Dilijan, Lake Parz & Makaravank: Day Trip with Winery Stop

Summary

Forest walks, lakeside calm and old stones near Dilijan

You’ll wander forest paths in Dilijan with a local guide sharing stories along the way, watch sunlight ripple across Lake Parz’s clear water, climb up to centuries-old Makaravank Monastery, then end your day sampling wine and brandy at an old factory in Ijevan. Expect laughter, quiet moments by the lake, local snacks—and maybe a new favorite word in Armenian.

What’s the experience like?

We were barely out of Yerevan when our guide, Arman, started telling stories about Dilijan’s old sanatorium days — he said his grandmother used to come for the air. He handed out little pastries (I think they were gata?) and pointed at the green hills rolling past the window. The road twisted up into the Tavush region, and someone behind me cracked their window just to let in that piney smell — sharp, almost sweet. I didn’t expect it to feel so different from the city so quickly.

When we got to Lake Parz, it was quieter than I thought it would be. Some local kids were skipping stones by the shore; one waved at us but kept his eyes on the water. The lake had this glassy look except where a breeze ruffled it or a duck paddled by. Arman told us “parz” means “clear,” which made sense — you could see all the way down to tangled weeds below. We took a slow walk around part of it, shoes crunching on damp leaves, and I tried rowing one of those boats (not well). My hands smelled like wet wood after.

Makaravank Monastery was up higher than I expected — we climbed a bit and my legs definitely noticed. The stone felt cool even in the sun, and there were carvings everywhere: crosses, swirls, things I couldn’t name. Arman showed us how some of them dated back centuries; he ran his hand over one and said his family used to picnic here when he was a kid. It’s wild thinking about how many people have touched those same stones.

The last stop was this old winery in Ijevan. The tasting room smelled like apples and oak barrels. We tried two wines and a brandy — honestly, that last one hit harder than I thought! Li laughed when I tried to say “shnorhakalutyun” (thank you) in Armenian; probably butchered it but nobody seemed to mind. By then everyone was relaxed and trading photos from earlier in the day. On the drive back, someone fell asleep against the window while outside everything faded into that soft gold evening light you only get after being outside all day. I still think about that view sometimes.

Step-by-step itinerary

Day 1 — Visit Dilijan, Lake Parz, Makaravank, winery

• Start and end at Yerevan
• Explore Dilijan city and surroundings
• Visit Lake Parz and enjoy boat trip
• Tour Makaravank monastery complex
• Taste wines at Ijevan winery

Top questions

How long is the Dilijan day trip from Yerevan?

The tour lasts approximately 10-11 hours including all stops.

Is lunch included on this Dilijan tour?

The tour includes bottled water and pastries but not a full lunch.

Do you visit Lake Parz on this group tour?

Yes, there is a stop at Lake Parz for walking or boating during the day trip.

Is wine tasting part of this itinerary?

Yes, you’ll visit the Ijevan winery for wine and brandy tasting at the end of the tour.

Are entry fees included in this Dilijan tour?

Yes, admission tickets are included with your booking.

Does this tour include hotel pickup?

The tour includes pickup service as part of your booking.

What languages does the guide speak?

The professional guide provides commentary in English and Russian consecutively.

Can children join this Dilijan group tour?

Yes, children can join but must be accompanied by an adult; infants can sit on laps or use strollers.

What’s included

Your day includes pickup service from Yerevan, travel in an air-conditioned vehicle with WiFi onboard (which actually worked), bottled water and pastries along the way, entry tickets for each site we stopped at—including Lake Parz and Makaravank Monastery—and ends with a wine and brandy tasting session at Ijevan winery before heading back home together.