Tours

BEST OF ARMENIA

9 days/8 nights

Dates of departure 

Itinerary

Day 1/2 : Depart to Yerevan – Yerevan / Monument of Genocide / Museum of History
Arrive at Zvartnots International airport early in the morning, transfer to the hotel. Accommodation. Yerevan. City tour. State University of Yerevan, Parliament Building. President’s Residence, Academy of Sciences, Opera House, Cascade, the statue of Alexander Tamanyan – the architect of Yerevan, Mother Armenia statue. Visit the Monument and Museum of Genocide, situated on the hill of “Tsitsernakaberd”. This monument is erected to commemorate the memory of 1,5 million Armenians, massacred by Turks in 1915. Lunch at the local restaurant. Visit State History Museum of Armenia, situated on Republic Square. Dinner and overnight at the hotel in Yerevan.

Day 3 : Yerevan / Etchmiatsin / Hripsime / Zvartnots / Vernissage

Yerevan. Drive to Echmiadzin town, the center of Armenian Christianity. Etchmiatsin has a unique place in Armenia's heritage. It is an ancient settlement with a history going back to the reign of the King Vagharsh, 117-140AD. Its present name is taken from the legend which tells that the Only Begotten Son, Christ, came down to this site and with his golden hammer showed Grigor Lousavorich (the Illuminator) the place where the first Christian church was to be built. The word itself means "the place, where the only Begotten descended". Thus, Etchmiatsin is the spiritual center of Armenia and all Armenians, the seat of the Catholicos of all Armenians. Visit St. Hripsime church (618) and the Cathedral (303), included in UNESCO World Heritage List. Sunday Mass. On the way back to Yerevan visit Zvartnots temple (643AD), included in UNESCO World Heritage List. Lunch at the restaurant. Vernissage – open –air flee market. Free time for shopping. Dinner at the restaurant. Overnight at the hotel in Yerevan.

Day 4: Yerevan / Sanahin / Haghpat / Yerevan

Drive to the North via Spitak and Vanadzor towns. Alaverdi town. The territory where these fine pieces of medieval architecture are situated is famous from the V mil. BC. It was Tashir province of Gougaratz Ashkharh (Arm. word for "world"). The nature is extraordinary here. You can explore high and rugged mountains, deep ravines, lush forests and medieval architectural monuments comfortably fitted into the surroundings and nature. Visit Haghpat monastic ensemble (10-13th cc.), one of the gemstones of this region, included in UNESCO World Heritage List. Lunch at the local restaurant. Visit Sanahin monastic complex (10-13th cc.), included in UNESCO World Heritage List. Sanahin Village is famous as a birthplace of Mikoyan brothers. Photo stop at the House-museum of Mikoyan brothers – Anastas (famous political leader) and Artem (designer of MIG fighter series). Both monastic complexes were great spiritual and cultural centres where many famous Armenian people lived and worked, writing and copying numerous manuscripts, decorated with miniatures.  Drive back to Yerevan. Dinner at the restaurant. Overnight at the hotel. 

Day  5: Yerevan / Khor Virap /Areni / Noravank / Yerevan

Yerevan. Drive to Ararat region. Visit Khor Virap Monastery (4-17th cc.), where Gregory the Illuminator was imprisoned for 13 years by Armenian king Trdat III. Khor-Virap monastic complex has a special place in the Armenian architectural heritage. It is near Artashat town, which once was one of the twelve capitals of Armenia. Built in the 4-17th cc in the Ararat Valley, Khor Virap monastery has Biblical Ararat in the background. Then continue towards Vayotz Dzor region, spread on the banks of the Arpa River. Visit winery in Areni village, tasting of local wine. Drive to Noravank Monastery (12 –14th cc.). The road winds through the gorge, giving you a nice chance to be fascinated by the unrivalled views. Lunch. Visit Noravank Monastery which has a special place in the architectural heritage of Armenia. It was the cultural and spiritual center of historical Syounik region in the 13th c. Constructional, sculptural and ornamental works were realized by the outstanding and skillful masters of the period, such as Siranness and Momik. Return to Yerevan. Dinner at the restaurant. Overnight at the hotel in Yerevan.

