The tour starts with a meeting with your tour leader and group participants before heading to an introductory tour of Yerevan. We start our exploration with the Republic Square with it magnificent buildings enhanced by singing fountains, continue to Erebouni Fortress, the birthplace of Yerevan. Take a guided tour of the fortress and explore the impressive ruins and museum. Drive back to city center, stopping at the Railway Station to see the beautiful monument of David of Sasun, national hero. Visit to the famous Closed Market on Mashtots Avenue. Wonder among the stalls with a variety of fresh, dried and marinated fruits and vegetables, sample some of the delicacies on offer.

In the morning drive to Geghard, explore legendary Monastery of Spear and Garni Temple of Sun, the only standing Hellenistic temple in the Caucasus. We start the hike in Khosrov Nature Park, a vast forest with its diverse flora and fauna with many rare and endangered species including Caucasian leopard, Armenian mouflon, bezoar goat and black vulture. Rich historical heritage is another reason why we chose this area for today's hiking. The length of trail is 9 km, duration about 6-8 hours. We start at the junction of Vedi and Khosrov rivers and continue to Tapi Fortress with ongoing conservation activities and following the course of Khosrov river we will reach Khosrov abandoned village surrounded by forests and remnants of rare cross stones. The trail continues to explore unique natural monuments such as homogenous dense oak forest, mountainous slopes with skeletal stones and an impressive mountain called Trchnaberd. In the evening we will reach the park shelter used for tourist accommodation, there are only 8 places in the shelter, the rest of the group will camp. Tents that fit 2 people, inflatable air mattresses and sleeping bags are provided. Dinner will be served at the campfire. There is a shower at the campsite and toilet facilities are basic but it is worth staying in this remote place.

Optional: you have the option of exploring the stunning scenery of the nature park on horseback

We begin our exploration of Southern Armenia. Driving to the south we gain impressive views of the mountains, bizarre rocks and weirdly sculptured erosions add to the impressions. En route we visit Noravank, the masterpiece of medieval architect Momik situated above an awesome gorge. Check in at hotel and start hiking to Spitakavor (trail length 7 km). Our first stop is Gladzor, a major center of science and calligraphy in medieval Armenia. On to Spitakavor Monastery passing the village of Vernashen. Walking through the village, we have an opportunity to meet and chat with locals and gain a true insight into their traditional ways of life. The trail continues through rough slopes and leads directly to Proshaberd Citadel crowning the rocky peak. Here we are rewarded for our efforts by the dramatic views of the mountains and the valley below. In the evening we arrive at our hotel to try out the excellent local cuisine, rest and overnight.

After breakfast and a good look around we are ready to continue our adventures in Southern Armenia. We reach the fertile valley of Yeghegis river where we hike to isolated Tsakhats Kar Monastery, an enchanting site hidden between the mountains and Smbataberd, a well-preserved medieval citadel built by King Smbat (12 km round trip). The setting of Smbataberd is perhaps the most beautiful in Armenia, with Arpi river valley at your feet. Here we have the blissful feeling of freedom from the mundane that only truly comes after a few days of travelling nature's way - on one's own feet. Our next stop will be at Shatin observation point to see Bezoar Goats on the opposite side of the gorge. We are in the agricultural heart of Armenia and have a chance to enjoy private wine touring and lunch in maran (cellars) of a small winery in Aghavnadzor, free time before we drive to Vayk for rest and overnight.

After wholesome breakfast we continue into Southern Armenia, endlessly winding roads leaping through gorges over the mountains of Syunik. Today our trail is a perfect combination of natural and cultural wonders. We visit Tatev Monastery and continue walking on narrow footpaths that take us back in time, to the tiny cloister of Tatev Hermitage, a highly evocative place. Continue walking to the limestone caverns of the Devil's bridge with natural hot baths in a gorge so narrow, that the sun hardly reaches the bottom (trail length 5 km). After al fresco lunch and short rest, we continue our day full of activities. Have you ever seen a ghost town with hundreds of uninhabited dwellings, a place that seems frozen in time? Drive to Khndzoresk cave town at the altitude of 1580 m on the steep slopes of Deep Gorge. Picturesque rock formations and gently inviting nature make this one of Armenia's most popular sites. On to Goris, a cozy town with fine stone houses with arched windows and balconies on tree-lined lanes. The pace of life is slow here with little commercial or industrial activity, or even tourist kitsch, so it really feels like you stepped back in time.

