Armenia Travel Guide - Overview

Armenia is a trove of history, littered with crumbling churches perched in spectacular settings. Landscapes transition rapidly from lush forests to shimmering lakes and stark deserts. But the best thing about Armenia is the Armenians themselves - ever welcoming and eager to show off their country to visitors.

Christianity arrived in 301AD and Armenia proudly calls itself the world's oldest Christian nation. Its kings once held lands as far away as Syria and the Black Sea coast. Lying on the Silk Road and wedged between Persian, Turkish and Russian empires, the country has seen its share of passing merchants, holy men and armies. Since the break up of the Soviet Union Armenia has seen a revival of nationalism and traditional culture.

The capital Yerevan is the nation's hub of cultural activity and progressive thought. The city sports impressive museums and a lively modern arts scene. Cafe culture has been perfected and it's de rigueur to spend inordinate amounts of time lingering over bottles of Armenian cognac. Armenian food is another treat - always served hot and fresh you can expect mounds of grilled meats and vegetables straight from the nearest garden.

Visitors will find mysterious stalactite caves, forgotten stone carvings and small villages that have barely entered the 21st century. Just when you think you've seen everything another old monastery pops up on the horizon.

Armenia Travel Guide - Contact Addresses

Embassy of the Republic of Armenia in the UK

25A Cheniston Gardens, London W8 6TG, UK
Tel: (020) 7938 5435.
Website: www.armenianembassy.org.uk
Opening hours: Mon-Fri 0900-1800 and 1000-1300 (consular section).

Embassy of the Republic of Armenia in the USA

2225 R Street, NW, Washington, DC 20008, USA
Tel: (202) 319 1976 or 2983 (consular section).
Website: www.armeniaemb.org

Armenia Information

3 Nalbandyan Poghots
Tel: (374) 542 303/06.
Website: www.armeniainfo.am

Armenia Travel Guide - Key Facts

Location

Caucasus, east of Turkey.

Time

GMT + 3 (GMT + 4 from last Sunday in March to Saturday before last Sunday in October).

Area

29,743 sq km (11,484 sq miles).

Population

3 million (2008 estimate).

Population Density

101 per sq km.

Capital

Yerevan. Population: 1.1 million (2007).

Geography

Armenia lies on the southern slopes of the Armenian Mountains in the Lesser Caucasus and is bordered by Georgia, Turkey, Azerbaijan and Iran. Its highest peak is Mount Aragats, 4,090m (13,415ft), and even its deepest valleys lie 450 to 700m (1,200 to 1,870ft) above sea level. Its biggest lake is Lake Sevan in the east.

Government

Republic. Gained independence from the Soviet Union in 1991.

Head of State

President Serzh Sarksyan since 2008.

Head of Government

Prime Minister Tigran Sarksyan since 2008.

Recent History

President Robert Kocharyan, who served since 1998, stepped down in 2008. He was replaced by his ally Serzh Sarksyan, formerly prime minister, in April 2008. Former central bank chief Tigran Sarksyan took over as prime minister in April 2008.

In early 2004, thousands of opposition supporters marched against Kocharyan and allegations of corruption still persist. Sarksyan's election also met with protests and claims of vote rigging. However, observers said that the election was broadly democratic.

Language

Armenian. Russian is usually understood, but rarely used; Kurdish is sometimes used in broadcasting as 56,000 Kurds inhabit Armenia.

Religion

94% Armenian Apostolic Church, with Catholic and Protestant communities and a Russian Orthodox minority. Armenia is the oldest Christian nation in the world, its conversion dating from the year AD 301.

Electricity

220 volts AC, 50Hz. European plugs with two round pins are used.

Social Conventions

Almost all entertaining takes place in private homes, and guests may find themselves subjected to overwhelming hospitality and generosity, as well as being expected to eat enormously and participate in endless toasts. Visitors invited to an Armenian's home should arrive bearing some kind of small gift, such as flowers and alcohol (preferably imported) or chocolates. Handshaking is the normal form of greeting. Business cards are invariably exchanged at any kind of official meeting and not infrequently on first meeting people socially as well.

