Unusual Armenia
9 days / 8 nights (valid from April 15 to October 15)
(Arrivals everyday)
The rates are given per person in DBL room
Hotel | USD | AMD |
---|---|---|
3* Alba Hotel | 545 | 266,000 |
3* Artsakh Hotel / Silachi Hotel | 580 | 284,000 |
4* Ani Plaza / Diamond House / Imperial Palace | 670 | 327,000 |
4* Central Hotel | 725 | 354,000 |
The rates include
- Accommodation
- Breakfasts in Armenia
- Transfers (individual) and transportation service
- Professional English / Russian speaking guide service
- All entry tickets per program
- Excursion to legendary "Ararat" brandy factory with brandy degustation
- Excursion to wine factory in Areni with wine degustation
- Ride on the longest ropeway in the world "Wings of Tatev"
- Demonstration of "Lavash" baking process in local village house in Garni
Breakfast at the hotel. Drive to Alphabet park - a location where all letters of Armenian alphabet made from tuff of human-size are scattered around volcanic stones.Drive to the northern part of Armenia, the magical place of forested mountains and deep canyons.
Stop to visit ruins of Lori Berd (fortress), which was the center of the Lori kingdom in the X-XII century. The fortress was surrounded by a grandiose fortress wall, which is well preserved to the present day. Fortress Lori occupies almost 35 hectares, on its territory there are: a fortress, a city and a cemetery. An interesting part of Lori berd is the almost completely preserved bath complex: baths, swimming pools, heating system with clay pipes for cold and hot water, as well as huge reservoirs.
Visit to the masterpieces of Armenian medieval architecture – Haghpat and Sanahin Monastery. Sanahin Monastery ranks amongst the most celebrated monasteries of medieval Armenia. It is a complex with St. Mother of God Church, St. Amenaprkich Church, St. Gregory chapel (X c.), an Academy building (XI c.), a depository (XI c.), a Gallery building (X c.), a vestibule (XII c.) and bells (XIII c.). All these buildings are around St. Blessed Virgin old Church. Haghpat monastery is located in the north-eastern part of Sanahin, was built with its resemblance. The clock-tower was erected in 1210 and is one of the most beautiful examples of its kind from the medieval period in Armenia. The monastery’s bell tower, built in 1245, stands apart from the main ensemble of monuments, and is architecturally noteworthy. The complex was once home to libraries, scriptoriums, schools and refectories. Arts and humanities, theology, painting were taught here. The most interesting feature about Haghpat is the refectory (XIII c.). Haghpat and Sanahin Monasteries are included in the UNESCO World Heritage List (2000).
Drive back to Yerevan. On the way visit to the famous “Gntunik” bakery.
O/N in Yerevan.
Breakfast at the hotel. Drive to Lake Sevan is one of the wonders in Armenia. This blue lake is one of the greatest high mountainous freshwater lakes of Eurasia. On a clear and sunny day, the water is often of a deep turquoise colour. Visit the ancient Sevanavank Monastery (IX century), which stands in its greatness on the peninsula overlooking the lake for centuries.
Visit Hayravanq/Ayrivanq Church, built on a high rock, on the shores of Lake Sevan. Demonstration of National Armenian dances.
Drive back to Yerevan.
O/N in Yerevan.
Breakfast at the hotel. Drive to Dashtadem fortress, located in Aragatsotn Marz. Dashtadem Fortress, one of the largest fortresses in the Caucasus, has a huge historical and architectural significance.
Continue to Gyumri (Leninakan), the second largest city in Armenia, located 130 km from Yerevan, Shirak Marz. Gyumri is distinguished by its unique folk traditions. It is one of the most hospitable cities of Armenia. Gyumri is the center of Armenian Catholics. Pope Francis during his stay in Armenia had celebrated a mass for the inhabitants of the city. Walk in historical district of Kumayri, important art center. Here are many cultural buildings with unique architectural style of the eighteenth and nineteenth centuries, that creates cozy atmosphere of a typical Armenian city of those times. Visit to black fortress and free time in the restaurant located in Cherkez Gorge at the foot of the Fortress.
Continuation to the magnificent monastery Marmashen built by Duke Vahram Pahlavuni on the picturesque bank of Akhuryan river . It is a huge complex, the construction of which started in 986 and finished in 1029. The main church is a domed hall. The facades of the church are elaborated with triangular niches, which endow the edifice with special liveliness. The survived eastern and northern walls of the second church, which is adjacent to the main church, prove that both with its composition and architectural details it is the smaller duplication of the main church. This complex built with well-hewn red tufa on the background of the blue sky casts an enigmatic impression Located northwest of Gyumri, the monastery complex Marmarashen has quickly become a beloved destination for tourists. The complex consists of two main groups of monuments: the main church of the complex – Katoghike, was built by Duke Vahram Phalavuni, who is known for his input in Armenian architecture at the time.
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). 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).
Watching of “Lavash” (Armenian traditional flat bread baked in stone-make oven) making process in local village house
Drive back to Yerevan.
O/N in Yerevan.
Breakfast at the hotel. Sightseeing tour in Yerevan, ancient and at the same time a modern city (29 years older than Rome) with a unique coloring with the majestic biblical mountain Ararat on the background. Visit to the fortress ruins of Erebuni, founded during the Urartian Kingdom by the King Argishti in 782 BC and the Erebuni museum (1968) with the Urartian period exhibits. The fortress has played a significant role for the Armenian Statehood. Erebuni has been renamed Yerevan since at least the 7th century A.D., when it was the capital of Armenia. Yerevan is currently 2797 years old and still counting.
Visit to Armenian hand made carpet factory with possibility to watch the production of the rugs which involve dyeing of the yarns by using vegetable dyes, weaving, shearing, finishing, etc. The factory has showroom where purchases are offered (shipping of rugs to your country is possible). Yerevan sightseeing including City center, Republic square, State University, City panorama, Mother Armenia Monument, Parliament, President’s Palace, Opera, Sports & Concert Complex. 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. This place becomes even more charming in the evenings, when it is full of people, both locals and tourists from all over the world, enjoying the magic and the warmth of the capital. You will enjoy spending time in one of the cozy 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.
Very interesting one hour tour around Armenian brandy factory offers tourists familiarization with the history of the plant, process of brandy preparation, showrooms and halls of storages. Visitors will also have degustation of 2 types of brandy of different age in degustation hall. Brandy shop at the factory territory will be available for purchasing of this famous Armenian brandy directly from the factory.
O/N in Yerevan.
Breakfast at the hotel. Drive to mountainous resort Dilijan called “Armenian Switzerland”, which is well-known for its forests as well as for its mysterious flora and fauna. During the drive you can enjoy the unbelievable change of the surrounding environment and land shaft from the mountainous lake to the green and rich forest mountains resort Dilijan or so called “Armenian Switzerland”, which is well-known for its forests as well as for its mysterious flora and fauna.
Visit to Haghartsin Monastery complex, located in the secluded place of the forest. Haghartsin dates back to 11-13th century and represent a magnificent piece of history, culture and architecture. 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. Complex includes Church St. Stepanos, St. Mary and St. Gregory’s Church, as well as famous refectory.
Drive back to Yerevan.
O/N in Yerevan.