Winter Classic Tour in Armenia

Breakfast at the hotel. City tour in Yerevan will start with the panoramic view of the city and acquaintance with the Center of the city, Republic Square, Northern Avenue, the sightseeing of Opera and Ballet building, the Parliament and Residency of the President of Armenia, State University, Mother Armenia Monument, Sports & Concert Complex.

Visit Cascade complex, which is considered the modern art center of Yerevan. 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 colours. It is also a popular place for open air concerts in summer season.

Overnight 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. 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 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), 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.

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 11-13 cc.

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.

A trip to the Ararat Valley to the Khor Virap Church. From here you can enjoy a unique panorama of the beautiful sparkling snow-white peaks of the biblical Mount Ararat. There is a sacred place deep under the church: Gregory the Illuminator spent 13 years in prison here in a dungeon by order of King Trdat for spreading Christianity in Armenia. After his release in 301, Gregory the Illuminator consecrated the Armenian people and Christianity was adopted in Armenia as the state religion. The Khor Virap Church was built on the place of Gregory the Illuminator’s imprisonment, which became a holy place for the entire Christian world, and Gregory the Illuminator was elevated to the face of saints and is considered the founder of the Armenian Apostolic Church. The entrance to the dungeon has been preserved in the church, so there is an opportunity to go down the stairs and inspect the place of imprisonment. Not far from the church are the ruins of the ancient capital of Armenia Artashat, which is one of the few ancient cities built according to a special project. The author of the city plan was the commander of ancient Carthagen, Hannibal, who fled to Armenia after losing the war with Rome. A trip to the Noravank monastery complex (XIII- XV centuries), which is an outstanding monument of medieval architecture and a major religious and cultural centre. Located among the bizarre steep red rocks on the ledge of a winding gorge, it is an extraordinary sight in its beauty. The western facade of the building is especially beautiful, decorated with cantilevered stairs leading to the second floor. Passage through 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.

Overnight in Yerevan.

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