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‘If asked in what place of the world one is likely to
find the greatest number of wonders, I would name first of all’
–American artist, Rockwell Kent.
 The
existence of man in dates back to 6000 years BC. As a country it
adopted Christianity in 301 AD making it the world’s oldest Christian
country. Once a mighty empire it extended from the Caspian to the Black
Sea, and included what is now Turkey and Iran. Many of the Great Silk Road
routes crisscrossed the country. Tragedy and devastation has haunted
and its people for centuries – yet it has survived. It is a land
of vast and magnificent mountains, plains and high plateaus, beautiful
ancient churches and monasteries and it’s people are all-encompassing in
their hospitality and generosity.
Modern day is smaller than Belgium, and is
landlocked by Iran to the Southeast, Turkey along the southwestern corner,
Georgia to the north and Azerbaijan to the east. With more than 60% of its
territory over 1200 meters above sea level it is a mountainous country.
The highest point is mount Aragats, the biblical mount Ararat once in
is now within Turkey, but from the views are spectacular.
Forests and woodlands cover a little over 10% of the country.
CLASSICAL TOUR OF
6 days / 5 nights
Our program is based in Yerevan and provides three full
days to visit some of the most impressive sites in Yerevan and the
surrounding area. The last day is at leisure to explore on your own or
additional sightseeing is available. Prices available upon request.
Day 1: ARRIVE YEREVAN Upon arrival at Zvartnots
International airport you will meet your guide and transfer to your hotel.
Rest of the day at leisure. Overnight Yerevan.
Day 2: YEREVAN AND ECHMIATSIN
Your morning walking tour will include a
visit to the Matenadaran; Genocide Memorial, and other landmarks of the
capital. After lunch proceed to Echmiadzin, the Holy See of the Supreme
Catholicos (Patriarch) of the n Apostolic Church.
Overnight
Yerevan. (BL)
Day 3: GARNI, GEGHARD AND KHOR VIRAP Full day excursion to the pagan
temple of Garni and the Cave Monastery of Geghard. After lunch continue to
the ancient monastery of Khor Virap with its spectacular views of biblical
Mount Ararat.
Overnight Yerevan. (BL)
Day 4: LAKE SEVAN AND HAGHARTSIN MONASTERYFull day tour to Lake Sevan and
Haghartsin Monastery.
Overnight Yerevan. (BL)
Day 5: DAY AT LEISURE
Overnight Yerevan. (B)
Day 6: DEPART YEREVAN
Transfer to Zvarnots airport for your onward flight.
(B)
TOUR INCLUDES:
• 5 nights accommodation in twin double room
• Breakfast (B) Lunch (L) per itinerary
• Transfers, sightseeing and excursions with private vehicle, driver
and English-speaking guide
OPTIONAL MUSEUM TOUR:
Visit Erebuni Museum (Ethnology Museum), Museum of
Modern Art and the Museum of Edward Terkazaryan (Miniatures Museum)
Per person cost based on 2 persons
Includes transportation, guide and entrance fees.
 YEREVAN
The capital of n is under the constant gaze of
the biblical Mount Ararat. Yerevan is as old as Babylon and older than
Rome and Athens. It was built on the site of the ancient Urartian fortress
of Erebuni in 782 BC. Archaeologists unearthed a Urartu cuneiform
inscription showing the age of the city to be 2783 years making it one of
the oldest cities in the world. Yerevan today is a city of vast squares,
wide streets and avenues, green parks and gardens. In Yerevan you will
find more than 40 museums and galleries of fine art including the
Matenadaran, Ancient Manuscript Museum which houses one of the oldest and
richest collections of book-depositories in the world, with more than
14,000 manuscripts, the oldest parchment manuscript dates back to the 5th
century. Music is the center of n life from sacred music to
magnificent classical and operatic works performed by the state
philharmonic or chamber orchestras or state opera or ballet. n,
Aram Khachaturyan was one of the greatest composers of the 20th century.
 ECHMIADZIN
Echmiadzin is the n Vatican. The Cathedral was
founded in 301 AD and is the heart of the n Church, presided over
by the Supreme Catholicos (Patriarch) of the n Apostolic church.
The Cathedral houses a small but unique museum of religious artifacts.
Remnants of a pagan temple were discovered during excavations made inside
the church.
GARNI
Garni pagan temple was built in 1st century AD and
devoted to the God Mitra. After converted to Christianity in the
4th century the kings used the temple as their summer residence. Destroyed
during the Arab invasion, rebuilt in the 10th century, destroyed again in
1683 during the Turkish invasion. The complete restoration of the temple
was completed in 1978.
 GEGHARD
Geghard means lance in n, and refers to
the biblical lance used by a Roman soldier to pierce Christ’s body to find
out if he was alive or not. The lance was kept in Geghard monastery before
being moved to the museum of Echmaidzin. The present building dates back
to the 10th century and the main church Avazan is carved right into the
solid rock and is an incomparable work of art. The monastery has withstood
many assaults over the intervening centuries and its walls have sheltered
many scholars and is revered throughout as one of the greatest
spiritual and cultural centers in the country.
KHOR VIRAP
This 4th century monastery is set in the Ararat Valley
on a high plateau facing Mount Ararat only a few kilometers from the
Turkish border. It is a place of pilgrimage for ns from all over
the world and is associated with Saint Gregory the Illuminator (the first
Patriarch of ns) and the birth (301AD) and spread of Christianity.
Khor Virap offers the most majestic and breathtaking views of mount Ararat
than anywhere in .
LAKE SEVAN
One of the world’s highest and largest freshwater lakes
Lake Seven is a wonderful area for hiking and biking and is a favorite
summer destination for ns. Ancient routes on the great Silk Road
surround the lake, which has played host to visitors for thousands of
years. Few caravanserais are left in , but one
of the most
spectacular caravanserai ruins are at Selim Pass at the south end of Lake Sevan. Sevanavank monastery is on a high peninsular and has a commanding
view of the lake. Haghartsin monastery was built in 1248 AD and situated
in an oak forest in the gorge of a small river which flows into Lake Sevan.
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