Interesting Armenia

Meet at the airport. Transfer to the selected hotel.

Overnight in Yerevan.

Breakfast at the hotel. Yerevan city tour, an ancient (29 years older than Rome) and at the same time a modern beautiful city with a unique flavor against the backdrop of the majestic biblical Mount Ararat, sparkling with its snow-capped peaks. The city tour includes an introduction to the city center: Republic Square, Abovyan Street, Northern Avenue, the Opera and Ballet building, Swan Lake, the Monument with a panoramic view of the city. A walk near the Cascade complex, where the Cafesjian Center for the Arts is located. The artistic environment, beautiful setting, panoramic view of the city and Mount Ararat make an unforgettable impression. Cozy open-air cafes, beautiful sculptures, fragrant flowers near the five-level staircase of the Cascade have made this place popular among locals and guests of the capital, enjoying the magic and warmth of the city.

Erebuni Fortress is located on the Arin Berd hill. It was built in 782 BC by the Urartian king Argishti I. Excavations of the fortress began in the 19th century and became more extensive in the 1950s. It was during the excavations that the cuneiform inscription of King Argishti about the foundation of this fortress was discovered. The items found during the excavations are exhibited in the museum built at the foot of the hill.

Overnight in Yerevan

Breakfast at the hotel. Trip to the north of Armenia to the Haghpat and Sanahin Monasteries (Lori Region), listed as a UNESCO World Heritage Site (1996). Visit to the functioning Haghpat Monastery (10th century), located on a small plateau surrounded by gorges. In the 10th-13th centuries, it was one of the spiritual and cultural centers of Armenia. Here they studied the humanities, theology, painted and copied books. For some time, the great Armenian poet-ashugh Sayat-Nova lived in the Haghpat Monastery, about whose life Sergei Parajanov made his famous film “The Color of Pomegranates”. Part of the filming took place in this Monastery.

Then visit the cave-fortress complex of Zarni Parni.

Drive to Akhtala Fortress. Akhtala Monastery (13th century) is unique for its perfectly preserved frescoes on the walls.

Visit to Aramyants Castle, after to Sanahin Monastery (10th century). In the 12th century, there was a medical school in Sanahin where human anatomy and physiology were studied.

Return to Yerevan.

Overnight in Yerevan

Breakfast at the hotel. Trip to the Ararat Valley to the Khor Virap Church. From here, a unique panorama of the beautiful biblical Mount Ararat sparkling with snow-white peaks opens up. Deep under the church there is a sacred place: here in the dungeon, Gregory the Illuminator spent 13 years in captivity by order of King Trdat for the spread of Christianity in Armenia. After his release in 301, Gregory the Illuminator sanctified the Armenian people and Christianity was adopted in Armenia as a state religion. On the site of Gregory the Illuminator’s imprisonment, the Khor Virap Church was built, which became a holy place for the entire Christian world, and Gregory the Illuminator was elevated to the rank of saints and is considered the founder of the Armenian Apostolic Church.

The entrance to the dungeon has been preserved in the church, so it is possible to go down the stairs and examine the place of confinement.

A trip to the Noravank monastery complex (13th-15th centuries), which is an outstanding monument of medieval architecture and a major religious and cultural center. Situated among bizarre steep red cliffs on the ledge of a winding gorge, it is an extraordinary sight in its beauty. The temple is decorated with images of the Virgin Mary with the child, God the Father, the crucifixion of Christ, as well as a large number of openwork khachkars. The nearby Surb Astvatsatsin (Mother of God) Church is a highly artistic monument of memorial significance. The first floor served as a burial vault, the second – as a memorial temple. The western facade of the building is especially beautiful, decorated with console stairs leading to the second floor.

Next visit to Tatev Monastery – one of the most unique and beautiful monasteries in Armenia. It is located at the edge of a deep gorge and is surrounded by powerful fortifications. The Tatev ensemble is harmonious with the surrounding mountain landscape. In the past, Tatev was not only a religious but also a political center of the Syunik principality. On the way back, ride the Wings of Tatev cable car. Return to Yerevan.

