Visit the land of Noah
Day 1:Arrival in Yerevan . Transfer to the selected hotel in Yerevan .
Day 2:Yerevan City tour
Yerevan sightseeing including City center, Republic square, City panorama, Parliament, President’s Palace, Opera, Sports & Concert Complex, visit to the Genocide Memorial, dedicated to the Victims of 1915 and the Genocide Museum. Walk in the Cascade complex, which is considered the modern art center of Yerevan, with art pieces displayed throughout the whole area: the boulevard and up the stairs, from top of which you can enjoy the panoramic view on the city and Mountain Ararat. Cascade is home to Cafesjan modern art museum. This place becomes even more charming in the evenings, when it is full of people, both locals and tourists from all over the world, enjoying the magic and the warmth of the capital.Visit to Armenian central market. Overnight in Yerevan.
Day 3:Yerevan - Etchmiadzin – Zvartnots – Vernissage - Yerevan
Drive to Etchmiadzin, the spiritual and administrative center of Armenian Apostolic Church. Visit to Etchmiadzin Cathedral , St. Hripsime’s Church , ruins of Zvartnots temple , (UNESCO World Heritage list 2000). Visit to Vernissage, national crafts-art market .Overnight in Yerevan. Opportunity to organize lunch in local house.
Day 4:Yerevan - Garni – Geghard - Yerevan
After breakfast drive to the only remaining pagan temple in Armenia devoted to the God of Sun – Myrth, in Garni, built in 77 AD by King Trdat (Arshakid Dynasty). Photo stop at Charentc Arc. The temple is Greco-Roman style with characteristic pillars. It stands proudly on a rocky ridge with a deep canyon presenting a beautiful view. Visit to the ruins of Royal Palace andRoyal bath-house nearby. Canyon of Garni -magnificent and outstanding scene which creates the image of falling crags. It obtained the name "Symphony of Stones" due to its view. Drive to the unique caved temple St. Geghard (12th -13th cc.), the name of which means “holy spear” in the honor of the long-preserved spear, the same spear that pierced the body of crucified Christ. It is now exhibited in the museum of Etchmiadzin Cathedral. Geghard Monastery is included in the UNESCO World Heritage list (2000).Overnight in Yerevan.
Day 5:Yerevan - Khor Virap – Noravank – Areni Winery – Yerevan
Drive to Ararat valley. Visit to Khor Virap Church – the place of imprisonment of St. Gregory the Illuminator, who stayed here in the small dungeon for 13 years without any food, accused by the Armenian King of preaching Christianity. The hills adjoining Khor Virap were the site of the early Armenian capital - ancient Artashat built by King Artashes I, founder of the Artashesid dynasty, around 180 B.C. It is one of the few ancient towns, built by the special design of the famous Carthaginian general Hannibal.After visiting Khor Virap drive through the spectacular canyon between the red rocks toward Noravank Monastery (13th c.). On the way visit local winery in Areni village - wine testing. Areni used to be one of the centers of wine production in Armenia. Recent archeological findings makes place worldwide famous. In September 2010, archaeologists discovered a 6,100-year-old 5 winery and wine cellar in Areni (Vayots Dzor province) in Armenia.The findings indicated large scale wine production, quite possibly the earliest retail winery. Overnight in Yerevan.
Day 6:Yerevan - Lake Sevan – Dilijan - Haghartsin – Goshavank - Yerevan
From Yerevan drive to mountanieus resort Dilijan, or so called “Armenian Switzerland”, which is well-known for its forests as well as for its mysterious flora and fauna.Small walking city tour in Dilijan: visit to handicrafts’ street, where one can watch the preparation of different national souvenirs from wood, stone and ceramics.Visit to Haghartsin Monastery complex which is located in the secluded place of the forest. Haghartsin dates back to 11-13th century and represent a magnificent piece of history, culture and architecture. Visit Goshavank Monastery (11th -13 th cc), situated in the forest beautiful architectural treasure. Drive back to Sevan, one of the greatest high mountainous freshwater lakes of Eurasia, climb on Akhtamar peninsula from where the fascinating view on the Lake is open. Visit Sevanavank monastery, which stands in its greatness on the peninsula overlooking the lake for centuries.
Day 7:Yerevan - Ashtarak – Oshakan- Amberd fortress- Alphabet park- Yerevan
Drive to the village Oshakan via town Ashtarak. Visit to the Church St. Mesrop Mashtots, the inventor of Armenian Alphabet, and his gravestone. Visit to Alphabet Park, a location where all letters of Armenian alphabet made from tuff of human-size are scattered around volcanic stones. Drive to Byurakan. Visit to Amberd fortress (11th-13th cc.) – the residence of Pahlavuni princes built on the slopes of Mt. Aragats at 2,300 meters above the sea level. Overnight in Yerevan .
Day 8:Transfer to the airport. Departure
