Route: Yerevan city-tour-Ararat Cognac Factory-Garni-Geghard, Dilijan-Haghartsin-Axtala. Shaslik festivaly, Haghpat-Sanain, Gyumri-Marmashen-Amberd-wine tasting at the winery.
Duration: 5 nights/6 days
DAY |
DESTINATION |
Day 1 |
Meeting at the airport. Transfer to the hotel. Night in Yerevan |
Day 2 |
Yerevan city-tour-Ararat Cognac Factory-Garni-Geghard. Night in Yerevan |
Day 3 |
Dilijan-Haghartsin-Axtala. Shaslik festivaly. Night in Lori region |
Day 4 |
Haghpat-Sanain. Night in Gyumri |
Day 5 |
Gyumri-Marmashen-Amberd-wine tasting at the winery. Night in Yerevan |
Day 6 |
Transfer to the airport |
Every year in mid-August, the village of Akhtala hosts a traditional barbeque festival. It is attended by both professional chefs and amateur cooks from various regions of Armenia, who present guests with many varieties of shish kebab. Shish kebab, in Armenian called khorovats — one of the most favorite and traditional dishes of the Armenian cuisine. Suspended on skewers, baked in tonir or cooked on the grill – all types of shish kebab have unique taste qualities.
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-Ararat Cognac Factory-Garni-Geghard.
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 squares in the city, where the Mother Armenia monument is located and offers a beautiful panorama of the city.
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.
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 plant’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.
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. Geghardavank is a UNESCO world heritage site and is one of the most visited places in Armenia.
Night in Yerevan
3 Day: Dilijan-Haghartsin-Axtala. Shaslik festivaly.
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 Haghartsin 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.
The monastery complex of Akhtala, located in the middle of a picturesque area, was founded in the X century. The architecture of the monastery is very peculiar and quite noticeably differs from other buildings of this type. This is explained by the fact that when designing akhtal, master architects used an unusual mix of Armenian and Georgian architectural styles. Akhtala was not only a religious, but also a military-defensive object. This is reminiscent of the preserved defensive fortress and many secret underground tunnels. This beautiful place will host the most delicious and flavorful barbecue festival.
Night in Yerevan
4 Day: Haghpat-Sanain.
Breakfast
Haghpat is a medieval monastic complex in Haghpat that was founded by Queen Khosrowanush, 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.
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 back to the X—XIII centuries. The Academy, libraries, scriptoriums, and schools where books were written, were founded here. Sanahin owned extensive land.
Night in Gyumri
5 Day: Gyumri-Marmashen-Amberd-Winery.
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.
Marmashen monastery, which is located on the left bank of the Akhuryan river, was founded in 988. Construction work on 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.
Amberd is a historical complex on the slope of Aragats mountain in Armenia consisting of a seventh-century castle and a XI-century Church. It is located at an altitude of 2300 meters above sea level. It is assumed that the castle was founded by the princes of Kamsarakan. It was later purchased by the Armenian rulers of the Bagratuni dynasty who turned the castle into the main Outpost of their Kingdom. The Church in it was built in 1026.
Night in Yerevan
6 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 - 1 night accommodation with breakfast in Lori region hotel 3* or 4*
- 1 night accommodation with breakfast in Gyumri 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-Garni-Geghard.
- Excursion: Dilijan-Haghartsin-Axtala. Shaslik festivaly.
- Excursion: Haghpat-Sanain.
- Excursion: Gyumri-Marmashen-Amberd
- Entrance ticket: Garni Temple
- Wine tasting at the winery Lori region, Ararat Cognac Factory
- Bottle of drinking water for every day
Rate doesn’t include:
- Extra meals and drinks
- Extra tours
- Souvenirs