Wine Tour in Armenia
Day 1: Arrival at the Zvartnots International Airport,accommodation in the choosen hotel in Yerevan.
Day 2: Yerevan City tour
Breakfast at the hotel. City tour in Yerevan.Visit to the Republic square,State University,Victory Park, Mother Armenia Monument, Baghramyan Avenue,President’s Palace, Opera,Genocide Memorial, dedicated to the Victims of 1915 and the Genocide Museum.Visit to Matenadaran Museum which is the depository for ancient manuscripts, the collection is one of the biggest in the world. Visit to Cascade complex, which is considered the modern art center of Yerevan: 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. After City tour visit to the Armenian brandy factory ,,ARARAT’’which keeps the tradition of the legendary Cognac since 1887. Degustation of any types of Armenian brandy, tour at the factory .Return to the hotel.Overnight in Yerevan.
Day 3: Yerevan-Ararat valley-Khor Virap-Areni village & Areni-1cave complex-Noravank ,, Hin Areni’’- Yerevan
Breakfast at the hotel. Drive to Ararat valley. Visit to Khor Virap Monastery, which is 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.Khor Virap Monastery is one of the holy places for the Christian world. It is also the best point to enjoy the most spectacular view of the gorgeous biblical mountain Ararat shining with its two white peaks. After visiting Khor Virap drive through the spectacular canyon between the red rocks toward Vayots Dzor province. On the way to Noravank visit the Areni -1 cave complex which is located along the Arpa River, and in 2010 archeologist discovered the earliest known shoe and a 6100 years old 5 winery and cellar at the cave. Then visit to the Noravank Monastery (13th c.).The most ancient monument of Noravank is St. Karapet Church (IX - X cc.). The Church, completed in 1339, is said to be the masterpiece of Momik, a talented sculptor and a miniaturist. The burial site of the Orbelian dynasty (XIII - XIV cc.) is located north to the main temple. On the way back to Yerevan visit Areni village, the homeland of wine for a tour and degustation .Visit "Hin Areni" winery. The wines is produces from different varieties of grapes such as Voskehat, Areni, Tozot, Movuz. Short tour around the wine factory after take quadricycle or village car to reach the winyards and degustation of different types of wine.Drive back to Yerevan. Overnight in Yerevan.
Day 4: Yerevan-Lake Sevan- ‘’Armenian Switzerland’’ Dilijan-Ijevan wine factory- Yerevan
Breakfast at the hotel. Drive to Sevan, one of the greatest high mountainous lakes of Eurasia, climb to the Sevanavank Monastery on peninsula from where the fascinating view on the Lake is open. Drive to the “Armenian Switzerland” Dilijan which is well-known for its forests as well as for its mysterious flora and fauna. Small walking city tour in resort Dilijan:visit to handicrafts’ street, which is 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 11th-13th century and represent a magnificent piece of history, culture and architecture. The Monastery is so unique and the scenery with the nature surrounding it is so breath taking that most of visitors are in awe. Drive to Ijevan, city in the Tavush province,Ijevan wine factory.Due to the usage of new technologies,semi-sweet wines are produced. Wine degustation.Drive back to Yerevan. Overnight in Yerevan.
Day 5: Yerevan-,,Proshyan wine’’-Saghmosavank -,,Armenia wine’’-,,Van Ardi ’’-Yerevan
Breakfast at the hotel. Drive to the Aragatsotn province.Stop at the Proshyan wine factory.Tour in the factory. After wine and cognac degustation drive to the Saghmosavank Monastery,located on the edge of the precipitous gorge of the Kasakh river.Drive to Sasunik village,visit ,,Armenia wine’’ factory, where degustation of several types of wines will be organized.The tour in the factory is very informative, it covers both traditional and innovative winemaking techniques, including visits to wine cellars, aging cellars, brandy innovative distillery, champagne production block, bottling line and degustation hall. The company’s manufactured grape wine assortment includes dry and semisweet types of red, rose and white, and special editions of white and red wines.Visit to ,,Van Ardi’’ winery- the newly established boutique winery,degustation.Drive back to Yerevan.Overnight in Yerevan.
Day 6: Yerevan-Garni- Geghard-Echmiatzin-Yerevan
Breakfast at the hotel. On the way to the only remaining pagan temple in Armenia Garni photo stop 10 min. at Charent’c Arch.Garni temple is Greco-Roman style with characteristic pillars. It stands proudly on a rocky ridge with a deep canyon presenting a beautiful view and the temple was a summer residence for Arshakid dynasty. The fantastic landscape of Garni canyon shakes the human imagination. Lunch at the local restaurant Garnitun,degustation of homemade wine & vodka, watching of “Lavash” (Armenian traditional bread baked in stone-make oven) making process of Drive to the unique caved Monastery St. Geghard (12th-13thcc.), 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. After lunch drive to the center of Armenian Apostolic church- St. Echmiadzin .The Cathedral of Echmiadzin was founded at the beginning of the 4th century and is one of the oldest churches in the world and listed among the UNESCO World Heritage Sites.In Etchmiatsin visit to the Cross of Armenian Unity cultural centre, degustation of homemade wine made from different fruits (apricot, grape, peach, apple or mulberry). Here are one nice tradition,each visitor can make a from grapes to wine, pour in the bottle,write on the bottle the dates and name and give to keep in the cellar-museum of the center.Drive back to Yerevan. Overnight in Yerevan.
Day 7: Yerevan-Vernissage-Wine & Grape Spa centre -Transfer
After breakfast at the Hotel visit to the open air market Vernissage,to buy many interesting souvenirs and handmade works from Armenia. Visit Wine & Grape SPA centrein Yerevan,which will give you an opportunity to feel the magic strength of the Ararat valley sweet grape. After you sink into the wine made of these fruit, you will feel the magic properties of the Armenian drink, feel hale and hearty, strong and young.The wine bathing,steaming,skin peeling with the grape seeds and fresh blend,the massage with the grape oil and too many procedures will take each visitor to another world of Edem.Here you will taste the grape honey juice and wine made of it,which is a Divine drink. Free time. Transfer to the Zvartnots International Airport.
