7-Day Armenia Cultural & Historical Tour

Breakfast at the hotel. Depart for a full-day city tour of Yerevan. Visit the Republic Square, the heart of Armenia’s capital. Learn about the history of one of the world’s oldest continuously inhabited cities, founded in 782 BC. Afterwards, continue to the Matenadaran Museum of Ancient Manuscripts to learn about the history of Armenian alphabet and the nation’s rich cultural and literary heritage. A short drive from here will take to the Yerevan Cascade Architectural Complex and Cafesjian Center for the Arts. These giant travertine stairs are home to a fascinating contemporary art collection (displayed outdoors and indoors) featuring works by world-famous artists, including Fernando Botero, Peter Woytuk, Barry Flannigan, Jaume Plensa and others. Take the escalators to the top of the Cascade to enjoy panoramic views of Armenia’s capital. Lunch time (not included). Next stop is the “Mother of Armenia” monument, situated in the Victory Park overlooking the capital city. Erected here in 1967, this 22-meter-tall statue is the female personification of Armenia. Continue your panoramic tour of Yerevan on the bus, see the buildings of the National Assembly, the Opera Theater, with the following transfer to the hotel. In the evening, enjoy a welcome dinner at one of the traditional restaurants in Yerevan with folk music and dance show. Overnight at one of the hotels in Yerevan, Armenia.

Breakfast at the hotel. In the morning, travel to the Khor Virap monastery. Situated at the foothills of the Biblical Mount Ararat, the monastery sits on the hills of one of the ancient capitals of Armenia – Artashat, or Artaxata. The patron saint of the Armenian nation, Saint Gregory the Illuminator, was imprisoned here in a deep dungeon for 13 years. Shortly after his release, he baptized the Armenian king Tiridates the Great, and Christianity was proclaimed the country’s official religion in 301 AD. Continue south to the Vayots Dzor region of Armenia, visit a true jewel of medieval Armenian architecture – the monastery of Noravank. Nestled among the sheer cliffs of the Gnishik canyon, Noravank is famous for its intricate reliefs decorating the exterior walls of the churches. The reliefs feature Jesus Christ, Mother Mary, archangels and even a unique image of Father God. Included lunch at one of the local restaurants in Areni area. OPTIONAL: On the way back to Yerevan, visit the archaeological site of “Areni-1” cave. A number of major archaeological discoveries were made here in this cave, including the world’s oldest leather shoe (5500 years old) and the world’s oldest known winery (6200 years). Note: Areni-1 cave requires a climb of 100 steps up. Return to Yerevan. Evening at leisure. Dinner on own. Overnight at one of the hotels in Yerevan, Armenia

Breakfast at the hotel. Start your day with a visit to the Zvartnots Archaeological Site, where the ruins of the UNESCO World Heritage Site Zvartnots Cathedral are located (7th century). One of the tallest buildings of its times, Zvartnots was a new word in ecclesiastic architecture of Armenia, which greatly influenced the development of architecture in the country and the region. In the nearby town of Vagharshapat, visit the Cathedral of Etchmiadzin, often referred to as the Vatican of Armenia. The cathedral was founded in 301-303 AD and is considered the world’s oldest Christian cathedral. Here in Etchmiadzin, visit the Treasury Museum for a short, guided tour to see some of the most important Christian relics in Armenia, such as the piece of Noah’s Ark, the Holy Lance that pierced the side of crucified Jesus, pieces of the True Cross on which Jesus was crucified, and others. Included lunch at one of the local restaurants in Vagharshapat. Back in Yerevan, visit the Armenian Genocide Memorial & Museum to learn about one of the most tragic pages of Armenian history and nation’s revival afterwards. OPTIONAL: Conclude your day with a visit to a local musician’s house for a private musical experience in the family’s garden. Learn about traditional Armenian woodwind musical instruments, including the Armenian Duduk, and listen to Armenian folk melodies performed by the host. Rest of the day – at leisure. Dinner on own. Overnight at one of the hotels in Yerevan, Armenia

Breakfast at the hotel. Today, travel to the town of Dilijan, surrounded by the lush forests of Dilijan National Park. Visit the Haghatsin monastery, built between the 10th and 13th centuries. The monastery was an important religious and cultural center in medieval Armenia, famous for its picturesque location and serence atmosphere. Note: large buses cannot reach the monastery and must be parked below, about 650 meters distance (one-way). Guests are required to walk uphil along the road to reach the complex. A`erwards, enjoy a short walking tour in Dilijan and Sharambeyan Historic Street, featuring architecture typical of 18-19th-cc. Dilijan with carved wooden balconies. Here, visit local artisan workshops and witness cra`smen at work (woodcarving, pohery). Included lunch at one of the restaurants in Dilijan. Continue to Lake Sevan peninsula to visit the 9th-century Sevanavank monastery, situated on top of the Lake Sevan peninsula, providing a breathtaking view of the lake and the mountain ranges surrounding it. Built in 874 AD, Sevanavank is home to a unique Armenian cross-stone featuring the scene of Crucifixion. Note: A climb of 200 stairs up is required to reach the Sevanavank monastery. Return to Yerevan. Rest of the day – at leisure. Dinner on own. Overnight at one of the hotels in Yerevan, Armenia

Breakfast at the hotel. Start your day with a visit to the UNESCO World Heritage site monastery of Geghard. Founded in the 4th century in a remote area where an early Christian community existed from the 1st century, the monastery was enlarged in the 13th century, with two churches and chambers hand carved into the adjacent cliffs of the Azat gorge. OPTIONAL: Here at one of the cave chambers of the monastery, enjoy a live performance of medieval Armenian spiritual chants by a local choir. In the nearby village of Garni, visit the only surviving pagan temple in the region – the Temple of Garni. Built in the 1st century, this Greco-Roman temple was dedicated to the pagan deity of the Sun and justice Mithra. Before lunch at one of the local restaurants in Garni, take part in a bread baking ceremony of the tradifonal Armenian bread “Lavash”. Baked in ground ovens called “tonir”, lavash, its prepara?on, meaning and appearance of tradi?onal bread as an expression of culture in Armenia, was inscribed on the Representa?ve List of the Intangible Cultural Heritage of Humanity in 2014. Taste freshly baked lavash with homemade cheese and herbs. Included lunch at one of the rustic house-restaurants in the village of Garni. OPTIONAL: After lunch, get on SUVs and travel down to Azat Gorge to visit one of the most impressive natural monuments of Armenia, the “Symphony of Stones”. These basalt columns were formed hundreds of thousands of years ago as a result of volcanic activity in the area. Return to Yerevan. Rest of the day – at leisure. Dinner on own. Overnight at one of the hotels in Yerevan, Armenia.

Breakfast at the hotel. Hotel check-out (standard check-out time is 12h00). Transfer to Zvartnots Interna?onal Airport. Departure from Armenia