Wonders of Armenia

Enjoy Wonders of Armenia 

DAY 1

Arrival in Yerevan, transfer to the hotel

DAY 2

Yerevan-Etchmiadzin-Zvartnots-City Tour

Breakfast in the hotel. Yerevan sightseeing including Republic Square, Opera House, State University, Parliament House, President’s Palace and Cascade complex. Tour to Matenadaran, a repository of ancient manuscripts, research institute and museum. Depart for Etchmiadzin: the spiritual and administrative headquarter of the Armenian Apostolic Church. Visit the Mother See of Holy Etchmiadzin(302-303 AD), the seat of the Catholicos. Visit St. Gayane and St. Hripsime Churches (7th c.). Return to Yerevan and stop over for Zvartnots temple, 7th century architectural masterpiece, listed among the UNESCO World Heritage Sites. Evening dinner in an traditional restaurant. Overnight: Yerevan

DAY 3

Yerevan-Tsakhkadzor-Sevan-Dilijan

Breakfast in the hotel. Tour to Tsaghkadzor, famous ski resort in Armenia. Visit Kecharis Monastery founded in the 11th century. Drive to Lake Sevan, one of the greatest high mountainous fresh water lakes of Eurasia. It’s a fascinating collage of turquoise waves playing with wind and mountains reflected on water. Visit Sevanavank Monastery. Visit spa city Dilijan. Usually called Armenian Switzerland or Little Switzerland by the locals, it is one of the most important resorts of Armenia. Dilijan is one of the most important resorts of Armenia, famous for its amazing surroundings. Visit to Haghartsin Monastery (X- XIV centuries). Nestled in forested mountains the Monastery creates a magical impression of the lost world. Trip to Goshavank Monastery (XII-XIII centuries). Lunch in Dilijan. Return to Yerevan. Overnight: Yerevan

DAY 4

Yerevan – Garni – Geghard – Yerevan

Breakfast in the hotel. Tour to Garni, the only pagan temple left in Armenia. It is a blend of Greco-Roman and Armenian styles built by King Trdat I in the first century A.D. and dedicated it to the God of Sun. Then we will keep our way to Geghard. Geghard monastery (13th century) carved out of the adjacent mountain and initially called Ayrivank (the Monastery of the Cave ) is included in the World Heritage Site. Due to the fact that the famous spear, with which the Roman soldier wounded Jesus, was kept here for 500 years, the monastery was called Geghardavank (the Monastery of the Spear). Here we will have a meeting with the priest. On the way back to Yerevan we will have a stop near memorial arch made in honor of a prominent Armenian writer Yeghishe Charents can be seen. A magnificent view of Ararat and Armenia opens from the arch. Overnight in Yerevan.

DAY 5

Yerevan-Ashtarak-Amberd-Saghmosavank-Yerevan

Breakfast in the Hotel. Tour to Ashtarak, which is a colorful old town. Continue to Amberd Fortress, founded in the 7th century A.D. and is located near the village of Byurakan. Lunch in Byurakan. Tour to Saghmosavank: 13th century Armenian monastic complex located in the Aragatsotn Province. The complex is situated at the gorge of the River Kasagh. Return to Yerevan. Overnight in  Yerevan.

DAY 6

Yerevan – Khor Virap – Areni – Noravank – Tatev

Breakfast in the hotel. Tour to Khor Virap, which is one of the three holy places in Armenia and the closest point to the mount Ararat. The notability as a monastery and pilgrimage site of the monastery is attributed to the fact that Gregory the Illuminator was imprisoned here for 13 years. Then we will have a stop in Areni winery, which is famous for its wines. Tour to Noravank Monastery (13th-century), which is best known for its two-storey Surb Astvatsatsin church (to get to the second floor one need to take the narrow stone-made staircase jutting out from the face of the building) and the breathtaking view to the gorge. Visit Tatev Monastery, founded in the 9th century, one of the most wonderful places of Armenia. Located on a large basalt plateau on the edge of a deep gorge of the River Vorotan, Tatev Monastery forms an incredible harmony with the picturesque landscape. To monastery you will get on the longest cableway in the world. Overnight in Yerevan.

DAY 7

Departure

Transfer to the airport from the hotel.