Northern Armenia comprises the regions of Shirak, Lori and Tavoush - this also includes the rugged bare highlands of Gegarkunik around gorgeous Lake Sevan. The regional landscapes vary from Shirak's open plains to Lori's pine forests and Tavush's lush hornbeam and oak woods around Dilijan. Explore the beautiful.
DAY 1
Yerevan-Echmiadzin-Zvartnots-Sardarapat-Yerevan
Arrival in Yerevan ("Zvartnots" international airport). Airport pick-up and transfer to Avan Villa Yerevan hotel. Breakfast at hotel (depending on the time of arrival). Pick up your rental car at Yerevan Hertz Office. You will be provided with a welcome kit which includes driving instructions, vouchers, and maps for your tour. Drive to Armavir region and visit Holy Echmiadzin Cathedral (4th century).Churches of Echmiadzin, ruins of Zvartnots temple (7th century) and Museum of Sardarapat.
DAY 2
Yerevan-Garni-Geghrad-Sevan-Tsapatagh
Breakfast in the hotel. Drive to Kotayk region , explore Garni village and visit Garni Pagan Temple (1 A.D.). Then continue to Monastery Complex of Geghard (13century). Then drive back to set off to Tsapatagh. Continue your journey to Lake Sevan. Visit Sevanavak monastery (9th c.) on the peninsula. Drive to Tsapatagh village. Overnight in Avan Marak Tsapatagh Hotel.
DAY 3
Tsapatagh-Sevan-Dilijan-Vanadzor-Dzoraget
Breakfast in the hotel. Drive Towards Tavoush region and visit the spa town of Dilijan. Visit Haghartsin monastery (7th - 13th c.), Goshavank Monastery (12th-13th c.). Stop in "Old Dilijan Complex". Explore craft centres, visit 19 th century museum, and Tufenkian Carpet Showroom. Observe the craft of weaving of a genuine Armenian carpet right before your eyes. Continue your journey to Lori Region. You will drive through the region's most beautiful scenery. Overnight in Avan Dzoraget Hotel.
DAY 4
Alaverdi-Sanahin-Haghpat-Vanadzor-Spitak-Aparan-Ashtarak-Yerevan
Breakfast in the hotel. Take Dzoraget Alaverdi route. South of Alaverdi, above the roadway is the famous cathedral of Odzoun. Visit two UNESCO heritage sites in Lori region; Monastery Complex of Haghpat (10-13cc.) and Sanahin (10-13 cc). Drive back towards Vanadzor, pass town of Spitak. Pass Aparan, visit Ashtarak churches and return to Yerevan. Overnight in Van Villa Yerevan Hotel.
The price of the tour depends on your preferred room type and rental car.


Tufenkian Avan Dzoraget Hotel is honored as a Top Performing Hotel as Reviewed by Travelers on the World’s Largest Travel Site.
Dear Mr. Tufenkian
I have visited all of your hotels and I don't want to repeat what everybody knows, excellent food and service. But I do want to commend you as an individual who has made a great contribution in our small and young republic. I wish that we had other individuals like you as I'm sure our country would truly blossom.
It's been so great to find this cute little restaurant in Dilijan with such a nice personnel and decent food.
Thanks much!
It was great pleasure to be served here, where we found an excellent hospitality and warmest reception in Dilijan. The most important issue that my children get from here is sense of fatherland. Many thanks to all Tufenkian!
Special gratitude to the amazing staff!
We enjoyed very much our stay in Avan Marak Tsapatagh Hotel; we found the facility and the staff to be very professional and helpful.
Dear James
What a delight to be a guest a yet another Tufenkian restaurant. As always the food was super, the atmosphere pleasant and the staff welcoming and service with a smile.
Best wishes
Dear Staff,
Thank you for an outstanding stay, the service was excellent – especially by “Anna” in the restaurant. The staff has been well trained to know what pleases their guests and follows European expectations in that area. The food was excellent and well presented. The rooms are tastefully decorated combining modern and traditional. The buildings have been exquisitely renovated and are a have for those seeking a few days of luxury and relaxation. The signage could be better, this jewel is hard to find. The reception does not border on the main street and is easily overlooked. Otherwise BRAVO, we hope the town follows suit. Thank you again.
