A Cultural and Scenic Discovery Trip to Armenia
Armenia, one of the world’s most ancient civilisations, offers a remarkable convergence of history, culture, and natural beauty. Situated at the crossroads of Europe and Asia, Armenia possesses a rich and enduring heritage, reflected in its archaeological sites, ecclesiastical architecture, and long-standing cultural traditions.
This ten-day programme has been thoughtfully designed to provide an in-depth exploration of the country’s historical and cultural landscape. Beginning in the capital, Yerevan, participants will gain insight into Armenia’s urban development, artistic life, and historical legacy, before proceeding to explore a range of significant monuments and regions across the country. These include early Christian sites, medieval monastic complexes, and settlements set within striking natural environments.
Among the highlights are visits to Khor Virap Monastery, closely associated with the adoption of Christianity in Armenia and offering notable views of Mount Ararat, and Tatev Monastery, an important centre of medieval scholarship. The programme also incorporates opportunities to examine local traditions, including regional cuisine and viticulture, notably in the historic village of Areni, as well as visits to UNESCO World Heritage sites and culturally significant towns such as Gyumri.
Through a combination of site visits, cultural encounters, and scholarly interest, this journey aims to provide participants with a comprehensive understanding of Armenia’s historical development and its contemporary cultural identity.
The Siam Society, under the leadership of Mrs Somlak Charoenpot, warmly invites members and friends to participate in this Cultural and Scenic Discovery Trip to Armenia, scheduled from 15 to 24 September 2026.
When
Leader
with Mrs Somlak Charoenpot
Second Vice President and Honorary Secretary of The Siam Society
Booking
The tentative programme will be as follows:
| Day 1: Tuesday, 15 September 2026: Bangkok – Istanbul | |
| 08:30 | Meet at Suvarnabhumi Airport, Turkish Airlines check-in counter. |
| 11:15 | Depart Bangkok for Istanbul by Turkish Airlines flight TK65 (flight duration 9 h 55 m). |
| 17:10 | Arrive at Istanbul International Airport, transfer for the flight to Yerevan (transfer 4 h 35m). |
| 21:45 | Depart Istanbul for Yerevan by Turkish Airlines flight TK358 (flight duration 2 h 15 m). |
| Day 2: Wednesday, 16 September 2026: Yerevan | |
| 01:00 | Arrive at Zvartnots International Airport, then transfer to Holiday Inn Yerevan– Republic Square by IHG, Yerevan. |
| Morning: | Breakfast at the hotel, and leisurely. |
| Noon: | Lunch at a local restaurant. |
| Afternoon: | Visit History Museum of Armenia, the country’s premier national treasury. Founded in 1919, it serves as a “bridge between the past and the future,” housing a monumental collection of 400,000 artefacts that span nearly two million years—from the Palaeolithic era to the present day. |
| – | Continue with sightseeing in Yerevan, Armenia’s vibrant capital. Discover Republic Square, the city’s main square, built from pink volcanic tuff stone, famous for its musical fountains and surrounded by government buildings and museums. Then visit Northern Avenue, a lively pedestrian boulevard connecting the Opera House with Republic Square, filled with boutiques, cafés, and street life, Yerevan Opera Theatre – a landmark cultural venue and architectural masterpiece from the Soviet era, Cascade Complex – a massive stairway with terraces, fountains, and modern sculptures; from the top enjoy panoramic views of Yerevan and Mount Ararat and Victory Park – hilltop park featuring the Mother Armenia statue and one of the best viewpoints over the city. |
| Evening: | Dinner at a local restaurant. |
| Overnight at Holiday Inn Yerevan – Republic Square by IHG, Yerevan. | |
| Day 3: Thursday, 17 September 2026: Yerevan – Garni – Geghard – Yerevan | |
| – | Breakfast at the hotel. |
