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🗺 Why 10 days is optimal
7 days don't allow you to cover the south of the country and Tatev. 14 days is excessive without serious trekking. In 10 days you can realistically drive through Yerevan, the monasteries of Kotayk, Vorotan Canyon, Sevan and Gyumri without rushing and unnecessary transfers.
📍 Days 1–2: Yerevan
Base — downtown Yerevan, Kentron or Kesaratsui district. First day: Cascade, Vernissage market, Republic Square in the evening with singing fountains. Second day: Matenadaran (manuscripts, entrance about 890 rubles), Blue Mosque, Nork neighborhoods with views of Mount Ararat.
- Metro covers the center, ticket — about 45 rubles (50 drams)
- Taxi via Yandex Go or GG — city ride 200–400 rubles.
- Evening — bar street on Saryan Street, glass of wine from 350 rubles.
🏛 Days 3–4: Garni, Geghard and Khor Virap
Day 3: Garni pagan temple (entrance 445 rubles) and Geghard monastery — UNESCO site, entrance free. Minibus from Yerevan to Garni — about 90 rubles, return more convenient by taxi (700–900 rubles per car).
Day 4: Khor Virap monastery at the foot of Mount Ararat — the best view of the mountain in the country. Car rental for a day from Yerevan — from 4,500 rubles, tourist transfer — about 2,700 rubles per person.
🚡 Days 5–6: Tatev and Goris
Travel south to Goris (minibus from Kilikia bus station, about 1,200 rubles, 5 hours). Night in Goris — hostel from 1,800 rubles, guesthouse from 2,700 rubles.
Day 6: "Wings of Tatev" cable car — the world's longest reversible cable car (5.7 km), round-trip ticket about 2,400 rubles. 12th-century Tatev monastery — a must. Vorotan Canyon is visible right from the trail.
🏔 Days 7–8: Lake Sevan and Dilijan
Travel via Yerevan to Sevan (minibus 400 rubles, 1.5 hours). Sevanavank monastery on the peninsula, trout right by the water — from 890 rubles per serving. Day 8 — Dilijan: "Armenian Switzerland," Agartsuin monastery, Old Dilijan Complex with workshops. Accommodation in Dilijan from 2,200 rubles.
🏙 Days 9–10: Gyumri and return to Yerevan
Gyumri — the country's second city with merchant architecture of the 19th century. Kumayri district, market, Surb Astvatsatsin Church. Yerevan–Gyumri train — about 400 rubles, 2.5 hours. Day 10 — return to Yerevan, souvenirs at Vernissage, Ararat brandy at the factory (tour with tasting 2,200 rubles).
💰 Trip budget
| Expense item | Amount (rubles) |
|---|---|
| Flight tickets (round trip) | 18,000–32,000 |
| Accommodation (10 nights, mid-range) | 22,000–35,000 |
| Food (3 meals a day) | 10,000–15,000 |
| Transport within the country | 6,000–10,000 |
| Entrance fees and tours | 4,000–7,000 |
| Souvenirs and miscellaneous | 3,000–6,000 |
| Total per person | 63,000–105,000 |
📋 Practical tips
- MIR cards are accepted at many banks and ATMs in Armenia — but it's better to have cash rubles and exchange them for drams at Yerevan exchange offices, the rate is better than at the airport.
- For communications, Armenian SIM Ucom or Beeline Armenia is convenient — starter package with internet from 450 rubles. Alternatively — eSIM from e7m.ru from 184₽, activated before departure.
- Minibuses between cities don't have a fixed schedule — they depart when full, head to the stop at 8–9 am.
- In mountainous areas (Tatev, Dilijan) it gets sharply cold in the evening even in summer — bring a light jacket.
- Car rental with driver for a day — 4,500–6,500 rubles, convenient for Garni + Geghard + Khor Virap in one trip.