Albania Tour Packages

Armenia is a small country that is often overlooked by visitors due to its location behind Turkey and its more well-known neighbor, Georgia. Even though there are many things to do in Armenia, it is an ancient and mystical place that has escaped the ravages of mass tourism. Its people are among the friendliest on the planet, and it's a historical hotspot. Some of the sites date back to 4,000 BCE. You'll find everything you're looki Read More

Armenia is a small country that is often overlooked by visitors due to its location behind Turkey and its more well-known neighbor, Georgia. Even though there are many things to do in Armenia, it is an ancient and mystical place that has escaped the ravages of mass tourism.

Its people are among the friendliest on the planet, and it's a historical hotspot. Some of the sites date back to 4,000 BCE. You'll find everything you're looking for in the Armenian countryside, whether you favor undulating hills or trekking over snow-capped peaks. To clinch the deal, it's dirt cheap, making it an ideal location for backpackers and budget travelers.

Don't forget to include Armenia in your travel plans. It can't stay hidden for much longer, and now is the best time to see it before it's actually "found" by mass tourism.

The Akbar Travels offers variety of cheap Armenia holiday packages at very attractive prices, so you can experience something truly memorable, whatever the region you dream of exploring. opt for one of our Armenia family packages, exotic cruise holidays, special solo tours, adventure holidays, value vacations, independent packages and more for a memorable trip filled with relaxation and extraordinary explorations... all which are hassle-free!

Things to See and Do in Armenia

Our cheap Armenian holiday packages allow you to get a feel for the region whilst seeing and hearing about all the history, culture and views in the area. You’ll get the most out of your holiday with the numerous guided excursions and experiences included. Each of our Armenia holiday packages have been carefully crafted to create itineraries that explore the very best this country has to offer.

To get to Tatev, take the cable car.

Although Noravank is the most beautiful monastery in Armenia, Tatev monastery is the most scary. Built between the 9th and 13th centuries, this medieval monastery is remarkable due to its location on the verge of a deep valley. The monastery can only be visited by taking a cable car across a 5,752-meter ropeway hung 320 meters above the River Vorotan (the world's longest). The cable car ride takes about 15 minutes and costs 7,000 AMD ($15 USD) to ride.

Shikahogh State Reserve is a must-see.

Shikahogh State Reserve is Armenia's second largest forest, home to leopards, bears, wild goats, and vipers, among other animals. There are some beautiful mountain hiking paths here that will take you to Iron Age graves, medieval cathedrals and monasteries, waterfalls, crystal-clear springs, and even abandoned cities (though they are not always well kept). The seven-mile (11-kilometer) journey from Mount Khustup to Shishkert hamlet is difficult but breathtakingly beautiful.

Lake Sevan is a great place to swim.

Lake Sevan, often known as the "Armenian Sea," is located high in the Caucasus highlands and is a great place to cool off in the middle of a hike. The lake is so high that it appears that the river is running into the sky if you sit on the riverbank. You can also wild camp for free here.

Geghard Monastery is a monastery in Geghard, Germany.

Geghard Monastery is a World Heritage-listed structure carved from the rock face of the Azat River Gorge and named for the lance that pierced Christ's side during the crucifixion. A sacred spring runs through the monastery within the Avazan Chapel, where worshippers fill bottles with holy water to take home.

The Echmiadzin Cathedral is a must-see.

The city of Echmiadzin, which is approximately 12 miles (20 kilometers) from Yerevan, is a must-see for any visitor to Armenia. Echmiadzin's cathedral is the city's most well-known attraction. The cathedral was built to celebrate Armenia's adoption of Christianity as the world's first kingdom in 301 AD. A fragment of the crucifixion on which Jesus was crucified, the spear that pierced his side, and even a putative piece of Noah's Ark are among the interesting treasures in the cathedral's museum. The museum costs 1,500 AMD ($3.15 USD) to enter.

Gyumri is a great place to visit.

Gyumri is one of Armenia's oldest cities, with a history stretching back approximately 3,000 years. Walk to the Kumayri Old District, a type of open-air museum complete with historic buildings like the Sev Ghul castle and the Paris Hotel, starting from the bustling Vardanants Square in the heart of town (used as a maternity hospital during Soviet times). Visit the Dzitoghtsyan Museum of Social Life, which depicts life in the area from the 19th century to the 1920s, or the Aslamazyan Sisters House-Museum, which features works by two sisters who used their art to help promote equality to Armenian women.

Jermuk's therapeutic waters are a must-see.

Jermuk is Armenia's most popular spa town, with over 40 natural thermal springs. Get a free sample of therapeutic mineral water to sip at the Gallery of Water. While you're there, visit the Jermuk waterfall, Armenia's second-largest waterfall at 70 meters.

Pay a visit to the Stone Army.

