Merry Christmas !

Welcome to Armenia

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.

Tour in Yerevan: Parajanov Museum, market, carpet making factory "Megeryan Karpet", Brandy factory "ARARAT"

Breakfast at the hotel: starting from 8:00 am
Tour starts at 10:00 am.
Duration: 6 hours.
Distance: 35 km
Requires: Comfortable shoes a jacket, sunscreen, sunglasses and a hat in the summer. Overcoat/raincoat for autumn/winter/spring seasons

We will visit the Parajanov Museum who was the author of several film-masterpieces which brought him world praise: "Shadows of Forgotten Ancestors" (1964), "The Colour of Pomegranates" or "Sayat-Nova" (1969), "The Legend of Suram Fortress" (1985) and "Ashik-Kerib" (1988). Parajanov’s contribution to the art of cinema is first and foremost his original poetic film-language, highly valued by his contemporaries. His aesthetic system also includes plastic art, based on traditions of Armenian, Eastern and European art.
Next we will move on to the''Megerian'' carpet factory, where you will see the magic of Armenian handmade carpets. Upon request, we can organize a master class for carpetweaving, as well as provide an opportunity to purchaseone.
Next we will be exploring the “Ararat” Brandy Factory, which  is another wonder. You will learn about the history of cognac production in Armenia, breath in some “Angels share,” and also enjoy the flavors of a variety of ARARAT cognacs from their primary source.
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.
Overnight in Yerevan

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.

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.

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.

(New Year's dinner with sow program at the restaurant in Yerevan on request).

Tsakhkadzor (Kecharis Monastery) - Lake Sevan

Breakfast at the hotel: starting from 8:00am
Tour starts at 10:30am.
Duration: 8 hours
Distance: 190 km
Requires: Comfortable shoes a jacket, sunscreen, sunglasses and a hat in the summer. Overcoat/raincoat for autumn/winter/spring seasons

Tsaghkadzor -a modern ski resort in Armenia is located at an altitude of 1845 m above sea level. This area was developed to be the Olympic sports training center for Soviet sportsmen who would be taking part in the Mexico City Summer Olympics of 1968. Along with the Kecharis monastery in Tsaghkadzor, you will encounter the lush green and the fresh breeze of the mountains.
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.
In the evening, New Year's Eve gala dinner in the restaurant (on request).

Free day

Airport Transfer

Departure from the hotel after the breakfast. Transfer to the airport.