The largest expense is the airfare. In past years, the cost for airfare has ranged between $1800 and $2200. This coming year we are asking each participant to arrange their own airfare or you can use the travel agent at Sidon Travel Agency.  The travel agency does charge a small booking fee.  After you sent in your application and have been interviewed (for new team member that have never gone before), we will encourage you to book your flight as the costs tend to be lower the earlier they are booked. The in-country costs are not yet set but in the past they have been approximately $1100 and are all inclusive. This includes all meals, lodging, transportation, and entertainment. The only expenses that you might have would be for souvenirs and meals in the airport.  For those who haven’t gone before or those who want to go with the team, we will let everyone which airline we will be traveling on if you want to join us.

Each member of the team is responsible for raising their own funds for the trip. We are aware that this is a significant expense for all, but our experience has found that when team members have solicited support from friends and family, that people are very generous when they know that you are serving the Armenian people and Christ.

Please let your potential donors (donors not going on the Medical Mission Trip) know that any donations that you obtain for your trip are tax deductible and checks should be made out to the AMAA.

After you sent in your application and have been interviewed (for new team member that have never gone before), we will encourage you to book your flight as the costs tend to be lower the earlier they are booked. Please make your own airline arrangements. If you want a recommendation for help with this please call Sidon Travel Agency. Please call Carlo Avakian at 800 826-7960 and he will help you arrange your flight. Please remind him you are going on the AMAA Medical Mission to Armenia. You certainly can come earlier or stay later than the Mission trip dates. If you choose to come early or stay later than the mission dates, you will be responsible for booking your hotels and airport pickup. You must arrive in Armenia by July 3nd because the mission begins the morning of July 4. Your in country costs include hotel stay on July 3rd and goes until July 12. In our experience, Air France is the best option as arrivals in Armenia late night on July 3rd.

You certainly are welcome to arrive before the medical mission or stay after it is completed. You will be responsible for arranging your own hotel reservations and airport transfer arrangements if they fall outside of the medical mission dates. Arrangements can be done your own or you may want to utilize our tour guide’s services. Our licensed tour guide’s name is Gayane Ghazaryan and she can be reached by email at gayane.ghazaryan87@gmail.com. Please make her aware that you are with our mission group and she will happily help you with any of your requests.

Because you are primarily performing a missionary function, your travel expenses are deductible for tax purposes. Please book travel through Sidon Travel (or an alternative agency) and retain the invoice with proof of payment to support your deduction. Please pay the travel agency directly with a credit card or check for the trip.

Closer to the time when we are departing, we will know more accurately the in-country costs. You can write a check to AMAA to cover these expenses and mail it to us and we will send the checks as a group to the AMAA. If you have any questions, we can certainly answer them.

A valid US passport that will not expire for at least 6 months from the last day of the trip is necessary. A visa to travel to Armenia is currently not required for US citizens.  No vaccinations are required for Armenia.  Canadian citizens will require a visa.  We will provide information to our Canadian team members on what to do when you enter Armenia.  

No.  We have a number of native Armenian translators that travel with us and will help you if you need translation.  We encourage you to learn some rudimentary Armenian so that you can say and understand some simple phases.  We recommend Pimsleur CD language lessons.  The have Eastern and Western Armenian language CD’s.  The Armenians in Armenia speak Eastern Armenian, but if you learn Western they will likely understand you.  You can find the Pimsleur lessons online and cost approximately $40.  

Also, there is an free app entitled AYOlingo that is a very good learning resource.