Armenia In a Week

Day 1 ARRIVAL

Arrival at the Zvartnots international airport. Meeting your tour guide and private transfer to the hotel. Accommodation at the hotel in Yerevan.

 

Day 2 YEREVAN CITY TOUR-BRANDY FACTORY-HISTORY MUSEUM (60km)

Breakfast at the hotel.
After breakfast we’ll start our sightseeing tour around the vibrant city Yerevan. Being established in 782 BC, nowadays Yerevan is a thriving city with the excitement, hustle and bustle of a modern capital. We start our exploration from the Republic Square, the masterpiece of the architect Alexander Tamanian. Continue to the Opera
House, a stunning architectural piece and the hub of Yerevan. Freedom Square is just behind, surrounded by parks which have been taken over by outdoor cafes, and finally Swan Lake. We visit Cascade Complex, an open-air museum of modern art with massive stairways leading up to the Victory Park providing a fantastic overlook to the entire city from above. The complex links the historic residential and cultural centers of the city with a vast area of waterfalls and outdoor gardens. Visit Tsitsernakaberd Memorial park and the museum of the victims of Genocide.
Then we visit Ararat Brandy Company to taste “The Aged Brandies” of different years. The legendary Ararat brandy is considered the pride of many generations and a global symbol of Armenia. Here we’ll have an opportunity to taste 3 types of best iconic brandy.
Afterwards, we’ll visit Armenian History Museum where more than 87,000 objects are exposed telling a vivid story about the past and the present of the capital city and its people (closed on Monday).
Overnight at the hotel in Yerevan

 

Day 3 YEREVAN-ZVARTNOTS-ECHMIADZIN-ALPHABET PARK-SAGHMOSOVANK (90 km)

Breakfast at the hotel.
After breakfast we’ll drive to visit The Echmiadzin Cathedral – the mother church of the Armenian Apostolic Church is located and is often considered the oldest cathedral in the world.
On the way stop at the ruins of Zvartnots temple (closed on Monday) – the pearl of the 7th c. architecture (inscribed in UNESCO World Heritage list). The Echmiadzin Cathedral is the oldest standing church in Christendom built in 303 AD over a pagan fire altar. This landmark is also protected by UNESCO as a World Heritage Site.
Drive to the Armenian alphabet park, a huge stones representing each of Armenian letter, the favorite place for the photography lovers. Set against the backdrop of Armenia’s Mt. Aragats, the letters and a statue of Mashtots pay tribute to the complex and unique language, a national point of pride of Armenia. Visit Saghmosavank Monastery- a 13th -century Armenian monastic complex located in the village of Saghmosavan in the Aragatsotn Province of Armenia. Saghmosavank is situated atop the precipitous gorge carved by the Kasagh river.
Arrive in Yerevan.
Overnight at the hotel in Yerevan.

 

Day 4 YEREVAN-KHOR VIRAP-NORAVANK-TUSHPA WINERY-YEREVAN (250 km)

Breakfast at the hotel.
After breakfast we’ll drive to Khor Virap Monastery, a real piece of history. The religious importance of the monastery is related to the first Armenian Catholicos, Grigor Illuminator who introduces Christianity to Armenia. It stands before the snowcapped flanks of Mount Ararat offering astounding view of the mountain – the national symbol of Armenia.
Continue tour to Noravank monastery – religious and cultural center of 13th c. It is situated in a narrow gorge which is known for its’ tall, sheer, brick red cliffs, directly across from the monastery. The beauty of this monastery is appreciated by thousands of visitors not only because of its architecture and history, but for its harmony with surrounding fabulous nature.
Visit Tushpa Wine Cellar, where you will experience wine degustation, tasting the best wines f the region. Drive back to Yerevan.
Overnight at the hotel in Yerevan.

 

Day 5 YEREVAN-NORATOUS-LAKE SEVAN-DILIJAN-HAGHARTSIN (285 km)

Breakfast at the hotel.
After breakfast we’ll head to Noratous, a cozy village adjacent to the lake. The village is huge medieval-modern cemetery, covering an area of 7 hectares.
and an impressive array of early khachkars (Armenian cross stones). Noratus is considered to be the world’s biggest khachkars collection.
Our next stop is Lake Sevan, the so called “Blue Pearl of Armenia”. This huge mountain lake, which takes up to 5% of Armenia’s surface area, is about 2,000 meters above sea level and is the second highest freshwater lake in the world.
Visit Sevanavank Monastery or “The Black Monastery” built in the 9th century.
Then, we will explore a resort town of Dilijan, often referred to as the “Little Switzerland of Armenia’’. The mountainous areas are all covered with thick forests occupying 94% of the territory. Take a walk in Old Dilijan, photo stop at Sharambeyan street.
Visit Haghartsin Monastery a 13th century monastery located near the town of Dilijan in the Tavush Province. Drive back to Yerevan.
Overnight at the hotel Yerevan. 

 

Day 6 YEREVAN-GARNI-GEGHARD-FRUIT MARKET-VARNISSAGEY (80 km)

Breakfast at the hotel.
After breakfast drive to Garni village to visit Garni Temple dating back to the 1st century. The citadel and pagan temple of Garni is a picturesque monument of the Hellenistic period and an impressive piece of ancient Armenian architecture. After adopting Christianity in 301, the pagan temple lost its significance and the fortress of Garni became the summer residence of the kings.
Near Garni will have an opportunity to see Armenian national bread “lavash” baking process in the
underground stove called “tonir”. When lavash is ready we’ll taste it with Armenian greens.
Then we visit Geghard Monastery. The spectacular towering cliffs surrounding the monastery are part of the Azat River gorge, and are included together with the monastery in the UNESCO World Heritage Site listing. Some of the chambers within the complex are entirely dug out of the cliff rocks, others are little more than caves, while others are elaborate structures, with both architecturally complex walled sections and rooms deep inside the cliff.
Return to Yerevan.
Visit Fruit market full of Armenian fresh fruits and vegetables. Here we’ll enjoy homemade treats and get a real taste of local life in Yerevan.
Afterwards visit Vernissage flea market, where you can find handmade jewelry, carpets and paintings.
Overnight at the hotel Yerevan.

 

Day 7 DEPARTURE

Transfer to the airport and departure home.