Sunny Armenia in Winter

Meeting at the airport. Transfer to the selected hotel.

Overnight in Yerevan

Breakfast at the hotel. Trip to the ski resort of Tsaghkadzor. Tsaghkadzor – translated from Armenian means “gorge of flowers”. In summer, its shady forests and blooming meadows attract numerous tourists and residents of Armenia. In winter, snowy valleys are a great place for ski lovers. In its beauty, Tsaghkadzor is a small Switzerland, which you can take in at a glance, climbing up the cable car and rushing higher and higher to the mountain peaks. The 2,500-meter cable car meets European standards. Skis, sleds, and snowboards are also available for rent here. Visit to the Kecharis Monastery (11-th -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 ascent to the top of the peninsula, visiting the Sevan monastery – Sevanavank (9-th century), from where a beautiful view of the lake opens up.

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. 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.

Visits to churches St Hripsime and St Gayane, both included in UNESCO World Heritage List.

One of the most significant landmarks of the Armenian Apostolic Church, St. Hripsime Church was founded in 618 by Catholicos Komitas.  It is devoted to St Hripsime, who escape from persecution by the Roman Emperor Diocletian, and sought refuge in Armenia. Despite being a beautiful and devoted follower of Christ, she bravely refused to marry the pagan King Tirdat III when commanded. Choosing martyrdom over compromise, she was killed, and a small chapel was erected over the site of her death.

Built in 630 AD by Catholicos Ezra I, St Gayane church dedicated to Saint Gayane, a Christian martyr who played a crucial role in Armenia’s conversion to Christianity. Saint Gayane’s story of faith and sacrifice adds profound historical and spiritual value to the site. For centuries, it has been a place of pilgrimage for Armenians and Christian visitors from around the world.

A trip to one of the architectural wonders of Armenia – Zvartnots temple (641-661 BC), which got its name from the word “Zvart”. This former three-tiered structure, supported by massive columns with images of eagles, is decorated with carved grape vines, branches of pomegranate, pametta and acapra. The remaining ruins give an idea of ​​the rare beauty of this temple. The temple is listed as a UNESCO World Heritage Site (2000).

Return to Yerevan.

Overnight in Yerevan

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