Best of Armenia

Arrival at Zvartnots International Airport. After proceeding through customs and collecting your luggage you will be met by your driver and taken to the hotel (transfer excluded). Check in from 14:00. Overnight in the Yerevan hotel. Tour options & excursions available Airport – Hotel Transfer (Without Guide) Hotel: Ani Central Inn | Cascade (or similar) Hotel (4): Ani Plaza | Hayasa | Median (or similar)

Depart for the Yerevan full day city tour that includes all the major sights of the capital. Yerevan is on the list as one of the world’s “Oldest continuously inhabited cities“, dating back to 8th century BC. It's very lively with open cafes, eateries and local markets. Enjoy a panoramic view of Opera House, the magnificent scenery of the two ice-capped biblical Mount Ararat, Swan Lake, Northern Avenue and Republic Square which is considered one of the most amazing and famous place of the capital. Visit “Matenadaran” a home to the world’s largest collection of Armenian Illuminated manuscripts. In the funds of the Matenadaran there are preserved thousands of ancient manuscripts vintage archival documents. Here you will have a chance to see the biggest book weighing 28 kilograms, and the smallest one weighing only 19 grams. Head to the Genocide museum which displays unprecedented international documents on Armenian Genocide, carried out by Ottoman Turkey in 1915. After the museum tour, we will explore the memorial complex of Tsitsernakaberd dedicated to 1.5 million victims of Armenian Genocide. Evening at leisure. You can have an evening walk through Northern Avenue towards the Republic Square, where you will admire the Dancing Fountains (start from 9 pm). Overnight in Yerevan. Hotel: Ani Central Inn | Cascade (or similar) Hotel (4): Ani Plaza | Hayasa | Median (or similar)

Depart to Khor Virap Monastery (“deep pit”), at the base of Mount Ararat. The monastery location gives the opportunity to enjoy a beautiful view to biblical Ararat Mountain, where Noah’s arch cast an anchor. *Please note that the visibility may be difficult depending on weather conditions. Head to Areni, which is best known for its wine production and with assortment of unmatched wine. Here you will have the chance to enjoy degustation of local wines produced from endemic variety of grapes called Areni. Depart to Noravank Monastery, an architectural gemstone nestled among brick-red cliffs, just above a deep gorge. Built in the 13th century, the monastery is a lovely example of the ornate architecture of the period. Drive back to Yerevan and overnight. Hotel: Ani Central Inn | Cascade (or similar) Hotel (4): Ani Plaza | Hayasa | Median (or similar)

Head to Etchmiadzin city, the center of Armenian Christianity, which is considered to be the "Vatican" city of Armenia with the Holy See of the Armenian Apostolic Church. Stop near the 7th century Zvartnots Cathedral (UNESCO World Heritage). Continue to the Catherdral of Etchmiadzin/301-303 AD (UNESCO World Heritage), the first church of Armenia. NOTE: In the Etchmiadzin Cathedral there have been cosmetic reconstruction processes lately and a new layer of frescos was discovered and by the announcement of the government the cathedral is blocked, as they are doing researches and new excavations too. This means that the guests might not see the inside of the church. On your way to Yerevan visit Saint Hripsime Church (UNESCO World Heritage), one of the oldest surviving churches in Armenia. Visit ‘Gumi Shuka’’, an Armenian indoor market, where you can have especially handpicked selection of local homemade products: dried fruit, pickles, spices… Evening at leisure. Overnight in Yerevan. Hotel: Ani Central Inn | Cascade (or similar) Hotel (4): Ani Plaza | Hayasa | Median (or similar)

Depart to Garni village, famous for its Hellenistic pagan temple of the first century, the only pagan temple that survived after the Christianization of Armenia. Lunch at a local restaurant/ house. Experience lavash baking (Armenian traditional bread; UNESCO Cultural Heritage) demonstration. Get familiar with the technique of the preparation. After that enjoy “brduj” (stuffed bread roll) and taste the freshly baked bread stuffed with young cheese and local herbs. Descend the Azat River Gorge, where the “Symphony of Stones” or “Basalt Organ” seats. Those basalt columns were formed millions of years ago as a result of slow-moving lava. Drive to Geghard Monastery (UNESCO World Heritage) - a monastery which is hewn out from a cave. Not only the rock sculpted structures are fantastically spiritual, the cliffs surrounding it are shrouded with mystery. Right at the entrance local women sell candies, dried fruit, sweet sujukh, Geghard gata. Driving back to Yerevan. Evening at leisure. Overnight in Yerevan. Hotel: Ani Central Inn | Cascade (or similar) Hotel (4): Ani Plaza | Hayasa | Median (or similar)

Scenic drive along the pearl of Armenia, Lake Sevan.. Your next stop is the 9th century monastery complex on Sevan peninsula named Sevanavank. The peninsula can be named the very point from where the whole beauty of the Lake Sevan is seen. Head to Dilijan to enjoy its natural and architectural monuments of antiquity, the mountains and the forests that surround you at any point in the city. In the "Old Town" you will see unique balconies and terraces typical of 19th century Dilijan that display the region’s historical love for fine woodwork. Visit Haghartsin Monastery (13th c. A.D) hidden among dense oak woods. Drive back to Yerevan. Overnight at the hotel in Yerevan. Hotel: Ani Central Inn | Cascade (or similar) Hotel (4): Ani Plaza | Hayasa | Median (or similar)

Transfer to the airport and departure (transfer excluded).