Vayots Dzor Compact: Wine & Monasteries

The connoisseur’s short route: we taste Areni Noir in the 6,100-year-old Areni-1 cave, climb to the honey-red monastery of Noravank set against its glowing cliffs, then follow the Arpa river to the quiet monastery of Gndevank before evening falls on the spa town of Jermuk. On the second morning, bubbling mineral geysers await high above the town, followed by an easy drive back to Yerevan. Wine, rock and hot spring water, concentrated into two days without a single wasted detour — with an overnight stay at a spa hotel.

1. 1

   Areni, Noravank & Gndevank

   A wine tasting in the ancient Areni-1 cave, then up to Noravank Monastery set against its honey-red cliffs, and on along the Arpa river to the quiet monastery of Gndevank; overnight in the spa town of Jermuk.

2. 2

   Geysers of Jermuk & the Drive Back

   A morning among the bubbling mineral geysers high above Jermuk, then an easy drive back via Yeghegnadzor to Yerevan.