Unexplored Armenia

Trip Description

Accomodation

Stay program

• day 1

  Arrival

  

  Meet and greet at Zvartnots Airport and transfer to the hotel.

• day 2

  Yerevan city tour / Saghmossavank / Wine Museum

  

  

  

  Discovery of the city of Yerevan: the history of Yerevan dates back to the VIIIth century BC. Only a small part of the city has preserved its original appearance. The center of Yerevan was long marked by the imposing buildings of Soviet style, but today, thanks to new architectural projects, many modern buildings have emerged and continue to embellish 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 over 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. Continuation to the medieval monastery of Saghmossavank, located in an impressive site, on the edge of the deep canyon of Ashtarak. Then, visit of the Armenia Wine factory and the recently inaugurated Museum of the History of Wine, tracing the millennia-old heritage of Armenian viticulture. Wine tasting in the cellar.

• day 3

  Garni / Geghard / History Museum

  

  

  

  Departure for the pagan temple of Garni, located within the grounds of the ancient citadel. It is a picturesque monument from the Hellenistic period and an impressive work of ancient Armenian architecture. It was built in the 1st century AD by the Armenian king Tiridates and was dedicated to a pagan deity, probably Mithra, the god of the Sun, whose statue stood at the back of the sanctuary. To the northeast of Garni, higher up in the gorge of the Azat River, stands a magnificent monument of medieval Armenian architecture: the monastery of Geghard, listed on the UNESCO World Heritage List. Its name, “Monastery of the Lance,” comes from the lance that wounded Christ during the crucifixion and which, according to tradition, was brought to Armenia by the apostle Thaddeus; it is now kept with other relics and displayed in the treasury of Etchmiadzin. Although the monastery of Geghard was founded before the 4th century, its main cathedral dates from 1215. The entrance to the enclosure is surrounded by high walls on three sides and by the mountain on the fourth. Outside the complex, several small caves form curious chapels. Lunch in a local home, where you will attend the preparation of Armenian bread “lavash” in an underground oven called a “tonir.” The traditional preparation of lavash is inscribed on UNESCO’s Intangible Cultural Heritage of Humanity list. Return to Yerevan and visit to the History Museum of Armenia.

• day 4

  Yerevan / Khor Virap / Noravank / Yerevan

  

  

  Excursion to the monastery of Khor Virap (4th–17th c.), located 45 km from Yerevan. This monastery has a rich history, both religious and historical. It is located in the Ararat valley, facing the biblical mountain of the same name where, according to tradition, Noah’s Ark ran aground. The monastery is linked to Gregory the Illuminator, who introduced Christianity to Armenia and became the first Catholicos. Continuation to the monastery of Noravank, a religious and cultural center of the 12th century. “Noravank” means “New Monastery”; it is located 122 km from Yerevan, in a spectacular site surrounded by mountains. The main church, dedicated to Saint Karapet, dates from the 13th century and has a narthex adorned with remarkable bas-reliefs made by the famous architect and sculptor Momik. Return to Yerevan and check-in at the hotel.

• day 5

  Yerevan / Lake Sevan / Dilijan / Haghartsin / Yerevan

  

  

  

  After breakfast, early departure for Lake Sevan, nicknamed the “blue pearl” of Armenia. Located about 110 km from Yerevan, at over 2,000 meters above sea level, this alpine lake with crystal-clear waters covers nearly 5% of the country’s territory. In the morning light, its sapphire-blue reflections blend with the surrounding peaks, creating a panorama of striking beauty. Visit of the monastery perched on the peninsula, from where the breathtaking view over the lake offers a moment of pure contemplation. Continue on to Dilijan, a true haven of peace known as the “Little Switzerland of Armenia”. Here, the air is filled with the scent of pines and wild herbs, and every turn reveals a new picture of green mountains and clear springs. Discovery of the Haghartsin Monastery, nestled in a clearing in the heart of a mysterious forest. Built between the 10th and 13th centuries, this medieval jewel seems to emerge from the woods as in a tale. The silence is broken only by birdsong and the rustling of the wind in the trees, inviting meditation. The churches of Saint Stephen, Saint Mary and Saint Gregory, as well as the beautifully preserved refectory, offer an almost timeless atmosphere, as if time had stopped. Return to Yerevan at the end of the day, the heart filled with serenity and the mind soothed by this immersion in Armenian nature and history. Check-in at the hotel.

• day 6

  Etchmiadzin / Zvartnots / Matenadaran / Tsitsernakaberd

  

  

  

  

  Start of the day with a visit to the Tsitsernakaberd Memorial Park, a place of remembrance dedicated to the victims of the Armenian genocide. Its slender monument, surrounded by a circle of stones, invites contemplation. Every April 24, thousands of people gather there in silence to lay flowers and honor the memory of the victims of 1915. You will also visit the museum located at the end of the park, which presents valuable testimonies and historical documents. Continue to Etchmiadzin, the spiritual center of the Armenian Apostolic Church. On the way, stop at Saint Hripsime Church, one of the seven wonders of Armenia, a masterpiece of 7th-century architecture. In Etchmiadzin, discover its majestic cathedral, considered one of the very first Christian churches in the world. According to legend, it was here that Christ descended from heaven to show Saint Gregory the Illuminator the place where to build the church. Built between 301 and 303 AD, it remains today the vibrant heart of the Armenian faith. On the way back to Yerevan, stop at the ruins of Zvartnots, a 7th-century architectural jewel listed as a UNESCO World Heritage site. The remains of this circular cathedral, with Mount Ararat as a backdrop, offer a striking setting, as if suspended out of time. Back in Yerevan, visit the Matenadaran, a prestigious library-museum that houses one of the richest collections of ancient manuscripts in the world. There you will discover the first translation of the Bible into Armenian, as well as magnificently illuminated Gospel books. Free time to stroll around the city, then a farewell dinner in a refined restaurant, where you can savor one last time the flavors of Armenian cuisine. Overnight at the selected hotel.

• day 7

  Departure

  Breakfast according to the flight time. Transfer to the airport for your return flight. End of our services.