Cultural Exploration of Armenia

After your arrival in Yerevan, you will be transferred to the hotel. Yerevan is the capital of Armenia, its largest city and the administrative, cultural, and industrial centre. Yerevan is often referred to as the city of contradictions where modernity is interweaving with antiquity. It is filled with a cosy atmosphere, there is no hustle and bustle and you will feel friendliness and hospitality. More interesting facts about Yerevan you will learn the next day during your guided city tour. In the evening, you will enjoy welcome dinner in the restaurant in Yerevan.

The day will start with a city tour around the ancient capital of Armenia. According to the cuneiform inscription of Urartian King Argishti Yerevan was built in 782 AD. Some decades ago Alexander Tamanyan, the general architect of Yerevan draw the contemporary masterplan of the city which we can see today. The warm smiles of its inhabitants give the unique charm to this eternal city ancient and so young at the same time. You will enjoy the view of Yerevan from the observation area of the Victory Park. Next you will have an excursion to the History Museum. The tour will continue to the museum of Sergei Parajanov – the great Armenian film director. Lunch will be held at the national restaurant. After that, you will get acquainted with the works of the famous Armenian sculptor Kochar. The next stop will be at the carpet factory “Megerian Carpet” which presents carpets with a history of 400 years. Here those who wish will be able to create a small carpet with the help of the craftsmen. In the museum of Megerian Carpet there is a huge impressive exhibition hall where the carpet weaving and coloring is presented. In the evening you will enjoy a walk along the Northern Avenue and at the end, you will see the singing fountains on the Republic Square.

This day you will head to Lake Sevan, the “blue pearl of Armenia” and one of the highest freshwater lakes in the world located at about 1900 meters above sea level. Here you will visit Sevanavank monastery which was found in 874 by Princess Mariam. Lunch will be served in a restaurant overlooking the lake with local lake-caught fish on the menu. The trip will continue to Dilijan, a lush town known as a spa resort. A stroll in the historical district will let you experience the atmosphere of the old town as it was in the 19th century. The imaginatively carved balconies so typical for the 19th century Dilijan display the region’s historical love for fine woodwork. In the evening you’ll be back to Yerevan for a rest and overnight. In Yerevan, you will visit the brandy factory ArArAt the production of which is known all over the world. Here you will taste two kinds of Armenian brandy.

On the fourth day, you will drive to the scenic canyon of the Azat River. The 7th-century Geghard Cave Monastery is located deep at the bottom of the canyon and is listed by UNESCO as a World Heritage Site. The towering cliffs of its surrounds are part of the monastery’s complex which is both carved from the adjacent mountain as well as partially built from local basalt stones. The tour will continue to Garni village, where is located the Hellenistic Garni temple. Lunch will be served in the courtyard of a family in Garni and will consist of local traditional dishes. The tour will continue to Echmiadzin – the religious center of all Armenians around the world. The residence of Catholicos, Supreme Patriarch of the Armenian Apostolic Church is located in Echmiadzin. Here one of the first official Christian cathedrals was founded in the first half of the 4th century, later it was reconstructed and stands today with its whole majesty. Here you will also visit the church of St. Hripsime (7th century), which is one of the most beautiful Armenian churches of the early Middle Ages. On the way back you will stop in the creative center of Machanents.

After breakfast, you will head to the south of Armenia to Khor Virap Monastery, a historic site located amidst the Ararat Valley. The monastery was built on the place of the royal prison in Artashat. Here in the royal prison, Gregory the Illuminator suffered for 13 years for preaching Christianity in Armenia in the 3rd century. Nowhere else in Armenia you will see such an amazing view of the Biblical Ararat. Next, you will stop in Areni village located in Vayots Dzor region. This region of Armenia is considered the center of winemaking and it has become famous for its unique grape sort Areni. The winemaking in Armenia is already 6000 years old. This fact was proved by the founding in Areni Caves which you will visit during the tour. The archaeologists have found here the most ancient winery in the world. The tour will continue through a narrow canyon to the valley of red rocks to Noravank Monastery.

After breakfast at the hotel, you will head to Gyumri – a cultural center and the second largest city in Armenia. The city has a museum of local lore, a historical and cultural reserve, as well as five churches, a monastery, and an Orthodox chapel. The most beautiful and historically valuable of them is the church Amenaprkich (the Church of the Savior). The city was once the center of education and culture in Armenia and the first Armenian opera was established here in Gyumri in 1912. Lunch will be held in the restaurant “Cherkezi Dzor”. Then you will head to Saghmosavank Monastery located a top the yawning gorge carved by the Kasakh River. Amazing view of the Canyon will open in front of you once you reach the monastery. Your next stop will be at the monument of Armenian Alphabet which was founded in 2005 to celebrate the 1600th anniversary of the alphabet foundation. In the evening you will be back to your hotel in Yerevan.

A free day will let you enjoy your time in Yerevan visiting souvenir shops, outdoor cafes or some fine jazz clubs at one’s liberty. If this day of leisure falls at the weekend, you will be able to visit Vernissage, an art and craft fair offering both souvenirs and a showcase of local Armenian craftsmanship for purchase or perusal. On this day, we recommend you to visit the Matenadaran Museum, the Armenian Genocide Museum, Martiros Saryan’s art gallery. And in the evening you will have a compliment from our company – a musical evening.

Transfer to the airport, departure.