Route: Yerevan city-tour-Tsitsernakaberd-Ararat Cognac Factory-Garni-Geghard, Echmiadzin-Zvarnots-Khor-Virap
Duration: 3 nights/4 days
DAY |
DESTINATION |
Day 1 |
Meeting at the airport. Transfer to the hotel. Gala-dinner. Night in Yerevan |
Day 2 |
Yerevan city-tour-Tsitsernakaberd-Ararat Cognac Factory-Garni-Geghard-lunch-lavash master-class. Night in Yerevan |
Day 3 |
Echmiadzin-Zvarnots-Khor-Virap-lunch-tolma master-class. Night in Yerevan |
Day 4 |
Transfer to the airport |
1 Day: Meeting at the airport. Transfer to the hotel. Gala dinner.
Meeting at the airport.
Transfer to the hotel.
Gala dinner with a national program.
Night in Yerevan.
2 Day: Yerevan city-tour-Tsitsernakaberd-Ararat Cognac Factory-Garni-Geghard-lunch-lavash master-class.
Breakfast
Yerevan is one of the oldest cities in the world, founded in 782 BC by the Urartian king Argishti I. Due to 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.
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.
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.
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. Geghardavank is a UNESCO world heritage site and is one of the most visited places in Armenia.
After an exciting tour, you will be able to introduce the guests to the tradition of baking lavash in tandoor, the history of which dates back to ancient times. In a real bakery, Armenian magicians turn shapeless pieces of dough into an Armenian table decoration. Guests can try to bake the thinnest pita bread on their own, and then taste it or treat friends. Freshly baked warm crunchy Armenian lavash will not leave anyone indifferent.
Night in Yerevan
3 Day: Echmiadzin-Zvarnots-Khor-Virap- lunch-tolma master-class.
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 was the beginning of the baptism of Armenia, the first state to become Christian before Rome. The monastery was built in the period from VI to XVII centuries, above 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.
Tolma is a national Armenian dish with a long history. This dish is made from minced meat and grape leaves. In Armenia it is loved by all from young to old. Guests will learn how to stuff grape leaves and try them during a delicious feast.
Night in Yerevan
4 Day: Transfer to the airport
Transfer to the Yerevan 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
- Transfer: airport Yerevan-hotel Yerevan-airport Yerevan
- Excursion: Yerevan city-tour-Tsitsernakaberd-Ararat Cognac Factory-Garni-Geghard
- Excursion: Echmiadzin-Zvarnots-Khor-Virap
- Gala dinner
- 2 Lunches-master classes on cooking Armenian dishes
- Entrance ticket: Garni Temple
- Cognac degustation at Ararat Factory
- Bottle of drinking water for every day
Rate doesn’t include:
- Extra meals and drinks
- Extra tours
- Souvenirs