Conversation tends to be highly politicised, and guests may be well advised to avoid expressing strong opinions. Homosexuality is now decriminalised but is still an unacceptable lifestyle for many Armenians, and discretion should be exercised when in public. Women tend to be less retiring than in nearby Muslim countries, and can usually dress in normal western-style clothing (especially in the capital), although female visitors may wish to avoid wearing short skirts and shorts.

Photography: Refrain from photographing sites such as military bases equipment and installations. Also be aware of cultural sensitivities when photographing churches and other religious sites.

Armenia Travel Guide - Passport/Visa

Passport Required?
British	Yes
Australian	Yes
Canadian	Yes
USA	Yes
Other EU	Yes
Visa Required?
British	Yes
Australian	Yes
Canadian	Yes
USA	Yes
Other EU	Yes
Return Ticket Required?
British	No
Australian	No
Canadian	No
USA	No
Other EU	No

Passports

Passport valid for at least five months required by all nationals referred to in chart above.

Visas

Required by all except:
(a) nationals continuing their journey within 72 hours, provided remaining in the airport transit lounge and holding all documents required for the next destination and confirmed onward ticket.

Note: Nationals not referred to in the chart above are advised to contact the embassy to check visa requirements (see Contact Addresses).

Visa Note

If leaving the airport, a transit visa may be issued on arrival for a stay of maximum three days, provided holding a visa (if required) for the final destination.

Types of Visa and Cost

E-Visa: US$60 (2 day online processing; website: www.armeniaforeignministry.com). Ordinary/Tourist: US$63, US$92 (three day express processing), US$101 (24-hour express processing). Single-entry (with official invitation): US$40. Multiple-entry (with official invitation): US$76. Transit: US$24 (single-entry).

Note: There is no charge for diplomatic and official visas, or for those issued to persons under 18 years of age.

Validity

Ordinary/Tourist: 21 days. Multiple-entry: three months. Transit: three days. Visas must be used within 90 days of date of issue.

Applications to:

Embassy (or consular section at embassy); see Contact Addresses.

Working Days Required

Seven. Urgent visas can be processed in one or three days for a higher fee (see above). E-Visa can normally be processed in two days.

Armenia Travel Guide - Money

Currency

Armenian Dram (AMD) = 100 luma. Dram notes are printed in denominations of AMD50,000, 20,000, 10,000, 5,000, 1,000 and 500. Coins are in denominations of AMD500, 200, 100, 50, 20 and 10.

Currency Exchange

Foreign currencies can be exchanged at the airports, banks and most hotels and shops during normal opening hours. US Dollars are the most widely recognised foreign currency. Visitors using the national currency are advised to carry plenty of small change as some shops and, particularly markets, may be unable to accept large denominations.

Credit/Debit Cards and ATMs

Major credit cards are accepted in most cities. There are ATMs in major cities.

Traveller's Cheques

These are accepted in a few shops and hotels. To avoid additional exchange rate charges, travellers are advised to take traveller's cheques in US Dollars.

Currency Restrictions

Restrictions apply.

Banking Hours

Mon-Fri 0900-1500. Exchange offices are open until midnight and also operate at weekends and on public holidays.

Exchange Rate Indicators

Date	Jul 08
£1.00=	AMD601.14
$1.00=	AMD302.75
€1.00=	AMD478.05

Armenia Travel Guide - Duty Free

The following goods may be imported into Armenia by persons over 18 years of age without incurring customs duty:

• 400 cigarettes.
• 2l or one bottle of alcoholic beverage.
• 5kg of perfume (or perfume to the value of US$500).
• Other goods up to the amount of US$500, for personal use only.

It is advisable to declare valuables on arrival.

Prohibited Imports

Weapons and ammunition, narcotics, pornography, fruit and vegetables (without proper documents).

Prohibited Exports

Weapons, ammunition, narcotics, pornography, fruit and vegetables (without proper documents), works of art and antiques (unless permission has been granted by the Ministry of Culture). An export tax of approximately US$10 is payable on each item. Contact the Embassy for further information (see Contact Addresses).

Armenia Travel Guide - Public Holidays

Below are listed Public Holidays for the January 2008-December 2009 period.

