Sightseeing tour to cultural centres of Armenia

Organize Your trip to Armenia in this 10-days cultural tour-package. After city-tour in Yerevan, we have sightseeing tour to cultural and historical monuments of Armenia, such as Tatev and Noravank Monasteries, Marmashen, Akhtala fortress, etc.

• Day 1: Departure from home country

• Day 2:Arrival-Yerevan city tour

  

  Arrival in Zvartnots Airport. Meet and greet transfer. Check in. Accommodation at the hotel. Rest. Breakfast in hotel. City tour in Yerevan, the capital city of Armenia, with typical buildings of rose tuff overlooking the Republic Square. Visit of the Tsitsernakaberd Memorial (the Park and the Museum dedicated to the victims of the Armenian Genocide). Visit famous Armenian Brandy Factory. Overnight at the hotel in Yerevan.

• Day 3:Khor Virap - Areni winery - Noravank - Karahounj - Goris

  

  Sightseeing tour to Khor-Virap monastery the importance of which is connected with Gregory the Illuminator, who introduced Christianity to Armenia. It is a wonderful masterpiece situated on top of a hill. It is a pilgrimage place where every year a lot of tourists and native people visit. It looks like a castle where everybody has the hint to sit and dream while admiring the beauty of the church. The highlight is the best view to the biblical Mt. Ararat. Continue tour to Noravank monastery - religious and cultural centre of 13th c. It is situated in a narrow gorge which is known for its tall, sheer, brick-red cliffs, directly across from the monastery. The beauty of this monastery is appreciated by thousands of visitors not only because of its architecture and history, but also for its harmony with surrounding fabulous nature. Drive to Syunik region. Visit Karahunge (Stonehenge), ancient observatory 6mil B.C. It is located at 1770 m. above sea level and occupies 7 hectares of territory. Overnight in Goris.

• Day 4:Goris - Khndzoresk - Tatev Monastery - Yeghegnadzor

  

  Start the tour from Goris to explore the city, visiting the exciting Dig Dig stones – natural monument. The region is nestled in a bowl of green hills and mountains, with interesting formations and many previously inhabited caves in them. Excursion tour to Khndzoresk which is a cave village and there are many signs of past settlement throughout the valley which are just waiting for discovery. Continue to explore a monastic complex of Tatev (Cultural Heritage Site by UNESCO) which is an architectural masterpiece dating from the 10th century and is often called a monastery built on the edge of nothing. On the way to this monastery there is a strange natural bridge called the Devil’s Bridge. Drive to nearby city of Yeghegnadzor. Overnight in Yeghegnadzor.

• Day 5:Yegheghnadzor - Selim Carvansarai - Noraduz - Lake Sevan - Dilijan

  

  Drive to Lake Sevan through Selim Pass visiting the caravanserai (XIV c.). The Selim caravanseray was built in 1332 by Prince Chesar Orbelian, according to an inscription in Armenian and Arabic, this used to be an important trade point in the famous Silk Road. Visit also to Noraduz, ancient cemetery with medieval khachkars (cross-stones) dating back to 6th c. About 70 miles north of Yerevan sits Lake Sevan. This huge mountain lake which takes up to 5% of Armenia's surface area and is about 2,000 meters above sea level is one of the highest among the freshwater lakes in the world. Drive to the resort town of Dilijan. Overnight in Dilijan.

• Day 6:Dilijan - Lermontovo - Haghpat & Sanahin Monasteries - Lori

  

  Start tour from Dilijan to the North of Armenia. Visit the village of Lermontovo in the Lori Province of Armenia. Like its neighbor, Fioletovo village, it is the location of one of the Russian Molokan settlements in Armenia. Here you will have the opportunity to meet the locals and communicate with them. You will get to know their everyday life-style and the means of living. Continue tour to the architectural complexes of Sanahin (966 AD) and Haghpat (976 AD) which are among the outstanding works of medieval Armenian architecture and are inscribed in UNESCO World Heritage list. Overnight in Lori.

• Day 7:Lori - Akhtala - Marmashen - Gyumi

  

  Drive to Akhtala fortress and monastery of 13 c. which is one of the rarest complexes decorated by frescos. Leave Lori for Shirak region. Visit Marmashen village on the Akhuryan river bank, divided by two monumental groups known as Big and Small. On the eastern and southern parts of the many monuments there is a cemetery. The monastery had its very own water-supply, which was discovered in the western portion of the entry. Marmashen was an important religious and cultural center. Drive to the second largest city of Armenia the ethno city of Gyumri. Overnight in Gyumri.

• Day 8:Gyumri - Talin - Aruch - Yerevan

  

  Start tour in Gyumri – the second largest city of Armenia. Drive back to Yerevan. The road leads toward an excellent early church called Talin where there are the impressive remains of an important cathedral church of 7 c. Drive to the village of Aruch which is one of the oldest settlements of Armenia. Aruch and its environs are rich with historical-architectural monuments, burial-vaults from Bronze Age, temples, palaces, fortresses, khachkars, etc. The half-destroyed caravansary is preserved on the northern side of the village, on the Ashtarak-Talin highway. It belongs to the three-nave caravansaries type with one hall that was built in Armenia in XIII-XIV cc. These two architectural highlights are unique as they are works of the same century but they have quite different architectural conceptions. Drive to Yerevan. Overnight in Yerevan.

• Day 9: Yerevan - Etchmiadzin - Amberd - Ashtarak - Yerevan

  

  Departure to Echmiadzin which is mere 20 km from Yerevan. Etchmiadzin Cathedral is known as the center of the Armenian - Gregorian Church and appears to be one of the world's first Christian churches. Extension to Fortress of Amberd, 9th century, stands halfway up Mt. Aragats, at the height of 2300m. The fortress stands on a rocky cape formed by the rivers Amberd and Arkhashen. Proceed to Ashtarak – one of the most ancient Armenian cities, to visit the church of Karmravour. It’s one of the smallest pan-Armenian churches but in spite of its size you can still feel authentic Christianity. Overnight in Yerevan.

• Day 10:Garni - Geghard - Matenadaran

  

  In the morning visit the depositary of ancient manuscripts the Matenadaran which contains historical documents from all over Europe and Asia throughout many centuries. Departure to Garni Temple which was built which was built in the first century A.D. Opportunity to have lunch at a local house in Garni where you will have opportunity to watch Armenian national bread “lavash” baking and barbeque making process in the underground stove called “tonir”. Northeast of Garni there is a magnificent monument of medieval Armenian architecture - Geghard Monastery inscribed in UNESCO World Heritage list. Geghard is another incredible ancient Armenian monastery, partly carved out of a mountain. Return to Yerevan. Overnight in Yerevan.