Route: Yerevan city-tour-Cognac Ararat Factory, Garni-Geghard-Simphony of Stones-lavash and gata master-classes, Echmiadzin-Zvarnots-lunch-tolma and xalxa master classes-Khor-Virap, Sevan-Sevanavank-Dilijan-Haghartsin-lunch, Sanain-Haghpat-Axtala-lunch-shashlik master class.
Duration: 6 nights/7 days
DAY |
DESTINATION |
Day 1 |
Meeting at the airport. Transfer to the hotel. Gala dinner. Night in Yerevan |
Day 2 |
Yerevan city-tour-Cognac Ararat Factory-lunch. Night in Yerevan |
Day 3 |
Garni-Geghard-Simphony of Stones-lavash and gata master-classes. Nighti n Yerevan |
Day 4 |
Echmiadzin-Zvarnots-lunch-tolma and xalxa master classes-Khor-Virap. Night in Yerevan |
Day 5 |
Sevan-Sevanavank-Dilijan-Haghartsin-lunch. Night in Yerevan |
Day 6 |
Sanain-Haghpat-Axtala-lunch-shashlik master class. Night in Yerevan |
Day 7 |
Transfer to the airport |
1 Day: Meeting at the airport. Transfer to the hotel. Gala dinner.
Meeting at the Yerevan airport.
Transfer to the hotel.
Gala dinner.
Night in Yerevan.
2 Day: Yerevan city-tour-Cognac Ararat Factory-lunch.
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 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 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.
After the tour ends, a delicious lunch in a colorful restaurant.
Night in Yerevan
3 Day: Garni-Geghard-Simphony of Stones-lavash and gata master-classes.
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.. Geghardavank is a UNESCO world heritage site and is one of the most visited places in Armenia.
Symphony of Stones are basalt rocks in the form of straight pipes and about 100m high. Symphonies are called because they resemble an organ from a distance. Such rocks are formed when the lava hardens sharply: this form is energetically advantageous. There are especially many such rocks in the Azat river gorge, which is listed as a UNESCO site.
On this day, “highlights” were added in the form of a real master class on traditional baking of Armenian lavash and real Armenian Gata! 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. We will also get acquainted with the history of the Gata. The first written mention of Gata occurs in the XIII century,but it is not known exactly when this dessert appeared. Undoubtedly, it has existed for as long as the Armenian people themselves. This dish has absorbed the national spirit. Despite the fact that the Armenians were in extremely unfavorable conditions until the beginning of the XX century, they still managed to preserve their identity and cultural values. After that, a real Armenian table will be served, where we will feel the taste of Armenia!
Night in Yerevan
4 Day: Echmiadzin-Zvarnots-lunch-tolma and xalxa master classes-Khor-Virap
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.
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, of course, during a delicious feast to try! There will also be an opportunity to prepare Armenian halva–an extremely delicious and healthy delicacy.
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.
Night in Yerevan
5 Day: Sevan-Sevan-Sevanavank-Dilijan-Haghartsin.
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. 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
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.
After an interesting tour, guests will have lunch in a colorful restaurant.
Night in Yerevan
6 Day: Sanain-Haghpat-Axtala
Breakfast
Sanahin is a monument of Armenian architecture, a medieval monastery, and one of the main medieval cultural centers of Northern Armenia. The Church complex is dated 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.
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.
At the end, a master class on cooking shish kebab will be held. Participants of the master class will be able to learn all the secrets of cooking one of the most popular meat dishes. Guests will prepare their own marinade, garnish, fry the meat and, of course, taste their culinary masterpieces.
Night in Yerevan
7 Day: Transfer to the airport
Transfer to the Yerevan airport
Rate includes:
- 6 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: Yerevan city-tour-Tsiternakaberd-Ararat Cognac Factory
- Excursion: Echmiadzin-Zvarnots-Khor-Virap
- Excursion: Garni-Geghard-Simphony of Stones
- Excursion: Echmiadzin-Zvarnots-lunch-tolma and xalxa master classes-Khor-Virap.
- Excursion: Sevan-Sevanavank-Dilijan-Haghartsin.
- Excursion: Sanain-Haghpat-Axtala.
- Entrance ticket: Garni Temple, Echmiadzin museum, Zvarnots Temple
- 5 lunces and master classes и master classes in cooking
- Gala dinner
- Cognac degustation at the Ararat factory
- Bottle of drinking water for every day
Rate doesn’t include:
- Extra meals and drinks
- Extra tours
- Souvenirs