Duration: | 7 Day(s) - 6 Night(s) |
Tour Category: | Classic Tours |
Armenian in a Week
Day 1: Departure:
Departure from home country
Day 2: Arrival / Yerevan city tour/ Matenadaran/ Echmiadzin/ Zvartnots
After breakfast starts a city tour around Yerevan. Armenia’s capital is one of the oldest cities in the world. It was established in 782 BC. Visit Tsitsernakaberd Memorial park and the museum of the victims of Genocide and famous the depositary of ancient manuscripts the Matenadaran which contains historical documents from all over Europe and Asia throughout many centuries. In the second half of the day departure to Echmiadzin which is a mere 20 km from Yerevan.
On the way optional stop at St Hripsime church which is considered to be one of the 7 wonders of Armenia. Lunch in a local restaurant. Return to Yerevan with the stop at the ruins of Zvartnots temple - the pearl of the 7th c. architecture (inscribed in UNESCO World Heritage list). Welcome dinner in a traditional Armenian restaurant. Overnight at the hotel in Yerevan. (B/L/D)
Day 3: Yerevan / Ashtarak / Amberd Fortress / Karbi village/ Yerevan
As the first Christian nation, Armenia is home to countless ancient churches and monasteries. So during your tour, you will come across at least some of them and you will have the intention to see them at a closer step as all of them are in various locations and have very positive and mysterious energy. The smallest pan-Armenian church of Karmravour (7th c). in Ashtarak – one of the most ancient Armenian cities, will be the first stop of the day. Drive to the Fortress of Amberd*, 9th century, stands halfway up Mt. Aragats, at the height of 2300m. The fortress stands on a rocky cape.
There are also vestiges of a fortified three-storied palace, a church built in 1026, a palace bathhouse with two domes, a central heating system, water tanks, a water supply system, and a secret passage to a nearby cleft, and other buildings. Extension to Karbi village. The history of Karbi has been marked by invasions, destruction, and plundering. In the first half of the 17th century, Karbi was severely damaged in the Perso-Turkish wars. Lunch in a local house, communication with the locals, and getting to know everyday Armenian life in an ordinary family. Drive back to Yerevan. Leisure time. Overnight at the hotel in Yerevan. (B/L/--)
NOTE*: Amberd is possible to visit only starting mid-May as it’s 2300 m above sea level and the Armenian highland is covered with snow until the end of April.
Day 4: Yerevan / Khor Virap / Taperakan / Noravank / Yerevan
Sightseeing tour to Vayots Dzor region which has been inhabited since the Bronze Age. This fact was also proved by archeological excavations of the region in the result of which “The oldest leather shoe” in the world was discovered. This shoe, which is older than either Stonehenge or the Egyptian pyramids, is in fact the oldest shoe sample ever found in the world. The 5,500-year-old shoe is now on display at the History Museum of Armenia. On the way to Vayots Dzor, you will visit Khor-Virap monastery 4- 17th as it’s an important Christian site and the closest point to biblical Mt. Ararat. If you are lucky you and the weather is fine you will have a similar photo now on your right. Continue the tour to Noravank monastery - a great religious and cultural centre of 12th c. Noravank (“New Monastery”) is 122 km away from Yerevan and is located in an inaccessible location throughout the stunning nature. Lunch in a local cave café. Drive back to the capital city. Overnight at the hotel in Yerevan. (B/L/--)
Day 5: Yerevan/Garni / Geghard / Brandy Factory / Yerevan
Early departure to the village of Garni. The citadel and pagan temple of Garni is a picturesque monument of the Hellenistic period and an impressive piece of ancient Armenian architecture. Northeast of Garni, higher up the gorge of the Azat river, 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. Lunch at a local house in Garni where you will have the opportunity to watch Armenian national bread “lavash” baking and barbeque making process in the underground stove called “Tonir”. Return to Yerevan to visit the legendary Armenian Brandy Factory (1887).
Armenia is world-renowned for its brandy. Winston Churchill was offered Armenian brandy by Joseph Stalin at the Yalta Conference and was so impressed that he asked for several cases of it to be shipped to him each year. Overnight at the hotel in Yerevan. (B/L/--)
Day 6: Yerevan –Noratous – Lake Sevan – Arinj Catacombs – Yerevan
Early departure from Yerevan to Lake Sevan. About 70 miles north of Yerevan sits Lake Sevan. It is one of the largest fresh-water high-altitude lakes in the world. Proceed to Noradous village near Lake Sevan. Proceed to the lake to have lunch in a local restaurant on the peninsula, tasting local fish. The most famous cultural monument is the Sevanavank monastery near the town of Sevan at the northwestern shore. Initially, the monastery was located on an island, but the fall of the water level turned it into a peninsula. When the water level fell, many archaeological artifacts were found, 2000 years of age and older (some as old as the early Bronze Age).
Most of them are now displayed in the History Museum of Armenia. Drive to Yerevan on the way with a stop at the catacomb made by Levon Arakelyan in the course of 20 years. It’s impressive to learn that a simple pit for reserving potatoes turned into a piece of art and a source of wonder in the course of time and a strong will of a human being. Leisure time. Overnight in Yerevan. (B/L/--)
Day 7: Departure
Transfer to the airport and departure home.
(--/--/--)
Minimun passangers per tour is 2pax. Rates based on DBL/TWIN occupancy
Rates Include:
-Accommodation
-Transportation and transfers
-English speaking guide-driver service in case of 2pax
- Catering HB: breakfast at the hotel, lunches
-1 bottle of mineral water per day
Rates Do Not Include:
-Flights
-Meals except described
-Alcoholic beverages
-Travel insurance
-Armenia visa fee
-Tips and portage