Route: Yerevan city-tour-Echmiadzin-Zvartnots, Sevan-Sevanavank-Ayrivank-Noratus, Vardavar, Tsaghkadzor-Kecharis-Dilijan-Haghartsin-Goshavank, Garni-Geghard
Duration: 6 nights/7 days
DAY |
DESTINATION |
Day 1 |
Meeting at the airport. Transfer to the hotel. Night in Yerevan |
Day 2 |
Yerevan city-tour-Echmiadzin-Zvartnots. Night in Yerevan |
Day 3 |
Sevan-Sevanavank-Ayrivank-Noratus. Night in Sevan |
Day 4 |
Vardavar. Free day. Night in Sevan |
Day 5 |
Tsaghkadzor-Kecharis-Dilijan-Haghartsin-Goshavank. Night in Yerevan |
Day 6 |
Garni-Geghard-Shopping. Night in Yerevan |
Day 7 |
Transfer to the airport |
Vardavar is one of the five main holidays of the Armenian Apostolic Church. The holiday has a thousand-year history. This is one of the most favorite holidays of the Armenian people, dedicated to the goddess of love and beauty Astghik. During these days, Armenians decorated the statue of the goddess Astghik with roses, temples dedicated to her, gave each other roses and splashed water on each other. The tradition has been preserved to this day. The most cheerful Armenian holiday does not leave anyone dry and indifferent.
1 Day: Meeting at the airport. Transfer to the hotel.
Meeting at the Yerevan airport.
Transfer to the hotel.
Free time.
Night in Yerevan.
2 Day: Yerevan city-tour-Echmiadzin-Zvartnots
Breakfast
Yerevan is one of the most ancient cities in the world. The city was founded in 782 BC by 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.
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 — “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.
The Church of Saint Hripsime was built in 618 and is a masterpiece of early Christian architecture. It is a slender and majestic structure, beautiful in its simplicity. In the rectangular base of the temple, four semicircular niches form a cross. Under the altar is a crypt, where according to legend Hripsime was buried.
The Church of Saint Gayane was built in 630 on the site of a fourth-century chapel and is still one of the best monuments of Armenian architecture. This is a slim, concise and strict building. From the decor, only vegetable ornaments on the frames of doors and windows.
Shoghakat temple was built in 1694 on the site of a fourth-century chapel. It is notable for its peculiar architecture, known as the”dome hall”.
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.
Night in Yerevan
3 Day: Sevan-Sevanavank-Ayrivank-Noratus
Breakfast
The Ayrivank monastery is located on the West coast of lake Sevan and dates back to the IX – XII centuries. The temple is also built of black stone and has a square layout. The facades of the temple are cruciform and have no decorations other than carved crosses. The center of the temple is decorated with a low wide dome.
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. The area of its water mirror is 940 square meters. km, maximum depth – 95 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.
Noratus is a medieval Armenian cemetery with a large number of early khachkars. The cemetery has the largest number of khachkars on the territory of Armenia. Here are presented khachkars of various stages of development of this art, which are grouped into three main periods: IX-X, XI-XII and XIII-XVI centuries. The oldest khachkars in the cemetery date back to the X century.
Khachkar is a type of Armenian architectural monuments and shrines, which is a stone stele with a carved image of a cross. The word khachkar is formed from the Armenian roots “khach” — “cross”, and ” Kar ” — “stone”.
Night in Sevan
4 Day: Vardavar
Breakfast
Free day
Night in Sevan
5 Day: Tsaghkadzor-Kecharis-Dilijan-Haghartsin-Goshavank.
Breakfast
Tsakhkadzor ski resort-Tsakhkadzor means “Valley of flowers” in Armenian. The fact that the beauty of this place is indescribable, and its air is healing became known in the V century ad.
Kecharis monastery is an ensemble of ancient structures that are built on the model of classical Armenian medieval architecture. The Kecharis complex includes four churches, two chapels, a” gavit ” (an extension at the temple entrance) and an ancient cemetery with khachkars of the XII-XIII Centuries. The oldest building is the Church of St. Gregory the Illuminator.
Dilijan is a mountain climate and balneological resort. Restored quarter of “Old Dilijan” – a historical building with architectural elements typical of Dilijan-attics, 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
6 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 there 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, goldsmiths, seamstresses and potters bring their amazing works here, and every Saturday and Sunday from 10: 00 am, you can buy any you like. Souvenirs and works of art. 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 especially 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
7 Day: Transfer to the airport
Transfer to the Yerevan airport
Rate includes:
- 4 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 Sevan hotel 3* or 4*
- Transfer: Yerevan airport-hotel Yerevan-airport Yerevan
- High-quality guide service
- Transport services during the tour
- Excursion: Yerevan city-tour-Echmiadzin-Zvartnots
- Excursion: Sevan-Sevanavank-Ayrivank-Noratus
- Excursion: Tsaghkadzor-Kecharis-Dilijan-Haghartsin-Goshavank.
- Excursion: Garni-Geghard-Shopping
- Entrance tickets: Echmiadzin Museum, Zvartnots Temple, Garni, Temple, Tsaghkadzor cable car
- Bottle of drinking water for every day
Rate doesn’t include:
- Extra meals and drinks
- Extra tours
- Souvenirs