Arrival in Yerevan, meeting at the airport, transfer to the hotel, leisure time.
Day 2: Yerevan-Echmiadzin-Zvartnots
Breakfast at hotel. Today is the Easter Sunday, the most favorite and anticipated holiday in all Armenian families. In the morning after breakfast drive to Echmiadzin which is mere 20 km from Yerevan. On the way visit to St Hripsime church which is considered to be one of the 7 wonders of Armenia. Participation in Pontifical Divine Liturgy at Mother See of Holy Echmiadzin conducted by Supreme Patriarch and Catholicos of All Armenians. Return to Yerevan with stop at the ruins of Zvartnots temple – the pearl of the 7th c. architecture which is listed as a UNESCO World Heritage.
Overnight in Yerevan.
Day 3: Yerevan-Khor Virap-Areni winery-Noravank-Yerevan
Breakfast at hotel. Sightseeing tour to Khor-Virap monastery the importance of which is connected with Gregory the Illuminator, who introduced Christianity to Armenia and is considered to be the first Armenian Catholicos – bishop. Continue tour to Noravank monastery – religious and cultural centre of 12th c. On the way visit the great Areni local wine factory to taste local wine made from special sorts of grapes. Drive back to the capital city.
Overnight in Yerevan.
Day 4:Yerevan city tour
Breakfast at hotel. Yerevan City Tour including light walking in the City Centre.
Visit of the Historical State museum of Armenia. This museum contains the rich collection of artifacts covering rather big period of time from the Stone Age (about 1 million years ago) till our time; visit to very impressive monument – the Memorial of Victims of Genocide in 1915; visit Matenadaran – one of the biggest depositors of ancient manuscripts.
Overnight in Yerevan.
Day 5: Yerevan-Tsakhadzor-Lake Sevan-Yerevan
Breakfast at hotel. Trip to Tsaghkadzor resort town. The city has been attractive since the ancient times as a residence and a resort place where people inhabited the area from 3-5 centuries. One will have the chance to climb up to the mountain by a modern rope way which will take you to the very top and you can enjoy the area with its overall beauty and nice landscapes. Proceed to Lake Sevan. About 70 miles north of Yerevan sits the lake with the nearby monastery Sevanavank Monastery (8-9th c.). Drive back to Yerevan. In the second half of the day visit to Armenia History museum wher one can find the important archaeological collection from Stone Age. Overnight at the hotel in Yerevan.
Day 6:Yerevan-Garni-Geghard-Brandy Factory
Breakfast at hotel. Departure to Garni Temple. It was built in the first century A.D. by the Armenian King Tiridates and it is dedicated to a heathen god. Northeast of Garni, higher up the gorge of the Azat river, sights Geghard monastery inscribed in UNESCO World Heritage. Geghard is another incredible ancient Armenian monastery, partly carved out of a mountain. Return back. Visit one of the “must see”-s in Yerevan City – The Armenian Brandy Factory.
Overnight in Yerevan
Day 7: Ashtarak – Amberd – Saghmosavank
Breakfast at hotel. Visit Amberd Fortress and Church (10th-11th centuries) perched on the slopes of Aragats Mountain, Fortress dating back to the 9th century, 6 km from the village of Byurakan, stands halfway up Mt. Aragats, at the height of 2300m. The fortress stands on a rocky cape formed by the rivers Amberd and Arkhashen. There are also vestiges of a fortified three-storied palace, a church built in 1026, a palace bathhouse with two domes, a central heating system, water tanks, a water-supply system, and a secret passage to a nearby cleft, and other buildings. “Garden”of Armenian Alphabet, visitSaghmosavank (12th century) medieval monastery, situated in the breathtaking site, at the canyon of Ashtarak.
Day 8: Departure
Breakfast at hotel. Transfer to the airport. Departure home!
