Treasures of Armenia
- Tour countries:
- Armenia
- Type of tour:
- Historical, General
Day 1: Arrival / Yerevan City Tour / Echmiadzin / Garni / Geghard
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. 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. Drive back to Yerevan. Overnight at the hotel in Yerevan. (B/--/--)
Day 2: Yerevan / Khor Virap / Tatev / Goris
Sightseeing tour to Vayots Dzor region which has been inhabited since the Bronze Age. This fact was also proved by archeological excavations of the region in the result of which "The oldest leather shoe" in the world was discovered. This shoe, which is older than either Stonehenge or the Egyptian pyramids, is in fact the oldest shoee sample ever found in the world. The 5,500 year-old shoe is now on display at the History Museum of Armenia. On the way to Vayots Dzor you will visit Khor-Virap monastery of 4- 17th century as it's an important Christian site and the closest point to biblical Mt. Ararat. If you are lucky you and the weather is fine you will have a similar photo now on your right. Continue to explore a monastic complex of Tatev (Cultural Heritage Site by UNESCO) which is an architectural masterpiece dating from the 10th century and is often called a monastery built on the edge of nothing. On the way to this monastery there is a strange natural bridge called the Devil's Bridge. The journey takes about 7 hours and is a totally absorbing and unique experience. Drive to the hotel in Goris. Overnight at the hotel in Goris. (B/--/--)
Day 3: Goris / Khndzoresk / Noravank / Yerevan
Start the tour from Goris to explore the city, visiting the exciting Dig Dig stones - natural monument. Nestled in a bowl of green hills and mountains, with interesting formations and many previously inhabited caves in them, Goris has some of the nicest overall Armenian architecture in Armenia. Excursion tour to Khndzoresk which is a cave village and there are many signs of past settlement throughout the valley which are just waiting for discovery. You will see that many of the caves have been carved out by man and they served as houses for people. Continue tour to Noravank monastery - a great religious and cultural centre of 12th c. Noravank ("New Monasterey") is 122 km away from Yerevan and is located in an inaccessible location throughout the stunning nature. **Opportunity to have lunch in a local cave caf? tasting chicken barbeque made in a special underground heater. Drive back to the capital city. 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 x overnight at the hotel in Yerevan
" 1 x overnight at the hotel in Goris
" 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
