Armenia in 9 days / 8 nights

Beschreibung der Reise

Unterkunft

Reiseprogramm

• Tag 1

  Arrival / Yerevan

  Departure from the country of origin

• Tag 2

  Yerevan city tour / History Museum / Tsitsernakaberd

  

  

  

  

  

  Yerevan city tour: The history of Yerevan dates back to the 8th century BC. Only a small part of the city has preserved its original appearance. The center of Yerevan was long marked by imposing Soviet-style buildings, but today, thanks to new architectural projects, many modern buildings have emerged and continue to enhance the capital. During the tour, you will discover Republic Square, designed in the traditional style of Armenian architecture, where the Government House, the Ministry of Foreign Affairs, the Central Post Office as well as the National Art Gallery are located. In addition to the main monuments of the capital, you will also admire the famous “Cat Statue” by sculptor Fernando Botero, climb the Cascade to enjoy a superb panoramic view of Yerevan and visit the Opera House. You will also pass through Victory Park, with the statue of Mother Armenia, the Kievyan Bridge, Baghramyan Avenue, the Presidential Palace, the Academy of Sciences, the Parliament, the Writers’ Union, not forgetting the fruit market and the Vernissage, a famous open-air market. Visit to the History Museum of Armenia. Visit to the memorial and museum of the Armenian Genocide – Tsitsernakaberd.

• Tag 3

  Etchmiadzin / Zvartnots / Saint Hripsime

  

  

  

  Departure for Etchmiadzin, located only 20 km from Yerevan. On the way, visit of the Church of Saint Hripsime, considered as one of the 7 wonders of Armenia. Etchmiadzin Cathedral is known as the center of the Armenian Gregorian Church and is considered as one of the first Christian churches in the world. Legend has it that it is here that Jesus Christ came down from heaven to indicate the place where he wanted the church to be built. The church was built between 301 and 303 AD, under the Armenian king Tiridates III and the first Catholicos of Armenia, Saint Gregory the Illuminator. On the way back to Yerevan, stop at the village of Mousaler for lunch. Our hostess, Mrs. Zara, is a former television presenter who welcomed celebrities to prepare Armenian recipes together. Return to Yerevan, with a stop at the ruins of the temple of Zvartnots, a pearl of 7th-century architecture, listed as a UNESCO World Heritage Site. Lunch at the local restaurant

• Tag 4

  Yerevan – Khor Virap – Areni Cave 1 – Noravank – Karahunj – Goris

  

  

  

  

  Excursion to the monastery of Khor-Virap (4th–17th c.), located 45 km from Yerevan. This monastery has a rich history, both religious and cultural. It is located in the Ararat valley, facing the biblical Mount Ararat, where, according to tradition, Noah’s ark came to rest. Khor-Virap is particularly famous for its link with Gregory the Illuminator, who introduced Christianity to Armenia and is considered the country’s first Catholicos. Visit to Areni Cave 1, where the oldest shoe in the world was discovered. Continuation to the monastery of Noravank, a religious and cultural center of the 12th century. Noravank (“New monastery”), located 122 km from Yerevan, is set in a spectacular and hard-to-reach site, surrounded by impressive nature. The oldest building, the Church of Saint-Karapet (9th–10th c.), has not been preserved. The main church, also dedicated to Saint-Karapet, was built in the 13th century. It has an atrium rebuilt by the famous architect and sculptor Momik, decorated with bas-reliefs with religious themes. Lunch in a cave cafeteria or in a local restaurant. Departure for Karahunj, an ancient observatory dating from the 6th millennium BC. Located at an altitude of 1770 m and covering 7 hectares, the site consists of about 223 basalt slabs, 84 of which are pierced with openings of 4 to 5 cm. In 2001, numerous rock paintings were discovered nearby, presenting great astronomical interest. Drive to the Syunik region and arrival in the city of Goris. Accommodation at the Goris hotel

