daily excursions
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AE001
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Yerevan, the capital city
Yerevan City tour |
Half day
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Departure from your hotel for a half day visit of the capital of Armenia: Yerevan. The tour starts with Victory Park, from where one can enjoy spectacular views of the city, then visit of Cascade Complex hosting a collection of modern sculptures. The tour continues with the National Opera house, Matenadaran the Museum of Armenian manuscripts and Republic Square. Return to hotel.
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AE002
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Kotayk region
Garni temple, Geghard Monastery |
Half day
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Departure from your hotel for a half day visit of Kotayk region to visit the Temple of Garni, a first century Hellenistic Pagan temple and the only one to survive after the Christianization of Armenia in the IV century AD. A short drive leads to the UNESCO protected Geghard cave Monastery, probably the most beautiful of Armenia, which lies in a narrow gorge and is partially carved out of the adjacent towering cliff. Lunch in Garni where one will have the opportunity to see the lavash (the traditional Armenian bread) baking process. Return to hotel.
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AE003
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West of Yerevan
Zvartnots Cathedral, Echmiadzin |
Half day
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Departure from your hotel for the holy city of Echmiadzin, home of the "Catholicos" of the Armenian Apostolic Church. Visit of the Cathedral and of the churches of St. Gayane and of St. Hripsime; after a short drive, visit of the ruins of Zvartnots Cathedral, which used to be one of the most powerful and beautiful examples of Armenian architecture. Return to hotel.
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AE004
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The Ararat Region
Khor Virap, Areni, Noravank |
1 day
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Departure from your hotel for the Ararat Region where, in a spectacular location with the imposing mount Ararat as background, lies the Monastery of Khor Virap: here, from its terrace, everyone can enjoy the fantastic view of the two peaks of this magnificent extinct volcano. Visit of the Monastery and time to descent in the deep well where saint Gregory the Illuminator was prisoned by king Trdat because of his predication of Christian Religion. Continuation to the village of Areni, famous for its wines, time for a wine degustation tour at a local wine factory. Time for lunch and then continue to Noravank Monastery, located in a narrow canyon made by reddish rocks. The unique location and the unique architecture make Noravank one of the most beautiful monasteries of Armenia. Return to Yerevan.
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AE005
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Sacred places
Zvartnots Cathedral, Echmiadzin, Khor Virap |
1 day
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Departure from your hotel for the ruins of Zvartnots Cathedral, site protected by UNESCO and once one of the most powerful and beautiful examples of Armenian architecture. Continuation to the holy city of Echmiadzin, home of the "Catholicos" of the Armenian Apostolic Church, to visit of Cathedral and the church of St. Gayane. Departure for the Ararat Region to admire the Monastery of Khor Virap and the majestic view of Mount Ararat. Visit of the Monastery and time to descent in the deep well where saint Gregory the Illuminator was prisoned by king Trdat because of his predication of Christian Religion. Return to Yerevan
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AE006
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The great lake of Sevan
Noratus, Dilijan, Haghartsin, Goshavank, Sevanavank |
1 day
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Departure from your hotel for the Sevan Lake, the second highest clearwater lake in the world (after Titicacaca Lake) at about 2000 m above sea level. First stop will be at the Noratus cemetery famous for the many Khatchkars, the carved cross-stones, dotting its compound. Continuation to Dilijan, a small resort-town and one of the greenest cities of Armenia. Time for lunch and for wandering in the restored old part to visit to visit pottery, woodcarving, handicraft workshops. Departure towards the recently restored Haghartsin Monastery and continuation to Goshavank Monastery, named after Mkhitar Gosh, a statesman, writer and the author of the first armenian penal code. Drive back to Sevan Lake to visit the Sevan Peninsula with its monastery Sevanavank. Return to Yerevan.
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AE007
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Northern Armenia
Akhtala, Sanahin, Haghpat |
1 day
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Departure from your hotel to Lori region and the Valley of Debed to visit three gems of Armenian architecture. The first one is Akhtala, one of the few churches in Armenia painted with frescoes inside. The murals are among the best representations of Byzantine art outside the Empire of Byzantium and were painted between 1205 and 1216. Continuation to the magnificent monastery of Haghpat and, after lunch, visit of the Monastery of Sanahin. These two UNESCO protected monasteries, both built in the X century, are among the most outstanding works of Armenian medieval architecture. Return to Yerevan.
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AE008
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On the footsteps of Urartu
Yerevan City tour, Erebuni, Metsamor |
1 day
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Departure from your hotel for a half day focused on understanding the history of Armenia. The tour starts with the visit to the Armenian History Museum in Republic Square and to Matenadaran the Museum of Armenian manuscripts. The tour continues with the visit of the Urartian fortress of Erebuni, built in 782 B.C. by the Urartian king Argishti I on the top of Arinberd hill. Here, a cuneiform inscription has been found, telling that Yerevan was founded in this place. Visit of the the museum to admire the findings that have been excavated in the area of the fortress. Continuation to Metsamor to visit the ruins of a 3rd millennium BC Bronze Age city and a major site in the Urartian period (9th to 6th century BC), visit of the local museum. Return to hotel.
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AE009
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Mountains, fortresses and ancient monasteries
Amberd, Lake Kari, Saghmosavank, Hovhannavank |
1 day
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Departure from your hotel towards Amberd, a 7th century fortress, located on the slopes of Mount Aragats at 2300 m above sea level. This fortress was repeatedly attacked over the centuries but only the hordes of Tamerlane’s Army managed to conquer it. Drive to Lake Kari, an alpine mountain lake located at 3250 m above sea level in the Aragats Alpine State Sanctuary. Continuation to Ashtarak Region to visit to the beautiful monasteries of Saghmosavank (XIII sec.), whose name means the Monastery of Psalms, and Hovhannavank (VII sec.) where some splendid khatchkars can be admired; both monasteries are spectacularly located on the edge of the Kasagh Canyon. Return to Yerevan to your hotel.
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