Armenia-an open air museum
Wine Tour

TOUR PROGRAM

DURATION: 14 Days

DAY 1:

DEPARTURE / ARRIVAL

Depart for Armenia and arrive in Yerevan.
Transfer to the hotel for overnight.

DAY 2:

YEREVAN CITY TOUR

Breakfast at the hotel.
Afternoon visit to Armenia History Museum and Matenadaran having a collection of over 16000 ancient manuscripts.
Visit Genocide Memorial and Erebouni Fortress with Museum.
Visit Yerevan Brandy Company.
Lunch at a local restaurant.
Dinner at a local restaurant in Yerevan.
Overnight at the hotel in Yerevan.

DAY 3:

ECHMIADZIN / ST. HRIPSIME CHURCH / ZVARTNOTS TEMPLE / YEREVAN

Breakfast at the hotel.
Full day excursion to Armavir Region: tour to Echmiadzin – the holy seat of the Supreme Patriarch-Catholicos of all Armenians. The Cathedral was built in 303 on the site of a pagan temple after the adoption of Christianity as a state religion in 301. Here we will also visit St. Hripsime Church (7th century). A few kilometers from Echmiadzin there are the ruins of the 7th century AD Temple of Zvartnots which is going to be our next stop.
Lunch at a local restaurant.
Dinner at a local restaurant.
Overnight at the hotel in Yerevan.

DAY 4:

KHOR VIRAP / NORAVANK / ARENI / ZORATS KARER / GORIS

Breakfast at the hotel.
The day starts with a visit to Khor-Virap (4th-17th cc). Khor Virap is one of the romantically sited monasteries in Armenia with views across a bast plain to Turkey and the twin peaks of Mount Ararat. Here, in the atmosphere of historical environment and vivid imagination you will notice the Noah’s Ark in the snows of Ararat.
Visit to Noravank, the masterpiece of medieval architect Momik situated above an awesome gorge. Today we will also visit Areni wine factory where you can taste local wines and get acquainted with the production process.
Visit Zorats Karer. The site is located on a rocky promontory near Sisian. About 223 large stone tombs can be found in the area. It was explored by a team of archaeologists from the Institut für Vorderasiatische Archäologie, University of Munich who published their findings in 2000. Drive to Goris.
Lunch at a local restaurant.
Dinner at a local restaurant.
Overnight at the hotel in Goris.

DAY 5:

GORIS / TATEV / KHNDZORESK / GORIS

Breakfast at the hotel.
Sightseeing of Old Goris town. Stop al Halidzor Village to take the longest in the world tramway (built in October 2010) to the Tatev Monastery. According to historian Stepanos Orbelian, the first church of what later became the mighty walled complex of Tatev was actually built in the 4th century. In the 8th century, it was made the throne of the Syunik bishopric and in the 9th century, it expanded, becoming a major feudal power. Off to Khndzoresk cave town. Walk down the gorge to explore the mysterious caverns cut in the face of the rocks by people seeking refuge from persecution in the natural protection of high cliffs. Back to Goris, take a stroll in the narrow tree-lined streets and charming old town.
Lunch at a local restaurant.
Dinner at a local restaurant or at the hotel.
Overnight at the hotel in Goris.

DAY 6:

GORIS / SELIM / NORATUS / HAYRIVANK / SEVAN

Breakfast at the hotel.
Drive to Sevan via Selim pass. Visit Noratus -medieval cemetery with a large number of early khachkars located in the village of Noratus. The cemetery has the largest cluster of khachkars in the republic of Armenia. It is currently the largest surviving cemetery with khachkars. Visit Hayrivank dating to the 9th century. Visit Lake Sevan- the emerald of Armenia.
Lunch at a local restaurant.
Dinner at a local restaurant or at the hotel in Sevan.
Overnight at the hotel in Sevan.

DAY 7:

SEVAN / DILIJAN / ALAVERDI

Breakfast at the hotel.
Drive to the Dilijan town for the sightseeing of 13th century Haghartsin Monastery. Visit Goshavank Monastery and Makaravanq.
Arrive in Lori region and check in the hotel in Alaverdi.
Lunch at a local restaurant.
Dinner in the hotel.
Overnight at the hotel in Alaverdi.

