“Ararat” as the palm

Welcome to Armenia

Airport shuttle. Arrival in Yerevan, at "Zvartnots" International airport. Getting to the hotel and luggage transfer. On the way: sightseeing tour in Yerevan. Free day. Welcoming dinner.

Khor Virap Monastery – Noravank Monastery - Areni village (winery).

Breakfast at the hotel: starting from 8:00 am
Tour starts at 10:00 am.
Duration: 9 hours
Distance: 260 km
Requires: Comfortable shoes a jacket, sunscreen, sunglasses and a hat in the summer. Overcoat/raincoat for autumn/winter/spring seasons
 

Khor Virap - We will visit the monastery of Khor Virap (4-17cc.), one of the most ancient monasteries in Armenia, 200 meters away from the border of Turkey. It is the closest point to the mountain Ararat. When the weather is clear, the legendary Giant is visible like the palm of your hand.

Noravank and Areni village - Nestled in a narrow canyon and taking advantage of nature’s natural defense system, it was the religious center for the region of VayotsDzor for centuries. The unique architectural feats and miniature ornaments composed by the outstanding artist, Momik, still amaze the travelers. Make sure you take a seat next to a window so you can admire the ride through the narrow canyon of Amaghu river.

VayotsDzor region is famous for its unique nature and wineries. We will visit the Areni winery for wine tasting before heading to Noravank monastery

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 Temple and Geghard Monastery.

Tour starts at 10:00am.
Duration: 5 hours.
Distance: 90 km
Requires: Comfortable shoes a jacket, sunscreen, sunglasses and a hat in the summer. Overcoat/raincoat for autumn/winter/spring seasons

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.

Lake Sevan - Monastery on the peninsula - Dilijan Resort Town - monasteries Haghartsin, Goshavank.

Breakfast at the hotel: starting from 8:00am
Tour starts at 10:00am.
Duration: 9 hours.
Distance: 260 km
Requires: Comfortable shoes a jacket, sunscreen, sunglasses and a hat in the summer. Overcoat/raincoat for autumn/winter/spring seasons

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.

Within minutes of the treeless Sevan,with rich alpine vegetation you will find yourself in the thick forests of Dilijan. The climate is mild and sunny in Dilijan with over 60% humidity throughout the year making it a  perfect place for summer holidays since even the times of the Russian Empire. Exploring the ethnographic street at Old Dilijan, we will move forward through the Green tunnel road, which  will lead us to Haghartsin Monastery,  a pearl hidden in the woods. Our next stop is Goshavank Monastery, famous for its embroidered cross-stones and wise proverbs.

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.

Echmiadzin complex – Zvartnots ruins.

Breakfast at the hotel: starting from 8:00 am
Tour starts at 10:00 am.
Duration: 5 hours.
Distance: 60 km
Requires: Comfortable shoes a jacket, sunscreen, sunglasses and a hat in the summer. Overcoat/raincoat for autumn/winter/spring seasons

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 at St. Shogakat church and 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.

Airport Transfer

Departure from the hotel after the breakfast. Depending on the time of departure, you can organize a trip to Yerevan Ararat Brandy Factory (15$) or Vernissage( 10$), where you can buy products of art, applied art, gifts, decorations, handmade carpets, paintings of the Armenian landscape, national musical instruments, dolls, wood, stone, clay, ceramics, silver and other materials. Later on transfer to the airport. Departure for home.