Although it landed safely, the incident forced the aircraft out of service.
• 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. Located 5 miles from the Turkish border, it serves as a powerful reminder of Russia’s victory and the subsequent Treaty of Adrianople.
• 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.

Saturday 18th October – 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 centerpiece 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. Although the station is still operational, it reached its peak during the Soviet era.
• 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. You’ll have the opportunity to explore the camp and discover various monuments and mosaics depicting zodiac signs.
• Next, we’ll head to Vanadzor, the third-largest city in Armenia, which was spared from the earthquake. Its population suffered directly from Soviet intelligence due to their high education levels and multilingual abilities.
• 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.
• Before leaving, we’ll visit a hidden monument dedicated to the soldiers who lost their lives in the Great Patriotic War.
• We’ll check into our hotel in Odzum and head out for dinner and drinks.
• Overnight stay in Odzum.

Sunday 19th October – 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. The collection includes Anastas’ GAZ-12 ZIM limousine and a MiG-21 “Fishbed.”

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.

Monday 20th October – 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.

Read More