Why Armenia Fits a Short Break from Dubai
Armenia is a small, mountainous country with a very long history. It became the first nation to adopt Christianity as a state religion in the early 4th century, and its capital, Yerevan, traces its origins to the fortress of Erebuni, founded in 782 BC. With direct flights from Dubai of about three and a half hours and no time difference from the UAE, an Armenia tour package from Dubai makes an easy short break.
Tsaghkadzor and Lake Sevan
North-east of the capital, Tsaghkadzor is a mountain and ski resort where a ropeway climbs the slopes of Mount Teghenis. Beyond it lies Lake Sevan, at around 1,900 metres above sea level. It is the largest body of water in the Caucasus and one of the biggest high-altitude freshwater lakes in Eurasia, with the medieval Sevanavank monastery standing on a peninsula above the shore. Temperatures up here are far lower than in the city, so pack warm layers.
Yerevan, Garni and Mount Aragats
Yerevan is known as the Pink City for the rosy tuff stone used across its centre, much of it laid out to architect Alexander Tamanian’s 20th-century plan. Republic Square, the Opera and Northern Avenue sit close together, the stepped terraces of the Cascade climb above the centre, and on a clear day the twin peaks of Mount Ararat rise beyond the rooftops.
East of the city, the Temple of Garni is the only largely preserved Hellenistic building in the former Soviet Union, its 24 Ionic columns standing on a promontory above the Azat River gorge. To the north-west, the road towards Mount Aragats, Armenia’s highest peak, passes the 13th-century Saghmosavank monastery above a deep gorge and climbs to Lake Kari at about 3,200 metres.
Planning your Armenia trip
This Yerevan holiday package suits couples, friends and families who want mountain scenery, ancient sites and city time in one short trip, with a guide handling the logistics. The trip runs over the UAE National Day break and works at other times of year too. Entry rules depend on your passport and UAE residency, so check the Visa Info section before you book.
Take a look at the full itinerary and inclusions on this page, then send us an enquiry to check availability on this departure.