Escursionismo

YEREVAN / ECHMIADZIN / ASHTARAK / 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. Today 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.
Excursion to Ashtarak – one of the ancient cities of Armenia. The settlement is full of historical architectural monuments constructed in different periods (from II millennium BC to XVIII AD). Here you can visit Karmravor church (VII-XIX) that preserved its original appearance with red tile roofing. We will see the spectacular and romantic 7th century fortress of Amberd and enjoy 2.5 hours hiking located 2300 meters above sea level beneath the groups of snow-covered Aragats Mountains.
Lunch at a local restaurant.
Dinner at a local restaurant.
Overnight at the hotel in Yerevan.

YEREVAN / HAGHPAT&SANAHIN / ALAVERDI

Breakfast at the hotel.
Drive to Lori region for the sightseeing of 10th-13th centuries Haghpat and Sanahin historical and architectural monument set amidst forest-clad hills close to the town of Alaverdi (178 kilometers from Yerevan). The monuments are preserved by UNESCO and included in the World Heritage List.
First we will visit Sanahin Monastery, and will have 3.5-4 hours hiking towards Haghpat monastery. Depending on time, the lunch will either be served at a local restaurant or we will arrange an open air picnic lunch with picturesque scenery.
Lunch at a local restaurant.
Dinner at the hotel.
Overnight at the hotel in Alaverdi.

ALAVERDI / LORIBERD / STEPANAVAN DENDROPARK / GOSHAVANK / DILIJAN / SEVAN

Breakfast at the hotel.
We continue to explore some of the less traveled routes of Lori, the largest of Armenia’s 11 provinces. 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.
Continue your journey through Dilijan National Park, a protected area renowned for its serene lakes, picturesque hill trails and peaceful villages, visit Goshavank, fairy-tale monasteries set amidst flower-filled meadows. Here we will have 1.5 hours stroll towards the lake above the monastery.
Afternoon drive through the picturesque pass to come to the shores of Lake Sevan, one of the highest freshwater lakes in the world, The Pearl, The Emerald of Armenia.
Picnic lunch.
Dinner at the hotel.
Overnight at the hotel in Sevan.

SEVAN / NORATUS / SELIM PASS / KARAHUNJ (ZORATS KARER) / GORIS

Breakfast at the hotel.
Check out from the hotel. Drive towards Goris via Selim Pass. En route 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. Stop at Selim Caravanseray built along the Selim Pass. What about taking a stroll at the height of 2410 m above the sea level? (hiking 1km 0,5 hour).
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.
Arrive in Goris and check in the hotel.
Picnic lunch.
Dinner at the hotel.
Overnight at the hotel in Goris.

GORIS / TATEV / NORAVANK / ARENI / KHOR VIRAP / YEREVAN

Breakfast at the hotel.
Sightseeing of Old Goris town. Hiking 5-5,5km 2,5-3 hours to the ancient village Halidzor (13-17th cc.) to take the longest in the world tramway (built in October 2010) to the Tatev Monastery. According to the 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. The tour will on to the 12th century monastery complex of Noravank set in a canyon rich with rare flora. Here we will have 1 hour walking in the canyon enjoying the picturesque scenery. Today we will also visit Areni wine factory.
Our next visit is 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.
Arrive in Yerevan.
Picnic lunch.
Dinner at a local restaurant in Yerevan.
Overnight at the hotel in Yerevan.

YEREVAN / GARNI&GEGHARD / YEREVAN

Breakfast at the hotel.
Drive through 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’ drive through the gorge will take you to the cave monastery of Geghard (12th –13th centuries). Hiking to the Havuts Tar monastery (hiking 4,5-5km 1,5-2 hours.)

*It is possible to organize the hiking by route Garni – Havuts Tar – Geghard (hiking 12km 4-4,5 hours)

Lunch at a private house with the process of baking the traditional Armenian bread-Lavash.
Dinner at a local restaurant in Yerevan.
Overnight at the hotel in Yerevan.

YEREVAN CITY TOUR

Breakfast at the hotel.
City tour of Yerevan which includes a visit to Matenadaran- the Institute of old manuscripts, a visit to Armenian History museum and a visit to Genocide Memorial.
Lunch will be served at a local restaurant.
After lunch free time to visit Vernissage, the huge arts & crafts market, the best place in Caucasus to buy souvenirs. Open only on 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.
Free time at leisure before the farewell dinner at a local restaurant with folk music performance.
Overnight at the hotel in Yerevan.

YEREVAN / DEPARTURE

Transfer to the airport for flight back.