Route: Yerevan city-tour-Ararat Cognac Factory, Aragac-Kari Lake-Amberd-Saghmosavank-Arichavank, Gyumri city-tour-Marmrashen-Sanain-Haghpat, Dilijan-Haghartsin-Parz Lake-Goshavank-Goshi lake, Sevan-Sevanavank-Smbataberd, Xndzoresk-Tatev, Karahunj-Uxtasar-Areni Winery-Khor-Virap.
Duration: 8 nights/9 days
DAY |
DESTINATION |
Day 1 |
Meeting at the airport Yerevan. Transfer to the hotel. Night in Yerevan |
Day 2 |
Yerevan city-tour-Ararat Cognac Factory. Night in Yerevan |
Day 3 |
Aragac-Kari Lake-Amberd-Saghmosavank-Arichavank. Night in Gyumri |
Day 4 |
Gyumri city-tour-Marmashen-Sanain-Haghpat. Night in Lori region |
Day 5 |
Dilijan-Haghartsin-Parz Lake-Goshavank-Goshi lake. Night in Dilijan |
Day 6 |
Sevan-Sevanavank-Smbataberd. Night in Goris |
Day 7 |
Xndzoresk-Tatev. Night in Goris |
Day 8 |
Karahunj-Uxtasar-Areni Winery-Khor-Virap. Night in Yerevan |
Day 9 |
Transfer to the airport Yerevan |
1 Day: Meeting at the airport. Transfer to the hotel.
Meeting at the airport Yerevan.
Transfer to the hotel.
Free time.
Night in Yerevan.
2 Day: Yerevan city-tour-Ararat Cognac Factory.
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 were killed 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 factory’s products came in 1900: during the world exhibition in Paris, samples of “Finshampan selected”, a 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: Aragac-Kari Lake-Amberd-Saghmosavank-Arichavank.
Breakfast
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.
Kari lake is located on the slope of Aragats mountain, at an altitude of 3207 m. The word “Kari” means Stone in Armenian. It got its name because of the rocky shore. The lake is surrounded by snow most of the year, which is why the water remains cold. It is from lake Kari that some mountain climbing routes of 3200 meters start .
Sagmosavank was founded in 1215, when Prince Vache Vachutyan ordered to build the temple of Saint Zion here. Later, the Church 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.
Arichavank-an ancient monastery is a very interesting piece of architectural art. The fact is that large stone blocks of various colors are used in the construction of buildings. As a result, the walls of the monastery have an unusual picturesque appearance with a peculiar ornament. The oldest building of the complex dates back to the VII century-the Church of St. Gregory built under the architectural influence of the Mastara Church. The ruins of a single-nave Church of the fifth century have also been preserved. The center of the architectural complex consists of 2 churches and a narthex․
Night in Gyumri
4 Day: Gyumri city-tour-Marmrashen-Sanain-Haghpat.
Breakfast
Gyumri is the second largest city in Armenia, which is also called the city of crafts and humor. During the sightseeing tour, we will see the main sights of Gyumri. We will also visit the “Black fortress”, which was built in 1834 during the Russian-Turkish war.
Church of the ” Seven wounds of St. The mother of God” (Yot verk) was built in the years 1874-1886. Previously, this place was a wooden chapel built on the side of the Kamsarakans, where the icon “Seven sorrows of St. John” was kept. Virgins».
Marmashen monastery, which is located on the left Bank of the Akhuryan river, was founded in 988. Construction work in it ended in 1029. The complex was a famous religious and cultural center of medieval Armenia, had a huge repository of manuscripts and a school.
Sanahin is a monument of Armenian architecture, a medieval monastery, and one of the main medieval cultural centers of Northern Armenia. The Church complex dates from the X—XIII centuries. The Academy, libraries, scriptoriums, and schools where books were written were founded here. Sanahin owned extensive land.
Haghpat is a medieval monastic complex in Haghpat that was founded by Queen Khosrowanuish, the wife of the Bagratid king Ashot III, probably in 976. Haghpat was one of the most important spiritual and cultural centers. Of all the monastic buildings preserved-the main Church of St. Nshan (967-991) with sculptures on the outside and paintings (XIII-XIV centuries) inside, the Church of St. Gregory (1005) and a small domed Church of St. Astvatsatsin (XII-XIII centuries), the refectory of the XIII century, the book Depository of the XIII century, the tiered bell tower (1245), khachkars.
Night in Lori Region
5 Dilijan-Haghartsin-Parz Lake-Goshavank-Goshi lake.
Breakfast
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.
