Colorful Armenia

– Arrival at Zvartnots International Airport.
– Transfer to hotel.
– Overnight at hotel.

– Breakfast at the hotel.
– City Tour around Yerevan- the capital of the Republic of Armenia. Having a history of almost 2800 years, Yerevan is a modern city with high rise buildings, nice cafes and parks, it’s a combination of rich history and a modern lifestyle. Yerevan City was originally designated so that it overlooked the biblical Mount Ararat, and indeed the Holy Mount can be seen from every corner of the capital. You will see all major sights of the capital including Opera house, Republic Square, Kievyan Bridge, Baghramyan Avenue, the Presidential Palace, Academy of Sciences, National Parliament as well as “Cat statue” by famous sculptor Fernando Botero at the Cascade area; enjoy the panoramic view of Yerevan etc. Visit to the History Museum, where 400000 items and artifacts witness about ancinet armenian civilization. Continue to the Genoside Museum and Memorial, erected to commemorate the Genocide of 1.500.000 Armenians by Ottomans.
-Overnight at the hotel in Yerevan.

– Breakfast at the hotel.
– Departure to Etchmiadzin, the religious center of the country and the patriarchal seat of the Armenian Catholicos. Etchmiadzin Cathedral (301-303 A.D.) is the oldest state-built church in the world.
– Continue to the ruins of Zvartnots, a prominent work of Armenian architecture (641-662). The cathedral was destroyed in an earthquake in the 10th century.
– Return to Yerevan.

– Breakfast at the hotel.
– Departure to Khor Virap, where in the deep pit St.Gregory the Illuminator was imprisoned for 13 years. It is situated in the Ararat valley against the Biblical Mount Ararat, were Noah’s arch cast anchor.
– The monastery complex of Noravank (5-13th cc), erected on a breathtaking site, on brick-red cliffs of Amaghu canyon. It has reach decoration both in internal and in external parts. On your way to Noravank lays within beautiful colorful mountains and landscapes.
– Visit to Areni Wine factory for wine tasting made of local grape varieties.
– Return to Yerevan.

– Breakfast at the hotel.
– Departure to alpine Lake Sevan. Situated at the altitude of 2000 meters above the sea level, Sevan is the largest alpine high mountain freshwater lake in the Caucasus region and in Armenia. It is impossible to imagine the island of Sevan (currently a peninsula) without the Sevan Monastery 9th c., a perfect example of a man-made testimony of faith complementing the surrounding divine nature.
– Continue to 12th century Goshavank Monastery, medieval religious and educational center. On the way to Goshavank you pass through the resort town Dilijan.
– Return to Yerevan.

– Breakfast at the hotel.
– Departure to the pagan temple of Garni (1st century), a vivid example of Hellenistic culture in Armenia,
– Cave monastery of Geghard. The Holy Spear once was kept here and later transfered to the Museum of Treasures of Etchmiadzin.
– Visit to Matenadaran, an ancient manuscript repository located in Yerevan. Museum holds one of the world’s richest depositories of medieval manuscripts and books.
– Vernissage, open-air handicraft market where you can buy souvenirs as reminders of your trip to Armenia.

– Check out.
– Transfer to the airport.