Armenia + Nagorno-Kharabakh
9 days / 8 nights (valid from April 1 to November 1)
(Arrival everyday except Tuesdays and Wednesdays)*
The rates are given per person in DBL room
| Hotel | USD | AMD |
|---|---|---|
| 3* Alba Hotel - 3* Heghnar in Stepanakert | 550 | 269,000 |
| 4* Artsakh Hotel / Silachi - 3* Heghnar in Stepanakert | 580 | 284,000 |
| 4* Ani Plaza / Diamond House / Imperial Palace - 4* Armenia Hotel or Vallex Garden Hotel in Stepanakert | 670 | 327,000 |
| 4* Central Hotel Deluxe - 4* Armenia Hotel or Vallex Garden Hotel in Stepanakert | 715 | 349,000 |
The rates include
- Accommodation
- Breakfasts in Armenia, 3 lunches and 2 dinners in Karabakh
- Transfers (individual) and transportation service
- Professional English / Russian speaking guide service
- All entry tickets per program
- Ride on the longest ropeway in the world "Wings of Tatev"
- Demonstration of "Lavash" baking process in local village house in Garni
- Visa for Kharabakh
Breakfast at the hotel.
Drive to Etchmiadzin City, which is used to be the ancient capital of Armenia. Since 4th century, it is the largest religious center, the residency of Catholicos of All Armenians. Etchmiadzin cathedral is one of the ancient churches in the Christian world, included in the UNESCO World Heritage List (2000), it is the center of Armenian Apostolic Church. It was founded in 301 A.D. by St. Gregory the Illuminator. Later, it was rebuilt and currently it stands as a complex including the Cathedral, Spiritual Academy, residency of the Catholicos of all Armenians, Synod of Armenian Church and a library. The museum of the Cathedral, located behind the Altar, has collection of religious artifacts about Holy Mass, subjects made of gold, silver, precious stones, decorations, colossal silver boiler for making the myrrh and legendary Holy spear. Before entering in the town of Echmiadzin visit the majestic St. Gayane Church and St. Hripsime Church. The legend of Hripsime dates from the early days of Christianity. Hripsime fled to Armenia to escape persecution by the Roman Emperor Diocletian. A beautiful but totally devoted follower of Christ, Hripsime refused to marry the pagan Armenian King Tirdat III when ordered, and chose the death of a martyr. A small chapel was erected over the spot where she was murdered. In the 7th century a wondrous church - a masterpiece of Armenian architecture - was built in its place by order of Catholicos Komitas. A trip to one of the architectural wonders of Armenia: Zvartnots temple (641-661 BC) the temple of "Vigil Forces", which got its name from the word "Zwart", which translated from Armenian means "joyful and beautiful." The remaining ruins give an idea of the rare beauty of this temple. The temple is listed as a UNESCO World Heritage Site (2000). Drive back to Yerevan.
O/N in Yerevan.
Breakfast at the hotel.
Drive to the only remaining pagan temple in Armenia devoted to the God of Sun – Myrth, in Garni, built in 77 AD by King Trdat (Arshakid Dynasty). Photo stop at Charentc Arc. The temple is Greco-Roman style with characteristic pillars. It stands proudly on a rocky ridge with a deep canyon presenting a beautiful view. The temple was a summer residence for Arshakid dynasty. Visit to the ruins of Royal Palace and Royal bath-house nearby. Canyon of Garni -magnificent and outstanding scene which creates the image of falling crags. It obtained the name "Symphony of Stones" due to its view. The fantastic landscape of Garni canyon shakes the human imagination.
Drive to the unique caved temple St. Geghard (12th -13th cc.), the name of which means “holy spear” in the honor of the long-preserved spear, the same spear that pierced the body of crucified Christ. It is now exhibited in the museum of Etchmiadzin Cathedral. Geghard Monastery is included in the UNESCO World Heritage list (2000).
Watching of “Lavash” (Armenian traditional flat bread baked in stone-make oven) making process in local village house
Drive back to Yerevan.
O/N in Yerevan.
Breakfast at the hotel.
Drive to Sevan, one of the greatest high mountainous freshwater lakes of Eurasia, climb on the peninsula from where the fascinating view on the Lake is open.
Continue the trip to medieval monastery complex of Dadivanq, located on the slope of Mount Dadivan, on the left bank of the Tartar River. According to legend, the church was founded by Dadi, the desciple of on of Christ's apostols - Thaddaeus, in the 1st century AD. Dadivanq, along with Gandzasar, are considered the jewels of Armenian architecture. Lunch.
Breakfast at the hotel.
Breakfast at the hotel and check-out.
O/N in Yerevan.
Breakfast at the hotel.
Drive to the monastery complexes of Saghmosavank, situated on the edge of the precipitous gorge of the Kasakh river. The Church of Zion in Saghmosavank (1215 y.), the main temple, was erected by Prince Vache Vachutyan. The book depository of Saghmosavank located on the territory of the Monastery, was built in 1255 A.D. under Prince Kurd Vachutyan. Many richly ornamented stone crosses have been preserved on the territory of the monasteries.
Continuation to Alphabet park - a location where all letters of Armenian alphabet made from tuff of human-size are scattered around volcanic stones.
Visit to the Amberd fortress, meaning "fortress in the clouds" in Armenian. It is a fortress complex with a church built XI-XIII centuries on the slopes of Mt. Aragats at 2,300 meters above sea level. The fortress was founded in the 7th century A.D. during the rule of the Kamsarakan princes. It was rebuilt 4 centuries later by the architect Vahram Vachutian Pakhlavuni.
Visit small church Karmravor in Ashtarak town.
Drive to Oshakan, a typical Armenian village with preserved traditions and lifestyle. The major sightseeing spot of Oshakan village is St. Mesrop Mashtots Church. The relics of Mesrop Mashtots, the founder of the Armenian alpha bet (V c.), lie here. Mesrop Mashtots was canonized by the Armenian Church in the V c. Initially, the chapel was raised on the gravestone of Mesrop Mashtots and later in the XIX c. the temple was erected. Drive back to Yerevan.
O/N in Yerevan.