Dear Mr. Tufenkian;
Recently I and Boston Composer Hayg Boyadjian visited historic churches near the Lori region. On that occasion we spent on night in Avan Dzoraget Hotel. we are both thankful for the very enjoyable atmosphere of the hotel and the very good service that we have received.
I am now working on an opera on the life of Mashtots, and therefore i was very impressed by the fact that the lobby of the hotel displayed the Armenian alphabet.
Edward Sadoyan
Everything about Avan Dzoraget Hotel is very pleasant. We will definitely recommend this hotel.
The best thing about Tufenkian Hotels besides excellent décor and cpmfort of rooms, is the courtesy of staff. Staff seems to be happy and proud working for a hotel, very helpful to guests and create a very warm and nice atmosphere. Thanks for that.
First of all, I was kind of enchanted seeing the name Kharpert, as it means a lot to me. I consider myself a "Kharpertsi" as my roots are from there, and that the fact we should always consider ourselves as such has a major impact on "Armenianity" and on the continuation of Armenian culture and heritage overall. Kudos to M. Tufenkian!
Second, I did not waste any time, even hasted, to get inside the restaurant. One word: I liked the interior. Major reason, probably, because most restaurants in Armenia are not as I call them family-friendly, but Kharpert is a nice place where you can relax, eat and talk quietly and peacefully. Places such this should be in abundance all over Armenia. In fact, the situation is really changing. Nowadays I see some newly opened restaurants in Yerevan, established by Syrian-Armenian immigrants, which seem to work properly and prosper.
That is due, in my opinion, to being family-restaurants. So, one more time praise to Tufenkian for acquiring and accomplishing such a task.
Third and a very important point; the staff of the restaurant have smile on their face and they create a very friendly mood (please, don't take it as a joke, but it's a sad thing you encounter grumpy faces all over Armenia). So my question, where on earth did M. Tufenkian fetch those people?
Ah, now we come to the most exciting part: the menu. Frankly I did not consider trying various Italian dishes, that was not my target, instead I aimed for our National dishes... Delighted. Can't deny that I was taken back to the time when my mom cooked them, and probably my appreciation and evaluation would be quite subjective, but my son was also delighted and enchanted. And as I understood, M. Tufenkian is a Kharpertsi too, so I thank him for the wonderful and tasty food I had.
Of course, as I remember from my mom's menu, some names are a bit changed, but that is not important, on the contrary now I know I have a place where I can have a nice lunch with my family.
Sincerely,
The Hotel and restaurant on lake Sevan are very beautiful, but the best thing was the service of the staff.
Dear Mr. Tufenkian
What a pleasure it is to drive at this lovely restaurant in Dilijan! We couldn't have enough of all types of food which is close to our heart - that is Western Armenian flavors and dishes.
Above all, the staff and the chef are of the highest caliber - courteous, pleasant and ready to go that extra mile for the patrons.
Our best
We especially liked the decoration in Avan Marak Tsapatagh Hotel. Very stylish rooms, very friendly and helpful staff.
Thank you for the great service and hospitality of Avan Dzoraget Hotel, everything was just great.
A wonderful delight to find this guest house in Dilijan. Good foresight. The food is fantastic and the collection and staff next door were most professional.
All Armenians know that Dilijan is a beautiful place, but very few know that it becomes even more beautiful when you stay at Tufenkian hotel. Me and my friend are among those few. Thank you for the wonderful dishes, good music and absolutely friendly staff.
Dilijan is a great place, we've really enjoyed the beautiful nature, the nice little shop and the friendly people.
Thank you very much for Old Dilijan Complex. I'm really impressed. I met my history in this house. I became closer to my homeland. Thanks for making that happened!
Avan Marak Tsapatagh Hotel is a perfect hotel. Lovely rooms and suites, very comfortable beds, charming and polite staff.