9 Days / Cultural Holidays Armenia In-Depth

Day 1

Arrive in Yerevan

Upon arrival at Zvartnots International Airport, you will be met by our Divine representative and will be transferred to your preferred hotel for check-in. Rest of the day at leisure after long flight

Day 2

Arrival / Yerevan City Tour / History Museum / Brandy Factory (B, L, D)

In the morning after breakfast at the hotel, you will meet your tour guide and start the city tour around Yerevan to discover the treasures we have.

Exploration will start from the Republic Square, Northern Avenue, Opera House, Swam Lake, open air Cascade Monument which will impress you with its unique art examples. Visit also Mother Armenia Monument from where you can see a unique panoramic view to Yerevan. Visit Armenia History Museum to get some more deep information on the history of Armenia. Visit Tsitsernakaberd Memorial and the museum of victims of Armenian Genocide.

Our next stop is Brandy Factory where you will be introduced to the brandy making techniques and have a degustation of 2 types of brandy. Overnight in Yerevan.

**History Museum is closed on Mondays

Day 3

Yerevan / Echmiadzin / Zvartnots / Megerian Carpet / YEREVAN / Vernissage (B, L, D)

After breakfast departure to Holy Echmiadzin Cathedral (4th c.) which is about 20km far from the capital city. In this holy place one will be impressed by the spiritual atmosphere around and can hit a candle just for his/her dreams.

Drive back to Yerevan with a stop at the ruins of Zvartnots Temple from 7^th c. Visit Megerian Carpet Factory to learn about the old Armenian Carpet type and the method of preparation. Here we are also going to have lunch.

Afterwards, visit also Vernissage (open only in weekends) flea market which is famous for its craft art samples. Here you can find also some gifts not only for you but also for your friends which will always remind you about this unique country. Overnight in Yerevan.

Day 4

Yerevan / Fortress of Amberd / Saghmosavank / Ashtarak / Yerevan (B,L,D)

Visiting the First Christian country you will come across a lot of Christian sites which is differs with its type architecture and spirit. Departure to Fortress of Amberd which is located on the slopes of Aragats Mount. The fortress dates back to 9^th c. continue our exploration to the medieval church of Saghmosavank. From here opens a breathtaking view to the canyon.

Drive to Ashtarak region to visit one of the smallest churches in Armenia – Karmravour. It’s also famous for its red tiled roof. Drive back to Yerevan for overnight.

NOTE: Amberd Fortress is possible to visit only starting from mid-May to end of October as Armenian highland is covered with snow from November to April.

Day 5

Yerevan / Khor Virap / Areni / Noravank / Goris (B,L,D)

Sightseeing tour to the cradle of civilization to Khor Virap Monastery which is located very close to the Biblical Mount Ararat and border with Turkey. The importance of Khor Virap Monastery is connected with Grigor Illuminator who has been imprisoned with the church for 13years for disseminating Christianity all over Armenia.

Departure to Vayots Dzor region to visit local Areni wine factory where we have the opportunity to taste local homemade wine assortments. Sightseeing at Noravank Monastery (13^th c.) which is surrounded by mountains covered by red stones. The beauty of the surrounding mountains one can only see with his/her own eyes, as description can never give the real beauty. Departure to Syunik region to Goris region for dinner and overnight.

Day 6

Goris / Tatev Monastery / Khndzoresk / Goris (B,L,D)

After breakfast we will start exploring the city of Goris with all its beauty and natural monuments. The region is famous for its green mountains and beautiful natural formations where you can find caves which were inhabited previously.

Our first stop will be Khnodzresk cave town where we can find a lot of signs of past settlements. The caves which you are going to discover were hewn out local dwellers and used as houses. If you wish to see the caves from a close eye, than you have the chance to reach with a rope bridge which is dancing when you are putting your foot on it.

Continue tour to the monastic complex of Tatev** which is considered to be an architectural masterpiece from 10^th c. The outward appearance of the monastery is severe and iconic that can take your breath away. There’s a natural monument called Devil’s Bridge on the way to the monastery which you are going to visit. Return to the hotel for overnight.

** Tatev Ropeway is closed on Mondays

Day 7

Goris / Karahounge / Selim / Sevan / Dilijan (B, L, D)

If it is hard to believe that Armenian Stonehenge is older than Stonehenge in England, than you are more than welcome to visit our Karahunge – an open air ancient observatory from 6mil B.C.

Departure to Lake Sevan through Selim pass which has been an important trade point in famous Silk Road. Sightseeing on the peninsula where Sevanavanq is located. We need to climb up many stairs to reach the monastery from where opens a spectacular view to the “blue-eyed” lake. Drive to the resort town of Dilijan for rest and overnight.

Day 8

Dilijan / Goshavank / Haghpat / Sanahin / Yerevan (B, L, D)

In the morning after breakfast we can have walk through a museum street of Dilijan looking around the architectural masterpieces from 19^th c. Visiting of Goshavank Monastery (13^th c.) which is located in the woodlands of Dilijan.

Our next discoveries will be monasteries which are included in the UNESCO World Heritage. By its architectural value the monastic complexes of Haghpat (976 AD) and Sanahin (966 AD) should be include in your “must-to-see” list in Armenia. Drive back to the capital overnight.

Day 9

Yerevan / Garni / Geghard / Matenadaran (B, L)

Check out hotel after breakfast.Today we are going to visit Geghard Monastery which is hewn out from a cave and included in the UNESCO World Heritage. The monastery was built in 4th century and also has the name of Ayrivank. Next stop us going to be Garni Pagan Temple– the only Hellenistic temple surviving in Armenia from 1st century. Here we will learn also the way of making Armenian sandwiches called “brduch” with bread and cheese.

Drive back to Yerevan to visit the depository of manuscripts – Matenadaran**. Transfer to Zvartnots International Airport for evening flight out.

** Matendaran is closed on Sundays and Mondays