Classic Pilgrimage & Cultural Tour to Armenia – 10 Days/9 Nights

Breakfast in the hotel. The day starts with a visit to the Erebuni Fortress, also known as Arin Berd. It is an Urartian fortified city, located in Yerevan. It was one of several fortresses built along the northern Urartian border. The name Yerevan itself is derived from Erebuni. Erebuni was founded by Urartian King Argishti I in 782 BC. It was built on top of a hill called Arin Berd overlooking the Aras River Valley to serve as a military stronghold to protect the kingdom's northern borders. We visit the pagan temple of Garni, built in the I century by Armenian king Trdat I and dedicated to the god of sun Mihr. Azat River gorge is famous for its basaltic pillars - the result of a volcanic lava flow. Lunch at a restaurant with tasting of national dishes + lavash master class. Next stop is Geghard monastery complex (IV century), which is included in the list of World Cultural Heritage by the UNESCO. Its full name is Geghardavank, literally it is translated as "Monastery of the spear". The name of the monastery complex comes from Christ Spear (Spear of Longinus), which the Roman soldier Longinus thrust in Jesus Christ. The spear is now kept in the treasury of Echmiadzin Cathedral. Back to Yerevan

Breakfast in the hotel. Next stop is the country's main museum - the History Museum of Armenia. The museum has collected about 400,000 exhibits. The museum exposition is divided into several departments: archaeological, ethnographic, numismatic department, historic architecture department, the Department of Modern and Contemporary history of Armenia. We visit the ruins of Zvartnots temple, which was destroyed in the earthquake. In 2000, the ruins of the temple and the archaeological area around it are included in the UNESCO World Heritage List. Lunch at a restaurant with tasting of national dishes. We will visit the city of Ecmiadzin ‐ the center of the Armenian Apostolic Church, where the residence of the Catholicos is located. We will visit Echmiadzin Cathedral (301-483 AD), which is included in the UNESCO World Heritage list. Return to Yerevan

Breakfast in the hotel. We go to the Armenian monastery of Khor Virap, situated at the foot of Mount Ararat, near the border with Turkey. It is a place of pilgrimage, which is connected with the legend of Grigor Lusavorich (Grigor the Illuminator). According to church tradition, Gregory was imprisoned on the orders of King Trdat III, caught in that he professes Christianity, and was held there for 13 years. Those interested can go down to the prison, which has a depth of 6 m and a diameter of 4.4 m. Right in front of you, very, very close and in all its beauty you will see the symbol of Armenia - Mount Ararat. Afterwards we go Noravank monastery complex, built in XIII-XIV centuries, which is located 1.5 kilometers east to the village of Areni. The complex is located on a narrow ledge winding gorge tributary of the Arpa River. The gorge is famous for its steep red cliffs, towering behind the monastery. Lunch at a restaurant with tasting of national dishes. The ropeway "Wings of Tatev" (the longest ropeway in the world - 5752 m, ranked in the Guinness Book of Records) will carry us over the beautiful Vorotan gorge directly to Tatev monastery. Visit the journey to the Tatev monastery (IX‐XIII centuries), which is located on the edge of a gigantic canyon. Tatev was one of the most famous spiritual and educational centers of the Middle Ages. The complex can be called one of the most noteworthy places on earth. Overnight stay in the city of Goris.

Breakfast in the hotel. We visit a village in the eastern part of the Syunik region of Armenia - Khndzoresk. The main attraction of the city is the "cave city". Here people lived in the caves until 1958. In 2012 there was built "Hanging Bridge" over the gorge that connects the two banks of the old village Khndzoresk. The height of the bridge is 60 meters and its length is 100 metres. Then we visit the prehistoric complex Karahunj (Zorats Karer), located at an altitude of 1770m, which is also called "Armenian Stonehenge". The complex consists of lots of large standing stones, some of which have circular openings in thier upper part. Karahunj is considered to be one of the oldest observatories in the world. Lunch at a restaurant with tasting of national dishes. We will visit "OLD BRIDGE" small wine factory and taste Armenian wine in the tasting room of the factory. The wines of this producer differ in their unique tastes. The bouquet of the fragrance is revealed gradually leaving a pleasant aftertaste. Overnight Hermon village