Day 6: Yerevan / Sevan / Dilijan / Noraduz / Yerevan

Yerevan. Drive to Gegharkunik region. Sevan Lake, is surely one of Armenia's most idyllic beauty spots. Its viewpoint within the Geghama mountain range is admired and photographed by thousands of visitors each year. Visit the peninsula and Sevanavank Monastery (874).  Once an island, the peninsula provides a panoramic view over the lake. The guide's story will take you to the times of the reign of the king Ashot Erkat (Ashot the Iron, 10th c.), adding more charm to your visit. Drive to Tavush region. Dilijan – Armenian Switzerland. Dilijan is a pleasant resort town in the northwest of Yerevan. It expands on terraced hillsides and blends with woods. The Bazum and Pambak mountain ranges embrace the town. Visit Haghartsin monastery (10-13th cc). Located in the dense forest, it is one of Armenia's most evocative sites. Lunch. Drive to Noraduz village and visit the medieval cemetery of khachkars (Cross-Stones), executed in delicate patterns and ornamentation. Words are not enough to describe the skillfulness of the work done and the richness of the ornamentation. Return to Yerevan. Dinner at the restaurant. Overnight at the hotel in Yerevan.

Day 7 : Yerevan / Ashtarak / Hamberd fortress / Saghmosavank / Yerevan / Parajanov Museum

Drive towards Aragatsotn region. Ashtarak town. Visit Karmravor church (7th c.). Visit Hamberd medieval fortress (10–13th cc). Stop near the “Garden of Stone-letters”. It was erected in 2005, when Armenians were celebrating the 1600th anniversary of the creation of Armenian alphabet. Lunch. Visit Saghmosavank (Psalm monastery) built in 12-13th cc. with wonderful view over the canyon of the river Kasakh. Drive back to Yerevan. Visit the museum of Armenian filmmaker - Sergey Parajanov, famous for its wonderful art and collages. Dinner at the restaurant. Overnight at the hotel.

Day 8 : Yerevan / Matenadran / Garni / Geghard / Yerevan

Yerevan. Visit Matenadaran – institute and museum of medieval manuscripts.Drive to Kotayk region. Visit Garni pagan temple (77AD) with the rampart and other monuments nearby such as the ruins of the palace complex, bathhouse and a V century round church, having a distinguished place in the architectural heritage. The whole complex is erected on a triangular plateau. The Temple, called "the Temple of Sun" is dedicated to the heathen god “Mithra”. Lunch. Then continue to Geghard monastery (4-13th cc.), carved in rocks. This spectacular place, included in UNESCO World Heritage List, has its special history. Dating back to the pagan times, this is the place where the Lance, piercing the side of Christ when he was on the cross, was kept. The sound acoustics of the rock-cut halls give an excellent opportunity to many church singers to try their voices here. Return to Yerevan. Parting dinner at the restaurant. Overnight at the hotel in Yerevan.

Day 9: Departure

Transfer to the airport and depart.

Rates, including commission for Travel Agents

Package price p.p. in DBL room

The package includes:

-          8 nights at the hotels

-          Full Board (from breakfast on Day 2 to dinner on Day 8)

-          Transportation for the itinerary

-          ESG

-          All entrance fees

-          All local taxes

Conditions:

