Highlights of Armenia

Day 1: Arrival

Arrival in Yerevan. Transfer to the airport. Overnight at the hotel in Yerevan.

Day 2: Sightseeing – Echmiadzin – Zvartnots – Yerevan (~100 km)

Breakfast at the hotel. We start our tour from the Republic Square, the magnum opus of 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 example of urban architecture and a lively hub of the city. Freedom Square is just behind it, surrounded by parks and outdoor cafes which are a favorite spot to spend breezy summer evenings.Transfer to Vagharshapat. Visit Echmiadzin Cathedral, 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, symbolizing the conversion from paganism to Christianity. According to most scholars 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. Back to Yerevan.Overnight at the hotel in Yerevan. (B/--/--)

Day 3: Yerevan-Khor Virap-Noravank-Yerevan(~250 km)

Breakfast at the hotel. Take a trip to Khor-Virapmonastery 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. The importance of this monastery stems from its connection with Saint Gregory the Illuminator, who introduced Christianity to Armenia thus making Armenia the first Christian nation in the world.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. The history of this monastery dates back to the 9th century and contains multiple churches built up over centuries. It’s known for intricate atriums and interior paintings that are sure to impress even the most well-traveled visitor. Back to Yerevan. Overnight at the hotel in Yerevan. (B/--/--)

Day 4: Yerevan – Geghard – Garni– Vernissage (~100 km)

Breakfast at the hotel. Visit Geghardmonastery inscribed in UNESCO World Heritage list. Geghard is another incredible ancient Armenian monastery, partly carved out of a mountain. The meaning "the Monastery of the Spear", originates from the spear which had wounded Jesus during his crucifixion, allegedly brought to Armenia by Apostle Thaddeus, and stored amongst many other relics. Proceed to the village of Garni. The citadel and pagan temple of Garni is a picturesque monument of the Hellenistic period and an impressive piece of ancient Armenian architecture. It was built in the first century A.D. by the Armenian King Tiridates and it 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. Back to Yerevan. Overnight at the hotel in Yerevan. (B/L/--)

Day 5: Yerevan – Sevan – Sevanavank – Dilijan – Haghartsin – Yerevan (~240 km)

Breakfast at the hotel. 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.Then visitSevanavankmonastic complex.The monastery of Sevanavank was founded in 874 by Princess Mariam, after the artificial draining of Lake Sevan, which started in the era of Joseph Stalin, the water level fell about 20 meters, and the island transformed into a peninsula. 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. There you will walk through quaint streets lined with well-preserved 19 c. buildings full of museums and small stores and cafes. While there, take a look at traditional ceramics workshop and woodcarvers’ studio.After exploring around its time to pay a visit to Haghartsin monastery located high in woods covered mountains with eagles soaring high above the tree line. The oldest building on the complex is St. Gregory the Illuminator's church. It was built between the 9th and 10th centuries and is also the site of the first musical university of Armenia. Back to Yerevan. Overnight at the hotel in Yerevan. (B/L/--)

Day 6: Departure

Transfer to the airport. Departure.

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