Monday

10:00 Khor Virap, Noravank, Areni village, winery (9-10 hours)

Let's go to the Ararat Valley - the main center of fertility and winemaking in Armenia. The first stop will be one of the main shrines of Armenia - Khor Virap Monastery. Located near the Turkish border, the monastery offers a wonderful view of the biblical Mount Ararat. The monastery is located above the underground prison, in which, according to legend, the Armenian king Trdat III imprisoned St. Gregory the Illuminator before he was converted to Christianity by him. The entrance to the underground prison, which has survived to this day, is located in the chapel of St. Gregory, built in 1661. The depth of the underground prison is from 3 to 6 meters. The monastery served as the spiritual center of the Armenian Apostolic Church, where the residence of the Catholicos of all Armenians was located.

An hour's drive from Khor Virap, on the ledge of a narrow winding gorge, is another Noravank monastery. Surrounded by sheer red cliffs, the monastery includes a one-of-a-kind two-story church of the Holy Mother of God. On the territory of the monastery, as well as on the walls, you will see a lot of images with traditional Armenian ornaments. Here, on the walls of the vestibule of the Church of St. Karapet, there is a unique bas-relief depicting Father God. With his right hand he blesses the Crucifixion, and with his left hand he holds the head of Adam with a dove soaring above it, symbolizing the Holy Spirit. There are also khachkars on the territory of the complex, created, among other things, by one of the most famous khachkar masters Momik (Khachkar is a type of Armenian architectural monuments, which is a stone stele with a carved image of a cross. The word khachkar is formed from the Armenian roots “khach” - “cross”, and "kar" - "stone").

During the tour we will also visit the Cave of Birds, which consists of 3 halls and has an area of 500 m². It was in this cave that the world's oldest leather shoes were found, which are more than 5500 years old, a women's skirt attributed to 3900 BC, as well as the world's oldest winery (dating back to the 4th millennium BC) .

After the monasteries, it's time to enjoy good Armenian wine. We will visit the village of Areni (it is in this area that Areni grapes grow), where many small and medium-sized wineries are located. In one of the wineries we will have a guided tour with a tasting.

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Tuesday

10:00 Sightseeing tour of Yerevan, Erebuni Fortress (3-4 hours)

Yerevan, the capital of Armenia, was founded in 782 BC on the site of the ancient fortress. Known as the "pink city," Yerevan is a stunning destination filled with buildings constructed from pink tuff.

During the tour, you'll have the opportunity to experience the rich culture, history, and daily life of the city. You'll start with a visit to the Republic Square, where you'll see musical fountains and important landmarks like the Government building and the National Art Gallery.

Your journey continues along the historic Abovyan street, one of the oldest in the city, to the impressive Cascade architectural complex. Built in the USSR, the Cascade connects the lower and upper parts of the city and today, there is a museum of modern art in its adjacent park that features works by artists like Fernando Botero and Barry Flanagan. Climb the 572 steps of the stairs to enjoy panoramic views of the city.

Your tour concludes with a visit to the Erebuni Museum and the ruins of the fortress, which was constructed in 782 BC by Urartian King Argishti I. Excavations of the fortress began in the 19th century and continued in the 1950s, leading to the discovery of a cuneiform inscription by King Argishti about the founding of the fortress.

 

Wednesday

09:00 Amberd fortress, monument to the alphabet, Saghmosavank, dried fruit factory (8-9 hours)

Our first stop will be the Amberd Fortress, a historic complex featuring the ruins of a 7th-century castle and an 11th-century church. Marvel at this magnificent example of medieval Armenian architecture, nestled on a cape with breathtaking views of the mountains and gorges.

Next, we'll reach the high mountain lake Kari, located at an altitude of 3250 meters. You may even see snow or blooming snowdrops in the summer. With its peak of 4090 meters, Mount Aragats is the highest point in modern-day Armenia.

The tour continues with a visit to the Monument to the Alphabet, a unique tribute to the 39 letters of the Armenian alphabet created by St. Mesrop Mashtots in 405. The letters are carved from Armenian red tuff and the alley was opened in 2005 to celebrate the 1600th anniversary of the creation of the Armenian alphabet.

We'll also stop by Saghmosavank Monastery, which offers a stunning view of the gorge, Mount Arai, and the biblical Ararat (weather permitting). Lastly, we'll visit a dried fruit factory where you can taste a variety of natural Armenian fruits and vegetables.

