Best of Lori: UNESCO Monasteries, Outdoor Dining in the wild

This 1-day tour from Yerevan to Lori Province includes brunch in Dilijan, visits to the UNESCO-listed Sanahin and Haghpat Monasteries, a 3-course meal in the mountains above Odzun village.
Armenia’s northern Lori Province is teeming with rich culture, ancient history, delicious local foods, and friendly people. This 1-day adventure will allow you to experience it all, with transportation to and from Yerevan, plus local professional guide services included in the price of booking.

Your 1-day journey to Lori will begin with a stop in the mountain resort town of Dilijan, where you’ll enjoy a delicious brunch on the balcony of a beloved local guesthouse. You’ll then continue to Lori, where you’ll visit the monastic complexes of Sanahin and Haghpat. Recognized by UNESCO as World Heritage Sites, these 10th and 13th century monasteries respectively represent the peak of Armenian religious architecture, whose unique style developed from a blending of elements of Byzantine ecclesiastical architecture and the traditional vernacular architecture of the Lori and wider region. Your local storytelling guide will share the fascinating histories of these two monasteries as well as the important roles they played in Armenian and wider regional history. After exploring these fascinating sites, you’ll continue on to the mountains above Odzun village, where professional local hosts will prepare an award-winning 3-course local meal in the wild. After dinner, you’ll go on a leisurely stroll through the village and above the beautiful Debed Canyon, reaching the mysteriously abandoned 12th century monastery of Horomayr (1km from the village).

Here’s a rundown of all the local sites, sounds, smells, tastes, and feelings you’ll experience on this tour:

Pick up from Yerevan
Stop 1. Brunch in Dilijan
Stop 2. Sanahin Monastery, renown for its school of illuminators and calligraphers
Stop 3. Haghpat Monastery, a sprawling complex located above the Debed Canyon
Stop 4. 3-course, award-winning Wild Food Adventure dinner in a small forest above Odzun village
Stop 5. Easy 1km hike through Odzun village and above Odzun village to abandoned Horomayr Monastery
Drop off in Yerevan

If you or someone in your group has any food allergies or other travel-related requirements, please do let us know during the confirmation process after completing your booking on this platform. Our team will reach out over email to confirm your booking and finalize all the details.

To guarantee availability book as soon as possible. Early booking is worth consideration especially if you planning the trip during high season like public holidays or weekends.

This excursion you can cancel with no cost up to 24 hours before the start of the trip. If you cancel it after 24 hours or not show up on the excursion you will still be charged the full price of the activity. Being late on pick-up or departure will be considered as not showing up.