What do you know about Armenia, about its amazing ancient culture, diverse landscape, numerous, but at the same time unique monasteries and temples? Even the most experienced traveler will be surprised in Armenia, because every attraction has its own interesting history, its enigma. Discover the treasures of Armenia in just 8 days. Do not miss the opportunity to see the ancient monastery of Noravank hidden within red rocks, try Armenian wine in Areni, visit the picturesque peninsula of Lake Sevan. INCLUDED transportation throughout the program experienced English language guide water during the entire program 7 breakfasts, 6 lunches, 1 dinner entrance fees to museums 3 star hotel NOT INCLUDED flight visa to Armenia insurance alcoholic drinks tip to guide and driver
Day 1: Arrival at Zvartnots airport. Here you will receive your guide. Transfer from airport to hotel. Accommodation.
Day 2: Yerevan Breakfast at the hotel. We start the tour from History Museum of Armenia. Visit to Tsitsernakaberd, memorial dedicated to victims of the Armenian Genocide. Lunch. Visit to Matenadaran, the museum of manuscripts where about 17,000 ancient manuscripts are kept Leisure. Overnight in Yerevan.
Day 3: Yerevan – Garni – Geghard – Echmiatsin – Yerevan Breakfast at the hotel. Erebuni fortress founded in 782 BC, the silent witness of the ancient times. We will visit the only pagan temple of Garni (II c.) and looking at the picturesque gorge called Azat (Heritage of UNESCO). We will visit the cave monastery of Geghard (V-XII c., a World Heritage Site by UNESCO). Lunch at Garni, in a village house. Here we will see how the villagers prepare traditional Armenian bread lavash. Next stop of the journey is the holy city of Echmiatsin, with its cathedral and churches registered in the list of World Heritage of UNESCO since 2000. Visit to the Cathedral (fourth century), the temple of the Saint Hripsime (VII c.), the Saint Gayane (VII c.), and the archaeological site of Zvartnots (VII, Heritage of UNESCO). Overnight in Yerevan.
Day 4: Yerevan – Tsakhkadzor – Sevan – Goshavank – Dilijan]Breakfast at the hotel. Journey to the Center of Tsakhkadzor, visit to the monastery Kecharis (XI-XIII c.). Journey to the mountainous Lake Sevan, the pearl of Armenia, which is at height of about 2000m, visit to Sevan monastery (IX c.) in the Sevan peninsula. Continue the journey to the northeast, the region of forests, seaside resort of Dilijan. Lunch. Goshavank monastery (XII c.). Overnight in Dilijan.
Day 5: Dilijan – Sanahin – Haghpat – Odzun – Yerevan “]Breakfast at the hotel. We will travel north to the Lori region, where we aim to visit the monastery of Sanahin (X c., World Heritage of UNESCO) and the monastery of Haghpat ( X c., a World Heritage Site by UNESCO). Visit to Odzun temple (Vi c.), one of the oldest Christian churches in Armenia. Lunch at Alaverdi. Then on our way back to Yerevan through the picturesque gorge of the river Debed, and down the mountain slopes and the passage of Spitak. Mount Aragats, 4,430 meters high, is the highest point in Armenia. You will see also the town of Spitak, the epicenter of a massive earthquake with a magnitude of 7.2 degrees, almost completely destroyed in 1988 and rebuilt during the following years. Overnight in Yerevan.
Day 6: Yerevan – Khor Virap – Areni – Noravank – Yerevan”]Breakfast at the hotel. On the way from Yerevan to Artashat all the time majestic Mount Ararat will be in sight, visit to the monastery of Khor Virap near Ararat, where St. Gregory the Illuminator remained imprisoned for 13 years. We will continue the journey south to the Vayots Dzor region. In the winery, we will taste local wines Areni, then through a picturesque canyon reach the monastery Noravank, hidden among the red rocks, one of the most beautiful and original monasteries of Armenia (World Heritage of UNESCO). Lunch . Overnight in Yerevan.
Day 7: Yerevan – Ashtarak – Ohanavan – Amberd – Yerevan Breakfast at the hotel. Visit to Hovhanavank monastery (XII c.). Continue the journey to the slopes of Mount Aragats, where lies the fortress of Amberd (X c.). Lunch. Karmravor church (VII c.). Return to Yerevan. Short walk along Mashtots Avenue with views to the Market Hall and Blue Mosque (the only one in the country). Farewell dinner. Overnight in Yerevan.*
Day 8: Breakfast at the hotel. Transfer to airport Zvartnots.
Note
* The tour includes one more visit. You can choose between Saghmosavank monastery (V-XII c.) and the Ararat Brandy Factory , where we will visit the sector of aging cognac, the factory museum, the tasting room and shop.
** The program also includes a visit to the Vernissage, the craft market where you can see the works of Armenian craftsmen working with silver, various stones, wood, ceramics, paintings and sculptures, dolls and more. As the Vernissage works only on Saturdays and Sundays the visit depends on the date of arrival.
