Overnight International Flight to Yerevan

Upon arrival, be met at the airport to transfer to your hotel.

Yerevan is believed to be one of the oldest continuously inhabited cities in the world with early settlements as early as the 4th Millennium BC.

We will start the first day of the Armenia Tour with an excursion to centuries-old monuments, Ejmiatsin and Zvartnots. These sites are listed on UNESCO World Heritage list. The Cathedral of Ejmiatsin, founded in 303, is the official residence of the Catholicos of Armenia. We'll continue the trip to Zvartnots Temple, which was built in 7th century by Nerses Builder Catholicos. Enjoy lunch at a local restaurant before returning to Yerevan where you will visit the famous arts and crafts market of Vernisage. Overnight at the hotel in Yerevan. ...read less

After breakfast, depart to Khor Virap Monastery (4-18th cc.). This monastery is very prominent because of its history; Gregory the Illuminator, who introduced Christianity to Armenia, had been imprisoned there for 13 years as at that time there was a prison in the place of the monastery. Here we can enjoy the spectacular view of the sacred Ararat Mountain - an immortal symbol of Armenia. We will continue our tour to Noravank - a monastery of XII century situated among amazing sheer rocks on the bench of a twisty gorge. This is the only monastery where we may find a unique sculpture of Father God. On our way back we will visit village Areni which is considered to be an important center of the wine production industry. You are welcome to taste its excellent wine. Enjoy lunch at a local house in Areni then drive to Goris for the evening. ...read less

Today, we are going to pass the pathways that have been used by the travelers of the Great Silk Road. We will drive through the Selim Caravanserai, which served as an important center of exchange, trade and for overnight during the times of Great Silk Road. Here we can see the immortal tracks of world history. Make a visit to Noraduz before driving to Lake Sevan, one of the largest lakes in the world. Here we can enjoy the breathtaking scenery of the beautiful lake with its astonishingly blue waters. Then we will visit Hayrivank monastery and Sevanavank complex, which is situated on Sevan Peninsula. There are two monasteries actually; one of them is destroyed but the other stands still. They have been built in the middle Ages, around the 10th century. Then, we will drive to Dilijan. Walking along the Sharambeyan Street, which is one of the oldest streets of the city. Here we can buy souvenirs and see the life of the small city while breathing the clean mountain air. Overnight in Dilijan. ...read less

Today we will visit two unique monuments of Armenian architecture of X-XIV centuries: the monasteries of Sanahin and Haghpat which are UNESCO World Heritage Sites. Literally the name "Sanahin" in Armenian means "this one is older than the other," which probably means that this monastery is older of than Haghpat. These two monasteries are very close to each other and can be easily seen from one to the other. Both are located on an uneven plateau, separated by a deep crack formed by a small river that flows into the river Debed. Haghpat Monastery was one of the largest religious, cultural and educational centers of medieval Armenia. Lunch at a local restaurant before heading back to Yerevan. ...read less

After breakfast, we will start the tour in the capital of Armenia: Yerevan. For ages this city has been known as a "pink city" because of the color of the stone it has been built with. We will visit Republic square, Mashtoc Avenue, the House of Opera and Ballet after Aram Khachatryan, and the park "Cascad". Then we will visit the Manuscript Museum of Armenia, which is called Matenadaran; here is where all ancient Armenian Manuscripts are kept. Then we should visit the Genocide Memorial known as Tsitsernakaberd. Overnight at your hotel. ...read less

After breakfast, you will depart to Garni for a tour. This Pagan Temple was built in the 1st century AD. It is the only temple that has been preserved from the Pagan times in Armenia. It was devoted to the god Mihr, the god of cleanness. In 1679 it was destroyed by an earthquake. In 1975 the Temple was restored. We will then continue our trip to Geghard Monastery. Its name came from the legendary lance that was used to pierce the body of Christ. It has been kept here for centuries. Though the exact foundation of the monastery is unknown, the present complex was built in the mid - 13th century. Afterwards we will visit a local house where you will have the chance to see and participate in the preparation of Armenian national bread: lavash. It is very thin and usually sold in very large forms. It is usually cooked in a ground oven called a "tonir". Recently it has been recognized as non-material heritage of UNESCO. Head back to Yerevan for the evening. ...read less

At the appropriate time, you will end your Armenia Tour by being met at your hotel and transferred to the airport for your flight home.