As your flight glide down and cut through the clouds of the Armenian sky, you will be enthralled by the view of the city of Yerevan. Our ground representatives will welcome you as you step out of the Zvartnots International Airport. The moment you hit the roads of Yerevan your 'Ararat Sense' will be evoked and the enigmatic city will engulf you in its beauty, as was experienced by Vasily Grossman. The chauffeur will drive you to your hotel. The rest of the day is at your own leisure.
Overnight in Yerevan.After breakfast at the hotel, you will meet your tour guide and start a city tour in Yerevan. During the city tour, you will see the most beautiful sights in Yerevan, like The Republic Square, where you may see the stone carpet right in the middle hiding the history of 3000 years underneath. Enjoy the most charming architecture of the Opera and Ballet Theatre, a huge building, projected by the architect of Yerevan Aleksander Tamanyan. We will also visit Cascade, Cafesjian Museum of Modern Arts, and Mother Armenia Monument.
Drive to Echmiadzin – the religious center for all the Armenians in the world. Echmiadzin is one of the first Christian buildings in the world, constructed in 301 - 303 AD when Armenia officially adopted Christianity as a state religion in 301. On the way back you will visit the ruins of Zvartnots Temple (named as a temple of angels, belongs to the 7th century). This construction is listed as UNESCO Cultural Heritage. Drive back to Yerevan. On the way back to the hotel we will be also visiting the famous local fruit market. Free time on your own. Overnight at the hotel in Yerevan.After breakfast at the hotel, drive to Khor Virap - the closest point to Mount Ararat. Khor Virap was built as a prison and served as such for the first Armenian Catholicos Gregori Illuminator for his attempt to spread Christianity in pagan Armenia. After 14 years of imprisonment, he was freed and Armenia became the first in the world adopted Christianity as a state religion.
After that, we drive to Noravank and visit the Noravank Monastery – a complex with a two-floor church, which is standing in between red cliffs. The existence of the second floor describes the way to God, but the way back is a lot harder. Noravank Monastic Complex belongs to the 13-14th centuries. Drive to Goris, one of the oldest towns in the South of Armenia. Free time on your own. Overnight at the hotel in Goris.Breakfast at the hotel. After having a short tour in Goris, you will drive to Khndzoresk – a cave village. Afterward, you will lead your way to amazing Tatev Monastery. The longest aerial tramway which is included in the Guinness records’ book, will take you to the wonderful complex of Tatev. Tatev monastery was built in the 9th century. A beloved place by all the Armenians and everyone who has ever seen it. Drive back to Goris.
Overnight stay at Goris.Breakfast at the hotel. You will lead your way to a prehistoric observatory, the Armenian Stonehenge, which is called Zorats Karer or Karahunj. It predates the Stonehenge and the Egyptian pyramids and is an archaeological wonder of Armenia. The landscape of the place is also equally breathtaking. Then you will drive to the North of Armenia, passing through Selim caravanserai and Noratus cemetery. This route was used to be the silk road and the Caravanserai worked as a hotel for the merchants. Moving to the North, passing through a tunnel you will appear in another climate and landscape, reaching Dilijan, another health resort in Armenia, famous for its humidity and forests. Free time on your own.
Overnight stay in Dilijan.Breakfast at the hotel. Morning Dilijan will awaken you with its freshness and let you enjoy the rest of the trip. Goshavank Monastery situated in Gosh village on a green hill was founded in the 12th century and has been an educational center. It's an architectural marvel. You will find a unique Khachkar (cross-stone) under the wall of the church, which was created with old simple instruments. The road leads to Sevan Lake, which is the second highest freshwater lake in the world. After reaching the peninsula of Sevan, you may climb the stairs to Sevanavank Monastery and enjoy the view to the blue-eyed lake from above the hill. Drive to Yerevan.
Overnight in Yerevan.After enjoying the breakfast at the hotel, you will visit the depository of manuscripts- Matenadaran, that have been collected and passed from one generation to the other, starting from 405 AD, when the Armenian alphabet was created. Afterwards, you will lead your way to the Garni Pagan Temple from the 1st century AD. It used to be the summer residence of King Tiridat the 3rd Arshakuni. Unfortunately not all the buildings remained until today. Garni is the only Hellenistic temple existing nowadays in Armenia. It has Parthenon-type structure with 24 pillars, which means the 24 hours of the day. It is built with perfectly fitted huge blocks of basalt joined with cement, iron spikes, and decorated with beautiful carving. Next stop will be one of the most amazing Monasteries in Armenia – Geghard, which is one of the most famous monuments of Armenia. It is also known as Ayrivank, which means “church carved out from the rock”. Geghard Monastery is inscribed in the UNESCO World Heritage. There is a myth about the healing source inside the church that it can cure any sickness even when you drink a sip of it. Geghard Monastery is the best place to sing spiritual songs, because of its acoustics. Then you will drive to Yerevan. Free time on your own.
Overnight at the hotel in Yerevan.Today has been reserved as a free day. You may stroll down the intricate lanes of Yerevan and explore the local culture from a closer proximity. On request, we may organize a heritage walk in the city and take you to some authentic places to tease your taste buds with authentic Armenian cuisines. You can also take our consultation to especially customize today's trip according to your wishes and preferences.
Overnight stay in Yerevan.A lot more still remained unexplored. However, the tour comes to an end and our chauffeur will bid you a warm farewell at the airport. We will be waiting here for your next Armenian adventure. Have a safe journey back home.
At zerodegreel
every moment will someday make you look back and want to experience it all over again.