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ARMENIA/KARABAGH-12 nights-Yerevan,Garni,Geghard,Ashtarak,Amberd,Khor Virap,Noravank,Tatev,Shushi,Stepanakert,Gandzasar,Selim caravanserai,Dilijan,Sanahin,Haghpat,Gyumri,Aruch,Talin,Mastara,
Echmiadzin.


Day 1 - Yerevan. Arrival early in the morning. Transfer to hotel. Rest at hotel. Tour starting at 11:00.
Yerevan: Yerevan once sat at the crossroads of several important trade caravans thus solidifying its importance in the region. Modern Yerevan was redesigned in the early part of the 20th century on top of the old city, creating a series of parks and squares that run through the city centre. The visit will start with the visit to the Matenadaran museum, which houses a unique collection of ancient manuscripts covering such lofty topics as philosophy,
law, mathematics ,medicine and geography.
Overnight :Hotel in Yerevan
Meals: Breakfast and Lunch

Day 2 - Garni and Geghard
Garni Temple, site of Roman Temple of the Sun built in the 1st century. Soon after Armenia adopted Christianity, the temple became the summer residence of Armenian royalty. Next stop is Geghard –cave Monastery, the name ,,geghard,, derives from the relics of the Armenian Apostolic church: the spear that one of the Roman guards had used to pierce the rib of crucified Christ.
Overnight :Hotel in Yerevan
Meals: Breakfast and Lunch

Day 3 - Ashtarak/Amberd
Ashtarak has many historical and architectural monuments. The most famous is the church of Karmravor,one of the cross-domed kind with its well’ preserved shingled roof. The monastery of Hovhanavank in the village of Hovhanavan, richly decorated with  vegetative ornaments, it has a bas-relief with the depiction of Christ on a throne.Amberd fortress and castle was the familial estate of the Pahlavouni princes. Fragments of the water system, as well as baths and the secret passage to the canyon are preserved.
Overnight :Hotel in Yerevan
Meals: Breakfast and Lunch

Day 4 - Khor Virap and Noravank.
A short drive from Yerevan will lad you to Khor Virap Monastery, a once famous pilgrimage site and from where you may witness the stunning views of Mount Ararat. Stop at Areni village for wine tasting at the famous ,,Areni,, factory.
After proceed to Vayots Dzor and visit Monastery of Noravank-one of the most splendid monuments of medieval Armenia, built in a location of significant natural beauty. Proceed to Sisian, visit Zorats stones(Stonehenge of Armenia).
Overnight :Hotel in Sisian
Meals: Breakfast and Lunch

Day 5 - Tatev,Shushi,Stepanakert.
Trip to Tatev Monastery- which has been founded in the 9th century . The fortified stands overlooking the Vorotan gorge from a very strong setting.
Proceed to Shushi- (in the early medieval ages known as “Shikakar”, known for the inaccessibility of its landscape.Visit of Surp Amenaprkich Ghazanchetsots Cathedral  a large monument, the face of which is covered with local finished white lime-stone. Drive to Stepanakert-the capital of Nagorno Karabagh (Artsakh).
Overnight :Hotel in Stepanakert
Meals: Breakfast and Lunch

Day 6 - Gandzasar/Stepanakert.
Trip to Gandzasar- the most important architectural monument of Artsakh. The Gandzasar Monastery is also known as the center of Armenian independence movement of the 18th century, initiated by the Armenian dukes (meliks) of Karabakh. Stepanakert City tour,Veratsnound Square, Historical Museum of Artsakh and other important sights.
Overnight :Hotel in Stepanakert
Meals: Breakfast and Lunch

Day 7 - Selim Pass,Sevan.
Check out from Stepanakert and drive to  Sevan by Selim pass,on the way visiting Selim caravanserai, situated in the Selim (Sulema) mountain pass, 2410 m above the sea level, on the old road that connected historical Gegharkunik with Vayots Dzor. According to the two building inscriptions (one of which is in Arabic) the caravanserai was built in 1332 by Prince Orbelyan Chesar. Next stop  is Noraduz cemetery of crosstones (khachkars).
Overnight :Hotel in Sevan
Meals: Breakfast and Lunch

Day 8 - Lake Sevan/Dilijan.
Tour to the Lake Sevan-the highest mountainous Lake 2000 m above sea level, visiting the churches of the peninsula(st.Astvatsatsin and St.Arakelots). Visit monastic complex of Haghartsin- a monastery built in a picturesque location, concealed in a forest. Proceed to Alaverdi.
Overnight :Hotel in Alaverdi
Meals: Breakfast and Lunch

Day 9 - Sanahin/Haghpat.
Tour to Sanahin Monastery which is within the limits of Alaverdi city, and Haghpat is to the north-east of it, in the village of the same name. Standing on a high plateau, amidst low structures, they rise sharp against the background of steep forest-grown slopes. The ensembles are complemented by small churches built near them. Among them :churches and chapels, four annexes, sepulchers, bell-towers, the building of the Academy, book depositories, refectories, galleries, bridges and other monumental structures.Drive to Gyumri.
Overnight :Hotel in Gyumri
Meals: Breakfast and Lunch


Day 10 - Gyumri/ Aruch/ Talin/ Mastara.
City tour of Gyumri, the second city of Armenia. Gyumri has a distinct look and style, residents own dialect. Next visit to Aruch Cathedral in the village of Aruch, one of the most important medieval Armenian architectural constructions.
Visit to Talin Church, built in the second half of the 7th century by the Kamsarakan princes. This remarkable monument was half-destroyed because of the earthquakes in 1840 and 1931. It was partly fastened in 1947 and essentially reconstructed in 1972-1976.  Visit to Mastara Church. According to popular etymology, Mastara derives its name from Gregory the Illuminator, who brought back from Caesaria the relics of John the Baptist, one fragment of which he enshrined beneath the church site: Mas (a piece) Tara (I buried).Drive to Yerevan.
Overnight :Hotel in Yerevan
Meals: Breakfast and Lunch

Day 11 - Echmiadzin.
Located 30 min outside of the city and considered one of the holiest cities in Armenia. This former capital is now home to the Supreme Catholicos of the Armenian Apostolic Orthodox faith. The main Cathedral was founded by St.Gregory in 303 B.C and sits on a former pagan shrine. Visit of the church of Hripsime, dedicated to the martyred Christian virgin .On the way back visit  ruins of Zvartnots Temple. Return to Yerevan and visit to Genocide Memorial and Monument. Later visit to Vernissage -open air market of souvenirs and art works.
Overnight :Hotel in Yerevan
Meals: Breakfast and Lunch

Day 12 - Yerevan/Museums.
Next visit to the Brandy Factory with the degustation of 3 types of cognac. Visit of Yerevan central market, Parajanov Museum.

Day 13 - Departure transfer to the airport.