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 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.

Visiting Oshakan village in Aragatsotn Province . Oshakan is most famous as the last resting place of Mesrop Mashtots, (d 442) founder of the Armenian Alphabet. Above his grave (19th c. gravestone) is a church rebuilt by Catholicos George IV in 1875.

A trip to the southern slope of Mount Aragats. Visiting Amberd, which means «a fortress in the clouds» a fitting name given its elevation (2300 m.).

On the way to Yerevan a stop at the Alphabet Square – a Monument to the letters of Armenian Alphabet.

The trip continues along the Shirak plateau. Visiting the Monastery Harichavank (7-9 c) – the largest religious and cultural center of Shirak marz, famous for its monastery.

Gyumri is the center of Shirak marz and the second largest and economically important city of the Republic. A trip through Gyumri city, reveals a city in recovery from the devastating earthquake of 1988. Visitors will see the restored city, new churches, a new residential area «Ani» and a Monument to favored French-Armenian singer-actor Charles Aznavour.

Lodging in hotel in Gyumri.

Visit the Marmashen Monastery (9-10 c) nested in the Akhurian Valley. The monastery has four churches, two rebuilt and two in ruins - part of a fortress area erected by Vahram Pahlavuni from 988-1029. Standing in the complex, one can imagine the pastoral beauty and enormous wealth that poured into this monastery, a center of learning, manuscript production, prayer and contemplation.

From Shirak Region we will continue the trip to Lori. Lori is located on Armenia’s northern border, the largest in area of Armenia’s eleven regions. Armenia’s third largest city, Vanadzor, is the capital city of Lori. Visit the lovely Dendro Park at Guilagarak, Armenia’s only European tree preserve.

Next, Lori Berd, settled during the Bronze Age, its natural fortifications and access to water and mineral resources developing its importance to regional alliances and conquerors. The site is enormous, the surviving walls surmounting the high plains above the deep river gorges below, once enclosing a large medieval city.

Lodging in hotel in Stepanavan.

The road goes through the deep gorge of Dzoraghet River (500m) and is surrounded with wonderful rocky banks. A trip to Dsegh, birthplace of popular Armenian writer Hovhannes Tumanyan (1869-1923). Once the village was called Tumanyan after the poet and maintains the Tumanyan House-Museum.

Visiting Sanahin Monastery an outstanding monument of medieval Armenian architecture of X-XIVcc., which was religious and cultural center in the period of Kiurikid kingdom (X-XIIcc.) in medieval Armenia.

Then the way leads to the village Odzun. Lodging in Guest-house in Odzun.

Exploring the dome basilica of St. Hovhannes in Odzun.

Visiting Haghpat Monastery (X-XIV cc.) a medieval Armenian monastery complex in Lori province. 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 heart conditions.

A trip to Tavush Province. The route will lead to Goshavank, founded by Armenian cleric Mkhitar Gosh in 12-13c. The monastery played a prominent role in Armenia’s religious, cultural and educational life through the Middle Ages. Here stands the famous work of sculpture of Varpet (Master) Poghos, a masterpiece of «khachaks» - carved stone crosses.

Visiting the «blue pearl of Armenia» – Lake Sevan is situated at an altitude of about 2000 meters above sea level. Visiting the Monastery of Sevanavank (11c) which is located on Sevan peninsula.

Lodging in hotel near the Lake.

A trip to a village on the western shore of Lake Sevan 12 km from the town of Gavar. In the northeast of the village, on the shore of Lake Sevan , on a rocky promontory stands Hayravank (9-11c).

A trip through Selim carvanasarai (a resting stop for caravans) to Jermuk. A part of the Silk Road from China to Europe passed through medieval Armenia. The best preserved carvanasarai in Armenia was built there by Prince Chesar Orbelian in 1331.

A visit to the health resort of Jermuk, to the mineral waters of Jermuk. A walk through the city. The plateau, where Jermuk is located, is surrounded on three sides by mountains covered with fresh alpine verdure and forests. A wonderful panorama of the gorge of Arpa river and surrounding mountains.

Lodging in hotel in Jermuk.

Visiting the territory of the stunning Bronze Age «Armenian Stonehenge» – Karahunj – which dates to the second millennium B.C. According to scientific consensus today, the arrangement of stones was most probably meant for astronomical observation. Karahunj is situated 3 km north of Sisian. The site consists of hundreds of vertically constructed boulders situated in a deliberate arrangement covering over 3 hectares. At first glance they appear to be randomly scattered but aerial views reveal a surprisingly precise arrangement of these giant stones.

Panorama of the Syunik Mountains and Vorotan river gorge (500 meters deep) takes your breath away. A stop on the bridge called Satani Kamurj («devil’s bridge»), and site of mineral waters.

A trip to the Monastery of Tatevavank (9-17c) – the spiritual and cultural center of medieval Armenia, which is famous for its university (14-15c), an inspirer of the conquer of national-liberation of Syunik Armenians against Iranians and Osmanli Turk invaders (18c).

