Arrival in Yerevan Airport; transfer to the hotel to relax and start a city tour of Yerevan- founded in the 8th century BC, by visiting the Republic Square, surrounded by the most beautiful buildings of the city- The Opera House, the Academy of Sciences, the Presidential Palace, the Parliament. Then continue to the Victory Park, where you can enjoy spectacular views of the city and the Mount Ararat, with the monument to the "Mother Armenia" and the Cascade, an impressive marble staircase. Lunch in Yerevan. Then departure to Gheghard- the rock monastery (XII - XIII century), which is a unique architectural construction partially carved out of the adjacent mountain, surrounded by cliffs. It is listed as a UNESCO World Heritage Site. Visit to Garni with its fortress dating back to the 3rd century BC and a heathen dating back to the 1st century AD. Return to Yerevan. Dinner and overnight stay in Yerevan.
Day 2: Khor Virap- Noravank- Yerevan
Breakfast, then departure to the Ararat valley with a visit to the monastery of Khor Virap built in the 17th century- a famous place of pilgrimage, where St. Gregory the Illuminator, the first Armenian Catholicos was imprisoned for 13 years. Then we will visit Noravank Monastery- a 13th century Armenian monastery, located in a narrow gorge of the Amaghu River near the city of Yeghegnadzor. The gorge is known for its tall, sheer, brick-red cliffs, directly across the monastery. It is well-known for its two-storey Surb Astvatsatsin (Holy Mother of God) church, which grants access to the second floor by way of a narrow stone-made staircase, jutting out from the face of the building. Return to Yerevan, dinner and overnight stay.
Day 3: Tsitsernakaberd- Echmiadzin- Zvartnots- Yerevan
Breakfast and start the day by visiting Tsitsernakaberd Complex and Museum, which is a memorial dedicated to the victims of the Armenian Genocide; it is located on a hill overlooking Yerevan. Every year on April 24, thousands of Armenians gather here to remember the victims of the 1915 Armenian Genocide that took place in the Ottoman Empire. Then transfer to Echmiadzin, to the oldest state-built church in the world and the most important Holy Church of the Supreme Orthodox Authority of Armenia. Inside the main Church you can see a piece of Noah’s Ark, Visit to the 7th century churches of St. Hripsime and St. Gayane, both churches are from the oldest surviving churches in Armenia, and listed among UNESCO World Heritage sites. Then a visit to Zvartnots- the ruins of the ancient circular church, dating back to the 7th century. Return to Yerevan, dinner and overnight stay.
Day 4: Matenadaran- Ashtarak- Saghmosavank- Hovhannavank- Oshakan
Breakfast and start the day by visiting Matenadaran, which holds one of the world's richest depositories of medieval manuscripts and books spanning a broad range of subjects, including history, philosophy, medicine, literature, art history and cosmography in Armenian and many other languages. Departure to the north-west Armenia, the region of churches and historical monuments, the town of Ashtarak, surrounded by 3 mountains- Ararat, Aragats and Ara; the church of Karmravor (in Armenian reddish) of the 7th century owes its name to its red roof. The monasteries of Sagmosavank (XIII sec.) and the monastery of Hovhannavank (XIII sec.) with the saint's relics brought from Cappadocia. We will continue to the village of Oshakan where Mesrop Mashtots is buried- the inventor of the Armenian alphabet. Lunch, then will follow an interesting visit to the Factory of Cognac, which includes tasting the Armenian Cognac- the pride of the country. Dinner and overnight stay in Yerevan.
Day 5: Tsaghkadzor- Sevan- Dilijan
Breakfast, then transfer to Tsaghkadzor (“valley of flowers”), which is located at 1750 m above sea level and surrounded by alpine meadows; visit the monastery of Kecharis (11-13 cc) Then departure to Sevan, which is called “the pearl of Armenia”- a lake of great beauty that lies at 2000 m above sea level, one of the largest mountain lakes in the world. Visit to the Arakelots Monastery (874 A.D.) and Astvatsatsin Church on Sevan Peninsula. Excursion to Dilijan- "Armenian Switzerland" and visit to the monastery of Goshavank of the 13th century. Dinner and overnight stay in a hotel in Dilijan.
Day 6: Haghpat- Sanahin- Akhtala- Lori- Dilijan
Breakfast. Departure to the northern part of Armenia to visit the famous monasteries of Haghpat and Sanahin, dating back to the 10th century and considered as UNESCO World Heritage Site, an extraordinary and magnificent example of medieval Armenian architecture. Then we will continue to the monastery of Akhtala (13th c.). Lunch in Lori region. Return to Dilijan for the dinner and overnight stay.
Day 7: Yerevan city tour- Farewell dinner
Breakfast and return to Yerevan; a visit to the food market called "Shuka", the Cafesjian Museum of Contemporary Arts, the monument of Alexander Tamanyan, and the Vernissage-the flea market open on Saturday and Sunday concert (if stated in the schedule of musical events) Farewell dinner with Armenian music, overnight at the hotel.
Day 8
Breakfast and free time in Yerevan Regarding your flight, your vehicle will drive you to the Airport for the final departure.