| Morning: | Proceed to visit Garni Temple – the only surviving Greco-Roman pagan temple in Armenia (1st century AD), dedicated to the sun god Mithra, dramatically located above the Azat Gorge Symphony of Stones – a natural wonder of hexagonal basalt columns formed by volcanic activity, resembling a giant pipe organ, one of Armenia’s most photographed geological wonders. |
| Noon: | Lunch at a local house, learn how to prepare traditional Armenian flatbread baked in a tonir (underground oven). |
| Afternoon: | Visit A UNESCO World Heritage site, Geghard Monastery, a medieval masterpiece featuring 4th – 13th century churches and tombs, spectacularly hewn into “living rock.” Founded by St. Gregory the Illuminator, the complex showcases the majestic Kathoghikè Cathedral and the Proshyan princely tombs set within the dramatic cliffs of the Upper Azat Valley. Its name, meaning “Monastery of the Spear,” honours the sacred relic believed to have wounded Christ, which was sheltered here for five centuries. Today, it remains a pinnacle of Armenian architectural genius and spiritual history. |
| – | After that, drive back to Yerevan, visit the Megerian Carpet Museum and learn about centuries-old carpet weaving traditions, symbolism, and natural dyes. |
| Evening | Dinner at your own arrangement. |
| Overnight at Holiday Inn Yerevan – Republic Square by IHG, Yerevan. | |
| Day 4: Friday, 18 September 2026: Yerevan – Khor Virap – Noravank Monastery – Goris | |
| – | Breakfast at the hotel. |
| Morning: | Check out of the hotel and proceed south toward the biblical Mount Ararat to visit Khor Virap Monastery. This is one of Armenia’s most sacred sites, marking the spot where St. Gregory the Illuminator was imprisoned before converting the nation to Christianity in 301 AD. The monastery offers the most iconic and closest panoramic view of the snow-capped peaks of Mount Ararat and the nearby Turkish border. |
| – | Continue to the village of Areni for local wine tasting. This is the region that has been a centre for winemaking for over 6,000 years. |
| Noon: | Lunch at a local restaurant. |
| Afternoon: | Visit Noravank Monastery, a 13th-century triumph of the architect Momik. The complex is world-renowned for its unique two-story Surb Astvatsatsin Church (Holy Mother of God) and its exceptionally intricate stone carvings. The contrast between the honey-coloured stone of the monastery and the fiery red canyon walls makes this one of the most photogenic sites in Armenia.
Afterwards, continue to Goris, a charming town famous for its unique stone architecture. |
| Evening: | Dinner and overnight at REDROOF country house hotel, Goris. |
| Day 5: Saturday, 19 September 2026: Goris – Tatev – Dilijan | |
| – | Breakfast at the hotel. |
| Morning: | Check out of the hotel and proceed to visit Tatev Monastery, a 9th-century fortress of faith and enlightenment. Access this remote masterpiece via the “Wings of Tatev”—the world’s longest reversible aerial tramway—for a breathtaking 12-minute journey suspended over the 500-metre deep Vorotan River Gorge. Explore the monastery’s basalt plateau, once home to the prestigious University of Tatev, where medieval scholars preserved the nation’s science and philosophy. |
| Noon: | Lunch at a local restaurant. |
| Afternoon: | Continues through Selim Pass. Make a short stop to visit Orbelian’s Caravanserai, an impeccably preserved 14th-century basalt inn that once provided sanctuary to Silk Road merchants and their caravans. |
| – | From the pass, we descend into the lush, alpine landscapes of Dilijan. Known as the “Switzerland of Armenia”. This charming town offers a refreshing change of scenery with its crisp mountain air, dense emerald forests, and traditional wooden architecture. |
| Evening: | Dinner and overnight at Tufenkian Old Dilijan Complex, Dilijan. |
| Day 6: Sunday, 20 September 2026: Dilijan – Haghpat – Sanahin – Pambak | |
| – | Breakfast at the hotel. |
| Morning: | Check out of the hotel and proceed to Lori Province, one of the most scenic and culturally rich regions in northern Armenia, known for its lush landscapes, deep gorges, and historic monasteries.