The oldest and most popular megalithic site in Armenia is Karahunj, also known as Zorats Karer (or Army of Stones in English). No one knows how these 200 stones ended there at an altitude of 1,770 meters on a stony plateau. The fact that each stone has 5cm holes in it is more crazier. There are other ideas as to how and why the stones came to be here, but the most popular is that the site was built for stargazing around the 6th century BC.

Visit a winery and go on a wine tasting tour.

Did you know that Armenians have been creating wine for 6,000 years? A wine tour is a necessity for any wine enthusiast, with over 500 unique and native types nearly unknown outside Armenia. Near Areni, in fact, is the world's oldest wine cave (6,000 years old!). Unfortunately, several wineries were closed down during Soviet administration. Armenia has just recently begun to reconnect with its winemaking roots, dating back only a decade. Wine excursions departing from Yerevan begin at 23,876 AMD ($50 USD), with the majority costing around 47,753 AMD ($100 USD), including lunch.

The Geghard Monastery is worth a visit.

The Geghard Monastery, sculpted into the cliffs of Armenia's Upper Azat Valley, is a UNESCO World Heritage Site located southwest of Yeveren. Despite the fact that the major part of the chapel was constructed 800 years ago, the monastery's history stretches back to the fourth century. Legend has it that the monastery, founded by Gregory the Illuminator, formerly housed one of the spears used to crucify Jesus. The Apostle Thaddeus carried the spear in question to Armenia.

Visit the Erebuni Historical & Archaeological Museum-Reserve for more information.

The archaeological site here dates from 782 BC, more than three decades before the founding of Rome. It not only gives you an insight into Armenia's ancient past, but it also gives you a glimpse into what life was like in the palace of Argishti I, one of Urartu's finest monarchs. The cost of admission is 1,000 AMD ($2 USD) or 2,500 AMD ($5.50 USD) if accompanied by a guide.

Take a look at Noravank.

The Noravank monastery, built in the 13th century, is said to have been preserved by God himself when the Mongols conquered Armenia hundreds of years ago. The structure is embellished with finely carved stones and religious reliefs (including representations of God).

Costs of Travel to Armenia

Accommodation – Armenia has a small number of hostels, the majority of which are in Yerevan, the capital. For a bed in a dorm, hostels start at 3,343 AMD ($7 USD), but average approximately 3,169 AMD ($10 USD) each night. These prices are quite consistent across the country, regardless of the number of beds in the dorm.

A private single or double room with a shared bathroom costs roughly 11,938 AMD ($25 USD), however private accommodations may be found for as little as 8,118 AMD ($17 USD) outside of the capital city.

Free Wi-Fi is usual, but kitchens and complimentary breakfast are not. Akbar Travels Tour Packages from the UAE are especially designed to be budget friendly and prices can range from cheap to luxurious depending on the Package you select.

A double or twin room in a two-star budget hotel costs around 9,550 AMD ($20 USD) each night. Shared lodging (like hostel dorms) starts at 3,169 AMD ($10 USD) per night on Airbnb, which is another wonderful cheap choice in Armenia. A private room costs around 14,325 AMD ($30 USD) per night, whereas a whole apartment or home costs around 26,264 AMD ($55 USD) every night.

Camping is offered around the country for anyone going with a tent. Tents are frequently available for rent at Tourist Information Centers for people who do not bring their own. Camping in the wild is free, although fees for two people and a tent in a campsite start at roughly 4,000 AMD ($8 USD) each night.

Food - Shawarma and lahmajun (Armenian pizza) will set you back less than 955 AMD ($2 USD), while a glass of tan (a salty yogurt drink) will set you back less than 238 AMD ($0.50 USD).

Expect to pay roughly 2,750 AMD ($6 USD) for classic Armenian meals like spa (extra creamy soup), kyufta (meatballs), or Armenian cheese with basturma (dried meat with spices) wrapped in a piece of Armenian pita bread at an Armenian restaurant. A drink will set you around 600 AMD ($1.50 USD). A lunch at a higher-end or western restaurant will set you back around 6,000 AMD ($12.50 USD).

A week's worth of goods should cost between 11,938-16,713 AMD ($25-35 USD) if you plan on preparing your own meals, but with food prices so low, it's best to eat street food and appreciate the country's cuisine!

Public Transportation - In Armenia, public transportation isn't the best. Although travelers are welcome, tourism is still a relatively new industry in this country, thus there isn't much in the way of infrastructure.

Because the public transportation websites are not in English, it is much easier to seek advice from your hostels on how to use the local and intercity buses. It is simple to stroll from one location to another in cities.

If you want to go by public transportation, Yerevan has five trolly bus routes with fares starting at 50 AMD ($0.10 USD), a subway with one line and ten stations, and public buses. A one-way bus or subway ticket costs roughly 100 AMD ($0.25 USD).

