Easter in Armenia

Trip Description

Accomodation

Stay program

• day 1

  Yerevan

  Welcome at Yerevan airport, transfer to the hotel. Overnight stay.

• day 2

  City tour in Yerevan

  Meeting with the guide at the hotel reception at 9 a.m. On this day, the Armenian Apostolic Church celebrates Palm Sunday (Tzaghkazart), the Sunday before Easter, commemorating the triumphant entry of Jesus Christ into Jerusalem. Our journey begins with a visit to the History Museum on Republic Square, where you will discover the treasures of Armenian civilization, from prehistory to the present day, including the Urartian period, Antiquity, and the Middle Ages. In the afternoon, discover the Megerian factory to uncover the mystery of the creation of handmade Armenian carpets. Lunch on site. Return to the city center for an exploratory walk: Machtots Avenue, the main artery of the capital, the magnificent Opera and Ballet building, Northern Avenue, Republic Square with its illuminated fountains. Discover the metro from Republic Square to Yeritassardakan station ("youth"). In the evening, dinner and overnight at the hotel.

• day 3

  Yerevan – Hovhannavank – Saghmosavank – Amberd – Yerevan "Holy Monday"

  In the morning, visit to the Monastery of Saint John or Hovhannavank from the 4th century in the Aragatsotn region and the Saghmosavank Monastery ("Monastery of Psalms"). Along the way, discovery of the Armenian alphabet sculptures, erected in the open countryside near the village of Ochakan. Arrival on Mount Aragats in the afternoon. Visit to the Amberd fortress (2300 m altitude), a rare testimony of Armenian military architecture from the Middle Ages, and the Vahramashen church, built in 1026 in tuff (volcanic material). In the evening, return to Yerevan. Rest.

• day 4

  Yerevan – Khor Virap – Areni – Noravank – Goris "Holy Tuesday"

  Holy Tuesday: mention of the parable of the ten virgins (Gospel of Saint Matthew 25:1–13) inviting us to be ready for the coming of the Lord. Morning discovery of the Khor Virap Monastery ("Deep Pit") from the 4th century, dominated by Mount Ararat on the Armenian-Turkish border. Wine tasting in a winemaking family in Areni. Continuation of our journey to the Noravank Monastery ("New Monastery") from the 13th century, listed as a UNESCO World Heritage site. Lunch in a picturesque cave. Arrival in Goris, check-in at the hotel, rest.

• day 5

  Goris – Khndzoresk – Tatev – Goris

  "Holy Wednesday" On the Wednesday of Holy Week, many dioceses celebrate the Chrism Mass, during which the bishop consecrates the Holy Chrism and blesses the other holy oils. In the morning, hike in the village of Khndzoresk, located in the heart of a landscape of limestone caves. In the afternoon, arrival in Tatev, in the south of Armenia, by the new cable car considered to be the longest in the world. Discovery of the magnificent Tatev Monastery, a medieval spiritual, scientific, and cultural center. Return to Goris. Overnight at the hotel.

• day 6

  Goris – Qarahunj – Selim – Noratous – Hayravank – Sevanavank – Yerevan "Holy Thursday"

  Holy Thursday commemorates the memory of the Last Supper, or Cenacle, that Jesus had with his apostles. During the evening mass, the rite of the washing of the feet is performed. The custom is completed with readings, the psalm, and the gospel. Early departure for Qarahunj, a megalithic site and one of the oldest observatories in the world, where there are tombs and steles dating from the Bronze Age. The journey continues to the Selim caravanserai, which was one of the major north-south trade routes in medieval times, connecting the Arab-Persian world to the countries of the Caucasus. Later, discover the khachkars in Noratous, the most notable manifestation in the country's cultural heritage. Then, visit the church of Hayravank on the shore of Lake Sevan (1920 m above sea level), the Armenian blue pearl and one of the largest high-altitude lakes in the world. Final discovery of the Sevan peninsula: Sevanavank, with its two churches perched on its hill. Return to the capital, rest. Overnight at the hotel.

• day 7

  Yerevan – Geghard – Garni – Symphony of the Organs – Yerevan "Good Friday"

  On Good Friday, the Passion of Christ and his death on the cross are commemorated. After the evening service, during the ceremony on the eve of the feast, the scene of Jesus' burial is presented for the faithful, by carrying the symbolic coffin of Christ, decorated with flowers and branches, around the church. Continuation of the journey to the Kotayk region, visit to the 13th-century Geghard Monastery, half carved into the rock. Then, head to the impressive site of Garni with its 1st-century pagan temple. Walk along the "Symphony of Organs," a set of superb basalt organs. In the evening, return to Yerevan. Free evening.

• day 8

  City tour in Yerevan "Holy Saturday"

  Holy Saturday is a day of silence and reflection at the tomb of Christ. According to the established order, after evening prayer, a new day begins. This festive evening marks the end of Lent. Morning dedicated to visiting the Matenadaran, where you will be enchanted by ancient manuscripts and illuminations of extraordinary beauty. After lunch, we will discover the Armenian Genocide Memorial, Tsitsernakaberd, and its museum. Free time.

• day 9

  Yerevan – Zvartnots – Etchmiadzin – Aknashen – Yerevan "Easter"

  The Armenian name "Zatik–Zadig" comes from the word "zatel," which means "separation, distancing, renunciation of crimes and return to God". In the Old and New Testament, Easter is considered one of the five great Christian holidays. On this day, Christians dye eggs, especially red. The egg is the symbol of resurrection and new life, and red symbolizes the life-giving blood of Christ, which he shed for the salvation of humanity. Early morning discovery of the ruins of the 7th-century round Cathedral of Zvartnots and the Saint Hripsime Church. Visit to the site of Etchmiadzin (formerly Vagharchapat) and its cathedral, the oldest Christian temple in Armenia, built in 301–303 by Saint Gregory the Illuminator, founder of the Armenian Apostolic Church. Departure for the village of Aknashen, followed by a traditional dinner and participation in the preparation of lavash, traditional Armenian bread. In the evening, return to Yerevan. Departure preparations.

• day 10

  Return flight

  Transfer to the airport. End of our services.