Late Morning
Arrive in Vayots Dzor from Yerevan along the Yerevan-Yeghegnadzor route. Make sure to stop at the mountain pass in Chiva for a spectacular bird’s eye view and photo stop of the Vayots Dzor wine region. Enjoy a light lunch at a winery outside the village of Areni, namesake of Armenia’s most popular varietal.
Afternoon
Stretch your legs with a guided hike through the Gnishik Protected Area in the highlands around Noravank Canyon, ending at the iconic 13th-century Noravank monastery. Not much of a hiker? Pile into a Soviet-era Jeep for an off-road safari through the protected area with a local ranger and guide.
Evening
Pick out a winery or two along the road from Areni to Yeghegnadzor for wine tasting and small plates. Ask the owner for a private tour of their cellars and for a chance to compare older vintages. If the weather is nice, have a stroll through the manicured vineyards outside some of the wineries.
Sundown
Have a nightcap and take in the sunset the Satin Bezoar Goat Observation Point. Every evening, rare bezoar goats come bounding by, making this one of the best places in Armenia to spot these endangered animals.
Staying overnight?
A handful of cozy B&Bs in the villages along the Wine Trail offer meals and accommodation for travellers. Some of these even produce their own reds and whites, giving you a chance to taste homemade Armenian wine.
