The pearls of Armenia
- Tour countries:
- Armenia
- Type of tour:
- Historical, General
Day 1: Arrival / Yerevan City Tour / Echmiadzin / Zvartnots
Arrival at Zavrtnots International airport. Meet and greet transfer to the hotel. Rest. In the morning after breakfast start city tour around Yerevan visiting Memorial Park and Tsitsernakaberd Memorial. Proceed to Echmiadzin which is mere 20 km from Yerevan. Etchmiadzin Cathedral is known as the center of the Armenian Church and appears to be one of the world's first Christian State churches. Legend has it that it was here that Jesus Christ descended from heaven to show where he wanted a church built. So Echmiadzin means "The only-begotten descended". The Church was built between the years 301 - 303 AD under the Armenian king Tiridates III and the first Armenian Catholicos, St. Gregory the Illuminator. **Opportunity to have lunch in a local community tasting homemade dishes. Return to Yerevan with stop at the ruins of Zvartnots temple - the pearl of the 7th c. architecture which is listed as a UNESCO World Heritage. Overnight at the hotel in Yerevan. (B/--/--)
Day 2: Ashtarak / Amberd Fortress / Saghmossavank / Yerevan
As the first Christian nation, Armenia is home to countless ancient churches and monasteries. So during your tour you will come across at least some of them and you will have the intention to see them at a closer step as all of them are in various locations and have a very positive and mysterious energy. The smallest pan-Armenian church of Karmravour (7th c.) in Ashtarak - one of the most ancient Armenian cities, will be the first stop of the day. Drive to the Fortress of Amberd*, 9th century, stands halfway up Mt. Aragats, at the height of 2300m. The fortress stands on a rocky cape. There are also vestiges of a fortified three-storied palace, a church built in 1026, a palace bathhouse with two domes, a central heating system, water tanks, a water-supply system, and a secret passage to a nearby cleft, and other buildings. Continue to Saghmosavank medieval monastery which is situated at the deep canyon of Ashtarak. Sagmossamvank is translated as "monastery of psalms". Drive to Amberd, which was built in the 11th to 13th centuries. Having been built on a naturally well-defended cape, Amberd has served as an important military fort. Next to this secular edifice there is a church built in 1026 by the duke Vahram Pahlavuni. Drive back to Yerevan. Overnight at the hotel in Yerevan. (B/--/--)
NOTE*: Amberd is possible to visit only starting mid-May as it's 2300 m above sea level and Armenian highland is covered with snow until the end of April.
Day 3: Yerevan / Lake Sevan / Garni / Geghard
After breakfast depart tour to the high-mountainous Lake Sevan - the emerald of Armenia. It is the second largest alpine freshwater lake in the world and the biggest in the Caucasus. This huge mountain lake which takes a huge territory of Armenia's surface area is about 1900 meters above sea level. Sightseeing in Sevan peninsula with Sevan Monastery (8-9 cc). Departure to Garni Temple. The citadel and pagan temple of Garni is a picturesque monument of the Hellenistic period and an impressive piece of ancient Armenian architecture. It was built in the first century A.D. by the Armenian King Tiridates and it is dedicated to a heathen god, probably to Mithra, the god of the sun whose figure stood in the depth of the sanctuary. After proclaiming Christianity as a state religion in Armenia in 301, the temple was probably used as a summer residence of the kings. **Opportunity to have lunch at a local house in Garni where you will have opportunity to watch Armenian national bread "lavash" baking and barbeque making process in the underground stove called "tonir". Drive to a magnificent monument of medieval Armenian architecture - Geghard monastery inscribed in UNESCO World Heritage list. Geghard is another incredible ancient Armenian monastery, partly carved out of a mountain. The meaning "the Monastery of the Spear", originates from the spear which had wounded Jesus during his crucifixion, allegedly brought to Armenia by Apostle Thaddeus, and stored amongst many other relics. Now the historical spear is displayed in the Etchmiadzin treasury. Though the monastery of Gueghard was around before the 4th century, the main cathedral was built in 1215. The entrance of the compound is surrounded by high walls on three sides and mountain on the other. Outside the monastery complex there are some caves which have a bunch of little cave rooms and are quite interesting. Drive to Yerevan. Overnight at the hotel in Yerevan. (B/--/--)
Day 4: Departure
Transfer to the airport. Departure home!
| Pax N | Rates in Euro per person in DBL/TWN occupancy | ||
| 3* hotel | 4* hotel | 5* hotel | |
| 2 | 485 | 510 | 650 |
| 4 | 385 | 410 | 550 |
| 6 | 350 | 395 | 510 |
| 8 | 325 | 355 | 480 |
| 10 | 310 | 340 | 465 |
| SGL Supplm | 70 | 85 | 190 |
Rates include:
" Accommodation
" 3 nights stay at the hotel in Yerevan
" Transfers and transportation as mentioned in the program
" English speaking professional tour guide throughout the program
" Catering BB: (breakfast at the hotel)
" Entrance fees according to the program
" 1 bottle of mineral water per day per person
Rates do not include
" Flights
" Insurance
" Meals except described
" Portage
" Tips
Meals:
14 Euro per person per lunch
18 Euro per person per dinner
