Route: Yerevan city-tour, Echmiadzin-Zvartnots-Khor-Virap, Garni-Geghard-Sevan-Sevanavank
Duration: 3 nights/4 days
DAY |
DESTINATION |
Day 1 |
Meeting at the airport. Transfer to the hotel. Yerevan city-tour. Night in Yerevan |
Day 2 |
Echmiadzin-Zvartnots-Khor-Virap. Night in Yerevan |
Day 3 |
Garni-Geghard-Sevan-Sevanavank-lavash cooking. Night in Yerevan |
Day 4 |
Transfer to the airport |
1 Day: Meeting at the airport. Transfer to the hotel. Yerevan city-tour.
Meeting at the airport.
Transfer to the hotel.
Yerevan is one of the oldest cities in the world, founded in 782 BC by the Urartian king Argishti I. Because of the pink hue of tuff, which is mostly built up in the city, Yerevan is poetically called “pink”. There are about 5,000 cultural monuments in Yerevan. Victory Park is one of the greenest areas of the city, where the Mother Armenia monument is located and offers a beautiful panorama of the city. From here, you can see the whole of Yerevan at a glance.
Night in Yerevan
2 Day: Echmiadzin-Zvarnots-Khor-Virap
Breakfast
Etchmiadzin is the spiritual center of Armenia. In the center is the Cathedral, built in the first years of the IV century on the place where, according to legend, Christ appeared to Gregory the Illuminator. In memory of this event, the Cathedral was named Echmiadzin — lit.: “the only begotten descended”. Of particular interest are the relics stored in Etchmiadzin: a piece of the cross on which Christ was crucified, and a fragment of Noah’s Ark.
The Cathedral is the oldest Christian Church. It was built in 303, shortly after the introduction of Christianity as the state religion in Armenia.
Zvartnots temple – the most striking monument of medieval Armenian architecture-built in the VII century. Unfortunately, Zvartnots has reached our days only in ruins, completely destroyed by a powerful earthquake in the X century. But even the ruins of this temple give us an idea of its rare and majestic beauty.
Khor Virap is one of the symbols of Armenia. It offers a magnificent view of the biblical mount Ararat. This is where the baptism of Armenia, the first state to become Christian before Rome, began. The monastery was built in the period from VI to XVII centuries, over the dungeon where the Baptist of Armenia – Saint Gregory the Illuminator-languished for spreading Christianity, until king Trdat decided to accept this religion as the state one. The dungeon where the Holy elder suffered was a Royal dungeon. Here prisoners were lowered into a pit infested with poisonous snakes and Scorpions. According to legend, Saint Gregory the Illuminator was in this pit for 13 years.
Night in Yerevan
3 Day: Garni-Geghard-lavash baking-Sevan-Sevanavank.
Breakfast
Garni Temple is the only fully restored architectural monument of the pagan and Hellenistic period in Armenia. It was built in 76 ad by king Trdat and served as a summer residence for the Armenian kings. It offers a picturesque view of the Azat river and the Garni gorge. Not far from the Palace was a bathhouse, which was built at the end of the third century ad and is marked by features typical of Roman baths of that time. One of them has preserved a mosaic floor, which is a fine example of the fine art of ancient Armenia.
Geghard monastery-was founded in the IV century on the site of a sacred spring that originates in a cave. This is a two-story temple carved in solid stone with an adjacent Church. Geghard got its name from the spear of Longinus, which pierced the body of Christ. Geghardavank is a UNESCO world heritage site and is one of the most visited places in Armenia.
During the tour, you will have the opportunity to take part in the Lavash baking ceremony, where the process of baking the Armenian national bread – Lavash will be presented.
Sevan Lake – “The Jewel of Armenia”” is one of the largest high-mountainous fresh water lakes in the whole Armenia. This nature’s wonder is located in the very middle of Armenian highland in a huge mountain bowl framed with picturesque peaks at the height of 1,900 m..
Sevanavank Monastery located in the northwest part of Sevan Lake. According to an inscription in one of the churches, Sevanavank monastery was founded in 874 by Princess Mariam, daughter of Ashot I
Night in Yerevan
4 Day: Transfer to the airport
Transfer to the airport
Rate includes:
- 3 nights’ accommodation with breakfast in Yerevan hotel 3*: Bomo Nairi 3* / or hotel 4*: Imperial Palace
*Other hotels by the request - High-quality guide service
- Transport services during the tour
- Excursion: Yerevan city-tour
- Excursion: Echmiadzin-Zvartnots-Khor-Virap
- Excursion: Garni-Geghard-Sevan-Sevanavank
- Entrance tickets: Garni Temple, Zvartnots Temple, Echmiadzin Museum, lavash baking
- Bottle of drinking water for every day
Rate doesn’t include:
- Extra meals and drinks
- Extra tours
- Souvenirs