Breakfast, we say farewell to our hosts for whom we are rare visitors and drive to Lake Sevan, one of the highest freshwater lakes in the world. The tranquil majesty of its ever-changing waters, stunning mountains silhouetted against the blue sky, all this inspired its name The Pearl of Armenia. This day is designed as a rest day to enjoy water activities at the Lake and prepare for the hikes of the coming days. We travel via the rugged Selim Pass and enjoy the views of Lake Sevan below, en route stop at amazingly intact Selim Caravanserai, an important trading post on the Great Silk Road where little has changed since the fourteenth century. Continue the day with a 20-minute walk to the top of Akhtamar trail for the best photographic views of the Lake and romantic Sevanavank Monastery. Check-in at your chalet-style hotel right on the beach, rest. Enjoy the scenery, swim, relax or take a boat trip (optional, weather permitting).

Early transfer to Crystal Lake to start the hike in Dilijan National Park along stunning forest trails (8 km), cross the wildly beautiful Areguni pass and reach Goshavank Monastery where the great scholar of the 13th century Mkhitar Gosh is buried. Lookout for morning birds that are particularly active at this time, explore the enchanting nature of the park as we take a gentle walk on well-defined forest trails. For those with more energy to burn we offer a short but absolutely fantastic walk to a small lake above Goshavank. End the day with a drive to Dilijan, a small town that captures the spirit of rural Armenia and check in at our hotel. Evening visit to newly-opened Old Dilijan complex on historic Shamambertan street, experience the town as it was in the 19th century and observe the weaving of carpets by local women at Tufenkian Carpet Showroom. On to our hotel for rest and overnight.

Breakfast at hotel and off to the village of Gomer near Ijevan where we take a short transfer to the trailhead. We will spend the day hiking (20 km round trip) in this beautiful wilderness area, no roads, no shops, no TVs, just incredible views and marvelous solitude. A wonderful forested route into the most unspoilt and rugged area of north-eastern Armenia as we head into a deep gorge before descending to cascading waterfalls and the most scenic meadows in Armenia. Follow the hiking trail to reach hidden caves of Lastiver, perhaps Armenia's best-kept secret. All the time we have open views of the beautiful green plateau of Lastiver. A fitting finale for the day full of impressions is a well-deserved dinner at a farmhouse in Akner where villagers adhere to their traditional ways of life, overnight at farmhouse.

Optional: you have an option of experiencing the stunning scenery of Lastiver on horseback

After healthful rural breakfast we drive to the last point of our hiking adventure, Mount Aragats (4,090m), an extinct volcano. We spend a relaxing day to prepare for Mount Aragats trek tomorrow, have some sightseeing en route and enjoy the hospitality of Yezidi nomads. We visit Saghmosavank (Monastery of Psalms) perched on the edge of picturesque Kasakh gorge. Here we are captivated by stunning views around every corner providing superb photo opportunities. Acclimatizing gradually as we ascend the beautiful countryside, we reach Amberd Fortress on the southern slope of Aragats. Breathtaking views of the fortress and citadel, snow covered peaks of Aragats, sun scorched grasslands dressed in wildflowers combine to provide an unforgettable experience this morning. We visit high-mountain camps of friendly Yezidi tribes who tend their sheep under the towering peaks of Aragats. We will discover the traditional way of life of these people of the mountains, visiting their tents, trying fresh cheese and yogurt. Drive to Byurakan, check in at hotel.

Early morning start your trek to Mount Aragats (4,090m), an extinct volcano, the highest peak of Lesser Caucasus. Reach Stone Lake whose waters glitter like polished mirror in the sunlight. Our local guides at Aragats have plenty of experience getting travelers to the Southern peak (3,879m), whatever your physical fitness and age. A steep hike up is rewarded by superb panoramas of alpine meadows of rare beauty. If you're still keen for more, we will scramble up to the Western peak (4,080m) for unbelievable views of endless crisp blue sky and Mount Ararat in the distance. Back to Yerevan.