Visit the UNESCO Sister Monasteries of Haghpat and Sanahin. Founded in the 10th century, these two complexes represent the pinnacle of Armenian religious architecture. While they are separate sites, they are often called “sisters” due to their shared history, similar design, and their joint role as the premier intellectual hubs of medieval Armenia. Wander through majestic stone halls and quiet libraries where monks once preserved ancient knowledge through the delicate art of manuscript illumination. A highlight of the visit is seeing the Grigor Magistros Academy at Sanahin and the intricate “Khachkars” (cross-stones) at Haghpat, which showcase a level of stone-carving craftsmanship found nowhere else in the world. |
| Noon: | Lunch at a local restaurant. |
| Afternoon: | Continue to Pambak. |
| Evening: | Dinner and overnight at Mounthree Hotel, Pambak. |
| Day 7: Monday, 21 September 2026: Pambak – Gyumri – Yerevan | |
| – | Breakfast at the hotel. |
| Morning: | Check out of the hotel and proceed to Gyumri, Armenia’s cultural capital and a city renowned for its resilient spirit. We begin at the Black Fortress (Sev Berd), a massive 19th-century Russian imperial stronghold. This circular basalt fortification offers sweeping panoramic views of the city and the distant Turkish border, highlighting Gyumri’s historical strategic importance. |
| – | Continue to the heart of the city to explore the Kumayri Historic District. As one of the few surviving examples of 19th-century urban planning in the Caucasus, the district is famous for its distinctive architecture crafted from black and red volcanic tuff. |
| Noon: | Lunch at a local restaurant. |
| Afternoon: | Continue our journey towards the capital. The landscape shifts as we descend into the expansive Ararat Plain, offering views of the biblical mountain as we approach the city. |
| Evening: | Dinner at your own arrangement. |
| Overnight at Holiday Inn Yerevan – Republic Square by IHG, Yerevan. | |
| Day 8: Tuesday, 22 September 2026: Yerevan – Etchmiadzin – Zvartnots – Yerevan | |
| – | Breakfast at the hotel. |
| Morning: | Proceed to Etchmiadzin, the spiritual and administrative heart of the Armenian Apostolic Church. Visit the Etchmiadzin Cathedral, a UNESCO World Heritage Site and one of the oldest Christian cathedrals in the world, founded in the early 4th century. This sacred site provides profound insight into Armenia’s role as the first nation to adopt Christianity and its enduring religious traditions. |
| – | Continue to the ruins of Zvartnots Cathedral, also a UNESCO World Heritage Site. Dating back to the 7th century, the remains of this once-magnificent circular cathedral offer a fascinating glimpse into the heights of medieval Armenian engineering. On clear days, the pillars provide a breathtaking frame for the snow-capped peaks of Mount Ararat. |
| Noon: | Lunch at a local restaurant. |
| Afternoon: | Return to Yerevan and visit the Matenadaran (Mesrop Mashtots Institute of Ancient Manuscripts). As one of the world’s most important repositories of medieval knowledge, its collection features thousands of beautifully illuminated works covering science, philosophy, and medicine. It stands as a testament to Armenia’s centuries-old scholarly heritage. |
| – | Then visit one of Yerevan’s legendary Cognac Factories. Explore the atmospheric ageing cellars where the brandy matures in Caucasian oak barrels and learn about the meticulous production process. The visit culminates in a guided tasting, allowing us to savour the complex notes of a spirit that has become a global symbol of Armenian hospitality. |
| Evening: | Dinner at a local restaurant. |
| Overnight at Holiday Inn Yerevan – Republic Square by IHG, Yerevan. | |
| Day 9: Wednesday, 23 September 2026: Yerevan – Istanbul | |
| 06:30 | Transfer to the Zvartnots International Airport. * The breakfast box set will be provided. |
| 09:40 | Depart Yerevan for Istanbul by Turkish Airlines flight TK361 (flight duration 2 h 35 m) |
| 11:15 | Arrive at Istanbul International Airport, transfer for the flight to Bangkok (transfer 4 h 35 m). |
| 15:50 | Depart Istanbul for Bangkok by Turkish Airlines flight TK58 (9 h 20 m). |
| Day 10: Thursday, 24 September 2026: Bangkok | |
| 05:10 | Arrive at Suvarnabhumi Airport. |
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The Siam Society reserves the right to change the programme as necessary. |
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Important notes:
– The Siam Society may utilise photos taken from study trips, lectures, performances, and other activities as part of its public relations and marketing campaign. These photos, which may sometimes contain image(s) of activity participants, can also be featured on The Society’s website and other online social media channels.