2008
1-2 Jan New Year.
6 Jan Armenian Orthodox Christmas.
8 Mar Women's Day.
21 Mar Good Friday.
7 Apr Motherhood and Beauty Day.
24 Apr Genocide Memorial Day.
9 May Victory and Peace Day.
28 May First Republic Day.
5 Jul Constitution Day.
21 Sep Independence Day.
7 Dec Earthquake Memorial Day.
31 Dec New Year's Eve.

2009
1-2 Jan New Year.
6 Jan Armenian Orthodox Christmas.
8 Mar Women's Day.
7 Apr Motherhood and Beauty Day.
10 Apr Good Friday.
24 Apr Genocide Memorial Day.
9 May Victory and Peace Day.
28 May First Republic Day.
5 Jul Constitution Day.
21 Sep Independence Day.
7 Dec Earthquake Memorial Day.
31 Dec New Year's Eve.

Armenia Travel Guide - Health

Vaccinations

	Special Precautions
Diphtheria	Yes
Hepatitis A	Yes
Malaria	Sometimes
Rabies	Sometimes
Tetanus	Yes
Typhoid	Sometimes
Yellow Fever	No
Inoculation regulations can change at short notice. Please take medical advice in the case of doubt. Where 'Sometimes' appears in the table above, precautions may be required, depending on the season and region visited.

Food and Drink

All water should be regarded as being a potential health risk. Water used for drinking, brushing teeth or making ice should have first been boiled or otherwise sterilised. Only eat well-cooked meat and fish. Vegetables should be cooked and fruit peeled. Milk is pasteurised and dairy products should be safe for consumption, however, the incidence of communicable diseases among livestock is increasing because of a breakdown in vaccination programmes.

Other Risks

Hepatitis B and E, tick-borne encephalitis and tuberculosis may all occur. Visitors are advised to take precautions which may include vaccination. There may be a risk of rabies although there has been no reported incidence in animals or humans since 1997. If you are bitten, seek medical advice without delay.

Health Care

A reciprocal agreement for urgent medical treatment exists with the UK, although proof of UK residence is required. Other nationals (and indeed UK travellers) are advised to take out comprehensive travel insurance. Power shortages and disrupted medical supplies have undermined normal health services to such a degree that travellers would be well advised to consider a health insurance policy guaranteeing emergency evacuation in case of serious accident or illness, as medical insurance is not often valid within the country.

Doctors and hospitals often expect immediate cash payment for health services and credit or debit cards will not be accepted; most will want treatment paid for in local currency. Travellers are also advised to take a supply of those medicines that they are likely to require (but check first that they may be legally imported) as there is a severe shortage of even the most basic medical supplies, such as disposable needles, anaesthetics and antibiotics.

Armenia Travel Guide - Accommodation

Hotels

Many of the old Soviet-era hotels have been privatised and upgraded, including the excellent Armenia Marriott Hotel on Republic Square in Yerevan. The Tufenkian Group has established several heritage hotels across the country, notably the Avan Dzoraget Hotel in the Debed Canyon.

Bed and Breakfast

Armenia has the best network of B&Bs in the Caucuses. Most offer a room inside the family house with shared facilities. Staying in these is a great way to get to know local families. The main tourist office in Yerevan keeps an updated list of B&Bs across the country.

Accommodation Information

Information on accommodation can be obtained from Armenia Information (website: www.armeniainfo.am).

Armenia Travel Guide - Going Out

Food and Drink

Yerevan has a booming restaurant scene, with cuisine available from every corner of the globe. Along Paronyan Poghots (Barbeque Street) you'll find a number of places that serve the famed Armenian dish, khoravats (grilled meats). Crawling between cafes is a popular local activity; many are located in parks and along sidewalks.

Much Armenian cooking is based on lamb, either grilled and served as shashlik with flat bread, or prepared as soup (the most popular being bozbash, a dish which exists in infinite variations) or stew, often in combination with fruit or nuts. A meal usually starts with a large spread of hors d'oeuvres, which may include peppers and vine leaves stuffed with rice and meat, pickled and fresh vegetables and various kinds of cured meat (basturma).

