Armenia

Arrival at Zvartnots International airport at … Transfer to hotel and overnight.

After a late breakfast, meeting with the guide at the hall of the hotel. Departure for an entire day of visits of Yerevan starting from Victory Park, which houses the statue of Mayr Hayastan (Mother Armenia), to admire the best view of the city. Visit of Matenadaran, the museum-library, unique in the world, which houses a collection of thousands of manuscripts. Continuation to Cascade complex, a monumental staircase that houses the modern art collection of Gerard Cafesjian. Walk in the center of Yerevan to admire the Armenian Opera Square and continuation along Northern Avenue, Yerevan’s pedestrian street, to Republic Square, surrounded by the most beautiful buildings in the city, where Stalinist style meets Armenian architecture, and where the dancing fountains show takes place every evening in the summer. Departure to Kotayk region and arrival in the village of Garni, to visit the temple of Garni, a Hellenistic Roman temple from the I century AD and the only one to survive after the Christianization of Armenia in the IV century AD. Continuation of the journey to Geghard monastery (UNESCO World Heritage Site), located in a narrow gorge and partially carved into the rock. The name of the Monastery, Geghard, in Armenian language means “spear”, as the spear that pierced Christ’s side on the Cross was kept here for centuries. Short descent into the gorge of Garni, a deep canyon with walls covered by basaltic rock formations in the shape of organ pipes that have earned the name of this place of “Symphony of Stones”. Overnight in Yerevan.

After breakfast, departure towards south-east entering the Ararat Region to visit the monastery of Khor Virap, dominated by the snowy profile of Mount Ararat, in a suggestive position near the border with Turkey. In the fortified monastic complex, there is the well-prison (Khor Virap means “deep well”) in which in the fourth century St. Gregory the Illuminator was imprisoned for 13 years. Continuation to the wine region of Vayots Zor, whose landscape is characterized by jagged gorges and wild peaks. Visit of Noravank monastery, the masterpiece of the architect Momik, surrounded by rugged gray and red rocky mountains, with the two-storey church of Surp Astvatsatsin richly decorated with bas-reliefs. Continuation to Seilm Pass to admire the Orbelian Caravanseray, built in 1332. Continuation to Lake Sevan, the “Emerald of Armenia”, one of the highest freshwater alpine lakes in the world. Stop in the village of Noratus to visit its monumental cemetery to admire more than 700 Khatchkar, the carved stones in form of a cross, typical of the Armenian art production. Visit of the Sevan peninsula, on which stands the Sevanavank Monastery, to admire the spectacular views of the lake and surrounding mountains. departure to Dilijan, nicknamed “Switzerland of Armenia” for the lush forests that surround the town. Overnight in Dilijan.

After breakfast, departure on 4×4 vehicles to a thriving ascent to Mount Dimaz at 2738 m. The view from the top of the mountain to the rocky walls of the Ijevan Mountains is spectacular. Continuation to the Debed river valley, with its treasures of medieval religious architecture. Visit of the fortified church of Akhtala, built on a rocky spur surrounded by high and deep canyons, famous for being one of the few churches in Armenia with interior walls covered with frescoes counted among the best examples of Byzantine art outside the Empire of Byzantium. Continuation to Haghpat Monastery (built in the X century and now a UNESCO heritage site), which was the most important spiritual center of Medieval Armenia in the XII century. Its university was very famous throughout the Armenian world and its school of copyists and miniaturists was among the most renowned in Armenia. Overnight in Haghpat.

After breakfast, departure to the 7th century fortress of Amberd, located on the slopes of Mount Aragats, built to protect its inhabitants and people living in the area against invaders. Amberd is located at an elevation of 2300 m above the sea level and its name means a “fortress in the clouds”. Although the site has been a stone age settlement, a fortress has been built during the bronze age by Kamsarakan Family. Continuation to Saghmosavank Monastery, built in the XIII century on the edge of the deepest part of the Kasakh gorge (200 m). From this picturesque place you can also see Mounts Ararat, Aragats and Ara. Return to Yerevan and visit of the Memorial of the Armenian Genocide on the hill of Tzitzenakaberd (the Fortress of the Swallows), a complex dedicated to the 1.5 million Armenians who died at the hands of the Ottoman Turks in 1915. Farewell from the guide and free time in Yerevan and overnight.

Transfer to airport.

End of services.