Day 1
Arrival. Transfer to hotel in Yerevan. Hotel check in. Rest.
Yerevan City Tour BY EVENING: Yerevan is the pink “pearl” of Armenia, the capital of this ancient country. This beautiful European city is mostly built by different shades of the local pink stone called tuff quarried in Armenia. Founded in 782B.C. Yerevan is reputedly one of the oldest cities in the world to have been continuously inhabited.
We start our exploration with the Republic Square with it magnificent buildings enhanced by singing fountains. Walking down the Abovyan Street, one of the oldest streets in Yerevan which was on the Great Silk Road, Northern Avenue, Opera House. Visiting the colosal Monument of Cascade. A visit to the “Covered” Bazaar known as “Pak Shuka” on Mashtots Avenue. It’s a real museum of food. Visit Vernissage Art & Crafts Open Air Market where you can buy all kinds of artwork, carpets and rugs, jewelry and other typical Armenian souvenirs. It’s the biggest souvenirs' market in the Caucasus.
Have a fascinating journey through the Armenian glorious history with a visit to the History Museum of Armenia, one of the best museums in the world. The museum represents an integral picture of the history and culture of Armenia from prehistoric times (one million years ago) till our days. Here you can find the world’s oldest leather shoe (5500years old) found only 3years ago!
Get acquainted with the rich spiritual and cultural life of ancient Armenia at Matenadaran, a unique Research Institute and Museum of ancient and medieval illustrated manuscripts. Marvel at the illuminated pages of some of those manuscripts within their glass cases.
Lunch at a traditional Armenian restaurant.
Day 2
A day dedicated to exploration of Southern Armenia combining the magic of Armenia's finest mediaeval architecture with stunning landscapes. The first stop of our trip is Khor Virap, the most sacred pilgrimage destination in Armenia not only because it’s the only place in Armenia where you’ll get the best view of the biblical Mount Ararat (the highest mountain in the world from its base, about 17,000feet high) within Armenian borders, but this is where St. Gregory the Illuminator was imprisoned for 13 years by the King Tiridates III for preaching Christianity. Guided by the remote majesty of biblical Mount Ararat, we explore the site, its underground chambers, elegant chapels and are captivated by the ascetic atmosphere of the site. We continue to the south driving through the agricultural heart of Armenia, Ararat Plain offering a fantastic scenery of fruit orchards, endless vinyards at the foothills of Ararat Mountain where the Noah’s ark landed. As soon as the we pass the Ararat Plain we can experience the untamed beauty of Southern Armenia - surreal red rocks providing an eerie echo, honey-coloured villages sandwiched between them. Our next stop is the Monastery of Noravank, an architectural gemstone nestled among brick-red cliffs, just above a deep gorge. It’s only here where you can see a bas-relief with the representation of Father God with almond-shaped eyes which look far ahead. Lunch at Noravank refectory enjoying the view of the huge red canyon. After the hearty lunch we’ll drive to Areni village, the cradle of viticulture! This is where world’s ancient winery was discovered recently (6000years old)! Winery tour and wine tasting (about 11 sorts of wine including pomegranate and cherry wines). Visiting Areni 1 Cave where the world’s ancient winery has been excavated. Overnight in Goris.
Day 3
Take a stroll in Goris town, one of the most beautiful towns in Armenia. It’s a town in orchards where the houses have the same unique architecture with red tile roofs. The town is beautifully planned by a German architect in the 19th century. Riding the world’s longest aerial tramway (5.7km) you’ll reach the miraculous Tatev Monastery, a formidable monastic complex founded in the 9th century. It’s the biggest monastery in Armenia located on a rocky peninsula more than 100 meters above the Vorotan River. According to tradition the relics of the Apostles, Sts. Peter and Paul, were placed under the dome's supporting pillars. It’s a miraculous monastery surrounded by bottomless gorges. Continue to Karahundj-Armenia’s Stonehenge. This stone circle, now shown to be a prehistoric observatory, long predates Stonehenge in England. Ancient inscriptions found here may mark the birthplace of the Zodiac – and of Western Civilization itself. Possibly it was the world's first astronomical observatory founded 7500 years ago. Its history is really very impressive. Driving through Selim Mountain Pass famous for its fascinating colorful mountains we reach Selim Caravanserai on the Great Silk Road where you’ll see some remains of the real old road, ancient bridges, hundreds of fresh water springs gushing from the rocks and the ground. Here little has changed since the fourteenth century. The caravanserai offered hospitality to travelers along the highway crossing the Selim mountains. Lunch in Selim. Visit the Stone Garden - Noraduz, the largest field of Armenian exquisite cross-stones in the world. Proceed to Lake Sevan National Park. Overnight in Sevan.