National specialities:
• Shampours (skewers packed with all kinds of marinated meat and vegetables).
• Ghapama (pumpkin stew with rice, raisins, apples and cinnamon).
• Khash is a national institution rather than just a dish, with poems and songs throughout the centuries being composed in homage to it. It's a broth made from hamhocks and herbs, served with lots of garlic and bread.

National drinks:
• Brandies are exceptional (Dvin).
• Kotayk and Kihikia are Armenian beers.
• Areni red wine is particularly lauded. Many Armenian wines are world-renowned semi-sweet or dessert wines.

Legal drinking age: There is no minimum.

Tipping: Expected by waiters and doormen in restaurants - sometimes in advance to ensure service.

Nightlife

Yerevan has no shortage of nightclubs and restaurants that host local bands playing everything from soft jazz to hard rock. Some of the biggest clubs play techno and trance until dawn, sometimes with DJs from Europe or Russia. The capital also has a forlorn strip of casinos on the road to the airport. Opera, theatre and ballet performances are of a high standard, and tickets are cheap. Folk music, featuring the ubiquitous duduk (a double reed wood instrument) is often organised at traditional Armenian restaurants and other tourist venues. There are often concerts at the Philharmonic, Chamber Music Hall and Opera & Ballet House in Yerevan.

Shopping

Yerevan has several shops selling modern fashions produced by local designers. Souvenir and craft shops are available in shopping plazas and hotels. The Vernisaj flea market in Yerevan attracts sellers of all kinds of goods and is popular with tourists. Shopping is far more limited elsewhere in the country, although Dilijan has a tourist market where you can buy Armenian crafts and artwork.

Shopping hours: Mon-Fri 0900-1700. Shops stay open longer in the summer.

Armenia Travel Guide - Business

GDP: US$17.2 billion (2007).
Main exports: Processed and unprocessed diamonds, machinery, metal products and food.
Main imports: Natural gas, petroleum, tobacco products, foods and diamonds.
Main trade partners: Russia, Belgium, Netherlands, Iran and Israel.

Economy

The Armenian economy is hobbled by the closed borders with Turkey and Azerbaijan, factors that cause high import prices. Nevertheless, GDP growth is a robust 13% and Armenia has been labelled a ‘Caucasian Tiger' for its economic advances.

Mineral deposits including copper, zinc, gold, marble, bauxite and molybdenum have brought some foreign revenue and investment, although this sector is relatively undeveloped. The industrial sector comprises textile and chemical industries, aluminium production and some mechanical engineering. Remittances, which make up 10% of the economy, have triggered some of the growth. In rural areas, many people rely on subsistence agriculture.

The privatisation programme, launched in the mid 1990s, has been extended to include major parts of the national infrastructure, such as the electricity grid. The volume of foreign investment is growing, despite concerns about widespread corruption and poor financial controls. Inflation stands at 4.4% while unemployment is 7.7%.

Business Etiquette

Business is generally conducted formally, and visitors should dress smartly. Appointments are necessary.

Office hours: Mon-Fri 0900-1800.

Business Contacts

Ministry of Trade and Economic Development
5 M Mkrtchian, 375010, Yerevan, Armenia
Tel: (10) 566 185.
Website: www.minted.am

Ministry of Foreign Affairs
2 Republic Square, Yerevan 0010, Armenia
Tel: (10) 544 041.
Website: www.armeniaforeignministry.com

Chamber of Commerce and Industry
11 Khanjyan Street, Yerevan 375010, Armenia
Tel: (10) 560 184 or 196.
Website: www.armcci.am

Armenian Development Agency
17 Charents Street, Yerevan 0025, Armenia
Tel: (10) 570 170.
Website: www.ada.am

Armenia Travel Guide - Top Things To Do

• Hike through Armenia's spectacular countryside, ambling over country roads through timeless villages or up steep mountain passes to catch a gorgeous sunrise.

• Spot rare species of birds, including eagles, falcons and swans. Armenia is home to 346 of Europe's 550 bird species.

• Spelunk into some dazzling limestone caverns in Vayots Dzor. Near Goris you can explore cave homes carved into the hillsides.

• Horse ride on Mount Aragats in the spring, when you can traverse Armenia's tallest mountain.

• Cast a line into lake Sevan, where you can reel into Armenia's famous species of trout, the Salmon trout (Ishkhan), plus many more that swim in Armenia's other lakes and rivers.

