Route: Yerevan city-tour-Ararat Cognac factory, Sevan-Sevanavank-Dilijan-Haghartsin-Goshavank, Saghmosavank-Hovhanavank-Amberd-Armenian Alphabet monument, Echmiadzin-Zvartnots-Khor-Virap, Noravank-Areni Winery-Tatev, Garni-Geghard-Shopping.
Duration: 7 night/8 days
DAY |
Destination |
Day 1 |
Meeting at the airport Gyumri. Gyumri city-tour. Transfer to the Yerevan. Night in Yerevan |
Day 2 |
Yerevan city-tour-Ararat Cognac factory. Night in Yerevan |
Day 3 |
Sevan-Sevanavank-Dilijan-Haghartsin-Goshavank. Night in Yerevan |
Day 4 |
Saghmosavank-Hovhanavank-Amberd-Armenian Alphabet monument . Night in Yerevan |
Day 5 |
Echmiadzin-Zvartnots-Khor-Virap. Night in Yerevan |
Day 6 |
Noravank-Areni Winery-Tatev. Night in Yerevan |
Day 7 |
Garni-Geghard-Shopping. Night in Yerevan |
Day 8 |
Transfer to the airport Gyumri |
1 Day: Meeting at the airport Gyumri. Gyumri city-tour.
Meeting at the Gyumri airport.
Gyumri is the second largest city in Armenia. It is different from other cities, it is a place where traditions, legends, and simple human stories come together. This is one of the few places in Armenia where you can see the architecture of different time periods. For centuries, Gyumri has been known as a city of culture, as well as a city of engineering and light industry.
This is a great opportunity to discover the uniqueness of the local architecture of the 18th-19th centuries, as well as the traditional cuisine and hospitality of the people. The tour will help you discover the historical taste of the city and the way of life of people from Gyumri. The first Opera House in Armenia, as well as the best technological center in the region-these significant facts reflect the antiquity and novelty of Gyumri, where history and modernity come to life.
Night in Yerevan.
2 Day: Yerevan city-tour-Ararat Cognac Factory-Megerian Carpet
Breakfast
Yerevan is not only one of the oldest cities in the world — it is a modern, young and very beautiful city. Our tour starts from the Republic square — the heart of the city, then the station square, where the monument to the hero of the Armenian epic David Sasunsky is installed. We will visit the Cathedral of Gregory the Illuminator, built in 2001 for the 1700th anniversary of the adoption of Christianity by Armenia. After that, we will drive along the Ring Boulevard, see the Cascade art center, see Mashtots Avenue named after the Creator of the Armenian alphabet, and see the Opera and ballet Theater building created by the city’s brilliant first architect Alexander Tamanyan. In conclusion, we will go up to the observation deck of Victory Park, where the sculpture of the Mother of Armenia towers over the city. From here, you can see the whole of Yerevan at a glance.
The Tsitsernakaberd memorial complex, built in Yerevan in 1967, is dedicated to the memory of 1.5 million Armenians who died during the first genocide of the 20th century at the hands of the Turkish government, and has become a place of pilgrimage and an integral part of the architecture of Yerevan. The complex covers an area of 4500 square meters and consists of three main elements: the wall of memory, the sanctuary with Eternal fire and the stele “Rebirth of Armenia”.
Ararat cognac factory is the leading enterprise in Armenia for the production of alcoholic beverages. It traces its history back to the factory established in 1887 by the merchant of the first Guild Nerses Tairyants. Worldwide fame for the products of the factory came in 1900: during the world exhibition in Paris, samples of “Finshampan selected”, cognac produced in Armenia, were presented. During the” blind tasting ” cognac was recognized as the best and received a gold medal.
Night in Yerevan
3 Day: Sevan-Sevanavank-Dilijan-Haghartsin-Goshavank
Breakfast
Lake Sevan – “the Pearl of Armenia” – is one of the largest high-altitude freshwater lakes in the world. This natural wonder is located in the very center of the Armenian highlands, in a huge mountain bowl framed by picturesque mountain ranges at an altitude of 1,900 m.
Sevanavank is a monastic complex located on a Peninsula on the northwestern shore of lake Sevan. According to an inscription in one of the churches, Sevanavank monastery was founded in 874 by Princess Mariam, daughter of Ashot I
Dilijan has the status of a mountain climate and balneological resort. The center of Dilijan is located on the right Bank of the Agstev river, where its residential quarters and shops are concentrated. There is also a restored quarter of “Old Dilijan” – a historical building with architectural elements typical of Dilijan-dormers, wooden balconies with carved railings, window and door borders. This quarter recreates the traditional way of life of citizens-artisans work, cafes, bakeries operate, and sell Souvenirs.
Haghartsin monastery rises among the majestic mountains where eagles fly, which is why its name is associated with. Haghartsin means “game of eagles”in Armenian. The most ancient structure of Agartsin is the Church of St. Grigor, built in the XI century. It was built by monks who fled from Western Armenia to escape persecution. Since the 13th century, Haghartsin has been a major center of culture and spiritual life in Armenia.
Goshavank monastery is the largest spiritual and educational center. It was built in 1188 on the site of the destroyed Getik monastery. The monastery is named in honor of the outstanding writer, scientist and politician Mkhitar gosh, who took an active part in the construction of the temple complex.
Night in Yerevan
4 Day: Saghmosavank-Hovhanavank-Amberd-Armenian Alphabet Monument.
Breakfast
Saghmosavank was founded in 1215, when Prince Vache Vachutyan ordered the construction of the Holy Zion temple here. Later, the temple grew-there was a narthex (1250), a book Depository (1255), and the Church of St. Nicholas. Astvatsatsin (1235). The monastery has an elegant interior: on the walls you can see bas-reliefs depicting animals, plants, and the vachutyan coat of arms. There is an impressive number of unique khachkars.
