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Oshakan

Shalom Armenia

8 days / 7 nights

Open Detailed Descriptions
Day 1

Arrival in Yerevan – transfer to the selected hotel

Day 2

Yerevan City tour

Breakfast at the hotel. Yerevan sightseeing including City center, Republic square, State University, City panorama, Mother Armenia memorial, short walk in Victory park along the alley of Armenian and Jewish Friendship, Parliament, President’s Palace, Opera. Visit to Holocaust Memorial and Jewish Synagogue, pass by Sports & Concert Complex, visit to the Genocide Memorial, dedicated to the Victims of 1915 and the Genocide Museum. Visit to Cascade complex, which is considered the modern art center of Yerevan, with art pieces displayed throughout the whole area: the boulevard and up the stairs, from top of which you can enjoy the panoramic view on the city and Mountain Ararat. Cascade is home to Cafesjan modern art museum. This place becomes even more charming in the evenings, when it is full of people, both locals and tourists from all over the world, enjoying the magic and the warmth of the capital. You will enjoy spending time in one of the cosy open-air cafes surrounded by beautiful sculptures, redolent flowers shining brightly with magic colors. It is also a popular place for open air concerts at summer season. Visit to the depositary of ancient manuscripts the Matenadaran which contains historical documents from all over Europe and Asia throughout many centuries. There is also the first copy of the Bible in Armenian and the Gospels that fascinate with their beautiful miniatures. O/N in Yerevan.

Day 3

Etchmiadzin – Zvartnots

Breakfast at the hotel. Visit to Vernisaj, national crafts/art market (open only on Saturdays and Sundays). Drive to Etchmiadzin, the spiritual and administrative center of Armenian Apostolic Church. Visit to Etchmiadzin Cathedral (4th c.), the museum, ruins of Zvartnots temple (7th c.), (UNESCO World Heritage list 2000). O/N in Yerevan

Day 4

Khor Virap – Noravank – Areni Winery – Karahunj (Zorats Karer or Dig Dig stones) - Goris

Breakfast at the hotel and check out. Drive to Ararat valley close to the border with Turkey. Visit the monastery complex of Khor Virap – the place of imprisonment of St. Gregory the Illuminator, who stayed here in the small dungeon for 13 years without any food, accused by the Armenian King of preaching Christianity. Khor Virap Church was built on the dungeon and now people have a chance to go down into the dark pit themselves. It is also the best point to enjoy the most spectacular view of the gorgeous biblical mountain Ararat shining with its two white peaks. The hills adjoining Khor Virap were the site of the early Armenian capital - ancient Artashat built by King Artashes I, founder of the Artashesid dynasty, around 180 B.C. It is one of the few ancient towns, built by the special design of the famous Carthaginian general Hannibal. After the defeat in a war against Rome, he found shelter in Armenia… Tour to “Areni” Winery/ wine testing. The ancient winery (4-5 cent. B.C.) has been recently discovered in that region, which proves that Armenia is one of the ancient areas where grape cultivation, processing and wine-making were developed. Drive through the spectacular canyon between the red rocks towards the masterpiece of Armenian architecture - Noravank Monastery (13th c.) Photo session with spectacular view on rocks from the panoramic square. Drive to southern part of Armenia Visit Karahunj, or Zorats Karer, prototype of English Stonehenge. Arrive to Goris town and check in the hotel. O/N in Goris.

Day 5

Goris - Kndzoresk - Tatev – Hermon

Breakfast at the hotel and check out. Explore Khndzoresk which is a cave village and there are many signs of past settlement throughout the valley which are just waiting for discovery. You will see that many of the caves have been carved out by man and they served as houses for people. Drive to Tatev Monastery, enjoying spectacular view of the scenery around, passing Devil’s bridge. View of recently constructed rope way – the longest in the world (5,7 km). Optional: ride on the longest ropeway in the world over the canyons to the Monastery of Tatev and back. Drive to Hermon village, check in the hotel. O/N in Hermon.

Day 6

Yeghegis Jewish cemetery - Selim pass - Lake Sevan – Dilijan – Goshavank - Yerevan

Breakfast at the hotel and check out. Drive to Yeghegis village, the old settlement of Jewish community that came to Armenia from Persia in XIII - XIV cc. Visit to the cemetery located nearby with 62 tombstones in Jewish and Aramaic languages, dated from the 50th of XIII century to the beginning of XIV century. Drive to Sevan Lake one of the greatest high mountainous freshwater lakes of Eurasia, via Selim pass. On a way visit Selim Pass Karavansaray, which was used for having a rest by Silk road caravans. In Sevan, one of the greatest high mountainous freshwater lakes of Eurasia, climb to Akhtamar peninsula from top of which the breathtaking panoramic view of Sevan Lake is opened. Stop for making photos. Drive to mountanieus resort Dilijan, or so called “Armenian Switzerland”, which is well-known for its forests as well as for its mysterious flora and fauna. During the drive one can enjoy the unbelievable change of the surrounding environment and land shaft from the mountainous lake to the green and rich forest mountains. Small walking city tour in Dilijan: visit to handicrafts’ street, where one can watch the preparation of different national souvenirs from wood, stone and ceramics. Visit to Haghartsin Monastery complex which is located in the secluded place of the forest. Haghartsin dates back to 11-13th century and represent a magnificent piece of history, culture and architecture. The place is so unique and the scenery with the nature surrounding it is so breathtaking that most of visitors are in awe. Appearing unexpectedly, out of the dense forests, in front of the visitors, the Monastery creates a magical impression of a lost world. Visiting of Gohsavank complex situated in the woodlands of Dilijan that represents an indescribable example of blend of nature with architecture. It was founded in 11-13 the centuries. Drive back to Yerevan. O/N in Yerevan.

Day 7

Garni – Geghard

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). On the way 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). Optional: family hosted lunch in village house and watching of “Lavash” (Armenian traditional flat bread baked in stone-make oven) making process. O/N in Yerevan.

Day 8

Yerevan –Matenadaran - Souvenir shop- Transfer to the airport

Breakfast at the hotel. Visit to National History museum of Armenia, which will be a perfect conclusion to the trip, allowing one fully comprehend the country and its heritage. Optional: Finally, visit to famous Armenian brandy factory, tour around factory with degustation with heart-warming drink. Transfer to airport. Optional : Gala dinner with local folk music in the city restaurant.