Route:Yerevan city-tour, Khor-Virap-Areni Winery-Noravank-Djermuk, Echmiadzin-Zvartnots
Duration: 3 nights/4 days
DAY |
DESTINATION |
Day 1 |
Meeting at the airport. Transfer to the hotel. Yerevan city-tour. Night in Yerevan |
Day 2 |
Khor-Virap-Areni Winery-Noravank-Djermuk-lunch-wine degustation. Night in Yerevan |
Day 3 |
Echmiadzin-Zvartnots-lunch-wine degustation. Night in Yerevan |
Day 4 |
Transfer to the airport |
Armenia is known as the cradle of winemaking, as according to the legend, the wine development in the Armenian valley goes back to biblical times, when our forefather Noah, after landing on the sacred Mount Ararat planted the first vine on its slopes. The wine was a kind of reward to Noah and his family for all the pain and suffering that they had overcome during the Great Flood. Since then, the Armenian nation reveres the essence of winemaking tradition. Let’s dive into the fascinating history of the wine-making development in Armenia since ancient times to the present day!
1 Day: Meeting at the airport. Transfer to the hotel. Yerevan city-tour.
Meeting at the airport.
Transfer to the hotel.
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. During the walk, we will also take a walk along the wine street of saryana, where there are excellent wine establishments.
Night in Yerevan.
2 Day: Khor-Virap-Areni Winery-Noravank-Djermuk-lunch-wine degustation
Breakfast
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, over the dungeon where the Baptist of Armenia – Saint Gregory the Illuminator-languished. the spread of Christianity until king Trdat decided to accept this religion as the state religion.
Areni is a region where the famous and well – loved wine festival is held, during which guests of the country can get acquainted with the traditions of wine production, try to trample grapes themselves in large vats, take part in national songs, dances and games. 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. After a tasting and a tour of the winery, guests can enjoy a delicious lunch.
Noravank monastery complex-was built in the XIII century on the ledge of a narrow winding gorge of the Amagu river. The gorge is famous for its steep red rocks rising behind the monastery. During the reign of the Orbelyan princes, the monastery became a major religious center, and in the XIII-XIV centuries – the residence of the bishops of Syunik. The Noravank complex, thanks to the magnificent creations of medieval architects and its location against the backdrop of a beautiful landscape, leaves an indelible impression.
Jermuk is an exciting health resort and climatic resort town, hidden in a picturesque plateau, at an altitude of 1980-2080 meters above sea level. The resort area with an abundance of trees and open spaces fascinates views, interesting old sanatoriums and much more-small and easily accessible, in order to wander on foot. The city attracts visitors with its huge waterfall (height of 70 meters ), natural bridge and lake, forests.
Night in Yerevan
3 Day: Echmiadzin-Zvartnots-lunch-wine degustation
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.
The Church of Saint Hripsime was built in 618 and is a masterpiece of early Christian art 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 the 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 plant ornaments on the frames of doors and Windows.
Shogakat 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.
Visit to the winery with tasting: classic, white and experimental wine. The wines of this region have a unique taste. The bouquet of aromas opens gradually, leaving a pleasant aftertaste. The winery uses only wild yeast, fermentation and aging is carried out in barrels of Karabakh oak. The wines are aged in barrels for more than a year and after bottling are further aged in bottles. After the tasting, guests will have a real Armenian lunch.
Night in Yerevan
4 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 - High-quality guide service
- Transport services during the tour
- Transfer airport Yerevan-hotel Yerevan-airport Yerevan
- Excursion: Yerevan city-tour
- Excursion: Khor-Virap-Areni Winery-Noravank-Djermuk
- Excursion: Echmiadzin-Zvarnots
- 2 lunches and wine tasting: in Areni, in Echmiadzin
- Bottle of drinking water for every day
Rate doesn’t include:
- Extra meals and drinks
- Extra tours
- Souvenirs