DAY 8:

SANAHIN & HAGHPAT MONASTERIES / AKHTALA / ALAVERDI

Breakfast at the hotel.
The day starts with a sightseeing tour to the 10th-13th centuries Haghpat and Sanahin historical and architectural monuments set amidst forest-clad hills close to the town of Alaverdi. The monuments are preserved by UNESCO and included in the World Heritage List. Here we also visit Akhtala Monastery.
Lunch at a local restaurant.
Dinner at the hotel.
Overnight at the hotel in Alaverdi.

DAY 9:

ALAVERDI / LORI BERD / STEPANAVAN DENDROPARK / GYUMRI

Breakfast at the hotel.
Start our day with a visit to the ruins of one of feudal Armenia’s main fortresses, Lori Berd situated on a naturally fortified plateau between two river gorges. Explore the site and take in the beauty of dramatic mountain scenery. After that we have time to walk and relax in Stepanavan Dendropark, a huge botanical garden founded in 1931, on site explanations by the team at the park.
Arrive in Gyumri.
Lunch at a local restaurant.
Dinner at a local restaurant or at the hotel.
Overnight at the hotel in Gyumri.

DAY 10:

MARMASHEN / HARICHAVANQ / ERERUYK / GYUMRI

Breakfast at the hotel.
Our tour starts with a visit to Marmashen Monastery. Before lunch enter France Verfel’s village. Visit Harichavanq 7th century. Drive towards Ani Pemza village which is 1km far from the Armenia-Turkey border and visit the ruins of Ereruyk Basilica of the 6th century.
Lunch at a local restaurant.
Dinner at a local restaurant.
Overnight at the hotel in Gyumri.

DAY 11:

MASTARA / TALLIN / DASHTADEM / ASHATARAK / AMBERD / YEREVAN

Breakfast at the hotel.
Morning trip to the 6th century Mastara Monastery. Drive to Tallin for visiting Tallin Cathedral of the 7th century. Drive to Dashtadem, for the sightseeing of the ruins of Caravanserai and old Dashtadem fortress (have chance to walk inside of the fortress). Continue the tour to Ashtarak – one of the ancient cities of Armenia. En-route visit Agarak settlement of Bronze Age. The settlement is full of historical archaeological monuments constructed in different periods (from II millennium BC to XVIII AD). Will see the spectacular and romantic 7th century fortress of Amberd located 2300 meters above sea level beneath the groups of snow-covered Aragats Mountains. Return to Yerevan.
Lunch at a local restaurant.
Dinner at a local restaurant.
Overnight at the hotel in Yerevan.

DAY 12:

YEREVAN / GARNI & GEGHARD / YEREVAN

Breakfast at the hotel.
Transfer to Kotayk region via sightseeing of the picturesque Avan Canyon, skirting formidable cliffs and passing exotic-looking gorges until a green plateau by the Azat River comes into view. Here, in the harmony of relief and the virgin nature you will see the pagan Garni architectural complex of the 1st century and feel the spirit of ancient ages. Another ten minutes ride through the gorge will take you to the cave monastery of Geghard (12th –13th centuries). Drive back to Yerevan.
Lunch at a local restaurant.
Dinner at a national restaurant with folk music performance.
Overnight at the hotel in Yerevan.

DAY 13:

VERNISSAGE

Breakfast at the hotel.
The whole day is at your leisure for individual exploration.
Visit Vernissage, the huge arts & crafts market, the best place in Caucasus to buy souvenirs. Open only at weekends it is a lot of fun to wonder in. Explore the treasures of the cultural life of Yerevan, ramble in the oldest part of the city or just relax in shady parks or busy outdoor cafes, enjoying the young and lively atmosphere of this ancient city, the contemporary of Babylon and Rome.
Lunch at a local restaurant.
Dinner independent.
Overnightat the hotel in Yerevan.

DAY 14:

YEREVAN / DEPARTURE

Transfer to the airport for the departure flight.

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