• Tag 5

  Goris – Khndzoresk – Tatev Monastery – Yeghegnadzor / Vayk

  

  

  

  City tour of Goris. Goris is a small town of about 20,000 inhabitants, beautifully surrounded by high mountains. Nestled in a setting of green hills and mountains, with interesting rock formations and many caves once inhabited, Goris is a very special town, with its architecture. Excursion to Khndzoresk, a village made up of many ancient caves waiting to be discovered. You will see that many of these caves, dug by the inhabitants, served as houses. Departure for Tatev (UNESCO World Heritage), an architectural masterpiece dating from the 10th century, often called the monastery built “on the edge of nothingness”. The tour lasts about 7 hours and is a unique and totally immersive experience. Return to the town of Goris.

• Tag 6

  Goris / Vayk / Yeghegnadzor – Selim Caravanserai – Noratus – Lake Sevan – Dilijan

  

  

  After breakfast, departure for Lake Sevan via the Selim Pass, with a visit to the caravanserai (14th c.). The Selim caravanserai was built in 1332 by Prince Chesar Orbelian, according to the inscription in Armenian and Arabic. It was an important commercial center on the famous Silk Road. On the way to Sevan, visit the ancient cemetery of Noratus. About 70 miles north of Yerevan lies Lake Sevan, the largest alpine lake in the world. This vast mountain lake, which occupies 5% of Armenia’s surface area, is located at an altitude of about 2,000 meters and is the second largest freshwater lake in the world. The peninsula monastery is the most popular and most accessible site to visit. Excursion from Sevan to northern Armenia, through the forested region of Dilijan, one of Armenia’s most renowned tourist resorts.

• Tag 7

  Dilijan – Monasteries of Haghpat and Sanahin – Armenia Wine – Yerevan

  

  

  As the proverb says: “If paradise had mountains, forests and mineral water springs, it would look like Dilijan.” Dilijan is also nicknamed “the Little Switzerland of Armenia”. Departure for the architectural complexes of Sanahin (966 AD) and Haghpat (976 AD), remarkable examples of medieval Armenian architecture, listed on the UNESCO World Heritage List. The architectural and decorative details of these monuments, built at the same time, show so many similarities that they are sometimes identical, which suggests that they were made by craftsmen from the same school. Visit to the Armenia Wine museum and cellar: tour and tasting. Return to Yerevan.

• Tag 8

  Garni – Geghard – Matenadaran – Vernissage

  

  

  

  

  

  Departure for the temple of Garni. The pagan temple and the citadel of Garni constitute a picturesque monument from the Hellenistic period and an impressive example of ancient Armenian architecture. Built in the 1st century AD by the Armenian king Tiridates, it was dedicated to a pagan deity, probably Mithra, god of the sun, whose statue was located in the sanctuary. Possibility of attending a duduk concert in Garni. Lunch at a local’s home in Garni, with a demonstration of the preparation of the Armenian national bread, lavash, in the underground oven called a tonir. To the northeast of Garni, higher up in the gorge of the Azat River, is a splendid monument of medieval Armenian architecture: the monastery of Geghard, listed as a UNESCO World Heritage Site. This exceptional monastery is partly carved into the mountain. The name “Monastery of the Lance” comes from the relic that is said to have pierced Christ’s side during his crucifixion, brought to Armenia by the apostle Thaddeus and kept among other relics. It is now displayed in the treasury of Etchmiadzin. Although founded in the 4th century, the main church of Geghard was built in 1215. The entrance to the complex is surrounded by high walls on three sides, the mountain forming the fourth. Outside the monastery, a few caves house small troglodyte rooms, very interesting to discover. Return to Yerevan. Visit to the repository of ancient manuscripts, the Matenadaran, which preserves historical documents from all over Europe and Asia over several centuries. One can also find the first copy of the Bible in Armenian as well as magnificently illuminated Gospels. Farewell dinner and accommodation at the selected hotel.

• Tag 9

  Departure

  Airport transfer and return flight