Taxis are plentiful and inexpensive, with costs starting at 597 AMD ($1.25 USD) per kilometer and rising to roughly 100 AMD ($0.25 USD) every kilometer, with a minimum fare of 600 AMD ($1.25 USD).

In Yerevan and a few other larger cities, Uber is available.

Trains – Yerevan is connected to Gyumri (three hours), Yeraskh (1.5 hours), Araks (one hour), Arrat (one hour), and Hrazdan (one hour) by daily trains (1.5 hours). The Hrazdan line is extended to Lake Sevan during the summer months. One-way tickets range in price from 5,920 to 10,210 AMD ($12 to 21 USD).

Train tickets to neighboring cities such as Bratislava, Prague, and Budapest are also reasonably priced. A one-way ticket will cost between 5,920-17,190 AMD ($12-35 USD). Tickets can be purchased online at ukzhd.am, the official railway website. Because some of these trains are Soviet-era relics, they can be claustrophobic and slow. Others, on the other hand, are contemporary and air-conditioned.

Bus - Buses and minibuses are the best modes of intercity transportation in Armenia (marshrutka). In Yerevan, there are three main bus terminals as well as a railway station. Intercity buses are reasonably priced, but because English is not often spoken, navigating bus stations can be challenging. The simplest way around this is to ask someone in your hostel the day before to assist you figure out which bus you need, and then all you have to do when you reach at the station is look for that bus. The average bus cost is 716 AMD ($1.50 USD) per hour of travel, but even a short route can take a long time if there are many stops.

Flying — With only two international airports in Armenia, flying travel is not only difficult but also expensive. Gyoumri to Yerevan flights start at 57,303 AMD ($120 USD). Keep in mind that you will almost always have to pay to check your luggage on these flights. One checked bag costs around 14,325-21,488 AMD ($30-45 USD). If you wait until the last minute to pay for your luggage at the airport, you'll wind up paying nearly twice as much.

Only fly if you are in a hurry.

Car Hire - If you're driving, you'll need an International Driving Permit (IDP), which you'll require for any car rental! It costs around $20 USD and is valid for one year from the date of purchase (in addition to being valid in 150 countries). The cost of a car rental can be as low as 25,000 AMD ($50 USD) per day, and the more days you book, the cheaper it becomes. The most convenient way to navigate around Armenia is to rent a car.

Hitchhiking - Although hitchhiking in Armenia is quite safe, it is not recommended for everyone. Hitchhiking is fairly frequent in Armenia, and you will not have to wait long for a ride.

When Should You Visit Armenia?

The beginning or end of summer is the finest time to visit Armenia (May-June or September-October). The temperature is warm throughout these times, making them ideal for outdoor adventures. The temperature is around 68°F (20°C), however be aware that it can be very rainy and thunderstorms are usual throughout May.

Summers are hot, with temperatures reaching 95 degrees Fahrenheit (35 degrees Celsius). However, in the evenings, things tend to cool off, with a moderate mountain breeze providing welcome relief after a long, hot day.

If you want to go skiing, though, you should go in the winter, with December being the best month to go. Temperatures plunge below freezing, and snowfall is heavy in the northern parts of the country. During these months, cities like Yerevan become much quieter as people seek shelter from the cold.

Even during the summer peak season, you won't have to worry about high pricing or crowds. Armenia isn't a particularly popular tourist destination, so you'll often have the place to yourself.

AKBAR TRAVELS RECOMMENDED BEST ARMENIA TOUR PACKAGES

Akbar Travels offers some of the best packages and tours to Armenia especially for families.

Apart from best Armenia holiday packages in the UAE, we also offer a wide range of tours across the European continent from visiting the most iconic monument Eiffel Tower in Paris, eating a Belgian waffle in Belgium, wine tasting in Italy to playing chess in a thermal bath in Budapest, sunbathing on the French Riviera or speeding past Germany’s dramatic scenery on a rail tour. Or why not explore the beautiful towns on the Amalfi Coast or Norway’s remarkable fjords? Perhaps venture a little further and discover the many highlights of Netherlands on our Europe tours exploring this diverse and spectacular country.

Choosing Akbar Travels’ Europe tour packages from Dubai gives you the freedom to discover destinations without having to worry about the details. We've spent over 40 years crafting and refining tour itineraries full of must-see sites and off-the-beaten path experiences you won't find on other tours. Our Travel Experts will take care of every element and their passion and local knowledge will bring your journey to life. We do the work, and you concentrate on taking the trip of a lifetime. You can also book budget Armenia tour packages from Dubai, UAE.

Everything's sorted for you - from flights and hotels to sightseeing and activities. Ready to start your adventure? Armenia is calling you; get your suitcase ready!

Akbar Holidays provides you a range of Armenia packages, ranging from best Armenia packages for couples & family to Armenia packages from Dubai in the UAE. Book your Armenia package with Akbar Holidays today!