Day 2: Yerevan (Etchmiadzin)
Departure for the city of Etchmiadzin (Vagharshapat), Mother Seat of the Armenian Apostolic Church. Discovery of the churches of St. Hripsime and St. Gayane. Visit of the Cathedral, participation in mass. Departure for the remains of the temple of Zvartnots. Lunch at the Armenian General Benevolent Union association. In the afternoon, return to Yerevan. for a tour of the Vernissage craft market and a visit to the Armenian History Museum. In the evening, dinner at the restaurant with a traditional dance show (subject to calendar of events). Overnight at hotel in Yerevan. [B/L/D]
Day 3: Yerevan
Walk in the city of Yerevan. Discovery of the market, the blue mosque, the grand staircase-monument "waterfall", the preserved Abovian street of the ancient city, the modern North Avenue, etc. Lunch at a restaurant. In the afternoon, meet an artist in his studio and discuss his work. Then, visit of the museum of the great Armenian filmmaker Sergey Paradjanov. Dinner at a restaurant and overnight in Yerevan. [B/L/D]
Day 4: Yerevan (Kotayk)
Departure for the Kotayk region. Visit of the rupestrian monastery of Ghéghard where the holy lance that pierced Jesus Christ was housed. Lunch at an outdoor restaurant. Visit of the pagan temple of Garni, the only pagan temple preserved in the territory of Armenia. Visit of the Matenadaran museum-institute, the world's largest repository of Armenian manuscripts. Dinner at a restaurant and overnight in Yerevan. [B/L/D]
Day 5: Yerevan, Haghpat
Departure for the region of Aragatsotn, at the foot of Mount Aragats, the highest point of the Lesser Caucasus (13,435 feet) and an ancient volcano. Visit to the 10th century Amberd fortress and discovery of the Tegher Monastery, an early 13th-century Armenian monastery and church located on the southeastern slopes of Mount Aragats. Lunch at a local restaurant and departure for the monasteries of Saghmossavank (monastery of the psalms) situated atop the precipitous gorge carved by the Kasagh river near the town of Ohannavank. Dinner and overnight at a homestay in Haghpat. [B/L/D]
Day 6: Haghpat, Dilijan
Discovery of the Lori region, not far from the Georgian border. Visit the monastery complex of Haghpat (10th-13th centuries), Sanahin and Odzoun on the UNESCO World Heritage List. The monastery of Haghpat was founded in 976 and is divided into several parts including a scriptorium that we also find in the monastery of Sanahin which includes three churches, several rooms of worship and more than 50 khachkars (Armenian stelae). The two monasteries were recognized as centers of cultural dissemination and represent the most remarkable architectural manifestation of religious art. Haghpat Monastery has been inscribed on the UNESCO World Heritage List since 1996. Lunch with the locals in the village of Haghpat. Then, discover the town of Alaverdi, an important industrial center during the Soviet era. If in season participate in the harvest festival. Continue to the ethnographic district in the city of Dilijan. Dinner and overnight with the locals in Dilijan. [B/L/D]
Day 7: Dilijan, Noratus, Vardenis
Visit of the Haghartsin monastery before leaving for the region of Guégharkounik to visit the Holy Apostles or Saint Lazarus Monastery on the peninsula of Lake Sévan. Perched atop the gorge of the Vorotan River, the 9th-century Tatev Monastic Complex was one of Armenia's most advanced medieval universities welcoming humanities students and an important political stronghold. Because of its impossible location, it was once difficult to access. But now a 3.5-mile long cable car has been built to connect visitors to the monastery and its surrounding villages, offering an exciting journey with breathtaking views of the river gorges and mountains. Lunch at a local restaurant. Descend to the lake to enjoy boat ride (subject to favorable weather conditions). Visit of the largest khachkars cemetery (cross on stone, typical only of Armenian architecture) in Noratus (Noradouz). Then, continue to Vardenis for dinner and overnight at a guesthouse. [B/L/D]
Day 8: Noratus, Yeghegnadzor
