Easter in Armenia
Enjoy the Holy week with us in magnificent Armenia
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Day 1 :Arrival Day
Arrival in Zvartnots International Airport. You are met by your Tour Guide and immediately begin your unique journey in Armenia. Transfer to the hotel. Check-in.Rest Time.
Day 2 – Yerevan City tour
Yerevan is the pink “pearl” of Armenia, the capital of this ancient country. This beautiful European city is mostly built by different shades of the local pink stone called tuff quarried in Armenia. Founded in 782B.C. Yerevan is reputedly one of the oldest cities in the world to have been continuously inhabited.
We start our exploration with the Republic Square with it magnificent buildings enhanced by singing fountains. Walking down the Abovyan Street, one of the oldest streets in Yerevan which was on the Great Silk Road, Northern Avenue, Opera House. Visiting the colosal Monument of Cascade. A visit to the “Covered” Bazaar known as “Pak Shuka” on Mashtots Avenue. It’s a real museum of food. Have a fascinating journey through the Armenian glorious history with a visit to the History Museum of Armenia, one of the best museums in the world. The museum represents an integral picture of the history and culture of Armenia from prehistoric times (one million years ago) till our days. Here you can find the world’s oldest leather shoe (5500years old) found only 3 years ago!. Get acquainted with the rich spiritual and cultural life of ancient Armenia at Matenadaran, a unique Research Institute and Museum of ancient and medieval illustrated manuscripts. Marvel at the illuminated pages of some of those manuscripts within their glass cases. Overnight in Yerevan
Day 3 – Lake Sevan – Dilijan Spa town – Goshavank Monastery.
We tour around the Lake Sevan, a huge mountainous lake which takes up almost 5% of Armenia’s surface area. It’s one of the most beautiful alpine lakes in the world situated at 1900m above sea level . On a clear and sunny day, the water is often deep turquoise color. The Russian poet Maxim Gorky poetically described the lake, “The Lake Sevan is like a genuine piece of sky dropped down from heaven into the mountains”. Then we continue to Dilijan National Park. Many poets used to say, “If there are woods, mountains, streams and mineral waters in paradise, it must be like Dilijan”. As a climatic balneal health centre of medium-mountain zone, Dilijan is characterized by mild, moderate warm summer, sunny warm winter and dry warm weather during the whole year. Due to its forested mountains and mild climate, Dilijan is named “Armenia’s Little Switzerland”. Take a stroll in the most beautiful part of the town, Old Dilijan Complex on historic Sharambeyan street. Here we experience the town as it was in the 19th century. We continue our journey through Dilijan National Park, a protected area renowned for its serene lakes, picturesque hill trails and peaceful villages. We visit Goshavank fairy-tale monastery set amidst flower-filled meadows. Here you’ll see the most beautiful Armenian stone-cross from 1291, an exquisite needlework masterpiece. Back to Yerevan. Overnight.
Day 4 – Garni Pagan Temple – Geghard Monastery
Leaving the frantic pace of the city we are heading towards Garni Pagan Temple, the only Hellenistic Temple in the Caucasus. The Pagan Temple of Garni is the only pagan temple currently standing in Armenia. Gracing the hillside the pagan temple was dedicated to the God of Sun, Mithra. It was built in 77A.D. Proceed to Geghard Monastery (UNESCO) carved out of a huge monolithic rock. Geghard is an incredible ancient Armenian monastery, partly carved out of a mountain. It is said that the Holy Lance that pierced the body of Christ was kept here. The architectural forms and the decoration of Geghard’s rock premises show that Armenian builders could not only create superb works of architecture out of stone, but also hew them in solid rock. Back to Garni village. Visiting a local house in Garni village. Traditional Armenian bread-lavash making in tonir (underground earth-stove). Overnight in Yerevan
Day 5 – Khor Virap Monastery – Noravank Monastery – Wine tasting tour in Areni
Early morning departure from Yerevan. The first stop of our trip is Khor Virap, the most sacred pilgrimage destination in Armenia not only because it’s the only place in Armenia where you’ll get the best view of the biblical Mount Ararat within Armenian borders, but this is where St. Gregory the Illuminator was imprisoned for 13 years by the King Tiridates III for preaching Christianity. Guided by the remote majesty of biblical mount Ararat, we explore the site, its underground chambers, elegant chapels and are captivated by the ascetic atmosphere of the site. We continue to the south driving through the agricultural heart of Armenia, Ararat Plain offering a fantastic scenery of fruit orchards, endless vineyards at the foothills of Ararat Mountain where the Noah’s ark landed. As soon as the we pass the Ararat Plain we can experience the untamed beauty of Southern Armenia – surreal red rocks providing an eerie echo, honey-coloured villages sandwiched between them. Our next stop is the Monastery of Noravank, an architectural gemstone nestled among brick-red cliffs, just above a deep gorge. It’s only here where you can see a bas-relief with the representation of Father God with almond-shaped eyes. Later we’ll drive back to Areni village, the cradle of viticulture! This is where world’s ancient winery was found (about 6000years old). Winery tour and wine tasting. Overnight in Yerevan
Day 6 – “Easter Sunday” Echmiadzin Mother Cathedral – Zvartnots Ruins
Today we embark on our journey to the lands of ancient treasures of Christian history…Vatican city of Armenia, Holy Echmiadzin with its world’s earliest Christian churches included in the list of UNESCO World Heritage Sites. Visit Echmiadzin Mother Cathedral. It was originally built by Saint Gregory the Illuminator in 301-303A.D., when Armenia became the first officially Christian state in the world. It’s the most luxurious Armenian cathedral covered by stunning frescoes painted in the 18th century. Continue to St. Hripsime and St. Gayane churches built in 7th century. These churches are considered masterpieces of early medieval Armenian architecture. On the way back to Yerevan visit the Ruins of Zvartnots Cathedral. The remnants of Zvartnots, even in ruins, are a majestic sight…Overnight in Yerevan Day 7: Departure According to your departure flight, you will be transferred to the airport , end of services -
Includes
6 nights hotel accommodation in Yerevan as per your request Entrance fees during guided sightseeing Daily breakfast and Lunches
Tours & all transfers as mentioned Armenian bread Lavash making in a local house in Garni village Wine tasting in Areni village International Flights Excludes Dinners
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