Minimum number of participants: 2

Maximum number of participants: 25

EASTER 2010 IN ARMENIA

Ancient Christian Culture at the Foot of Biblical Mt. Ararat

9 days/8 nights

GUARANTEED DEPARTURE DATE

31 March – 08 April,  2010

31.03/01.04.2009  – Day 1/2 : Depart to Yerevan – Yerevan / Museum of History/ Matenadran 
Arrive at Zvartnots International airport early in the morning, transfer to the hotel. Accommodation. Yerevan. City tour. State University of Yerevan, Parliament Building. President’s Residence, Academy of the Sciences, Opera House, Cascade, the statue of Alexander Tamanyan – the architect of Yerevan, Mother Armenia statue. Visit State History Museum of Armenia, situated on Republic Square. Lunch at the local restaurant. Visit Matenadaran – institute and museum of medieval manuscripts. Visit St. Gregory Illuminator’s Church, built in 2001 when Armenians celebrated 1700th anniversary of adopting Christianity as state religion. Maundy Thursday and participation in Feet washing celebration. Dinner and overnight at the hotel in Yerevan.

02.04.2009 – Day 3: Odzun / Sanahin / Haghpat / Yerevan

Drive to the North via Spitak and Vanadzor towns. Alaverdi town. The territory where these fine pieces of medieval architecture are situated is famous from the V mil. BC. It was Tashir province of Gougaratz Ashkharh (Arm. word for "world"). The nature is extraordinary here. You can explore high and rugged mountains, deep ravines, lush forests and medieval architectural monuments comfortably fitted into the surroundings and nature. Visit Odzun basilica church (6th c), Haghpat and Sanahin monastic ensembles (X-XIII cc.), the last two, the gemstones of this region, are included in UNESCO World Heritage List. They were great spiritual and cultural centres where many famous Armenian people lived and worked, writing and copying numerous manuscripts, decorated with miniatures. Lunch at the local restaurant. Drive back to Yerevan. Dinner at the restaurant. Overnight at the hotel.

03.04.2009 – Day  4: Yerevan / Khor Virap /Areni /  Noravank

Yerevan. Drive to Khor Virap Monastery (4-17th cc.), where Gregory the Illuminator was imprisoned for 13 years by Armenian king Trdat III. Khor-Virap monastic complex has a special place in the Armenian architectural heritage. It is near Artashat town, which once was one of the twelve capitals of Armenia. Built in the IV-XVII cc in the Ararat Valley, Khor Virap monastery has Biblical Ararat in the background. Then continue towards Vayotz Dzor region, spread on the banks of the Arpa River. Visit winery in Areni village, tasting of local wine. Drive to Noravank Monastery (12 –14th cc.). The road winds through the gorge, giving you a nice chance to be fascinated by the unrivalled views. Lunch. Visit Noravank Monastery which has a special place in the architectural heritage of Armenia. It was the cultural and spiritual center of historical Syounik region in the 13th c. Constructional, sculptural and ornamental works were realized by the outstanding and skillful masters of the period, such as Siranness and Momik. Return to Yerevan. Easter Eve. Holy Saturday Feast Dinner. Overnight at the hotel in Yerevan.

04.04.2009 – Day 5 : Holy Easter Day - Etchmiatsin / Hripsime / Gayane / Zvartnots

Yerevan. Drive to Echmiadzin town, the center of Armenian Christianity. Etchmiatsin has a unique place in Armenia's heritage. It is an ancient settlement with a history going back to the reign of the King Vagharsh, 117-140AD. Its present name is taken from the legend which tells that the Only Begotten Son, Christ, came down to this site and with his golden hammer showed Grigor Lousavorich (the Illuminator) the place where the first Christian church was to be built. The word itself means "the place, where the only Begotten descended". Thus Etchmiatsin is the spiritual center of Armenia and all Armenians, the seat of the Catholicos of all Armenians. Visit St. Hripsime (618) church and the Cathedral (303) - participation in the Feast of the Glorious Resurrection of Our Lord Jesus Christ (Easter Sunday), performed by the Head of the Armenian Apostolic church, the Supreme Patriarch and Catholicos of All Armenians – His Holiness Garegin II. Visit St. Gayane church (630). Lunch at the restaurant. On the way back visit Zvartnots temple (643AD). Feast of Holy Easter. Overnight at the hotel in Yerevan.