 

Thursday

10:00 Lake Sevan, Sevanavank, Dilijan, Goshavank and Haghartsin monasteries (9-10 hours)

Your first stop will be Lake Sevan, the largest mountain freshwater lake in the region, known as the "blue pearl" of Armenia. You'll then visit the historic Sevanavank Monastery, located on a peninsula in the northwestern part of the lake.

Next, head to the resort town of Dilijan, famously known for its mild climate and unique natural beauty. Here you'll have the opportunity to visit the architectural wonders of the Haghartsin and Goshavank Monasteries, both masterpieces of Armenian architecture. The Haghartsin Monastery was founded in the 11th-13th centuries and is comprised of three churches and a refectory. The Goshavank Monastery, named after the political figure and scientist Mkhitar Gosh, is home to several churches and a book depository, as well as famous khachkars.

 

Friday

09:00 Gyumri (Museum of Urban Life, Black Fortress, walk around the city), Harichavank Monastery (10-11 hours)

Join us on a journey to one of the most vibrant cities in Armenia, Gyumri, where ancient traditions are deeply ingrained in the local culture. Take a stroll through its historic streets and immerse yourself in the city's rich past. The sounds of the blacksmith's hammer and the strong voice of the phaeton and chaise makers are still palpable in the air. Marvel at the city's beautifully preserved residential buildings, a testament to its architectural prowess.

Our tour will start at the Museum of Urban Life and National Culture, where you'll gain a deeper understanding of the city's history, culture, and way of life. Afterwards, we'll visit the Black Fortress, a complex of military and architectural structures that served as a defense against invaders. You'll see the Alexandropol Fortress, with its three gates, the model of the St. Alexandra Church, and the northern and southern fortresses.

Lastly, we'll make our way to Harichavank Monastery, believed to have been established in the 7th century. During the 19th century, the monastery served as the summer residence of the Armenian Catholicoses. This visit is sure to be a spiritual and cultural highlight of your trip.

 

Saturday

10:00 Garni, Geghard, bread baking (5-6 hours)

Discover the rich history and cultural heritage of Armenia with our 5-6 hour tour to Garni and Geghard. Our first stop is the magnificent Geghard Monastery, a 4th century holy site founded near a sacred spring in a cave. Renamed as Geghard, which means "spear", the monastery holds the legend of the Roman legionary's spear that was used to pierce Christ. The complex consists of the main church, two rock-cut churches, a vestibule, a chapel and the Church of the Holy Virgin. Declared a World Heritage Site by UNESCO, the second level of the monastery is renowned for its impressive acoustics.

Next, we visit the Temple of Garni, the only surviving pagan monument in the region, dating back to the 1st century AD. After the adoption of Christianity, the temple was converted into a summer residence for Armenian kings and today you can see the remains of an ancient fortress, the royal palace and the royal bath with its colorful mosaics and mysterious inscription.

Finally, we take part in a traditional Armenian bread baking ceremony, where we bake and taste lavash bread. This craft is included in the UNESCO Intangible Heritage List.

 

Sunday

10:00 Etchmiadzin, Museum “Treasures of Etchmiadzin” Zvartnots (4-5 hours)

This journey will take you to the heart of Armenian spirituality, the Saint Ejmiatsin, where you will visit the Church of St. Hripsime, built on the site where St. Hripsime was martyred for spreading Christianity and refusing to marry King Trdat III. The church is a beautiful example of cruciform central-domed structures.

Next, we'll admire the Etchmiadzin Cathedral, one of the oldest Christian buildings in the world, founded in the 4th century after Christianity was adopted in Armenia. The cathedral serves as the spiritual center of the Armenian Apostolic Church and the residence of the Catholicos of All Armenians. However, the cathedral is currently closed for restoration, so we'll take a look from the outside.

Our tour will also include a visit to the "Treasures of Etchmiadzin" museum, which showcases unique holy relics, including St. Geghard and the relics of Noah's Ark, both housed in intricate reliquaries.

Before returning, we'll stop at the Temple of Zvartnots, a 7th century temple that was once the largest temple of early medieval Armenian architecture. Although it collapsed in an earthquake in the 10th century, its ruins were discovered in the early 20th century and are now a UNESCO World Cultural Heritage site.

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