MICE tour to Armenia

Breakfast at the hotel.

After breakfast, depart for the high-altitude Lake Sevan — one of Armenia’s natural treasures. Nestled in the mountains, this dazzling blue lake captivates with its cold, majestic beauty. Artists have long drawn inspiration from its serene landscape. A short hike leads to the top of Peninsula, where a visit to the 9th-century Sevanavank Monastery offers panoramic views of the lake and surrounding hills.

Next, visit the striking Temple of Garni, Armenia’s only surviving pagan temple. Built in the 77 AD by king Trdat I in Hellenistic style, it stands proudly on a cliff edge, separated from the mountains by a deep gorge. Once the summer residence of the Arshakid kings, Garni also features ruins of a royal palace, and bathhouse with an ancient mosaic with the inscription: “Worked without getting anything.” The site was reconstructed after an earthquake and today offers one of the most unique sights in Armenia.

Optional: performance of the soulful Armenian wind instrument duduk at the Garni Temple, the touching melody of which is familiar to many  from the Oscar-winning movie “Gladiator”.

Optional: Jeep tour to the Symphony of Stones in Garni Gorge – a natural basalt column formation.

Lunch in a village farmhouse brings an authentic taste of Armenian hospitality. Guests can observe the traditional process of baking lavash, Armenian flatbread, in a clay oven called tonir, and enjoy homemade dishes served with local fruit-based vodka.

Continue the journey to the UNESCO-listed Geghard Monastery (12th–13th centuries), a rock-carved masterpiece of medieval Armenian architecture. The name “Geghard” means “holy spear,” referring to the legendary spear that wounded Christ and was once kept here (now housed in the treasury of Etchmiadzin). The monastery is carved deep into a cliffside, surrounded by the beautiful Azat River Gorge. Inside, discover a sacred spring, still believed to have healing properties, and a chamber with outstanding acoustics—often used for private spiritual concerts (optional).

Geghard Monastery is included in the UNESCO World Heritage List (2000).

Optional: Choral performance of Armenian spiritual songs in Geghard Monastery’s acoustic chamber.

Return to Yerevan.

Breakfast at the hotel. Drive to the Ararat valley to Khor Virap church. From here opens unique panorama of the beautiful biblical Mount Ararat sparkling snow-white peaks. Deep beneath the church is a sacred place: here in the in a dungeon, where Gregory the Illuminator spent 13 years under the orders of King Tiridates for spreading Christianity in Armenia. After his release in 301 Gregory the Illuminator sanctified the Armenian people and Christianity was accepted in Armenia as the state religion. At the place where Gregory the Illuminator was imprisoned. the church of Khor Virap was erected, which became a holy place for the entire Christian world,  Gregory the Illuminator was elevated to the status of saint and is considered the founder of the Armenian Apostolic Church. The church has preserved the entrance to the dungeon, so it’s possible to go down the stairs and see 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 design. The author of the plan of the city was the commander of ancient Carthage Hannibal, who fled to Armenia after he lost the war with Rome.

Trip to Noravank Monastery Complex (13th – 15th century),  which is an outstanding monument of medieval architecture and a major religious and cultural center. Situated among the bizarre steep red rocks on the ledge of a winding gorge, it is an unusually beautiful sight. The oldest monument of Noravank is the church of Surb Karapet (IХ-X c.).  The sculptor and architect was the famous talented architect Momik. To the north of the main temple is the tomb of the Orbelian family. The temple is decorated with images of the Mother of God with a baby, God the father, the crucifixion of Christ, as well as a large number of openwork cross stones. The nearby church of Surb Astvatsatsin (Mother of God) is a highly artistic monument. 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 cantilevered staircases leading to the second floor.

Optional: Off road drive to the observation plateau where you can enjoy breathtaking views of the terracotta cliffs and the amazing landscape. With binoculars you can get a close up look at the endangered species of ibexes galloping up the steep cliffs.

Drive through Areni, the cradle of winemaking. During recent archaeological excavations in the Areni region (Vayots Dzor province), a 6100-year-old winery and 5 wine cellars was discovered. Archaeologists found containers for pressing grapes, fermentation and storage of wine, drinking bowls, vines and seeds. This winery and cellar is now recognized as the oldest in the world. Archaeologists speculate 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 chalices found at burial sites. According to Armenian and American scholars, these are the world’s only complete and most ancient excavations of wine production (more than 6000 years). These findings indicate the high level of wine production in those times on the territory of Armenia.

Visit to the “Hin Areni” winery, tour of the winery and tasting of wines of different varieties.

Return to Yerevaan.

Overnight in Yerevan.

Breakfast at the hotel.

Sightseeing tour of Yerevan, an ancient (29 years older than Rome) and at the same time modern, beautiful city with a unique flavor against the backdrop of the majestic biblical Mount Ararat.  The sightseeing tour includes acquaintance with city center and its sights: Republic Square, Abovyan Street, North Avenue, Opera and Ballet building, Swan Lake, Monument with panoramic view of the city.

Walk at the Cascade Complex, where the Gafeschyan Art Center is located. Artistic environment, beautiful setting, panoramic view of the city and Mount Ararat make unforgettable impressions. Cozy open-air cafes, beautiful sculptures, fragrant flowers near the five-level staircase have made this place popular among locals and guests of the capital, who enjoy the magic and warmth of the city.

A visit to the 1915 Genocide Victims Memorial to commemorate the 1.5 million Armenians exterminated in Western Armenia and the Ottoman Empire.

Excursion to the world-famous Yerevan “Ararat” brandy factory, which preserves the traditions of producing legendary cognac since 1887. For 1 hour the visitors are given an opportunity to familiarize themselves with the process of cognac production process, with the museum of the factory, to taste different varieties of cognac of different degrees of ageing, as well as to buy real Armenian brandy in the store directly on the territory of the factory.

Travel to Echmiadzin (Vagharshapat), the ancient capital of Armenia. From the IV century to the present day it is the largest religious center, the permanent residence of the head of the Armenian Church – Catholicos.

Echmiadzin Cathedral is the center of the Armenian Apostolic Church. It was founded in 301 by Gregory the Illuminator. Later it was reconstructed, completed and nowadays it is a complex, that includes the Cathedral, the Theological Academy, the Residence of the Catholicos of All Armenians, Synod of the Armenian Church, library.  The museum of the cathedral, located behind the altar, contains  a collection of decorative and applied art objects related to the liturgy, items made of gold, silver, precious stones, jewelry, a huge silver cauldron for myrrh brewing and the legendary “holy lance”.

Trip to one of the architectural wonders of Armenia Zvartnots temple (641-661 AD) or the temple of “Watching Forces”. It is a former three-tiered structure, supported by massive columns with images of eagles, decorated with carved vines, pomegranate, pametta and acapra branches. The remaining ruins give a glimpse of the rare beauty of this temple.

The temple is listed as a UNESCO World Heritage Site (2000).

Transfer to the airport. Departure.