Breakfast in the hotel. Next stop is Selim caravanserai, located at an altitude of 2410 m above sea level. It is but one of many in Armenia; overnight spots for caravans laden with goods meant for markets in Europe and the Orient. The Selim Pass Caravanserai is a valuable example of these inns along the Armenian Silk Road. A faint inscription over the entry dates the building to 1326-1327. Trip to Noratus village. Here is the world’s biggest khachkars collection, as well as the oldest Armenian cemetery covering an area of 7 hectares. Each of them has their own distinctive design made of ornamental or life scenes. "Khachkar" implies "cross stone" in Armenian translation. Noratus oldest khachkar was built in the 5th century. Next stop - blue Sevan. Lake Sevan is a freshwater lake in the Armenian highlands. It is the largest lake in the Caucasus. It is guaranteed to be the largest source of fresh water in the region. We will also visit the Sevanavank - a monastery in the north-west coast of Lake Sevan. The monastery is located on a peninsula, which was once a small island. 30 minute boat ride on Lake Sevan (from mid-May to mid-October) Continue our tour to Tavush region of Armenia – to a small town of Dilijan, located on the picturesque banks of the river Aghstev. Lunch at a restaurant with tasting of national dishes. Dilijan - a small town-resort, located on the picturesque banks of the river Aghstev. Dilijan is is one of the most important resorts of Armenia, situated within the Dilijan National Park. In the second half of the 19th century, Dilijan became a well-known mountain resort the town began to grow gradually. The Sharambeyan street in the center, has been preserved and maintained as an "old town". Overnight in Dilijan

Breakfast in the hotel. The morning begins with a trip to Lori region of Armenia. We visit the village of Sanahin, where the monument of Armenian architecture, the church complex of X-XIII centuries is located. Since 1996 Sanahin monastery has been included in the UNESCO World Heritage List. Next stop will be Akhtala - 10th-century Armenian Apostolic Church monastery located in the town of Akhtala in the marz of Lori. The main church at the compound is famous for its highly artistic frescoes, which cover the inside walls, the partitions, and the bearings of the building. The fortress was built on an elevated rocky outcrop surrounded by deep canyons from three sides forming a natural protection. The walls and towers of the fortress are built of bluish basalt and lime mortar. Lunch at a restaurant with tasting of national dishes. The ‘‘Zarni‐Parni‘‘ cave castle complex is located in a picturesque forest canyon with a delightful panorama view of the Kayan fortress not far from the village of Haghpat renowned for its unique monastery complex. We continue the trip and visit Haghpat monastery, which is located on the south-eastern part of the village Haghpat. It was founded in 976 during the reign of Ashot Bagratuni. Haghpat was one of the most important spiritual and cultural centers. In 1996 it was included in the UNESCO World Heritage list. Overnight in Haghpat village

Breakfast in the hotel The day begins with a visit the Odzun Church - an Armenian basilica constructed around the 5th–7th century in the Odzun village of the Lori Province. The first church appeared here in the 6th century. In the 8th century it was reconstructed by Hovhannes III Odznetsi who served as the katholikos between 717 and 728 and was, as his name suggests, from Odzun. There are numerous gravestones of the clergy around the church, as well as a funerary monument. Next stop is Lori berd - historical and cultural preservation, founded nearly in 989-1048. The ancient Castle-resident occupied nearly 35 hectare territory, and the citadel occupied 8.5 hectare territory of it. It was reliably protected by strong defensive which was rather tall, averaging 21.4m high. The significance of the building opened on the edge of Dzoraget gorge, is still unknown. Assumed that it was a basement of palatial building and was standing until the XVIII–XIX centuries. Lunch at a restaurant with tasting of national dishes. Visit to the Hovhanavank The monastery is located on the right bank of the picturesque gorge of the Kasagh River, opposite the mountain Arailer (2600m.). These monasteries provide us with an opportunity to feel the power and the antiquity of Armenian architecture. There will be a stop at Square of alphabet. This is a monument to the Armenian alphabet, which consists of 39 letters of the Armenian alphabet. There are also monuments to Mesrop Mashtots and his disciples. Return to Yerevan. / Overnight

Breakfast in the hotel. Free day. Enjoy the beauty of Yerevan, browse the stores and stores, stroll through the restaurants and coffee houses, walk along the wide boulevards and narrow streets.

Breakfast in the hotel Check-out (12:00) Transfer to the airport.