Ancient Footprints

Day 2: That Pink City

Yerevan city tour – Tsitsernakaberd– Yerevan History Museum– Blue Mosque– Yerevan
(60 km)
Breakfast at the hotel. Our day starts with contemplation of Yerevan’s contrasting ancient culture and vibrant modern vibe as you delve into the city’s history that spans over 2,800 years. Visit Republic Square, Opera House, a stunning architectural piece and the hub of Yerevan surrounded by park and outdoor cafes. Visit Cascade Complex, an open-air museum of modern art with massive stairways there is also the location of Cafesjian Center of Arts presenting the best of Armenian culture to the world. Our next stop is Tsitsernakaberd Memorial Park and museum to the first genocide of the 20th century. Lunch at the local restaurant. Take the insight to the one of the most well-regarded museums in the region is the Armenia History Museum. It has a national collection of 400,000 objects. The permanent exhibition represents the whole history of the Armenian people from the period of primitive society to modernity. Then have a stop at Blue Mosque. Historic Blue Mosque was constructed in Yerevan in the 18th century. Because of the color of entrance tiles, it is called “Blue”. The construction of the Mosque has built during the Persian reign over Armenia.

Dinner at the traditional restaurant.
Overnight at the hotel in Yerevan. (B/L/D)

Optional Visit
Today our welcome dinner can also be at the unique place, a house of famous Armenian contemporary painter and ethnographer, a perfect representative of Armenian woman, Lusik Aguletsi. Her heirs have decided to give the visitors a chance to taste national dishes in the house that has maintained national values, turning the house into a house museum and a cozy Art-café. Entering her house is like entering an ancient Armenian house. It feels the warmth of famous Armenian hospitality that was created by the host, traditional interior and decoration, items of Aguletsi such as silver belts, necklaces and other jewelry, national costumes, bags, carpets and rugs, head-wearings and other typical Armenian attributes for
women.
13 USD/pp

Day 3: Spirit of Locals

Yerevan– Etchmiadzin– Zvartnots– Ararat Brandy Factory– Fruit Market (~70 km)
Breakfast at the hotel. Drive to Echmiadzin Cathedral which is one of the oldest standing churches in Christendom and is considered the Mother Church of all Armenia and serves as the cornerstone of Armenian Culture. It was built in 303 AD over It was built over a pagan temple,symbolising the conversion from paganism to Christianity. According to mostscholars it was the first cathedral built in ancient Armenia, and is often considered the oldest cathedral in the world. Then visit the UNESCO Heritage listed remains of Zvartnots Cathedral - the perfect example of the 7th c. Armenian architecture. Grandiose ruins of once magnificent center of Armenian Church overlooking Mount Ararat. Lunch at the local house where our host will be famous TV host Zara. Visit the famous Yerevan Brandy Factory founded in 1887.
During the International Exhibition in Paris in 1900, the brandy received the Grand-Prix and the legal right to be called ‘Cognac’, not ‘Brandy’. During the tour the guests are offered to visit the museum of the factory. The bar offers tasting of various old and chateau sort of cognacs, which have mellow-velvety flavor endowed with a rich bouquet of chocolaty-vanilla accents. if you are looking to taste Armenian delights and delis such as dried fruits, sujukh,basturma, aromatic herbs and fresh produce Yerevan’s fruit market is the place to be. Dinner at the traditional restaurant.
Overnight at the hotel in Yerevan. (B/L/D)

Optional Visit
We can proceed to quaint and charming Khachpar village to visit the “Art Takard’’. It’s the sculptor’s house with permanent exhibition of numerous peculiar pieces of abstract modern art infused with traditional Armenian elements. The name of the center is literally translated as “Art Trap” and philosophy of the name reflects the challenge for creative freedom in the appealing trap of art. In this art-residence we’ll have a cozy coffee/tea break with signature dessert by the host.
10 USD/ pp

Day 4: The Emerald of Armenia

Yerevan – Lake Sevan – Sevanavank – Dilijan – Hagharstin Monastery – Fioletovo Village–
Lori (~200 km)
After a filling breakfast at the hotel early set off to Lake Sevan, the emerald of Armenia and the second largest alpine lake in the world. Admire the picturesque views of one of the highest bodies of water in the worlds. After takin in the sights pay a visit to Sevanavank, a beautiful monastery located on a small peninsula off the western shore of the lake. The monastery once served as a shelter of last resort for Armenian kings in times of trouble. Take a trip up north to the spectacular forested region of Dilijan, a resort town known as “Armenian Switzerland”. Home to numerous Armenian artists, composers, and filmmakers. After exploring around its time to pay a visit to Haghartsin monastery located high in woods covered mountains with eaglessoaring high above the tree line. On the way,stop at Fioletovo village and welcome by the Moloque family. The Molocans are a religious community born in Russia in the 1550s. The name comes from the Russian word Молоко (moloko) which means milk, the Molocans drink milk on the days of the Orthodox. Tasting of tea and national pastries. Drive to Lori region. Dinner at the hotel.
Overnight at the hotel in Alaverdi. (B/-/D)

Optional Visit
On the way we can have a stop in Vanadzor and visit Bogdan Hovhannisyan who is a sculptor of khachkars (cross-stone). He has been making cross-stones for 30 years and strongly believes that school children should be exposed to different crafts at school as it shapes their creativity and mindset. His studio is open to anyone who seeks the space to create.
10 USD/pp