Departure for Vayots Dzor Province to visit of the Selim Caravanserai (13th century), located on the famous Silk Road and the only caravanserai preserved in Armenia. The cities of medieval Armenia flourished between the 12th and 14th centuries, a period during which trade developed, as did ecclesiastical architecture and the construction of secular buildings such as caravanserais. The latter played a particularly favorable role in the development of the country because they made it possible to ensure communication between cities as well as the regular movement of commercial caravans. Caravanserais were commonly built on major trade routes, in favorable locations with access to water and sheltered from wind and snowstorms. The majority of the caravanserais have been preserved, not only in the Republic of Armenia, but also in the various provinces of historic Armenia. After lunch at a local restaurant, discover the city of Jermuk known for its mineral water and its famous waterfall. If in season, participate in the wine festival in the village of Aréni. Continue Yeghegnadzor for dinner and overnight at your B&B. [B/L/D]
Day 9: Yeghegnadzor, Goris
This morning we depart to the south towards the Siunik Province. Visit of the megalithic site of Karahunj Observatory, dating to the 2nd millennium BC. The specialists, supporting the astronomical significance of the monoliths arranged on the site, mention the multi-millennial past of Armenian astrology. Ancient Armenians already used several instruments to observe the night sky, including the ancient Metsamor Observatory, most recently discovered in Armenia, which dates from the 5th millennium BC. Lunch at a local restaurant before continuing to visit the Vorotnavank Monastery, located at Syunik Marz 2.5 miles east of Sisian and overlooking the Vorotan Canyon. It was one of the most famous religious and cultural centers in Armenia between the 10th and 15th centuries. The complex includes the Church of Saint Stepanos and the Sacristies of Saint Karapet. After the visit, we drive to Goris for a tour of the “Goris Crochet” Association, archaeological museum and town center. Dinner and overnight at the hotel in Goris. [B/L/D]
Day 10: Goris, Yerevan
Departure for the Province of Vayots Dzor to visit of a wine cellar and tasting the local wine in the village of Areni. Discovery of Noravank Monastery, an Armenian monastery located in a gorge of the small Amaghou river east of the Armenian high plateau in the Lesser Caucasus. The complex was founded in the 12th century but dates mainly from the 13th and 14th centuries when it became the mausoleum of the Orbélians. The complex includes the Sourp Karapet church and its gavit (entrance to the church), the Sourp Grigor church and the Sourp Astvatsatsin church. It is completed by the ruins of various buildings and small chapels highlighted by the surrounding red and gray limestone cliffs. It is listed as a UNESCO World Heritage Site. Then, visit Goris troglodyte caves stopping at the troglodyte restaurant for lunch. Departure for the monastery of Khor Virap dominated by Mount Ararat on the Turkish border. Gregory the Illuminator, was thrown into a pit where he miraculously survived for thirteen years (Khor Virap means "deep well"). A thin bulb lights up the well, 13 feet wide. When the king, after having martyred Gayane, Hripsime and their companions, fell ill, Gregory appeared as the only one capable of treating him. He healed the king and converted him to Christianity. Armenia then becomes the first Christian country. The Catholicos Nersès III Chinanar (Chief Bishop and spiritual leader of the Armenian church) had a church built above the pit in the 7th century. After the visit, continue to Yerevan to enjoy a farewell dinner at city’s restaurant. Overnight in Yerevan. [B/L/D]
Note: The humidity in the Khor Virap well is quite stifling. Not recommended for claustrophobes!
Day 11: Yerevan, USA
Breakfast at the hotel. Depending on the time of your flight, you may take advantage of possible free time to wander one last time in the capital. At the appointed time you’ll be picked-up and driven to the airport to board your flight back home. [B]
[B] = Breakfast | [D] = Dinner | [B/L/D] = Breakfast Lunch and Dinner
