Guaranteed departure to Armenia

Day 01, Saturday

Arrival

Meeting at the Zvartnots airport. Transfer to the hotel. Overnight in Yerevan
 

Day 02, Sunday

Echmiadzin (Hripsime, Gayane, Mother Cathedral - from outside, Museum "Treasures of Echmiadzin"), Zvartnots (B/-/-)

Tour to the religious center of Armenia – Echmiadzin or “Armenian Vatican”.  You visit Echmiadzin churches which are UNESCO sites.  Echmiadzin Mother Cathedral is the residence of the head of Armenian Apostolic Church the Catholicos of All Armenians where you will visit The Museum "Treasures of Echmiadzin". Unique holy relics and religious art are now housed in the museum. Among the many treasures are: the Holy Lance (Geghard) which pierced the side of Christ, housed in a silver reliquary; the relics of Noah's Ark and other valuable pieces of art. Visit churches of St Gayane and St. Hripsime from the 7. Century which are outstanding examples of earlier Christian architecture. On the way back to Yerevan visit the ruins of Zvartnots from the 7th century, built by the order of Catholicos Nerses the Builder. It was one of the biggest and most beautiful cathedral in the world in its time, collapsed in the earthquake of 930. Now in ruins. Overnight in Yerevan.

Tour Start:          at 10:00 
Tour Duration:    4-5 hrs. 

Day 03, Monday

Lake Sevan (Sevanavank), Dilijan (Goshavank, Haghartsin) (B/-/-)

After breakfast tour to the Lake Sevan - pearl of Armenia surrounded with mountain ranges and one of the largest freshwater high-altitude lakes in Eurasia. Visit Sevanavank monastery (9c.) on the peninsula which was mainly intended for those monks from Etchmiadzin who had sinned. From the top of the peninsula hill you can enjoy the great views of the vast lake. Continue to Dilijan, which is called the "Armenian Switzerland" by the locals, due to the densely forested valleys and mountains with alpine meadows around. In the Dilijan National Park you visit 2 medieval monasteries – Haghartsin (10th century) and Goshavank (12th c.) located in a spectacular and hidden natural scenery where you feel the harmony of untouched nature and splendid architecture.  Back to Yerevan for overnight.

Tour Start:          at 09:00 
Tour Duration:    9-10 hrs. 

Day 04, Tuesday

Yerevan City Tour: Erebuni Museum, "Megerian carpet" factory-museum, observing tour, "ARARAT" brandy factory (tour and tasting) (B/-/-)

Yerevan is one of the oldest cities in the world. This year we will celebrate its 2800th anniversary. Yerevan is known as the Pink City, as the buildings in the city are mostly made of pink tuff (volcanic rock). Visit Erebuni Museum, featuring a collection of objects from the Urartian period found around Yerevan. Continue to Megerian carpet factory-museum of beautiful handmade Armenian Rugs and carpets. Here you will get a chance to see weavers working on their patters and learn about the history of the trade. Armenia it’s not complete without learning about the Armenian brandy! Tour through the Ararat Brandy Factory and degustation of the exquisite Brandy. During City tour you see also the Republic Square with the governmental buildings, Opera House, France Square, Victory Bridge, Parliament etc. Overnight in Yerevan.

Tour Start:          at 10:00 
Tour Duration:    5-6 hrs.  

Day 05, Wednesday

Khor Virap, Noravank, "Hin Areni" wine factory (tour and tasting), ancient cave ("Birds-Cave") (B/-/-)

In the morning drive to Khor Virap Monastery, surrounded by vineyards and plain pasture land. This is where Gregory the Illuminator (the 1. Catholicos of Armenians) was imprisoned for 13 ye……ars. From the monastery you can see the border between Turkey and Armenia and of course the stunning beauty of biblical Mount Ararat. Continue to the beautiful 13-century monastery complex with 3 ancient churches. It is located in a peaceful valley, surrounded with spectacular red rocks. Not far away from the monastery is the famous wine village of Areni where you visit the "cave of birds". A 6100-year-old winery was discovered here by European and American archaeologists. Take your time to taste Areni wine of endemic grapes in a small local wine factory “Hin Areni”. Back to Yerevan for overnight.

Tour Start:          at 09:00 
Tour Duration:    9-10 hrs.
 

Day 06, Thursday

Garni, Geghard, lavash baking (B/-/-)

In the morning drive to Garni Temple, perched above a steep gorge with magnificent views. It is one of the oldest surviving Pagan temples which was later converted to place of worship for Christians. Built in the first century AD, and partially destroyed by an earthquake in C17th, the style is Greek. Continue to the Geghard Monastery. The name refers to the holy lance that pierced Christ’s side at the crucifixion. The place is truly amazing in terms of architecture design that carved out of the adjacent mountain that surrounds by cliffs and the result made is jaw-dropping and fantastic. In the small village nearby you can witness the process of baking of national bread Lavash and taste this crusty fresh bread. Back to Yerevan for overnight.

Tour Start:          at 10:00 
Tour Duration:    5-6 hrs.

Day 07, Friday

Amberd, Aragats (Lake Kari), Alphabet Alley, Saghmosavank, national sweets master class in Armenian village garden (B/-/-)

Drive to the fortress of Amberd at 2300 meter above sea level. Constructed on a ridge above the confluence of the little gorges of the Amberd and Arkashen streams, this majestic stone fortress dates back to the 7th century but its current buildings date from the 12th century. Continue to Kari Lake, situated on Mount Aragats at the height of 3250m. The lake is usually surrounded with snow, due to which the water is always cold. The next stop is forseen at the Alley of Letters. It was built on the slopes of Mount Aragats in honor to the 1600th anniversary of the creation of Armenian alphabet. Drive to  the Saghmosavank monastery on the edge of Kasakh river canyon. It was built in the 13th century by Vachutian dukes. Enjoy the master class of national sweets in an Armenian village garden. Back to Yerevan for overnight.

Tour Start:          at 10:00 
Tour Duration:    8-9 hrs

Day 08, Saturday

Departure

Check out. Transfer to the airport 2 hours before your flight.