About This Tour
Have you ever been to an open-air museum? No?
Then you need to come to Armenia!
An amazing open-air treasure!
Ancient Armenian land is a unique reflection of its people. And you will feel it in every stone, in every exhibit of this living museum.
A living museum — living impressions!
Itinerary
Day 1: Yerevan (City Tour)
Arrival in Yerevan. Transfer to hotel, rest. Lunch at a restaurant.
City sightseeing tour: Cascade, Republic Square, Tsitsernakaberd — Memorial to the victims of the 1915 Genocide.
Free evening in the city.
Day 2: Yerevan – Metsamor – Etchmiadzin – Zvartnots – Yerevan Brandy Factory
Breakfast at the hotel. Visit to the Metsamor fortress-settlement, located in the center of the Ararat plain, 35 km southwest of Yerevan. Excavations have been ongoing here since 1965. Visit the museum, which stores more than 20,000 artifacts.
Visit one of the 12 ancient capitals of Armenia — Etchmiadzin (Vagharshapat):
Etchmiadzin Cathedral (4th century) and the Church of Saint Hripsime (7th century). Visit the Treasury of Etchmiadzin. Lunch.
Visit the Temple of the Heavenly Angels — Zvartnots (7th century).
Excursion to the Yerevan Brandy Factory: introduction to brandy production technology, visit to the cellars and the “Presidents’ Alley,” tasting.
Return to Yerevan. Overnight in hotel.
Day 3: Yerevan – Khor Virap – Noravank – Bird Cave – Areni – Yerevan
Breakfast at the hotel. Trip through the Ararat Valley.
Excursion to Khor Virap Monastery, where Gregory the Illuminator (future first Catholicos of the Armenian Apostolic Church) was imprisoned for many years. The monastery is located opposite Mount Ararat (5165 m), on the border of Armenia and Turkey. Stunning panoramic view from the monastery walls.
Continue through scenic mountains and gorges to Noravank Monastery (12th–15th centuries) — the spiritual center of the Orbelyan principality. Lunch.
Visit to the Bird Cave — Areni-1, where the world’s oldest leather shoe was discovered.
Trip to the village of Areni, famous for its vineyards. Visit to a regional tasting center or winery. Wine tasting.
Return to Yerevan. Overnight in hotel.
Day 4: Yerevan – Matenadaran – Sevan – Garni – Geghard – Yerevan
Breakfast at the hotel. Visit to the Matenadaran Research Institute of Ancient Manuscripts — a unique museum and repository of ancient manuscripts and codices.
Trip to the “Blue Pearl of Armenia” — Lake Sevan (1900 m altitude). Visit Sevanavank Monastery (9th century) on the Sevan peninsula.
Trip to Garni Fortress and Geghard Monastery. Stop at the Arch of Charents with a magnificent view of Mount Ararat. Lunch.
Excursion to the Garni Temple — the summer residence of Armenian kings. Visit the pagan Temple of the Sun, built by King Trdat I in the 1st century AD, and other monuments of the fortress.
Visit to the unique rock-carved Geghard Monastery (12th–13th centuries) — the Monastery of the Spear, known for its exceptional acoustics. The name is associated with the spear that, according to legend, pierced Christ.
Return to Yerevan. Overnight in hotel.
Breakfast at the hotel. Visit to the Central Market. Shopping (spices, herbs, dried fruits).
Visit to the Vernissage market, where you can buy gifts, souvenirs, jewelry, and handmade crafts made of wood, semi-precious stones, silver, and other materials. Lunch.
Transfer to Zvartnots Airport. Departure from Yerevan.
Included in Price
- Professional guide service
- Accompanying transport and all transfers according to the program
- Входные билеты в музеи и историко-культурные центры
- Meals — breakfasts and lunches
- Accommodation in selected hotel
- Airport – hotel – airport transfer
Not Included
- Airfare
- Lunch on the last day
- Dinners and alcoholic beverages