Day 4
After breakfast we’ll have a tour around the Lake Sevan, the world’s second largest high altitude lake at 1900m above sea level. It’s a huge mountainous lake which takes up 5% of Armenia's surface area. Climb up to Sevanavank Monastery to marvel at the beautiful view of the Lake Sevan, the “blue-eyed” bride of Armenia. Continue to Dilijan spa town in Dilijan National Park, a protected area renowned for its serene lakes, picturesque hill trails and peaceful villages. Words alone can’t describe the natural beauty of Dilijan. Many poets used to say, "If there are woods, mountains, streams and mineral waters in paradise, it must be like Dilijan”. Due to its forested mountains and mild climate, Dilijan is named "Armenia's Little Switzerland". Take a stroll in the most beautiful part of the town, Old Dilijan Complex on historic Shamambeyan street. Here we experience the town as it was in the 19th century. Then we continue our journey to Goshavank, a fairy-tale monasteriy set amidst flower-filled meadows. Lunch in Dilijan.
On the way to Yerevan we’ll visit the town of Tsaghkadzor, the biggest ski resort of Armenia with forests. In the summertime, people go there to get away from the city life of Yerevan, and the heat, for the fresh air in the mountains. In the winter, the town is completely overtaken by skiers and people who just want to relax and enjoy the snow and scenery. The modern rope-way will take you to the top of Teghenis Mountain, where the greens of land and the blue of the sky get in fusion.
Day 5
Today we embark on our journey to the lands of ancient treasures of Christian history…Vatican city of Armenia, Holy Echmiadzin with its world’s earliest Christian churches included in the list of UNESCO World Heritage Sites. Visit Echmiadzin Mother Cathedral. It was originally built by Saint Gregory the Illuminator in 301-303A.D., when Armenia became the first officially Christian state in the world. It’s the most luxurious Armenian cathedral covered by stunning frescoes painted in the 18th century. Continue to St. Hripsime and St. Gayane churches built in 7th century. These churches are considered masterpieces of early medieval Armenian architecture. They are named after Christan virgins martyred for the sake of Christianity. On the way back to Yerevan visit the Ruins of Zvartnots Cathedral. Zvartnots was a majestic cathedral dedicated to St. Gregory. Zvartnots, built as Armenia's main cathedral in 641-661A.D., was to suppress the Echmiadzin Cathedral by its grandeur. The remnants of Zvartnots, even in ruins, are a majestic sight... It’s a UNESCO World Heritage Site. Lunch in Yerevan.
Day 6
Leaving the frantic pace of the city we are heading towards Garni Pagan Temple, the only Hellenistic Temple in the Caucasus. The Pagan Temple of Garni is the only pagan temple currently standing in Armenia. Gracing the hillside the pagan temple was dedicated to the God of Sun, Mithra. It was built in 77A.D. by the Armenian King Tiridates I. Proceed to Geghard Monastery carved out of a huge monolithic rock. Geghard is an incredible ancient Armenian monastery, partly carved out of a mountain. It is said that the Holy Lance that pierced the body of Christ was kept here. The architectural forms and the decoration of Geghard's rock premises show that Armenian builders could not only create superb works of architecture out of stone, but also hew them in solid rock. It is included in the list of UNESCO World Heritage Sites.
Visiting a local farmhouse for lunch in Garni. Traditional Armenian bread-lavash baking in tonir (underground earth-stove). Barbecue preparation in tonir.
Evening program: visiting the Republic Square to participate in the Independence Day of Armenia celebration.
Day 7
Hotel check out. Transfer to airport. Departure.
