Day 1: Depart from London Heathrow/Gatwick
Arrival in Zvartnots Int. airport. Transfer to the hotel. Check-in and rest.
Day 2: Yerevan city tour -Tsitsernakaberd memorial – Echmiadzin-Zvartnots-Yerevan
Breakfast at hotel. Start our exploration of the vibrant capital of Armenia, Yerevan. We start our tour from the Republic Square, the masterpiece of the architect Alexander Tamanian. Continue to Cascade Complex, an open-air museum of modern art. The complex links the downtown with the residential area with massive stairways leading up to the Victory Park providing a fantastic overlook to the entire downtown from above. The monument to Mother Armenia is standing tall in the park carefully guarding the city from above. Next we are in the Opera House, a remarkable sample of urban architecture and a lively hub of the city. Visit to the Tsitsernakaberd Memorial park of the victims of Genocide (1915). Drive to Echmiadzin – the place where the only Begotten descended. Visit the treasury museum. Holy Echmiadzin is the whole Armenians’ spiritual center and one of the centers of Christianity all over the world. Visit the ruins of Zvartnots temple – the pearl of the 7th century architecture, which is listed as a UNESCO World Heritage. Drive back to Yerevan.
Overnight at the Hotel Ani Plaza 4* in Yerevan. (B/-/-)
Day 3: Yerevan -Khor Virap-Noravank-“Tushpa” winery-Yerevan
Breakfast at the hotel. Head for exploration of Ararat region. Visit Khor-Virap monastery 4- 17th cc. 45 km. from Yerevan. The monastery of Khor-Virap has a very rich history, both religious and secular. Khor Virap was built in Artashat during the reign of the Arshakids dynasty. At that time it was used as a pit- dungeon for convicts. It is situated in the Ararat valley against the biblical Ararat Mountain, were Noah’s arch cast anchor. The importance of it is connected with Gregory the Illuminator, who introduced Christianity to Armenia and is considered to be the first Armenian catholicos. Continue tour to Noravank monastery – a great religious and cultural center of 12th c. Noravank (“New Monastery”) is 122 km away from Yerevan and is located in an inaccessible location throughout the stunning nature. On the way back visit Tushpa winery and have degustation of Armenian wine. Drive back to Yerevan.
Overnight at the Hotel Ani Plaza 4* in Yerevan. (B/-/-)
Day 4: Yerevan- Garni- Geghard -History Museum/National Gallery
Breakfast at the hotel. Drive to Garni Temple, a Hellenistic monuments built in 1st c A.D. The temple is the only standing monument in its style and is dedicated to ancient god of the sun. Our next visit is Cave Monastery Geghard-a magnificent monument of medieval Armenian architecture inscribed in UNESCO World Heritage list. Geghard is a unique monument in the whole country being carved out of adjacent rocks. Drive back to Yerevan. Visit History Museum of Armenia or National Gallery (closed on Monday). In the History museum the important archaeological collection from Stone Age through Medieval periods are kept, also the world’s oldest leather shoe, stunningly preserved. National Gallery is the country’s major art gallery. The collection displayed in the fifty-six halls gives an idea of the history of the national fine art and decorative-applied art as well as presents world art from ancient times till present day.
Overnight at the Hotel Ani Plaza 4* in Yerevan. (B/-/-)
Day 5: Yerevan -Sevan-Dilijan-Fialetovo-Yerevan
Start the sightseeing tour to lake Sevan, which is about 70 miles north of Yerevan. This huge mountain lake, which takes up to 5% of Armenia’s surface area and is about 2,000 meters above sea level, is one of the highest among the freshwater lakes in the world. Visit the romantic Sevanavank Monastery (9th c.) on the Peninsula that has long been a military shelter for Armenian kings. Continue to Fioletovo village mainly inhabited by Russian sect, molokans (translated as “milk drinkers”). Our host will treat us with Russian pancakes and tea from ‘samovar’ and share stories from their daily life, unique culture and traditions. Continue to a resort town of Dilijan often referred to as the “Little Switzerland of Armenia’’. Home to numerous Armenian artists, composers and filmmakers, the town features some traditional Armenian architecture. Have a short city tour in Sharmbeyan Street, often known as “old Dilijan”. Drive Back to Yerevan.
Overnight at a Hotel Ani Plaza 4* in Yerevan. (B/-/-)
Day 6: Yerevan-Amberd-Letter park- Saghmosavank- “Sujukh” Master class-Fruit Market
Drive to Aragatsotn region. Have a stop at Armenian Alphabet Park(Letter park), huge stone monument dedicated to the Armenian letters. Visit Amberd, which is a 10th-century fortress located 2,300 meters above sea level, on the slopes of Mount Aragats at the confluence of the Arkashen and Amberd rivers Yerevan. Drive to 13th century monastery of Saghmosavank which was a significant center for quality scholarship and calligraphy, with an established medieval higher structure of schooling. The monastery is situated atop the precipitous gorge carved by the Kasagh river. Visit a local house for tea/coffee break and a master class of traditional Armenian sweets, known as “Sujukh”. Drive back to Yerevan. Visit Yerevan Food & Fruit Market complete with alleys of Armenian flatbread “lavash”, fresh vegetables, dried fruits and local sweets to take with you.
Overnight at the Hotel Ani Plaza 4* in Yerevan. (B/-/-)
Day 7: Free Day
(No guide/transportation) (B/-/-)
Free day and the last chance for the glimpse of vibrand capital Yerevan.
Overnight at a Hotel Ani Plaza 4* in Yerevan. (B/-/-)
Day 8: Departure
Transfer to the Airport. (B/-/-)