7-Day Tour to The Ancient Culture of Armenia from Yerevan

Armenia is one of the oldest countries in the world with a recorded history of about 3500 years. Armenians are the first nation, who adopted Christianity as the official religion of the state ( 301 A.D.). Throughout the centuries they have been persecuted and harassed by neighbouring countries and empires, but through all this, Armenians created a rich and colorful culture, their own alphabet and a socioeconomic structure that has allowed them to preserve their distinct way of life.

Day 1:
Pick up and transfer to the hotel. Welcome dinner at traditional Armenian restaurant with folk program (Armenian national songs and dances). Evening walk from the Northern Avenue to Republic Square. Participation in Dancing fountains show.

Day 2:
Breakfastin the hotel. Yerevan sightseeing including Republic Square, Opera House, State University, Parliament House, President’s Palace and Cascade complex. Tour to Matenadaran, a repository of ancient manuscripts, research institute and museum. Depart for Etchmiadzin: the spiritual and administrative headquarter of the Armenian Apostolic Church. Visit the Mother See of Holy Etchmiadzin (302-303AD), the seat of the Catholicos. Visit St.Gayane and St.Hripsime Churches (7thc.).
Return to Yerevan and stop over for Zvartnots temple, 7th century architectural master piece, listed among the UNESCO World Heritage Sites. Evening dinner in a traditional restaurant.

Day 3:
Breakfast in the hotel.Tour to Geghard medieval monastery: a fantastic example of medieval Armenian architecture of XII century. It is listed as UNESCO World Heritage Site. Participation in Armenian bread “Lavash”baking. Tour to the only preserved pagan temple Garni. On our way back we will visit Miracle Cave. The underground cave goes 21 meters deep into the earth. The floor space of the cave is 280 square meters and is located beneath the yard of the two story house.
Return to Yerevan. Dinner at traditional Caucasian restaurant.

Day 4:
Breakfast in the Hotel. Tour to Khor Virap Monastery. The monastery is famous for its location, especially for the view of the Biblical Mount Ararat, on the top of which Noah’s ark came to rest according to legend.Visit Areni Cave complex. In 2010, it was announced, that the earliest known shoe was found in the cave. Tour to Noravank Monastery, 13th century Armenian monastery locatedin a narrow gorge of River Amaghu. Lunch at the “Garandzav”Cave restaurant. Return to Yerevan.

Day 5:
Breakfast in the hotel. Tour toTsaghkadzor, famous ski resort in Armenia. Visit Kecharis Monastery founded in the 11th century. Drive to Lake Sevan, one of the greatest high mountainous fresh water lakes of Eurasia. It’s a fascinating collage of turquoise waves playing with wind and mountains reflected on water. Visit Noratus cemetery of khachkars: unique phenomenon of Armenian culture. Visit Hayrivank Monastery and Sevanavank Monastery. Dinner in a restaurant next to Sevan. Overnight in Dilijan.

Day 6:
Breakfast in the hotel. Dilijan is one of the most important resorts of Armenia, famous for its amazing surroundings. Visit to Haghartsin Monastery (X- XIV centuries). Nestled in forested mountains the Monastery creates a magical impression of the lost world. Trip to Goshavank Monastery (XII-XIII centuries). Dinner in Dilijan. Return to Yerevan.

Day 7:
Breakfast in the Hotel. Check out and transfer to the airport.