Armenia – towards longest in the world ropeway

Breakfast at the hotel.

Drive to the only remaining Pagan temple in Armenia, devoted to the God of Sun – Myrth, in Garni. Photo stop at Charentc Arc. A visit to the ruins of Royal Palace and Royal bath-house nearby.

Optional: Family hosted lunch in a private village house, with watching the preparation of “Lavash” (Armenian traditional flat bread baked in stone-make oven) by countryside Armenian ladies using the same ancient technology as hundreds of years before.

Continue the tour to the uniquely caved Geghard monastery, which dates back to 12^th-13^th centuries, the name of which means “holy spear” in the honour of the long-preserved spear, the same spear that pierced the body of crucified Christ, which were brought here by Apostle Thaddeus. Drive back to Yerevan.                                                                                                                                          Overnight in Yerevan.

Breakfast at the hotel.

Drive to Tsaghkadzor (means “gorge of flowers”) town, the magical place of forested mountains. Short walking tour around the small town. Opportunity to go up to the mountain peaks by ropeway, where you will catch an unforgettable gorgeous panoramic view of this part of the world. Visit Kecharis monastery.

Drive to Lake Sevan, one of the wonders in Armenia. This blue lake is one of the greatest high mountainous freshwater lakes of Eurasia. On a clear and sunny day, the water is often of a deep turquoise colour. Total surface of the lake is 940 km². Climb on peninsula, from where opens a fascinating and breathtaking view on Sevan Lake. Visit Sevanavank Monastery (9^th century), which stands in its greatness on the peninsula, overlooking the lake for centuries.                                                                                                                                       Overnight in Yerevan.

Breakfast at the hotel. Drive to Etchmiadzin City, which used to be an ancient capital of Armenia. Since 4th century, it has been considered the largest religious center, the residency of Catholics 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, founded in 301 A.D by St. Gregory the Illuminator. 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. A trip to one of the architectural wonders of Armenia – Zvartnots temple (641-661 BC), which got its name from the word “Zvart”, which, translated from Armenian, means “joyful and beautiful”. The remaining ruins give an idea of the rare beauty of this temple, which is listed as an UNESCO World Heritage Site (2000). Drive back to Yerevan. Overnight in Yerevan.

Breakfast at the hotel.

A trip to the Areni is the cradle of winemaking. During recent archaeological excavations in the Areni area (Vayots Dzor province) in modern Armenia, a winery and 5 wine cellars from 6,100 years ago were found. Archaeologists have discovered containers for pressing grapes, fermenting and storing wine, drinking bowls, vines and seeds. This winery and cellar are currently recognized as the oldest in the world. Archaeologists suggest that our early ancestors used wine in ceremonies honoring the dead, as well as as a gift placed inside tombs. This is evidenced by the wine jugs and cups found in the burial places. According to Armenian and American scientists, these are the only complete and most ancient excavations in the world for the production of wine (more than 6000 years). These findings indicate a high level of winemaking in those days on the territory of Armenia. A visit to the Hin Areni winery, a tour of the factory and a tasting of wines of different varieties.

Continue trip to Tatev wings tramway – the longest I the world trasmway (5,7 km), recorded in Guinnes record book. Ride over the canyons to the Monastery of Tatev. It is one of the unique and beautiful monasteries in Armenia. It is located on the steep of deep gorge surrounded with very strong settings. It was built during the 9-13th centuries as an Armenian intellectual center where philosophers, musicians, painters, calligraphers and monks lived. Tatev used to be a religious and political center of Syunik princedom.

On the way visit Shaki waterfall.

Overnight in Yerevan.

Breakfast at the hotel. Check-in of the room before 12:00. Transfer to the airport 2.5 hours before departure.