The main three wine regions experience
8 days/ 7nights (Aragatsotn, Vayots Dzor, Armavir)
You are welcome to appreciate Armenian wine production history!
Breakfast at the hotel. City tour- Yerevan sightseeing including City center, Republic square, State University, City panorama, Mother Armenia Monument, Parliament, President’s Palace, Opera, Sports & Concert Complex. Visit to the Genocide Memorial, dedicated to the Victims of 1915 and the Genocide Museum.
Visit to Matenadaran (depository for ancient manuscripts, the collection of which is one of the biggest in the world). This outstanding collection includes manuscripts dating from 7th century and is widely appreciated by history and art amateurs and professionals.
Visit to Cascade complex, which is considered the modern art center of Yerevan, with art pieces displayed throughout the whole area: the boulevard and up the stairs, from top of which you can enjoy the panoramic view on the city and Mountain Ararat. Cascade is home to Cafesjan modern art museum. You will enjoy spending time in one of the cosy open-air cafes surrounded by beautiful sculptures, redolent flowers shining brightly with magic colors. It is also a popular place for open air concerts at summer season.
Visit to Armenian central market.Visit to Armenian brandy factory ,,ArArAt’’ which keeps the tradition of the legendary Cognac since 1887. Degustation of 2 types of Armenian brandy (possible to order upgraded package including degustation of 3 types of brandy).
Optional: Armenian wine spa center. The treatment with grape and wine will give you an opportunity to feel the magic strength of the Ararat valley sweet grape. After you sink into the wine made of thesefruit, you will feel the magic properties of the Armenian drink, you will feel hale and hearty, strong and young.
O/n in Yerevan
Breakfast at the hotel. Drive to the monastery complex Saghmosavank, located on the edge of the precipitous gorge of the Kasakh river. The Church of Zion in Saghmosavank (1215 y.), the main temple, was erected by Prince Vache Vachutyan. The book depository of Saghmosavank located on the territory of the Monastery, was built in 1255 A.D. under Prince Kurd Vachutyan. Many richly ornamented stone crosses have been preserved on the territory of the monasteries.
Lunch in Ashtarak in the oldest house of the district (over 170 years), the descendants of the family Tatevos, today it is changed into a tavern called ,,Tatuyents qotuk (heritage house) ''. Lunch is served in a old wine cellar with decorated tables. Cup of coffee or local herbs the will be served in the courtyard under the shade of the trees, where you will have an opportunity to observe Armenian sweets (pohindz, sweet sudjukh, fruit and berry jam) making process.
Drive back to Yerevan.
O/n in Yerevan
Breakfast at the hotel. Drive to Ararat valley, visit Khor Virap church, the holy place of imprisonment of St. Gregory the Illuminator accused by Armenian king of preaching Christianity. It was built on the dungeon, where St. Gregory was kept. Now you have a chance to go down into the dark pit yourself. St. Gregory became one of the Saints of the whole Christian world. Here you can also see the closest and most spectacular view of the gorgeous biblical mountain Ararat shining with its two white peaks. The hills adjoining Khor Virap were the site of the early Armenian capital of ancient Artashat built by King Artashes I, founder of the Artashesid dynasty, around 180 B.C. It is one of the few ancient towns, built by special design of famous Carthaginian general Hannibal. After the defeat in a war against Rome he found a shelter in Armenia…
Continuing tour to Areni village. Areni is famous for its wine making. Recent archaeological excavations found 6000 years winery with 5 wine cellars. Within the underground wine cellar, archaeologists discovered a wine press for stomping grapes, fermentation and storage containers, drinking cups, grape vines, skins, and seeds. Though evidence of wine has dated back 7,000 years, this is the earliest winery and wine cellar found to date. The findings indicated large scale wine production, quite possibly the earliest retail winery. Archaeologists suggest that our early ancestors used wine in ceremonies to honour the dead. It is also thought as a gift, placed and consumed inside the tombs. Wine-pressing tools have been found installed into burials and tombs, and drinking cups around the graves. Illustrations from that time reflect this evidence. According to Armenian and US scientists these findings are the oldest and the most reliable evidence of wine production on the Planet dating back 6100 years. It is the first time that a complete archaeological site of wine production is discovered.
Then route goes through incredibly beautiful scenery toward to Noravank monastery (13-14 cc.), that the visitors can not resist stepping out of the vehicle and walk all the way to the Monastery with their cameras to enjoy and record the unique bizarre-shaped precipitous red cliffs. The most ancient monument of Noravank is St. Karapet Church (IX - X cc.). The Church, completed in 1339, is said to be the masterpiece of Momik, a talented sculptor and a miniaturist.