Lake Parz (translated as “clear” or “transparent”) is located in the middle of dense mountain forests of the Dilijan nature reserve. The reservoir is fed by the crystal water of the local purest springs. The clear waters of the lake have a light green hue. The shores of lake Parz are a favorite place for families.
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.
The picturesque Gosh lake is located in the heart of the Dilijan nature reserve, surrounded by lush dense forests. The reservoir got its name from the village of the same name, which in turn bears the name of the famous medieval writer and prominent public figure Mkhitar gosh (XII-XIII century). The beautiful nature of this cozy Paradise has made lake gosh a favorite place for tourists and local residents.Especially good is the nature of lake gosh in early autumn, when the leaves of trees that have begun to turn Golden are reflected in the mirror surface of the lake, and the weather is dry and Sunny.
Night in Dilijan
6 Day: Sevan-Sevanavank-Smbataberd.
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
Smbataberd is a fortress located on the mountain top of Smbataberd. It was built in compliance with all the rules, the main of which was a thoughtful choice of the place of fortress construction. The entrance to the fortress is protected by strong walls of stone, and on the other three sides it is surrounded by deep gorges with steep slopes. Smbataberd was completely restored and restored in 2006-2007, and now tourists can see this beautiful building in all its original grandeur.it was one of the oldest and largest fortresses of Vayots Dzor and Syunik. It may have existed before the fifth century. The smbataberd fortress served as a military fortification clause of the dynasty of Basakanon and was subsequently fortified during the reign of Orbelyan. The original name of the fortress is unknown. People call it Smbataberd, apparently due to the nearby village of yeghegis with the grave of the Prince of princes Smbat Orbelian, who is credited with reconstructing the fortress. But it is most likely that the fortress was named after the Syunik Prince Smbat, who ruled in the X century.
Night in Goris
7 Day: Xndzoresk-Tatev.
Breakfast
Khndzoresk-created jointly by nature and human labor. On the territory of Khndzoresk there is a large number of ancient caves. In some places, the caves are arranged in several tiers. People continued to live here until the 1950s, after which they were moved to a nearby village by the decision of the Soviet authorities
Tatev monastery-the pearl of medieval Armenian architecture was built in the IX-XIII centuries. The monastery was also the largest University of its time. 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” – registered in the Guinness book of records as the longest cable car in the world. 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 Goris
8 Day: Karahunj-Uxtasar-Areni Winery-Khor-Virap.
Breakfast
Karaunj – also known as” Armenian Stonehenge”, which is estimated by scientists and professors of astronomical Sciences to be 7,500 years old, predates Stonehenge by more than 4,500 years. This amazing historical monument consists of about 222 basalt slabs. In the center of the structure is a stone circle, or henge. Modern archaeologists tend to believe that Karahunj is the world’s first astronomical Observatory and represents the fraction of some astronomical models.
Mount Ukhtasar is located in the Syunik region of Armenia. The name “Ukhtasar” is translated as “camel mountain”, and the mountain got its name because of its shape, resembling a camel’s hump. The rock surfaces on the slopes of mount Ukhtasar abound with ancient rock paintings of great historical value. Similar images are also found on the cliff near the village Tanjur Sarnakunk. At the foot of mount Ukhtasar, you can see many ancient tombstones decorated with images and petroglyphs. Images of people and animals allow you to get an idea of the way of life, customs, victories, life and beliefs of primitive people who once lived in these places.
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.
Khor Virap is one of the symbols of Armenia, offering 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 a state. 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
9 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 - 2 nights’ accommodation with breakfast in Dilijan hotel 3* or 4*:
- 2 nights accommodation with breakfast in Goris hotel 3* or 4*:
- 1 nights accommodation with breakfast in Lori Region hotel 3* or 4*:
- High-quality guide service
- Transport services during the tour
- Transfer: airport Yerevan-hotel Yerevan-airport Yerevan
- Excursion: Yerevan city-tour-Ararat Cognac Factory..
- Excursion: Aragac-Kari Lake-Amberd-Saghmosavank-Arichavank..
- Excursion: Gyumri city-tour-Marmrashen-Sanain-Haghpat.
- Excursion: Dilijan-Haghartsin-Parz Lake-Goshavank-Goshi lake.
- Excursion:Sevan-Sevanavank-Smbataberd.
- Excursion: Xndzoresk-Tatev.
- Excursion: Karahunj-Uxtasar-Areni Winery-Khor-Virap..
- Entrance tickets: cable car *Wings of Tatev*
- Wine tasting at Ararat Cognac Factory, Areni Winery.
- Bottle of drinking water for every day
Rate doesn’t include:
- Extra meals and drinks
- Extra tours
- Souvenirs