• Sample some of Armenia's excellent brandies, which Winston Churchill always insisted on after first tasting it at the Yalta conference.

See Contact Addresses for further tourist information.

Armenia Travel Guide - Top Things To See

• Experience holy Echmiadzin, the capital of Armenia from AD 180-340, and the location of the Cathedral of St Gregory the Illuminator.The cathedral's treasury contains a spearhead believed to have been used to pierce the side of the crucified Christ.

• Tour Yerevan's impressive array of cultural sites, including the National Gallery (founded in 1919) and the Yerevan library of ancient manuscripts (Materadaran), which houses over 13,000 texts.

• Don't miss the State Museum of Armenian History in Yerevan, which houses the country's best collection of historical artefacts.

• Make a pilgrimage to one of Armenia's most dramatic sights, the Geghard Monastery. A monastery has occupied this site since the fourth century AD, and the existing churches, all magnificently carved, date from the 13th century.

• Take a detour from Geghard Monastery to visit Garni Temple. Repeated earthquakes have destroyed most of the original structure, but the temple's vertiginous position, dominating the valley from a plateau 300m (984ft) above the Azat River, secures its beauty.

• Photograph the beautiful Lake Sevan, much vaunted for its pure waters, stunning setting and delicious salmon trout. The lake is 70km (43 miles) east of Yerevan and the largest in the Caucasus.

• Relax in Dilijan, a town set amid lovely pine forests with walking trails that ascend to alpine lakes. The town has a number of renovated Soviet-era sanatoriums and a community of retired artists.

• Travel to the steep-sided Debed Canyon where you can visit the UNESCO-protected monasteries of Haghpat and Sanahin. It is believed that the great Armenian troubadour-poet, Sayat-Nova, was born in Sanahin, and became a monk at Haghpat.

• Journey to Goris, a town that has changed little since it was first planned by a 19th century German architect. The surrounding area is worth exploring for its cave dwellings. Nearby is the spectacular Tatev Monastery.

See Contact Addresses for further tourist information.

Armenia Travel Guide - Communications

Telephone

Country code: 374. IDD calls can be expensive but in Yerevan some private phone offices offer cheaper Internet calls.

Mobile Telephone

Roaming agreements exist with some international mobile phone companies. ArmenTel and VivaCell are the local carriers. Both are similar and offer phone coverage to most parts of the country.

Internet

Available in large cities and resorts. There are many Internet cafes in Yerevan. Some are open 24 hours.

Post

International postal services are available to most countries but may be slow and unreliable, although there have been significant improvements in recent years. The main post office is located at Republic Square, Yerevan.

Post office hours: Mon-Fri 0900-1700.

Media

Armenian government oversees national TV and radio. Libel and defamation are punishable by prison terms and journalists have been sentenced under these laws in the past. All print and broadcast media must register with the Justice Ministry. Self-censorship is common.

Press

• The main newspapers published in Armenian are Aravot, Azg and Yerkir (Russian editions have been discontinued since the Russian minority in the republic dropped).
• Golos Armenii (The Voice of Armenia) and Respublika Armenia are the main Russian-language papers.
• Noyan Tapan is an English-language weekly circulated primarily among the foreign missions and small foreign business community.

TV

• Public TV of Armenia is a national, state-run station.
• Armenia TV and Prometheus TV are national, commercial stations.

Radio

• Private radio stations include Hai FM.
• There are national and state-run stations, including Public Radio of Armenia.

Armenia Travel Guide - Getting There

Getting There by Air

Armenian Airlines (website: www.armenianairlines.com) is the national airline. For political reasons, there are no direct international transport links between Armenia and Azerbaijan; Georgia is sometimes used as a stopover point.

Approximate Flight Times

From Paris to Yerevan is four hours.

Main Airports

Zvartnots International Airport (EVN) (website: www.zvartnots.am) is 10km (6 miles) from Yerevan. Free Wi-Fi is available in the departure terminal. To/from the airport: Buses and taxis are available to the city centre. Buses run regularly (journey time - 30 minutes). Facilities: ATMs, duty free, bureaux de change, car hire, information centre and cafes.

