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ItinerarY
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Tour Easter 2017 in Armenia
Thursday, april 13, 2017, Day 1: Arrival - Transfer to hotel
Departure from your country and arrival in Yerevan at Zvartnots International Airport; here our representative will meet you at the arrival hall for the transfer to the hotel. Overnight in Yerevan.
Friday, april 14, 2017, Day 2: Yerevan city tour - Garni - Geghard - Yerevan
After breakfast, a guided half-day tour will show you the city of Yerevan. We start with the administrative heart of the city and of the country, Republic Square, overlooked by the government and administrative buildings, where you will visit the Armenian History Museum, which houses a rich collection of archaeological and historical finds of Armenia: from the first prehistoric human settlements until the twentieth century. This is followed by a walk along North Avenue, the shopping avenue of Yerevan, to get to the Opera House. Continue to Cascade, a giant staircase still under construction, which began in 1970 on a project in art nouveau style of the beginning of the XX Century made by Alexander Tamanyan, the architect who planned the urbanization of the city of Yerevan. In 2000, Gerard Cafesjian, an Armenian art collector of the diaspora, contributed financially to finish the work and also donated several sculptures by contemporary artists such as the sculpture of the "fat cat" by Botero. Continuation of visits with Victory Park, from where you can enjoy the best view of the city and, on clear days, also of Mount Ararat. Visit of the Matenadaran, the museum of ancient manuscripts, where are preserved thousands of manuscripts. After lunch departure to the Kotayk region to visit the temple of Garni, a Hellenistic pagan temple of the 1st century AD and the only one to survive after the Christianization of Armenia in the fourth century AD. After visiting the temple and the archaeological excavations which have brought to light also remains of the baths with beautiful mosaics, our tour goes on to Geghard Monastery (UNESCO World Heritage), probably the most beautiful of Armenia, located in a narrow gorge and partially carved out from rocks. Here you will have the unique opportunity to attend a chorus of Armenian religious songs in one of the Zhamatun (spacious rooms with columns) of the monastic complex. Return to Yerevan and time to rest or to explore the city on your own. Dinner and overnight in Yerevan
Saturday, april 15, 2017, Day 3: Yerevan - Hovhannavank - Saghmosavank - Amberd - Yerevan
After breakfast visit of the Vernissage Market (open on Saturdays and Sundays), with plenty of opportunities for shopping for Armenian handicrafts. Departure to Amberd, a stronghold of the 7th century, situated on the slopes of Mount Aragats at 2300 m above sea level, which was repeatedly attacked over the centuries but only the hordes of Tamerlane's army managed to capture it. Proceed to Ashtarak region with a visit to the beautiful monasteries Saghmosavank (XIII c.), whose name means the Monastery of Psalms, and Hovhannavank (VII c.), which houses in its interior some beautiful khatchkars; both monasteries are spectacularly located on the edge of the canyon made by the river Kasagh. Return to Yerevan to visit the Cathedral of St. Gregory the Illuminator where are preserved the relics of the saint; during Holy Saturday the Armenian churches are filled with believers who attend the Vespers and the Cathedral of Yerevan is no exception. Lunch during the tour, dinner and overnight in Yerevan.
Sunday, april 16, 2017, Day 4: Yerevan - Echmiadzin - Zvartnots - Yerevan
The Zatik (meaning Easter in Armenian) is one of the most beautiful and magical events that Christian spirituality has to offer. Today, you can watch the Passover ritual in a very special place: the Cathedral of Echmiadzin, the oldest cathedral in the world, home of the "Catholicos" of the Armenian Apostolic Church who will preside at the Easter Mass. After the Mass, continuation of visits with the churches of St. Gayane and St. Hripsime, the two most venerated saints of the Armenian religious community. Easter lunch with typical Armenian dishes and in the afternoon visit to the ruins of the cathedral of Zvartnots, built in the seventh century and destroyed in the tenth century by an earthquake, once one of the most powerful and beautiful of Armenian architecture. Return to Yerevan and visit of the memorial of the Armenian Genocide, a moving ensemble dedicated to the martyrs of the Armenian Genocide made by Ottoman Turks against Armenians populating eastern Anatolia, situated on the hill of Tzitzenakaberd, the Fortress of Swallows, with a panoramic view of Yerevan. Return to the hotel and free time for rest or visit of the city on your own. Dinner at local restaurant and overnight.
