Arrival in Yerevan. Transfer to hotel.
City tour: Republic square, «Victory» park , «Mother Armenia» monument by Ara Harutyunyan, Cafesjian Center for the Arts, Cascade, Carpet factory, Monument of A.Tamanyan, Opera House, Tsitsernakaberd - Monument to victims of Armenian Genocide in 1915.

(The first day and the last day of the tour program will be adjusted based on your actual arrival and departure time).

A trip to Sardarapat Battle Museum - one of the main constructions of Armenia. The Sardarapat Memorial is located 25 kilometers from Echmiadzin. The memorial park was laid out on the battlefield in 1968, commemorating the Armenian defeat of an invading Turkish army, May 20- 22, 1918.

Visiting one of 12 old capitals of Armenia – Echmiadzin (Vagharshapat) and the First Cathedral of Saint Echmiadzin. St Echmiadzin is believed to be the first Christian church in the world, founded by Gregory the Illuminator in 303 A.D. It is the Holy Seat and the centre of the Armenian Apostolic Church, with the Residence of the Catholicos of All Armenians.

Excursion in the territory of the prehistoric center of metallurgy and observatory of Metsamor (3-2 thousand B.C.).

Back to Yerevan.

A trip to the southern slope of Mount Aragats in Aragatsotn province. From the road leading to Ashtarak there is a wonderful panorama of the extinct volcanoes Aragats and Arailer. Near the town of Ashtarak there opens a beautiful view on the gorge of the Kasakh River.

Proceeding to Oshakan in Aragatsotn Province. Oshakan is most famous as the last resting place of Mesrop Mashtots, founder of the Armenian Alphabet. Above his grave (19th c. gravestone) is a church rebuilt by Catholicos George IV in 1875.
The trip continues along the Shirak plateau. Visiting the Monastery Harichavank (VII-XIXcc.) – the largest religious and cultural center of Shirak province, which is famous for its monastery school.

Gyumri is the center of Shirak province and the second largest and economically important city of the Republic. A trip through Gyumri, site of a devastating earthquake in 1988, still rebuilding. Tourists will see the restored city, and new churches, a new residential area «Ani» and the Monument of the outstanding French singer-songwriter Charles Aznavour.

Back to Yerevan.

A trip to the southern slope of Mount Aragats in Aragatsotn province. From the road leading to Ashtarak there is a wonderful panorama of the extinct volcanoes Aragats and Arailer. Near the town of Ashtarak there opens a beautiful view on the gorge of the Kasakh River. According to a legend, there were apartments of Armenian kings’ dynasty Arshakids, hence the name of the city, as well as areas Aparan.

A stop in the city Aparan with a visit to the beautiful three-nave basilica of S. Khach (the Holy Cross, IV-V cc.).

Proceeding to Lori province through the city of Spitak, then to Vanadzor which is the administrative centre of Lori province. Vanadzor is the third largest city of Armenia. Although devastated by the 1988 earthquake, the city has preserved its specific identity and magnetism. The road goes through the deep gorge of Debet River (500m) and is surrounded with wonderful rocky banks.

Visiting Monasteries of Sanahin and Haghpat: two outstanding monuments of medieval Armenian architecture of X-XIVc, which were religious and cultural centers in the period of the Kiurikid kingdom (10-12c) in medieval Armenia. Haghpat monastery was called the Holy Cross church. Holy water fills the small pool in the church. Believers say this water has curative qualities for people with weak hearts.

Back to Yerevan.

Trip to Geghardavank, Armenia’s 12-13cc «Monastery of the Lance» (about 45 minutes outside Yerevan city center). The name of Geghard is connected with a lance which, according to the Holy Bible, was used to pierce the side of the crucified Christ. (What is believed to be a remnant of the lance is preserved in the museum at Holy Echmiadzin).

Excursion to Garni Temple and Garni Castle (3c. BC-13c. AD) – the summer residence of Armenian kings and the site of a pre-Christian temple honoring Mithra, god of the sun.

Visiting the «blue pearl of Armenia» – Lake Sevan is situated at an altitude of about 2000 meters above sea level. A famous writer has poetically characterized Sevan as: «A genuine piece of sky, dropped down on earth among mountains».

Visiting the monastery of Sevanavank (XI c.) which is located on Sevan peninsula. Back to Yerevan.

Ararat valley – home of Khor Virap («Deep Dungeon») Monastery, from which Grigor Lusavorich rose from imprisonment to become the first patriarch of Armenian Apostolic Church. The monastery is very near the Turkish border and offers Armenia’s most splendid view of Mount Ararat, from which, according to the Holy Bible, Noah’s ark landed following the «Great Flood».

The tour continues to Vayots Dzor marz, along the picturesque gorge of the Gnishik River and comes to the monastery of Noravank («New Monastery») (12-15cc.) the religious center of principality of the Orbelyan dynasty, home to prominent Armenian figures of the medieval culture.

The excursion also includes a trip to Areni village which is famous for its various factory and home-made wines. Visitors will see wine as it is being processed, followed by a degustation.

Viewing the stalactites and stalagmites in Bird’s cave.

Back to Yerevan. Overnight.

Visiting the institute of ancient manuscripts – Matenadaran. Manuscript art which was portable enough to be smuggled out of harms way, has left the world a legacy of some 30,000 known Armenian manuscripts.

Visiting Yerevan brandy factory «Ararat», the storehouse, the museum of history and tasting of brandy.

Evening at leisure in Yerevan.

Shopping. Transfer to Zvartnots International Airport. Departure.