UNESCO world heritage sites for Armenia
6 days / 5 nights
Breakfast at the hotel. Visit to Vernisaj, national crafts/art market (open only on Saturdays and Sundays). 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. 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. O/N in Yerevan.
Breakfast at the hotel. Drive to Etchmiadzin, the spiritual and administrative center of Armenian Apostolic Church. Visit to Etchmiadzin Cathedral (4th c.), the museum, St. Hripsime’s Church (7th c.), ruins of Zvartnots temple (7th c.), (UNESCO World Heritage list 2000). Drive back to Yerevan. O/N in Yerevan.
Breakfast at the hotel. Trip to the northern Armenia, the magical place of forested mountains and deep canyons. Visit to the masterpieces of Armenian medieval architecture - the Monastery complex Sanahin (9th – 12th cc.) and Haghpat (11th – 13th cc.), that are included in the UNESCO World Heritage List (2000). Drive 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). The monastery complex is surrounded by a landscape of great natural beauty and by towering cliffs which looks over Azat Valley( UNESCO World Heritage list 2000). The program includes family hosted lunch in village house and watching of “Lavash” (Armenian traditional flat bread baked in stone-make oven) making process. In 2014, the preparation process of "Lavash as well as the meaning, appearance of traditional bread as an expression of culture in Armenia" was included in the UNESCO Representative List of the Intangible Cultural Heritage of Humanity. O/N in Yerevan.