TOUR ARMENIA

Arrival at Zvartnots International Airport, Transfer to the hotel, Overnight in Yerevan.

Breakfast at the hotel. 10:30 am meeting with the guide for a visit to the city.
We begin our journey to the capital of Armenia.
For centuries this city was famous with the name ''pink city'', for the color of the stone. Visit to the Republic square, Mashtoc avenue, Opera named Aram Khachatryan, Cascad and etc.
Visit to the fruit market "Gum"

Breakfast at the hotel.
Departure for Garni (about 30 km from Yerevan) and visit to this center of Hellenistic and Roman culture and ancient residence of the Armenian royals of the Arshakuni Dynasty; you will visit the Temple dedicated to the Sun God, the remains of the wall of the third century BC and the Roman Baths.
We continue the journey to the Garni gorge (Symphony of stones) This natural monument, unique in its kind, is called with the name "Basalt Organ", thanks to its particular symmetry.
Continue to the Geghard Monastery (Unesco World Heritage) named after the spear that pierced the body of Christ, located in a deep canyon very spectacular: half built inside the rock, dates back, according to tradition, to the fourth century.

Lunch at the local house "Abelyan house" and preparation of "Lavash"

After visiting a local house where you can have the opportunity to see and participate in the preparation of Armenian bread Lavash (Lavash is an Armenian bread, very thin, usually sold in very large loaves. It is also an ancient bread baked in an underground oven ''tonir''). In 2015 Lavash was included in the UNESCO intangible heritage list.
In the evening return to Yerevan, overnight at the Hotel.

Breakfast at the hotel, departure for the visit of the Khor Virap Monastery .
Full day excursion in the south of Armenia and then departure for the Ararat region to visit the Khor Virap Monastery, a famous place of pilgrimage, also visited by Pope John Paul II. The Monastery stands on the place of imprisonment of St. Gregory the Illuminator who is responsible for the conversion of Armenia. Khor Virap means "deep ditch" where St. Gregory was also imprisoned; from the Monastery perched on the hill you can enjoy a splendid view of the biblical Mount Ararat.
Visit to the Areni cave which consists of 3 rooms, most of which are not yet explored. During the studies of the cave were found metal knives, fruit seeds, grain residues, rope, ceramics, clothing, grapes and dried plums attributed to the years 4200-3500 BC. Here was found the oldest leather shoe in the world (which is more than 5500 years old). Here is also found the winery which is considered to be the oldest winery in the world (dating back over 6000 years).
Visit to the local Momik winery for lunch and tasting of local wines.
Departure for the region of Vayots Dzor with a visit to the Noravank Monastery and crossing a canyon of 8 km. long you go to visit the wonderful monastic complex of Novarank (12th / 13th century) placed in a spectacular position on the edge of a precipice.
Return to Yerevan, overnight

Breakfast at the hotel.
Departure to Lake Sevan , one of the great lakes in the world. Here we can enjoy the beautiful panorama of the lake. Afterwards we visit the Sevan peninsula, where we visit two monasteries of the 10th century.

Noratus cemetery is a medieval cemetery with a large number of khachkars located in Armenia in the municipality of Noratus, not far from Gavar, the capital of the Gegharkunik region. Currently, it represents the largest expanse of khachkars. The cemetery is spread over about seven hectares and also includes a small church.
Visit to the cheese factory "Mikayelyan farm" here you can taste a variety of unique cheeses.  
After departure for the city of Dilijan. Passage through the city. During the passage we can breathe deeply the fresh mountain air.

Return to Yerevan, overnight at the hotel.

Breakfast at the hotel.
Departure to Echmiadzin . On the way stop to visit the ruins of Zvartnot s Cathedral, built in the 7th century (UNESCO World Heritage Site). Entering the city of Echmiadzin you will see an ancient 7th century church of St. Hripsime. Which is known for its fine architecture in the Armenian classical style. Then going further you will visit the Echmiadzin Cathedral (UNESCO World Heritage Site), a truly spiritual place that shows the particularity of the Armenian Church. During your tour your guide will tell the story of how Armenia first adopted Christianity as its official religion. Today Echmiadzin is the Holy See of the Catholicos, the spiritual heart of the Armenian Apostolic Church.
Visit to the Yezidi temple "Ziarat of Aknalich". This temple is the largest Yezidi temple in the world. Since ancient times, the Yezidis - one of the minorities in Armenia - have been engaged in cattle breeding on the Caucasian plateau. Yezidis have preserved their religion for almost three millennia. Yezis do not have a Holy Book and their religion is based on the knowledge of their priests. The right to become a priest is recognized after having achieved sufficient knowledge.
Return to Yerevan, overnight at the Hotel.

Breakfast at the hotel.
Possibility of an optional excursion:

Op. 1: Yerevan - Gyumri - Amberd - Alphabet Park - Yerevan - 190 Euro

Passage through the city of Gyumri. It has changed its name several times during its long history: initially it was called Kumayri, then Alexandropol, then in  the Soviet era Leninakan and finally Gyumri .  The city is the second largest in Armenia, it is located  on the bank of the Akhurian River and is about 120 km away from Yerevan. It is the capital of the Shirak province. 

Departure for Aragatsotni region.

Lunch at a local house and tasting of homemade wine. 

Visit to the alphabet park. 

Departure to Amberd fortress and church . The medieval Amberd fortress (7th–13th century AD) is built on the southern slope of Mount Aragats (4091 meters above sea level). 

Return to Yerevan.

Op. 2: Yerevan - Sanahin - Haghpat - Yerevan - 195 Euro

Departure for Alaverdi.  

Visit to two unique monuments of Armenian architecture of the 10th–14th centuries – Sanahin Monastery and Haghpat Monastery (UNESCO World Heritage Site). Literally in Armenian the name Sanahin means “this is older than that”, which probably means that this village has an older monastery than its neighbor, Haghpat. The two villages and monasteries are very similar to each other, and from one you can perfectly see the other; both are located on a rugged plateau, separated by a deep crevice formed by a small river flowing into the Debed River. Haghpat Monastery was one of the greatest religious, cultural and educational centers of medieval Armenia. 

Return to Yerevan.

Breakfast, transfer to Yerevan airport. End of services.