Route: Tbilisi-Dilijan-Haghartsin-Sevan-Sevanavank, Yerevan city-tour, Garni-Geghard-Zvartnots-Echmiadzin, Saghmosavank-Hovhanavank-Amberd-Armenian Alphabet Monument
Duration: 3 nights/4 days
DAY |
DESTINATION |
Day 1 |
Tbilisi-Dilijan-Haghartsin-Sevan-Sevanavank. Night in Yerevan |
Day 2 |
Yerevan city-tour. Night in Yerevan |
Day 3 |
Garni-Geghard-Zvartnots-Echmiadzin. Night in Yerevan |
Day 4 |
Saghmosavank-Hovhanavank-Amberd-Armenian Alphabet Monument. Return to Tbilisi |
1 Day: Dilijan-Haghartsin-Sevan-Sevanavank.
Transfer to Sadakhlo
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, there are cafes, bakeries, 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.
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
Night in Yerevan
2 Day: Yerevan city-tour-Tsitsernakaberd.
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 4,500 square meters and consists of three main elements: the wall of memory, the sanctuary with Eternal fire and the stele “Rebirth of Armenia”.
Night in Yerevan
3 Day: Garni-Geghard-Echmiadzin.
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 presented to visitors. Geghardavank is a UNESCO world heritage site and is one of the most visited places in Armenia.
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
Etchmiadzin-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 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
Night in Yerevan
4 Day: Saghmosavank-Hovhanavank-Amberd-Armenian Alphabet Monument.
Breakfast
Sagmosavank was founded in 1215, when Prince Vache Vachutyan ordered to build the temple of Saint Zion 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
Return to Tbilisi
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: Dilijan-Haghartsin-Sevan-Sevanavank.
- Excursion: Yerevan city-tour
- Excursion: Garni-Geghard-Zvartnots-Echmiadzin.
- Excursion: Saghmosavank-Hovhanavank-Amberd-Armenian Alphabet Monument
- Entrance ticket: Garni Temple, Echmiadzin Museum, Zvarnots
- Bottle of drinking water for every day
Rate doesn’t include:
- Extra meals and drinks
- Extra tours
- Souvenirs