05.04.2009 - Day 6: Tsaghkadzor / Dilijan / Sevan / Noraduz  

Yerevan. Drive to Kotayk region. Tsaghkadzor town – Gorge of Flowers. This town is located on the eastern slope of Teghenis Mountain 1845 m. above sea level. Visit Kecharis monastery, participation in the Commemoration Liturgy of the Dead. Drive to Dilijan – Armenian Switzerland. Dilijan is a pleasant resort town in the northwest of Yerevan. It expands on terraced hillsides and blends with woods. The Bazum and Pambak mountain ranges embrace the town. Visit Haghartsin monastery (10-13th cc). Located in the dense forest, it is one of Armenia's most evocative sites. Lunch. Drive to Gegharkunik region. Sevan, is surely one of Armenia's most idyllic beauty spots. Its viewpoint within the Geghama mountain range is admired and photographed by thousands of visitors each year. Visit the peninsula and Sevanavank Monastery.  Once an island, the peninsula provides a panoramic view over the lake. The guide's story will take you to the times of the reign of the king Ashot Erkat (Ashot the Iron, X c.), adding more charm to your visit. Drive to Noraduz village and visit the medieval cemetery of khachkars (Cross-Stones), executed in delicate patterns and ornamentation. Words are not enough to describe the skillfulness of the work done and the richness of the ornamentation. Return to Yerevan. Dinner at the restaurant. Overnight at the hotel in Yerevan. 

06.04.2009  – Day 7 : Monument of Genocide /  Hovhanavank / Saghmosavank / Yerevan

Visit the Monument of Genocide, situated on the hill of “Tsitsernakaberd”. This monument is erected to commemorate the memory of 1,5 million Armenians, massacred by Turks in 1915. Drive towards Aragatsotn

region. Visit Hovanavank monastery complex (5-13th cc.). The monastery was dedicated to John the Baptist, and has a 12th c. fortification wall with towers to the West, a 13th c. church and gavit (a rebuilding financed in part by Kurd Vachutian) and an early single-aisle church. Lunch. Visit Saghmosavank (Psalm monastery) built in 12-13th cc. with wonderful view over the canyon of the river Kasakh. Drive back to Yerevan. Dinner at the restaurant. Overnight at the hotel.

07.04.2009 – Day 8 : Garni / Geghard / Museum of Parajanov

Yerevan. Drive to Kotayk region. Visit Garni pagan temple (77AD) with the rampart and other monuments nearby such as the ruins of the palace complex, bathhouse and a V century round church, having a distinguished place in the architectural heritage. The whole complex is erected on a triangular plateau. The Temple, called "the Temple of Sun" is dedicated to the heathen god “Mithra”. Then continue to Geghard monastery (13-14th cc.), carved in rocks. This spectacular place has its special history. Dating back to the pagan times, this is the place where the Lance, piercing the side of Christ when he was on the cross, was kept. According to historical records Ayrivank rock-cut monastery came into existence in the IV c. Later in the XII c. the second hall was hewn out and in the XIII c. the church of Astvatsatsin (Virgin) was erected. The complex eventually consists of different architectural parts and additional buildings constructed in various periods. The rock-cut churches, caves and sepultures to princely families are particularly interesting. The sound acoustics of the halls give an excellent opportunity to many church singers to try their voices here. Lunch. Return to Yerevan and visit the museum of Armenian filmmaker - Sargis Parajanov, famous for its wonderful art and collages. Parting dinner at the restaurant. Overnight at the hotel in Yerevan.

08.04.2009 - Day 9: Departure

Transfer to the airport and depart.

Rates, including commission for Travel Agents

Package price p.p. in DBL room

The package includes:

-          8 nights at the hotels

-          Full Board (from breakfast on Day 2 to dinner on Day 8)

-          Transportation for the itinerary

-          ESG

-          All entrance fees

-          All local taxes

Conditions:

Minimum number of participants: 2

Maximum number of participants: 25