Monday, april 17, 2017, Day 5: Yerevan - Khor Virap - Areni - Noravank - Tatev - Goris
Breakfast at hotel and departure for the Ararat Region, where, in a spectacular location just below the imposing Mount Ararat, is the monastery of Khor Virap: here, from the terrace, you can enjoy the fantastic views of the two peaks of this magnificent extinct volcano. Inside the courtyard of the monastery there is a deep well (hence the name of the monastery, whose name in Armenian means "Deep well") where St. Gregory the Illuminator was imprisoned by King Tiridates in because of his preaching of Christian Religion. Continue to the village of Areni, famous for its wines, where you will have time for a wine tasting at a local winery. Continue to the village of Aghavnadzor, Kotayk, where you will make a nice lunch in the garden of the house of a local family with the opportunity to try a variety of traditional homemade dishes, taste the homemade wine matured in Karas, the typical clay jars, and to assist to the preparation of lavash, the traditional armenian bread. Continue to Noravank monastery, located in a narrow canyon of red rocks, which, due to its location and its architecture, is one of the most beautiful monasteries of Armenia. After a journey along a road that passes through beautiful sceneries arrival in Halidzor, where the "Wings of Tatev", the longest cable car in the world (5.7 km, 11 minutes), reaches another masterpiece of Armenian architecture: the Tatev Monastery, a monastic fortress of the ninth century, once famous for its university. Overnight in Goris.
Tuesday, april 18, 2017, Day 6: Goris - Qarahunj - Sevan - Dilijan
After breakfast, visit of the city of Goris and the karstic formations that characterize it. Drive to the ancient astronomical observatory of Qarahunj, the "Armenian Stonehenge", a series of megaliths in a circle that some scholars date about 3000 years before its British counterpart. Drive to Lake Sevan, but since the Selim pass is at an altitude of 2366m. The journey will continue along the road connecting the southern Armenia to its north and crossing the Selim Pass: here is the old Orbelian Caravanserai, an important station along the Silk Road. Arrival at Lake Sevan, the second highest freshwater lake in the world after Lake Titicaca, and visit the cemetery Noratus famous for its many khatchkars, the finely carved cross-stones that dot the area of the cemetery. Lunch of fish in a restaurant near the lake and then visit the Sevan peninsula with its monastery Sevanavank. Continue to the region of Tavush to visit Dilijan, a small town and one of the greenest cities in Armenia, with its old part made of traditional wooden houses recently restored and where you will have the opportunity to see master craftsmen at work on wood, clay etc. Dinner and overnight in Dilijan.
Wednesday, april 19, 2017, Day 7: Dilijan - Akhtala - Haghpat - Sanahin - Yerevan
After breakfast, depart for the Lori region to visit Akhtala, one of the few churches in Armenia with inner walls covered with frescoes, painted between 1205 and 1216, and among the best examples of Byzantine art outside the Empire of Byzantium.
You then proceed to the UNESCO-protected monasteries of Sanahin and Haghpat (built in the tenth century), which are the most important examples of medieval Armenian architecture. This were the places where numerous manuscripts written, copied and decorated with miniatures. Lunch at Haghpat and departure to Yerevan with stop along the way at an old Yezidi cemetery, the Yezidis are Kurdish shepherds who preach a religion derived from Zoroastrianism. Return to Yerevan, farewell dinner and transfer to the hotel for a little rest before your flight.
Thursday, april 20, 2017, Day 8: Yerevan - Departure
Transfer to the airport early in the morning for the outgoing flight.