Visiting Khndzoresk village, the panorama of cave town «Old Khndzoresk». Khndzoresk is a historic place, with very interesting caves and mysterious rocks. Since the Bronze Age and almost till the 20th century, these caves were used as homes.
Lodging in Goris.

A trip to Nagorno Karabakh, to the city Shushi. Shushi founded as a fortress-city in 1752. In the 18th century, it was the commercial and cultural centre of the entire region. The city, nearly destroyed during the Karabakh war (1991-94) hosts Ghazarchetsots Church and Muslim mosques.

A visit to Gandzasar Monastery perhaps the most important architectural monument of Karabakh (ancient name «Artsakh») and Armenia. It is located near the town of Vank of the Mardakert district, in the very heart of Karabakh’s historical province of Khachen. Long a symbol of Karabakh Armenian statehood, the word «Gandzasar» is translated from Armenian as «Treasure-Mountain» (with «gandz» meaning «treasure» and «sar» meaning «mountain»). And it is a treasure indeed.

Excursion to the Gandzasar’s Cathedral of St. Hovhannes Mkrtich (St. John the Baptist). Spectacular view of Khachen River gorge.
Lodging in hotel in Stepanakert.

A trip around the capital of Nagorno Karabakh - Stepanakert. Visiting the History Museum of the Republic of Nagorno-Karabakh. The museum offers an assortment of ancient artifacts and Christian manuscripts.

Visiting Amaras Monastery, accounted as the oldest monastery in Nagorno-Karabakh.

Lodging in hotel in Stepanakert.

Visiting Dadivank (10-14c). This is probably the most magical place in all of Karabakh. This sprawling monastery is great to explore, with its numerous buildings and levels. Most of the buildings are in at least partial ruin, but all of them are great fun to wander around in. Very few things have been preserved, because the temple was completely destroyed during the campaigns of foreign invaders. The preserved monuments belong to 10-13c.

Visiting thermal springs of Djermadjur. Rest in the open air. Lodging in Stepanakert.

On the way to Yerevan a trip to the monastery Noravank. One of the masterpieces of medieval Armenian architecture - Noravank the religious centre of Syunik province, was built in 13-14c by architects Siranes and Momik and is known for its laced stone ornaments.

The sight of the stalactites and stalagmites in Bird’s cave.

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 tasting.

Visiting Ararat valley. A visit to Khor Virap Monastery «deep pit». According to Armenian historian Agatangeghos (5th c.) the future first patriarch of Armenian Apostolic Church, Grigor Lusavorich was imprisoned in this dungeon for 13 years. The monastery is several hundred meters away from the border between Armenia and Turkey, on the higher, left bank of Arax river. From here there is a panoramic view of Mount Ararat.

Back to Yerevan. Lodging in hotel in Yerevan.

A trip to Geghardavank («Monastery of the Lance» XII –XIII cc.). 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 in the territory of Garni Temple and castle (III BC-XIII AD) – the summer residence of Armenian kings and site of pre-Christian temple honoring Mithra, god of the sun.

Visiting the «blue pearl of Armenia» – Lake Sevan situated at an altitude of about 2000 meters above sea level. Visiting the Monastery of Sevanavank (XIc.) which is located on Sevan peninsula.

Back to Yerevan. Visit to a museum (upon your choice):
Visiting Sergey Parajanov museum. The basis of museum collection consists of more than 250 art works, documents and photos. Of special interest are the artist’s assemblages, collages, drawings, dolls and film sketches.

Visiting the Museum of Martiros Saryan (the greatest Armenian painter of the 20th century) built during the lifetime of the artist, next to his home and studio, you’ll be introduced to the masterpieces of the great master and will feel the national colour of Armenia.

Overnight in the hotel.

A visit to Matenadaran Museum - the Institute of Ancient Manuscripts. Matenadaran boasts of having the worlds largest collection of ancient manuscripts. More than 16 thousand manuscripts about the centuries-old history of the Armenian nation, art, literature and natural sciences are stored and studied in the Matenadaran. Manuscript art is one of the most unique examples of Armenia’s medieval culture.

A trip to Armavir district. Visiting one of the main constructions of Armenia - Sardarapat Battle Museum, commemorating the Armenian defeat of an invading Turkish army in 1918. The monument is guarded by Assyrian - style winged lions and is flanked by a memorial garden for soldiers killed in the Karabakh war (1990-94).

Visiting the old capital of Armenia – Vagharshapat. A trip in the territory of residence of the Catholicos – the head of Armenian Apostolic church, then visiting the First Cathedral of Saint Echmiadzin (303 AD), which means the «The Descent of the Only Begotten Son». Visits to churches of Saint Hripsime (VII c) as well as the ruins of Zvartnots Temple which is a monument that embodies the centuries old traditions of Armenian architects.

Return to Yerevan.

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.

Each weekend exhibition-sales – known as «vernissage» - are held by local artists and street merchants. The most popular is the three-block-long open bazaar (starting near Nalbandyan Street, just off Republic Square) where visitors find everything from kitsch to clothes, carpets to car parts.

Visiting Yerevan Brandy Factory «Ararat», the storehouse, the museum of brandy. Degustation.

Transfer to Zvartnots International Airport. Departure.