Exciting Armenia
5 days / 4 nights
arrival / departure by MEA flight
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 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. 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 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.
Optional: In the evening visit to Jazz club. An exceptional combination of instruments composing extraordinary ethno-jazz music. Unusual melody will certainly grab your attention and leave you surprised with unimaginary impressions.
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).
Drop to Dalma Garden or Yerevan Mall for shopping.
Optional: Opportunity to organize family hosted lunch in village house with watching of “Lavash” (Armenian traditional flat bread baked in stone-make oven) making process, testing authentic Armenian food, get acquainted with local village life.
Drive back to Yerevan. O/ N in Yerevan.
Breakfast at the hotel. Visit Vernissage (an open-air exhibition-market, where you can find unique examples of art and craft work, traditional carpets, jewellery, old collections of coins and medallions, musical instruments, electronics).
Drive to Sevan, one of the greatest high mountainous freshwater lakes of Eurasia, climb on Akhtamar peninsula from where the fascinating view on the Lake is open. Visit Sevanavank monastery, which stands in its greatness on the peninsula overlooking the lake for centuries.
Drive to Tsakhkadzor town the magical place of forested mountains (means “gorge of flowers”), short walking tour around the small town. Opportunity to go up to the mountain peaks by rope way, where you will catch an unforgettable gorgeous panoramic view of this part of the world (optional, at extra charge 5$ per ticket for going up the first level and back). In winter Tsakhkadzor is a well-known ski resort with several levels of ropeways leading up the mountains. In summer it’s a pleasant place to spend the afternoon in nature and enjoy the sun. Visit Kecharis monastery.
Optional: Cruise on Sevan Lake in а sailing ship.
Drive back to Yerevan. O/N in Yerevan.
