Armenia Classic Tour 5 Days/4 Nights

Arrival from Hometown to Yerevan. Transfer from the airport to Hotel, check-in. After some rest we will start the tour around Yerevan, the ancient capital of Armenia, which was founded in 782 B.C. Armenians are proud that Yerevan is 29 years older than Rome. During the city tour, you will have a walk around the central city, visiting Cascade, Opera and Ballet Theater, Mashtots Avenue and Republic Square. You will visit Genocide Memorial – a solemn reminder of the first genocide of the 20th century. At the end of the tour we will take you to shopping mall or to hotel.

Overnight: Hotel in Yerevan

Meals: Lunch

After breakfast we will drive to Echmiadzin town – the religious center of all Armenians around the world. Armenia is the first country that adopted Christianity in 301 AD. Echmiadzin Cathedral is the first Christian temple in the world. It is also the seat of the Supreme Patriarch of the Catholicos of all Armenians. The cathedral keeps an important religious relic – the Holy Lance spear. In 2000 Echmiadzin Cathedral was listed as a UNESCO World Heritage site. Later we will drive to the ruins of Zvartnots temple an UNESCO World Heritage Site. The remnants of Zvartnots, even in ruins, are a majestic sight. his marvelous temple is a result of skillfulness and brave creativity of Armenian architects of the 7th century. We will drive to the Canyon of Azat River. Firstly, we will stop at Charent’s Arch from where you can have a breathtaking view to the biblical Mount Ararat. You can have great photos from here. We will continue our way to Garni village, well known for its Garni temple – the only surviving example of Hellenistic architecture in the region. The temple stands on a high plateau overlooking the Azat river gorge. It is also home to the roman bath house with the mysterious mosaic, made out of 30,000 pieces of natural stones, as well as the ruins of the royal palace, dating back to 3rd century A.D. Here you will have the opportunity to see the lavash baking process and taste it. We will have a lunch in a local restaurant. After Lunch will drive to Geghard Monastery. This unique monastery is carved into nearby rocks and the surrounding cliffs compose a great part of it. Geghard Monastery is the masterpiece of the 13th century Armenian architecture. At first the monastery was called Ayrivank, but later it was renamed Geghard, as the lance used by Roman soldier to sting Jesus Christ. Monastery is listed as a UNESCO World Heritage Site.

Overnight: Hotel in Yerevan

Meals: Breakfast, Lunch

After breakfast we will drive to Ararat Province to visit one of the holiest sites of Armenia - Khor Virap Monastery. You will hike up a small hill to discover the monastery and enjoy the breathtaking view on Biblical Mount Ararat. Khor Virap is the most important place of pilgrimage of Armenia. St. Gregory the Illuminator – the first Catholic of all Armenians, had been imprisoned in “Khor Virap” (deep dungeon) for 13 years. Later we will continue our way to Areni village where we will have a tour of “Hin Areni” winery and taste their wine. After that we will continue our way to Noravank Monastery which is the 13th century’s masterpiece of Armenian architect Momik.

Overnight: Hotel in Yerevan

Meals: Breakfast, Lunch

After breakfast we will drive to Gegharkunik Province which is best known for amazing Lake Sevan. It is one of the highest freshwater lakes in the world located at an altitude of 1900 meters above the sea level. In Lake Sevan we will visit Sevanavank Monsatery in the peninsula from where you can have a great view to the Lake and Armenian mountain chains. We continue our trip further north to Tavush Province and have an excursion to the medieval monastery of Haghartsin. On the way we will have a stop at the cozy resort town of Dilijan known for its arts and crafts as well as picturesque lush nature and healing air.

Overnight: Hotel in Yerevan

Meals: Breakfast, Lunch

After breakfast, transfer to the Airport, Departure.