Departure Tax

US$30 per person (usually payable in local currency). Although this is normally paid at the airport, visitors staying in the large hotels may sometimes pay at their hotel, and present the receipt at the airport check-in desk. Transit passengers and children under 12 years of age are exempt.

Getting There by Rail

Armenia's rail links to Azerbaijan and Turkey have been closed indefinitely, but an international service still runs to Georgia (every other day) and to Iran. Passengers travelling to Georgia should be aware of the possibility of theft or robbery. The main station is Sasuntsi Davit on Tigran Mets Avenue.

Getting There by Road

A new highway connects Armenia and Iran via the town of Kapan. There are two highways linking Armenia to Georgia, with the popular Yerevan-Tbilisi road seeing frequent traffic. The Azerbaijan and Turkey borders are both currently closed. It is possible to travel by road to the enclave of Nagorno Karabakh, however, it is essential to obtain a visa from the permanent representative of Nagorno Karabakh in Yerevan. Turkey and Azerbaijan have imposed a blockade against Armenia and closed borders with it.

Bus: Kilikia Central Bus Station is where most buses depart. Two buses per week travel to Istanbul via Georgia and there is a daily (except Fridays) bus service to Tabriz.

Armenia Travel Guide - Getting Around

Getting Around by Air

There are no domestic flights in Armenia.

Getting Around by Rail

The main railway station is the Sasuntsi Davit Station on Tigran Mets Avenue. Trains to places such as Sevan, Gyumri and Vanadzor are slow, overcrowded and poorly maintained. Belongings should be secured.

Getting Around by Road

Traffic drives on the right. Road surfaces can be very poor, even in the case of major highways, and care should be taken to avoid children and animals on the road. Local drivers have a tendency to flout traffic regulations and ignore signals. Visitors should take care when driving or crossing the road.

Bus: There are city minivans available (marshrutni or marshrutka) which operate on 100 different routes and may be flagged down. From Yerevan its three hours to Dilijan, two hours to Vanadzor, four hour to Goris and six hours to Kapan.

Coach: Coaches run between the major centres of population.

Car hire: There are plenty of car hire companies operating, including international firms.

Regulations: Seat belts are required by law (although no one seems to use them).

Documentation: An international driver's license is required and the minimum age of driving is 18.

Getting Around Towns and Cities

There is a small underground system in Yerevan (0630-2300). Buses and trolleybuses run in the city. Taxis are available in the city centre or can be ordered by telephone. Private cars can be flagged down as well as official taxis. Taxi fares should always be negotiated before starting a journey, and visitors should be aware that rates proposed initially are likely to be unreasonably high, in the expectation that foreigners will have unlimited cash and little idea of how much they ought to be paying. It is therefore advisable to make enquiries about ‘going rates' per kilometre of travel before entering into negotiations with taxi drivers. Chauffeur-driven cars are available but are expensive. It is advisable to obtain them through official channels, such as hotels or travel agencies in Yerevan.

Armenia Travel Guide - Climate

Continental, mountain climate (over 90% of the territory is over 900m/2,286ft above sea level). During the summer, days can be hot and dry with temperatures falling sharply at night. Winters are extremely cold with heavy snow. May to June and September to October are good times to visit the country, as the weather is warm but mild.

Armenia Travel Guide - Map

Armenia Travel Guide - Travel Advice

Because of an unresolved dispute over Nagorno Karabakh, all but essential travel near the border with Azerbaijan is advised against. Particular care should be taken in the Tavush and Gegharkunic regions, as there is sporadic gunfire. Vehicles travelling on the road from Ljevan to Noyemberyan are particularly vulnerable. Political demonstrations sometimes turn violent. Internal travel, especially by air, may be disrupted by fuel shortages and other problems.

In addition, you should be aware of the global risk of indiscriminate international terrorist attacks, which could be against civilian targets, including places frequented by foreigners.

This advice is based on information provided by the Foreign & Commonwealth Office in the UK. It is correct at time of publishing. As the situation can change rapidly, visitors are advised to contact the following organisations for the latest travel advice:

British Foreign and Commonwealth Office
Tel: 0845 850 2829.
Website: www.fco.gov.uk

US Department of State
Website: http://travel.state.gov/travel