Day 5: A Day with UNESCO Heritage

Haghpat – Akhtala – Odzun Church – Honey Degustation – Lori (~100 km)
After Breakfast drive to the monastery of Haghpat, which is listed as a World Cultural Heritage Site by UNESCO. The architectural complex is among the outstanding works of medieval Armenian architecture. Drive to monastic complex of Akhtala, which is currently inactive. It is a beautiful mixture of Armenian, Georgian and Byzantine architecture with unique frescoes., a 10th century Monastery of medieval fortress which played a major role in protecting the north-western regions of Armenia and is among the best preserved of all in modern Armenia. Continue tour to Odzun church. There are numerous gravestones of the clergy around the church and a funerary monument. Its stepped platform supports two carved steals between double arches. The east and west sides of the monument are carved with scenes from the Bible and introduction of Christianity in Armenia. In Odzun village we will visit Sergey’s home for degustation of honey and herbal tea. Then we will have lunch here.

Then drive to Lori. We will have free time. Dinner at the hotel.

Overnight in Avan Tufenkian Dzoraget hotel. (B/L/D)

Day 6: Landscape View

Amberd Fortress – Letter Park – Saghmossavank Monastery – Karmravor Church – Yerevan
(~210 km)
Breakfast at the hotel. Drive to Amberd fortress on the way proceed via Letter Park, dedicated to the Armenian alphabet. The fortress of Amberd, 9th century, stands halfway up Mt. Aragats, at the height of 2300m. The fortress stands on a rocky cape formed by the rivers Amberd and Arkhashen. Departure to Saghmosavank medieval monastery, situated in the breathtaking site, at the deep canyon of Ashtarak. Saghmosavank means ‘’monastery of the Psalms’’. Lunch at the local house and communicate with locals. Visit a small church Karmravor (reddish) of 7th century. Drive back to the capital. Dinner at the restaurant.
Overnight at the hotel in Yerevan. (B/L/D)

Optional Visit
In Ashtarak we will visit ''The Fairytale House''. Here will participate in a folkloric event themed in national holidays and celebrations. These events are representing Armenian medieval folk songs, dances, musical instruments, customs and ritual food. Meet local people and their traditions. Depending on the season participation in different traditional activities specific to the village (harvesting, visiting local schools, get acquainted with the woman who is famous for natural healing technologies, etc.).
150 USD per group

Day 7: Mystery of Leather Show

Yerevan – Khor Virap – Noravank – Areni Cave – Trinity Canyon Vineyard – Yerevan (~260
km)
After breakfast take a trip to Khor-Virap monastery and indulge yourself in exploring its charming architecture and rich history, both religious and cultural. It is situated in the Ararat valley against the backdrop of biblical Ararat Mountain, where Noah's Ark cast it’s anchor. Continue tour to Noravank monastery - a great religious and cultural center of 12th c.Noravank (“New Monastery”) is located in a remote location about a hundred km from Yerevan traversing stunning nature and mountainous landscapes. Lunch at the restauarant.

Explore the depths of Areni Cave-1. It’s history dates back to at the very least 6,000 years ago and its suspected that the cavernous settlement served as a trading a cultural hub. Currently its and archeological museum and offersin its exposition ancient items of cultural significance and ancient everyday objects ranging from pieces of clothing to housewares. Then take a time to visit Trinity Canyon Vineyards in the close vicinity of the world’s oldest known wine producing site dating back some 6100 years. Here we will have a tour and degustation of Trinity wines which are filled with faith, traditions and legends of Armenian winemakers that will always serve as a beacon for all our undertakings. Drive back to the capital. Dinner at the traditional restaurant.
Overnight at the hotel in Yerevan. (B/L/D)

Day 8: Lavash is the Armenian Bread

Yerevan – Matenadaran – Geghard – Garni– Yerevan (~90 km)
After breakfast we will get a chance to find out for yourself the secrets that lay in Matenadaran the library/depositary that is home to books, manuscripts and other relicsfrom long bygone eras of Europe and Asia. Northeast of Garni, higher up the gorge of the Azat River, there is a magnificent monument of medieval Armenian architecture - Geghard monastery, inscribed in UNESCO World Heritage list. Geghard is another incredible ancient Armenian monastery, partly carved out of a mountain. depart to Garni village and visit Garni Temple. It was built in the first century A.D. by the Armenian King Tiridates and is dedicated to a heathen god, probably to Mithra, the god of the sun whose figure stood in the depth of the sanctuary. Lunch at a local house in Garni where you will participate Armenian national bread “lavash” making process in the underground stove “tonir”. Drive back to Yerevan and have free time to enjoy last day in the capital of Armenia.

Have a farewell dinner at the
traditional Armenian restaurant.
Overnight at the hotel in Yerevan. (B/L/D)

Optional Activity| Version 1
We can enjoy the performance of a local quintet in Geghard Monastery, who will introduce you to the Armenian medieval spiritual music called ‘’sharakans’’ (hymns).
140 USD per group

Optional Activity | Version 2
On your return to Yerevan you’ll get a chance to meet duduk player and enjoy the Armenian music. Duduk is an Armenian Flute made of Apricot stone. It is inscribed in the list of Intangible Cultural Heritage of Humanity.
90 USD per group

Day 9: Departure

Transfer to the airport of Yerevan.