End of services.
Departure from your country and arrival in Yerevan at Zvartnots International Airport; here our representative will meet you at the arrival hall for the transfer to the hotel. Overnight in Yerevan.
Friday, april 14, 2017, Day 2: Yerevan city tour - Garni - Geghard - Yerevan
After breakfast, a guided half-day tour will show you the city of Yerevan. We start with the administrative heart of the city and of the country, Republic Square, overlooked by the government and administrative buildings, where you will visit the Armenian History Museum, which houses a rich collection of archaeological and historical finds of Armenia: from the first prehistoric human settlements until the twentieth century. This is followed by a walk along North Avenue, the shopping avenue of Yerevan, to get to the Opera House. Continue to Cascade, a giant staircase still under construction, which began in 1970 on a project in art nouveau style of the beginning of the XX Century made by Alexander Tamanyan, the architect who planned the urbanization of the city of Yerevan. In 2000, Gerard Cafesjian, an Armenian art collector of the diaspora, contributed financially to finish the work and also donated several sculptures by contemporary artists such as the sculpture of the "fat cat" by Botero. Continuation of visits with Victory Park, from where you can enjoy the best view of the city and, on clear days, also of Mount Ararat. Visit of the Matenadaran, the museum of ancient manuscripts, where are preserved thousands of manuscripts. After lunch departure to the Kotayk region to visit the temple of Garni, a Hellenistic pagan temple of the 1st century AD and the only one to survive after the Christianization of Armenia in the fourth century AD. After visiting the temple and the archaeological excavations which have brought to light also remains of the baths with beautiful mosaics, our tour goes on to Geghard Monastery (UNESCO World Heritage), probably the most beautiful of Armenia, located in a narrow gorge and partially carved out from rocks. Here you will have the unique opportunity to attend a chorus of Armenian religious songs in one of the Zhamatun (spacious rooms with columns) of the monastic complex. Return to Yerevan and time to rest or to explore the city on your own. Dinner and overnight in Yerevan
Saturday, april 15, 2017, Day 3: Yerevan - Hovhannavank - Saghmosavank - Amberd - Yerevan
After breakfast visit of the Vernissage Market (open on Saturdays and Sundays), with plenty of opportunities for shopping for Armenian handicrafts. Departure to Amberd, a stronghold of the 7th century, situated on the slopes of Mount Aragats at 2300 m above sea level, which was repeatedly attacked over the centuries but only the hordes of Tamerlane's army managed to capture it. Proceed to Ashtarak region with a visit to the beautiful monasteries Saghmosavank (XIII c.), whose name means the Monastery of Psalms, and Hovhannavank (VII c.), which houses in its interior some beautiful khatchkars; both monasteries are spectacularly located on the edge of the canyon made by the river Kasagh. Return to Yerevan to visit the Cathedral of St. Gregory the Illuminator where are preserved the relics of the saint; during Holy Saturday the Armenian churches are filled with believers who attend the Vespers and the Cathedral of Yerevan is no exception. Lunch during the tour, dinner and overnight in Yerevan.
Sunday, april 16, 2017, Day 4: Yerevan - Echmiadzin - Zvartnots - Yerevan
The Zatik (meaning Easter in Armenian) is one of the most beautiful and magical events that Christian spirituality has to offer. Today, you can watch the Passover ritual in a very special place: the Cathedral of Echmiadzin, the oldest cathedral in the world, home of the "Catholicos" of the Armenian Apostolic Church who will preside at the Easter Mass. After the Mass, continuation of visits with the churches of St. Gayane and St. Hripsime, the two most venerated saints of the Armenian religious community. Easter lunch with typical Armenian dishes and in the afternoon visit to the ruins of the cathedral of Zvartnots, built in the seventh century and destroyed in the tenth century by an earthquake, once one of the most powerful and beautiful of Armenian architecture. Return to Yerevan and visit of the memorial of the Armenian Genocide, a moving ensemble dedicated to the martyrs of the Armenian Genocide made by Ottoman Turks against Armenians populating eastern Anatolia, situated on the hill of Tzitzenakaberd, the Fortress of Swallows, with a panoramic view of Yerevan. Return to the hotel and free time for rest or visit of the city on your own. Dinner at local restaurant and overnight.