Drive back to Yerevan.O/N in Yerevan.
Breakfast at the hotel. Drive to Sevan, one of the wonders in Armenia .The Peninsula is most popular destination to enjoy the breath-taking view on Sevan Lake, make pics for sweet memories and visit with the ancient Sevanavank Monastery (IX century), which stands in its greatness on the peninsula overlooking the lake for centuries. Drive to mountanieus resort Dilijan, or so called “Armenian Switzerland”, which is well-known for its forests as well as for its mysterious flora and fauna. During the drive one can enjoy the unbelievable change of the surrounding environment and landshaft from the mountainous lake to the green and rich forest mountains. Small walking city tour in Dilijan: visit to handicrafts’ street, where one can watch the preparation of different national souvenirs from wood, stone and ceramics. Visit to Haghartsin Monastery complex which is located in the secluded place of the forest. The place is so unique and the scenery with the nature surrounding it is so breathtaking that most of visitors are in awe. Appearing unexpectedly, out of the dense forests, in front of the visitors, the Monastery creates a magical impression of a lost world. Lunch in a local restaurant. Drive to Ijevan, city in the Tavush region, surrounded with high mountains covered with thick forests, turning into alpine meadows in certain areas.
Drive back to Yerevan. O/N in Yerevan
Breakfast at the hotel.
Drive to the only remaining pagan temple in Armenia devoted to the God of Sun – Myrth, in Garni, built in 77 AD by King Trdat (Arshakid Dynasty). On the road photo stop at Charentc Arc. The temple is Greco-Roman style with characteristic pillars. It stands proudly on a rocky ridge with a deep canyon presenting a beautiful view. The temple was a summer residence for Arshakid dynasty. Visit to the ruins of Royal Palace and Royal bath-house nearby. Canyon of Garni -magnificent and outstanding scene which creates the image of falling crags. It obtained the name "Symphony of Stones" due to its view. The fantastic landscape of Garni canyon shakes the human imagination. Drive to the unique caved temple St. Geghard (12th -13th cc.), the name of which means “holy spear” in the honor of the long-preserved spear, the same spear that pierced the body of crucified Christ. It is now exhibited in the museum of Etchmiadzin Cathedral. Geghard monastery is included in the UNESCO World Heritage list (2000). Then a family hosted lunch in village house with watching of “Lavash” (Armenian traditional flat bread baked in stone-make oven) making process, tasting authentic Armenian food, get acquainted with local village life. Tasting of homemade vodka made from different fruits (apricot, grape, pitch, apple or mulberry) and homemade wine. Drive back to Yerevan. O/N in Yerevan
Drive to Zvartnots, a temple of Vigil Forces, built in 641—661 A.D. as Armenia’s main cathedral by the Catholicos Nerses III, is considered one of the architectural wonders and unique example of Armenian architecture of early Christian period. It was damaged by an earthquake in the 10th century. Тhe ruins of this cathedral still speak about the rare beauty of it. The Zvartnots Archaeological Site is a unique example of Armenian architecture of the early Christian period. The building consisted of three polyhedrons, supported by the massive pillars decorated with eagles, ornamented with grape withes, twigs of pomegranate. Zvartnots is included in the UNESCO World Heritage List (2000). After continuation to Etchmiadzin, the spiritual and administrative center of Armenian Apostolic Church. Visit to Etchmiadzin Cathedral, one of the ancient churches in the Christian world, included in the UNESCO World Heritage List (2000). Visit the museum of the Cathedral, located behind the Altar, has collection of religious artefacts about Holy Mass, subjects made of gold, silver, precious stones, decorations, colossal silver boiler for making the myrh and legendary Holy spear.
Drive to Sardarapat. A memorial complex to the heroes of Sardarapat battle against Turkish invaders. This is the place where Armenians held a victory in the battle on May 20-22, 1918, leading to the establishment of the first independent Republic of Armenia in 1918. The complex includes a park, alley with Eagle statues, 26-meter-high bell tower and a wall with triumphal arch. The bells ring every year on the day of the historic victory. Visit to Sardarapat Ethnographic museum has a rich exposition. It exhibits materials from many historical and ethnographic regions of Armenia, as well as archaeological materials from Neolithic to Medieval, various traditional handicrafts, exhibits of carpets and embroidery, modern Armenian decorative ceramics, and jewellery.
Drive back to Yerevan. O/N in Yerevan