Armenia’s Holy Legacy: A Pilgrim’s Path

Arrival to Yerevan. Meeting at the airport, transfer to the hotel. Check -in.

Overnight in Yerevan.

Breakfast at the hotel.

Discover Yerevan with a guided city tour, including City center, Republic Square, Northern Avenue, the Mother Armenia Monument, Parliament, President’s Palace, Opera House, Swan Lake and Genocide Memorial, dedicated to the Victims of 1915 and the Genocide Museum.

Visit Matenadaran, home to one of the world’s largest collections of 17,000 ancient manuscripts. This outstanding collection includes manuscripts dating from 7th century and is widely appreciated by history and art amateurs and professionals.

Explore Cascade Complex, the hub of contemporary art in Yerevan with art pieces displayed throughout the whole area: the boulevard and up the stairs. From top of Cascade the marvelous panoramic view on the city and Mountain Ararat is open. Cascade is home to Cafesjian 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. It is also a popular place for open air concerts at summer season.

Visit the Cathedral of St. Gregory the Illuminator, which is currently the largest cathedral of the Armenian Apostolic Church.

Optional: Very interesting one hour tour around Armenian brandy factory offers tourists familiarization with the history of the plant, process of brandy preparation, showrooms and halls of storages. Visitors will also have degustation of 2 types of brandy in degustation hall. Brandy shop at the factory territory will be available for purchasing of these famous Armenian brandy directly from the factory.

Overnight in Yerevan.

Breakfast at the hotel. Drive to Etchmiadzin City, which is used to be the ancient capital of Armenia. Since 4th century, it is the largest religious center, the residency of Catholicos 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. Later, it was rebuilt and currently it stands as a complex including the Cathedral, Spiritual Academy, residency of the Catholicos of all Armenians, Synod of Armenian Church and a library. The museum of the Cathedral 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.

Every Sunday there is opportunity to participate in Sunday Mass.

Visit the church of St. Gayane (VII c.), who died for the spread of Christianity in Armenia. It is located to the south from the Cathedral and was founded in 630 by Catholicos Ezr.

Before entering in the town of Echmiadzin visit the majestic St. Hripsime Church. The legend of Hripsime dates from the early days of Christianity. Hripsime fled to Armenia to escape persecution by the Roman Emperor Diocletian. A beautiful but totally devoted follower of Christ, Hripsime refused to marry the pagan Armenian King Tirdat III when ordered, and chose the death of a martyr. A small chapel was erected over the spot where she was murdered. In the 7th century a wondrous church – a masterpiece of Armenian architecture – was built in its place by order of Catholicos Komitas.

Another highlight is the visit to the Church of St. Shoghakat, also part of the spiritual complex of Echmiadzin. According to legend, this church was built where a divine ray (“Shoghakat”) fell on the martyrs. Built in the 17th century, this church offers a peaceful atmosphere and spectacular views of the surrounding landscape.

A trip to one of the architectural wonders of Armenia: Zvartnots temple (641-661 BC) the temple of “Vigil Forces”, which got its name from the word “Zwart”, which translated from Armenian means “joyful and beautiful.” The remaining ruins give an idea of the rare beauty of this temple. The temple is listed as a UNESCO World Heritage Site (2000).

Overnight in Yerevan

Breakfast at the hotel. Drive to Ararat valley towards Khor Virap Church, an important Christian pilgrimage site located atop a small dungeon where St. Gregory the Illuminator was imprisoned for spreading Christianity in Armenia for 13 years. St. Gregory’s release in 301 AD marked a pivotal moment in history, as Armenia became the first nation in the world to adopt Christianity as its state religion.

Here you can also see the closest and most spectacular view of the gorgeous biblical mountain Ararat (where Noah’s ark has landed according to Bible) shining with its two white peaks. From this area Ararat is so near that one feels he can touch those two peaks of the mountain. The hills adjoining Khor Virap were once the site of the ancient capital of Armenia, Artashat, established around 180 B.C. by King Artashes I, the founder of the Artashesid dynasty. Notably, Artashat is one of the few ancient towns designed by the special project by the renowned Carthaginian general Hannibal, who sought refuge in Armenia after his defeat in a war against Rome.

Continue the tour to Areni Winery for a wine tasting experience in one of Armenia’s historic wine regions, known for the discovery of the world’s oldest winery (dating back 6000 years), alongside five ancient wineries.  These remarkable discoveries include tools and objects used in winemaking, such as a wine press for stomping grapes, fermentation and storage vessels, and drinking cups. Areni stands out as the first archaeological site where the complete wine production process of ancient times has been fully observed.

Adding to its historical significance, in 2008, archaeologists discovered a 5,500-year-old leather shoe in Areni. Made from a single piece of leather, this extraordinary find is several centuries older than the shoe worn by Ötzi the Iceman, making it the oldest known leather footwear in the world.

Next stop is Noravank monastery complex (XIII century) – a major religious and cultural center. The magnificent landscape of mountains, surrounding the monastery, displays a beautiful array of colors from the sun’s reflection. The monastery is remarkable not only for its position among the red rocks but also for its extreme architectural value. The monastery is rich with the Armenian emblematic frets. Many visitors find the view so mesmerizing that they opt to walk the final stretch to the monastery, capturing the beauty of the canyon and its unique rock formations. This masterpiece is closely linked to the medieval Armenian architect and sculptor Momik, whose works adorn this remarkable site.