Monday, april 17, 2017, Day 5: Yerevan - Khor Virap - Areni - Noravank - Tatev - Goris
Breakfast at hotel and departure for the Ararat Region, where, in a spectacular location just below the imposing Mount Ararat, is the monastery of Khor Virap: here, from the terrace, you can enjoy the fantastic views of the two peaks of this magnificent extinct volcano. Inside the courtyard of the monastery there is a deep well (hence the name of the monastery, whose name in Armenian means "Deep well") where St. Gregory the Illuminator was imprisoned by King Tiridates in because of his preaching of Christian Religion. Continue to the village of Areni, famous for its wines, where you will have time for a wine tasting at a local winery. Continue to the village of Aghavnadzor, Kotayk, where you will make a nice lunch in the garden of the house of a local family with the opportunity to try a variety of traditional homemade dishes, taste the homemade wine matured in Karas, the typical clay jars, and to assist to the preparation of lavash, the traditional armenian bread. Continue to Noravank monastery, located in a narrow canyon of red rocks, which, due to its location and its architecture, is one of the most beautiful monasteries of Armenia. After a journey along a road that passes through beautiful sceneries arrival in Halidzor, where the "Wings of Tatev", the longest cable car in the world (5.7 km, 11 minutes), reaches another masterpiece of Armenian architecture: the Tatev Monastery, a monastic fortress of the ninth century, once famous for its university. Overnight in Goris.
Tuesday, april 18, 2017, Day 6: Goris - Qarahunj - Sevan - Dilijan
After breakfast, visit of the city of Goris and the karstic formations that characterize it. Drive to the ancient astronomical observatory of Qarahunj, the "Armenian Stonehenge", a series of megaliths in a circle that some scholars date about 3000 years before its British counterpart. Drive to Lake Sevan, but since the Selim pass is at an altitude of 2366m. The journey will continue along the road connecting the southern Armenia to its north and crossing the Selim Pass: here is the old Orbelian Caravanserai, an important station along the Silk Road. Arrival at Lake Sevan, the second highest freshwater lake in the world after Lake Titicaca, and visit the cemetery Noratus famous for its many khatchkars, the finely carved cross-stones that dot the area of the cemetery. Lunch of fish in a restaurant near the lake and then visit the Sevan peninsula with its monastery Sevanavank. Continue to the region of Tavush to visit Dilijan, a small town and one of the greenest cities in Armenia, with its old part made of traditional wooden houses recently restored and where you will have the opportunity to see master craftsmen at work on wood, clay etc. Dinner and overnight in Dilijan.
Wednesday, april 19, 2017, Day 7: Dilijan - Akhtala - Haghpat - Sanahin - Yerevan
After breakfast, depart for the Lori region to visit Akhtala, one of the few churches in Armenia with inner walls covered with frescoes, painted between 1205 and 1216, and among the best examples of Byzantine art outside the Empire of Byzantium.
You then proceed to the UNESCO-protected monasteries of Sanahin and Haghpat (built in the tenth century), which are the most important examples of medieval Armenian architecture. This were the places where numerous manuscripts written, copied and decorated with miniatures. Lunch at Haghpat and departure to Yerevan with stop along the way at an old Yezidi cemetery, the Yezidis are Kurdish shepherds who preach a religion derived from Zoroastrianism. Return to Yerevan, farewell dinner and transfer to the hotel for a little rest before your flight.
Thursday, april 20, 2017, Day 8: Yerevan - Departure
Transfer to the airport early in the morning for the outgoing flight.
End of services.