Airport transfer. Arrival in Yerevan, at "Zvartnots" International airport. Pickup at the airport and transfer to hotel for check-in. On the way: sightseeing tour of Yerevan. Based on the arrival time, you will be free to explore the city. In the evening, a welcome dinner in one of the restaurants in Yerevan.
Yerevan - We do a sightseeing tour of Yerevan, after we go to Echmiadzin.
Etchmiadzin - The Holy See Mother Cathedral is considered to be one of the most ancient monuments of Christianity. It was built in the 4th century after the proclamation of Christianity as the state religion. Learn the mysterious legends behind the establishment of the Cathedral and see the Holy See of All Armenian Pontiac (Catholicos).The tour will enter the Treasury-museum of the Holy See where you will be able to observe some of the most holy relics in Christianity of all times.
Echmiatzin also accommodates two UNESCO heritage sights: St. Hripsime and St. Gayane churches. These are monuments which maintained their most authentic and original appearance since the 7th century. However, the list of holy sights doesn’t end here.
You will have a chance to take a look the ruins of Zvartnots Temple. This last one is a manifesto to the amazing architectural school of Armenia in the 7th century. The “House of Angels,” as the name states, is abundant with silhouette carvings of angels and eagles.
Refreshments: You will be provided with a bottle of water and some pastries during the tour.
Lunch:There will be a lunch stop at a local restaurant at noon. Additional payment is required on the spot for lunch.
Return to Yerevan for overnight stay.
Breakfast at the hotel: starting from 7:30 am
Tour starts at 08:30 am.
Duration: 13 hours
Distance: 380 km
Requires: Comfortable shoes a jacket, sunscreen, sunglasses and a hat in the summer. Overcoat/raincoat for autumn/winter/spring seasons
Hin Areni -Vayots Dzor region is famous for its unique nature and wineries. We will visit the Hin Areni winery for wine tasting.
Shaki waterfall is in the southern part of Armenia, close to Sisian. The fall, being located in one of the coziest and nicest corners of Syunik, gloriously opens its striking beauty to all admirers. The air here is full of inspiring melody of water and scent of mountains loading all their wafts.
Devil's bridge- It is a natural bridge, formed from travertine, located on Vorotan River in Syunik region. The length is ~30 m, the width is 50-60 m. There are number of mountain springs around the bridge, the waters of which have colored the walls of the canyon in pink, yellow and green. The Goris-Tatev highway crosses the Devil's Bridge. There are various hypotheses concerning the name "Devil's Bridge". For instance, there is a theory, that less water flows in under the bridge, than it flows out. This is due to the fact that mineral waters are dripping from above.
Tatev- Among the architectural pillars of Zangezour the monastery of Tatev doesn't have its rivals. This used to be wealthiest medieval monastery in Armenia. Besides being a religious center Tatev was also the important strategical center of Syunik kingdom. Being situated on a naturally defended place Tatev monastery has always been an impregnable fortress for alien. In non-stable political conditions the several secret ways in the territory of the fortress led the way to the canyon and served as a link between the monastery and external world.
Refreshments: You will be provided with a bottle of water and some pastries during the tour.
Lunch: There will be a lunch stop at a local restaurant at noon. Additional payment is required on the spot for lunch.
Return to Yerevan for overnight stay.
Garni -The only surviving pagan temple in Armenia which was made in Hellenistic style. Having been used as a summer house for the Armenian Royal family, the sight has all the power to take your breath away with its picturesque location, architecture and history. On the way, we will stop by at the “Charents’ Arch,” where you can take in the magnificent view of Biblical Ararat and the open valleys.
Geghard – Not far from Garni is Geghard, another marvel of Armenian architecture. Geghard is a UNESCO heritage sight named after the spear with which Longinus pierced the side of Jesus on the cross. The monastery complex dates back to the 13th century BC but the location was considered holy starting AD times. Geghard, being carved out of one solid rock, is also considered to be an outstanding architectural composition by international standards.
Refreshments: You will be provided with a bottle of water and some pastries during the tour.
Lunch: There will be a lunch stop at a local restaurant at noon. Additional payment is required on the spot for lunch.
Return to Yerevan for overnight stay.
After breakfast trip to Tsaghkadzor, surrounded with lush forests and high mountains; a popular place for both winter and summer tourism. Here the beauty of nature is shown in all its facets. Visiting the monastery Kecharis (11-13cc.). Trip to Sevan, one of the most beautiful and largest alpine lakes in the world.
Then we will take a voyage to Sevan, one of the most beautiful and largest alpine lakes in the world. We’ll explore around the peninsula and the medieval monasteries which served as an isolation establishment for disobeying monks. Some of the churches couldn’t survive the religious purge of Stalinizm and were destroyed. The monastery complex ceased to function in the 1930s.
Refreshments: You will be provided with a bottle of water and some pastries during the tour.
Lunch: There will be a lunch stop at a local restaurant at noon. Additional payment is required on the spot for lunch.
Return to Yerevan for overnight stay.
Departure from the hotel after the breakfast. Transfer to the airport.