Route: Yerevan city-tour, Echmiadzin-Zvarnots-Khor-Virap, Garni-Geghard, Dilijan-Haghartsin-Parz Lake-Goshavank, Sanain-Haghpat-Odzun, Saghmosavank-Hovhanavank-Amberd-Armenian Alphabet monument.
Duration: 11 nights/12 days
DAY |
DESTINATION |
Day 1 |
Meeting at the airport. Transfer to the hotel. Night in Yerevan |
Day 2 |
Yerevan city-tour-Ararat Cognac factory. Night in Yerevan |
Day 3 |
Echmiadzin-Zvarnots-Khor-Virap. Night in Yerevan |
Day 4 |
Garni-Geghard. Night in Tsaghkadzor |
Day 5 |
Rest in Tsaghkadzor. Night in Tsaghkadzor |
Day 6 |
Rest in Tsaghkadzor. Night in Tsaghkadzor |
Day 7 |
Rest in Tsaghkadzor. Night in Tsaghkadzor |
Day 8 |
Rest in Tsaghkadzor. Night in Tsaghkadzor |
Day 9 |
Dilijan-Haghartsin-Parz Lake-Goshavank. Night in Dilijan |
Day 10 |
Sanain-Haghpat-Odzun. Night in Dilijan |
Day 11 |
Saghmosavank-Hovhanavank-Amberd-Armenian Alphabet monument. Night in Yerevan |
Day 12 |
Transfer to the airport |
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.
Breakfast
Yerevan is one of the most ancient cities in the world. the city was founded in 782 BC by the Warartian 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. 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 died 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 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: Echmiadzin-Zvarnots-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.
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, over 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
4 Day: Garni-Geghard-Sevan-Sevanavank
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 presented to visitors. Geghardavank is a UNESCO world heritage site and is one of the most visited places in Armenia.
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
Night in Tsaghkadzor
5 Day: Rest in Tsaghkadzor
Breakfast
Free day
Night in Tsaghkadzor
6 Day: Rest in Tsaghkadzor
Breakfast
Free day
Night in Tsaghkadzor
7 Day: Rest in Tsaghkadzor
Breakfast
Free day
Night in Tsaghkadzor
8 Day: Rest in Tsaghkadzor
Breakfast
Free day
Night in Tsaghkadzor
9 Day: Dilijan-Haghartsin-Parz Lake-Goshavank.
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 “clean” 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.
Night in Dilijan
10 Day: Odzun-Sanain-Haghpat.
Breakfats
Odzun is a monument of the VI century, located in the North of Armenia. the monastery is built in the form of a domed Basilica, and blocks of bright pink felsite are used as building material, and the interior is made of basalt slabs. Another feature of the temple is the arched galleries located on the sides of the main entrance – this architectural solution is rare for Armenian temples. Also, in the XIX century, two belfries were built in the far part of the Basilica, which harmoniously complemented the appearance of the ancient temple.
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 Dilijan
11 Day: Saghmosavank-Hovhanavank-Amberd-Armenian Alphabet monument.
Breakfast
Sagmosavank was founded in 1215, when Prince Vache Vachutyan ordered to build the temple of Saint Zion here. Later, the temple 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.
Hovhannavank is a monastic complex dedicated to John the Baptist. The oldest building in the complex is a Basilica-type Church built in the 4th century by Gregory the Illuminator. The construction of the main Church of the monastery of Surb Karapet dates back to the XIII century. The walls of the cross-domed Church are richly decorated with bas-reliefs and ornaments.
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.
“Alley of letters” is a monument to Armenian writing, which was established in 2005 in honor of the 1600th anniversary of the creation of the Armenian alphabet. All the letters and statues are made of Armenian tuff. Armenian is a separate branch of the Indo-European family of languages. The Armenian script was created by Mesrop Mashtots in 405
Night in Yerevan
12 Day: Transfer to the airport
Transfer to the Yerevan airport
The cost of the tour is calculated individually on request