– As part of our effort to address the issue of global warming, The Siam Society strongly supports the reduction of plastic waste. We kindly recommend bringing your own water flask during the trip, if possible.
Booking:
Contribution of THB 143,000 (THB 148,000 for non-members). Single room surcharge of THB 23,500. A deposit of THB 40,000 and a photocopy of the identification page on your passport must accompany the booking. Your reservation will be confirmed as soon as the deposit has been made. Payment in full will be required 60 days before the start of the trip (i.e. by Friday, 17 July 2026). There is a 4% surcharge for credit/debit card payment to cover bank charges. Please pay by cash or cheque payable to “The Siam Society Under Royal Patronage”. Transfer can also be made to The Siam Society travel account at TMBThanachart Bank (ttb), saving account no. 053-2-18000-7, swift code: TMBKTHBK or by scanning the QR code on your right. Once the payment has been made, please e-mail the deposit or transfer docket to us.
Inclusions:
- The contribution includes accommodation (sharing basis), meals as mentioned in the programme, transfer and sightseeing cars, entrance fees, gratuities and other costs incurred to make this trip possible.
- Basic travel insurance, which will only cover participants travelling from and back to Thailand.
Exclusions:
- International air tickets are not included in the price (Bangkok – Istanbul – Yerevan and Yerevan – Istanbul – Bangkok). The approximate airfare for Turkish Airlines, economy class, is THB 39,000, and business class is THB 210,000 (as of May 2026).
- Two meals that are excluded from the programme (dinner on days 3 and 7)
- Visa fees (if any), personal expenses, personal food and beverage consumption, etc.
Tourist Visa Policy for Armenia
- Visa-Free Entry (No Visa Required). Citizens of the following countries can enter Armenia without a visa and stay for up to 180 days within a year.
- EU Countries, UK, USA, Japan, Singapore, Australia and New Zealand.
- Thai Citizens (Visa Required). Thai passport holders are not exempt and will have to apply for an E-Visa:
- Apply online in advance via the official portal: evisa.mfa.am.
- Processing time: Usually 3 – 4 business days.
- Important Notes for Everyone:
- Passport Validity: Your passport must be valid for at least 6 months beyond your date of entry.
Cancellation charges:
| 76 days before the start of the trip (before Wednesday, 1 July 2026): | Deposit forfeited |
| 75 – 61 days before the start of the trip (Thursday, 2 to Thursday, 16 July 2026): | 50% of the tour cost |
| Less than 60 days or cancellation without notice (Friday, 17 July 2026 onwards): | No refund |
*The cancellation charges will also depend on the date we pay the deposit to our travel agent. If we have to pay the deposit to the travel agent before the 60-day period prior to the start of the trip, our officer will send an email to inform every participant before we make the payment, as only a partial amount of the deposit can be refunded after that point.
For further information and bookings, please contact Khun Thun at 02-661-6470-3 ext 205, or studytrips@thesiamsociety.org.The Society’s office is open from 09:00 to 17:00, Tuesday to Saturday.
