Cultural program 7 nights:principal places-Yerevan,Garni,geghard,Lake Sevan,Dilijan, Khor irap,Noravank,Echmiadzin,Sanahin,Haghpat,Ashtarak,Amberd
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. Genocide Memorial and Museum.
Next visit to the Brandy Factory with the degustation of 3 types of cognac.
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 - 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.
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.
Overnight :Hotel in Yerevan
Meals: Breakfast and Lunch
Day 5 - 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 6 - Sanahin and 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.
Return to Yerevan.
Overnight :Hotel in Yerevan
Meals: Breakfast and Lunch
Day 7 - 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 8- Departure transfer to the airport.