Drive to the southern part of Armenia – Goris. On way visit Qarahunj or Zorats Karer, which  is proved to be one of the oldest, 7500 years old observatories in the world. Currently it stands as precisely arranged stones in the field with the holes that were used for astrological observations. The petroglyphs found nearby Karahunj prove that the early inhabitants in Armenia were well aware of astrology. Karahunj has been named by tourists “the Armenian Stonehenge”.

Continue to Goris, check in hotel.

Overnight in Goris

Breakfast at the hotel. Drive to Tatev Monastery, enjoying spectacular view of the scenery around, passing Devil’s bridge. View of recently constructed rope way – the longest in the world (5,7 km), recorded in Guinnes record book. Optional: ride on the longest ropeway in the world over the canyons to the Monastery of Tatev and back.

Drive to Sevan Lake one of the greatest high mountainous freshwater lakes of Eurasia, via Selim pass. On a way visit Selim Pass Karavansaray, this was used for having a rest by Silk Road caravans.

Visit to Noraduz, which is the cemetery, located near Sevan Lake, a field with a lot of well preserved khachkars or cross stones of medieval times. It represents the pearl of medieval Christian culture. Check-in hotel in Sevan.

Overnight in Sevan

Breakfast at the hotel. In Sevan, climb on Akhtamar peninsula from where the fascinating view on the Lake is open. Visit Sevanavank monastery, which stands in its greatness on the peninsula overlooking the lake for centuries.

Drive to mountainous resort Dilijan, or so called “Armenian Switzerland”, which is well-known for its forests as well as for its mysterious flora and fauna. During the drive one can enjoy the unbelievable change of the surrounding environment and land shaft from the mountainous lake to the green and rich forest mountains. Small walking city tour in Dilijan: visit to handicrafts’ street, where one can watch the preparation of different national souvenirs from wood, stone and ceramics.

Visit to Haghartsin Monastery complex which is located in the secluded place of the forest. Haghartsin dates back to 11-13th century and represent a magnificent piece of history, culture and architecture. The place is so unique and the scenery with the nature surrounding it is so breathtaking that most of visitors are in awe. Appearing unexpectedly, out of the dense forests, in front of the visitors, the Monastery creates a magical impression of a lost world. Complex includes Church St. Stepanos, St. Mary and St. Gregory’s Church, as well as famous refectory. Visit the monastery of Goshavank (XII-XIII centuries), located in the forest, it is a true architectural treasure.

Overnight in Dilijan

Breakfast at the hotel.

Trip to the northern Armenia, the magical place of forested mountains and deep canyons. Visit the masterpieces of medieval Armenian architecture – Sanahin Monastery (centuries IX – XII) and Haghpat Monastery (centuries XI – XIII), which are included in the list of UNESCO World Heritage (2000). They are located in the northern part of Armenia, in the region of Lori, near the town of Alaverdi. The monasteries were important religious centers as around 500 monks lived there. They were also schools and manuscript repositories.

Sanahin Monastery is among the most famous monasteries of medieval Armenia. It is a complex of Churches included the Church of Holy Mother of God, the Church of San Amenaprkich, the Chapel of San Gregorio (X century), a building of the Academy (XI century), a depositary (XI century), a building of Gallery (X century), a hall (XII century) and bells (XIII century). All these buildings are around the ancient Church of Blessed Virgin old Church.  The academy was historically known as Grigor Pahlavuni Academy, where great attention to the arts and humanities was paid to the arts and humanities. Famous Armenian scientists taught at the academy. In the twelfth century, Sanahin had a medical school. There were many notable people who graduated from the school; one of them is the singer and musician national Sayat-Nova.

Visit to Haghpat Monastery, located in the north-eastern part of Sanahin, was built with its resemblance. The monastery’s bell tower, built in 1245, stands apart from the main ensemble of monuments, and is one of the most beautiful examples of its kind from the medieval period in Armenia. The complex was once home to libraries, scriptoriums, schools and refectories. Arts and humanities, theology, painting were taught here. The most interesting feature about Haghpat is the refectory (XIII c.).

Drive to Akhtala monastery, which was built in 13th c. and is unique for having well preserved fresco paintings on inside walls. The village, where the monastery is located, is situated on the left bank of river Debed. There are numerous archaeological sites surrounding the village.

Continue to Yerevan. Check in hotel.

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 77AD by King Trdat (Arshakid Dynasty). The temple is Greco-Roman style with characteristic pillars. It stands proudly on a rocky ridge with a deep canyon presenting a beautiful view. The temple was a summer residence for Arshakid dynasty. Visit to the ruins of Royal Palace and Royal bath-house nearby. Canyon of Garni -magnificent and outstanding scene which creates the image of falling crags. It obtained the name “Symphony of Stones” due to its view. The fantastic landscape of Garni canyon shakes the human imagination.

Drive to the unique caved temple St. Geghard (12th -13thcc.), the name of which means “holy spear” in the honor of the long-preserved spear, the same spear that pierced the body of crucified Christ. It is now exhibited in the museum of Etchmiadzin Cathedral. Geghard Monastery is included in the UNESCO World Heritage list (2000). The monastery is hidden in the majestic rocks and this scene creates an impression that the rocks have been protecting the ancient monastery for ages.

Family hosted lunch in village house with watching of “Lavash” (Armenian traditional flat bread baked in stonemake oven) making process.

Optional: Possibility to organize liturgical song concert with choir.

Overnight in Yerevan.