Overnight in Yerevan

Breakfast at the hotel.

Trip to the mountain resort of Dilijan, which is part of the Dilijan National Park, the so-called “Armenian Switzerland”. It is located high in the mountains (1200-1500m), covered with virgin pine forests. 9 km from Dilijan, among the picturesque green mountains, there is Lake Parz lich, with an area of ​​0.027 sq. km. It is a popular holiday destination for residents of Armenia and tourists who can admire the beauty of the mountain lake, framed by the greenery of pine forests, and breathe in the crystal clear mountain air.

Drive to Makaravank Monastery – one of the most striking examples of medieval Armenian architecture famous for its intricate ornaments and bas-reliefs.

Visit to Ijevan Wine and Brandy Factory and tasting of 3 types of wine.

Overnight in Yerevan

Breakfast at the hotel.

Trip to the Tsaghkadzor ski resort. Tsaghkadzor – translated from Armenian means “gorge of flowers”. In summer, its shady forests and blooming meadows attract many tourists and residents of Armenia. In winter, the snowy valleys are a great place for ski lovers. There is a 2,500-meter cableway here, which meets the European standard. Skis, sleds, snowboards are available for rent. In its beauty, Tsaghkadzor is a “little Switzerland”, which you can take in at a glance, climbing the cable car and rushing higher and higher to the peaks of the mountains. Visit to the Kecharis Monastery ( 11-13-th centuries).

A trip to the high-mountain lake Sevan, one of the wonders of Armenia. This dazzling blue lake is located high in the mountains. Cold and majestic, it conceals an inexplicable beauty. It is not without reason that many artists choose Sevan as the object of their art. Walking up to the top of the peninsula, visiting the Sevanavank monastery (9-th century), from where a beautiful view of the lake opens up.

Return to Yerevan

Overnight in Yerevan

Breakfast at the hotel.

Trip to Gyumri, the second-largest city in Armenia, located 130 km from Yerevan in the Shirak Province. Gyumri is a city that deeply honors national traditions and is known for its warm hospitality. A walk through the historical Kumayri district, one of the few places in Armenia where authentic urban Armenian architecture has been preserved. The district features more than a thousand buildings from the 18th and 19th centuries. Visit to the Museum of Urban Life, the Black Fortress, and a stroll through the old streets of the city.

On the way back, visit Harichavank Monastery (7-th century), located at the foot of the western slope of Mount Aragats.

Return to Yerevan.

Overnight in Yerevan.

Breakfast at the hotel.

Excursion to the pagan Temple of the Sun (1st century AD) in the village of Garni.

Built in classical Greco-Roman style with a full colonnade and perched on a cliff overlooking a deep gorge, the temple offers a striking and surreal view. Garni once served as the summer residence of the royal Arsacid dynasty. The temple was destroyed by a powerful earthquake in 1679 and later restored between 1969 and 1974.

Parts of the surrounding fortress wall have survived, along with ruins of the royal palace and ancient bathhouse. Of particular interest is the bathhouse’s mosaic floor, bearing the inscription: “We worked but received nothing.” Inscriptions in Greek confirm that the temple was built in 77 AD by King Trdat I of the Arsacid Dynasty.

Continue to Geghard Monastery, a rare and awe-inspiring 12th–13th century complex partially carved into the mountainside. The name “Geghard” means “Holy Lance”, referring to the spear that pierced Christ’s side during the crucifixion, which was long housed here (now in the museum of Etchmiadzin Cathedral). Nestled in a scenic gorge of the Azat River, Geghard is a masterpiece of Armenian medieval architecture. The complex includes a main church, two cave churches, and a royal mausoleum. In one of the cave chapels, a cold spring flows directly from the rock, believed to have healing properties, to restore youth and beauty. Geghard Monastery was inscribed as a UNESCO World Heritage Site in 2000.

Experience a demonstration of traditional Armenian lavash bread baking in a rural home. Watch this UNESCO-recognized practice as the dough is skillfully prepared and baked inside a clay oven known as a tonir.

Return to Yerevan.
Overnight in Yerevan

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