Hovhannavank is a monastic complex dedicated to John the Baptist. The oldest building in the complex is a Basilica-type Church built in the 4th century by Gregory the Illuminator. The construction of the main Church of the monastery of Surb Karapet dates back to the XIII century. The walls of the cross-domed Church are richly decorated with bas-reliefs and ornaments.
Amberd is a historical fortress located at an altitude of 2300 meters. From the first minutes of your stay in Amberd, you will be mesmerized by the beauty of the area, and in clear weather you will be able to see Ararat.
“Armenian Alphabet Monument” is a monument to Armenian writing, which was established in 2005 in honor of the 1600th anniversary of the creation of the Armenian alphabet. All the letters and statues are made of Armenian tuff. Armenian is a separate branch of the Indo-European family of languages. The Armenian script was created by Mesrop Mashtots in 405.
Night in Yerevan
5 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, began, which became Christian before Rome. 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 venomous snakes and Scorpions. According to legend, Saint Gregory the Illuminator was in this pit for 13 years.
Night in Yerevan
6 Day: Areni Winery-Noravank-Tatev.
Breakfast
Areni is a wine region of Armenia, where an annual wine festival is held. Areni winery was opened in 1994. In the tasting room, you can try red and white wines, fruit and berry. The most popular are pomegranate and apricot wines, but you can also try wine from quince, cherry, BlackBerry, raspberry, peach and others.
Noravank monastery-was built in the XIII century on the ledge of a narrow winding gorge of the Amagu river. The gorge is famous for its steep red rocks rising behind the monastery. During the reign of the Orbelyan princes, the monastery became a major religious center, and in the XIII-XIV centuries – the residence of the bishops of Syunik. Thanks to the magnificent creations of medieval architects and its location against the backdrop of a beautiful landscape, it leaves an indelible impression.
Tatev monastery-the pearl of medieval Armenian architecture was built in the IX-XIII centuries. Its name (translated from Armenian as “give wings”) is associated with the disciple of the Holy Apostle Thaddeus, Saint Eustathius, who suffered a Martyr’s death in this place. Thanks to the beautiful combination of medieval architecture and fabulous nature, the monastery is considered one of the most beautiful places on the planet.
Wings of Tatev-the longest cable car in the world., which is registered in the Guinness book of records. Its length is 5,752 m. It stretches over surprisingly beautiful places and ends at the legendary Tatev monastery of the 10th century.
Night in Yerevan
7 Day: Garni-Geghard-Shopping
Breakfast
The temple of Garni 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. The spear is kept in the Treasury of Etchmiadzin and is presented to visitors. Geghardavank is a UNESCO world heritage site and is one of the most visited places in Armenia.
Colorful fair “Vernissage” is a favorite place of tourists and guests of the capital. Artists, craftsmen, jewelers, seamstresses and potters bring their amazing works here, and every Saturday and Sunday from 10:00 am, you can buy any Souvenirs and works of art you like. If you want to buy something to remember Armenia by, feel free to send it to the “Vernissage”, as you are unlikely to leave here empty-handed. They sell paintings, jewelry, wood products, magnets, musical instruments, national Souvenirs, carpets, national costumes, semi-precious stones, rarities, and much more.
“GUM” is a colorful market filled with aromas, smiles, strange delicious goods and real excitement of trade. It has its own charm, which is difficult to describe in words, it must be tasted. It has its own chip, walking through the market, sellers and try to treat and pita bread, and wine, and cheese, and fruit. Apricots, peaches, grapes, apples, cherries, plums, watermelons, melons, pomegranates — you will be surprised by the variety of local fruits and affordability. No Armenian feast is complete without basturma and sujukh. They will be a great addition to a fine red wine. There is a wide selection of meat products that can be purchased directly from the manufacturer. At the same place you can find fresh greens, a huge selection of Armenian cheeses, spices and pita bread, of which will have a real Armenian brtuch. Sujukh is not only dry, sharp and salty, but also sweet, because it is also prepared from nuts and grape juice. Sweet lovers will be particularly pleased with “Armenian Snickers”. Along with sweet sujuho, your eyes and sense of smell will be pleased with the abundance of dried fruits, iridescent with all the colors of the rainbow. Don’t forget to buy Alani — dried peaches stuffed with crushed walnuts with sugar and spices, and treat yourself to nut mixes mixed with raisins.
Night in Yerevan
8 Day: Transfer to the airport
Transfer to the Gyumri airport
Rate includes:
- 7 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
- Transfer: airport Gyumri-hotel Gyumri-hotel Yerevan-airport Gyumri
- Excursion: Gyumri city-tour
- Excursion: Yerevan city-tour-Ararat Cognac factory
- Excursion: Sevan-Sevanavank-Dilijan-Haghartsin-Goshavank.
- Excursion: Saghmosavank-Hovhanavank-Amberd-Armenian Alphabet monument
- Excursion: Echmiadzin-Zvartnots-Khor-Virap.
- Excursion: Noravank-Areni Winery-Tatev.
- Excursion: Garni-Geghard-Shopping.
- Entrance ticket: Garni Temple, Echmiadzin museum, Zvarnots temple, cable car * Wings of Tatev*
- Cognac degustation at Ararat Factory, at the Areni Winery
- Bottle of drinking water for every day
Rate doesn’t include:
- Extra meals and drinks
- Extra tours
- Souvenirs