Ararat Valley

YEREVAN CITY TOUR

The day starts with a visit to History Museum. Providing an excellent introduction to the history of the city, the museum is an ideal place to start your exploration of new and old Yerevan. Continue with a walking tour of Yerevan exploring various layers of its history – medieval shrines hidden behind imposing Soviet-style façades, narrow streets of the old center with sunlight playing on its pink walls, Blue Mosque on Mashtots Avenue, Republic Square, Cascade and Mother Armenia, Opera House and ambitious projects of Armenia – North Avenue and spacious Grigor Lusavorich (St. Gregory the Illuminator) Cathedral consecrated by His Holiness the Patriarch of all Armenians in the presence of His Holiness Pope John Paul ll.
A cultural showcase not to be missed is Matenadaran, one of the world’s oldest repositories of Greek, Persian and Arabic manuscripts.
Our next visit is to Genocide Memorial situated on the hills overlooking the city, a solemn reminder of the first genocide of the 20th c.
On a lighter note we can make an optional excursion to Ararat Brandy factory.
Lunch at a local restaurant.
Dinner at a local restaurant
Overnight at the hotel in Yerevan.

YEREVAN / ECHMIADZIN / GARNI & GEGHARD / YEREVAN

Breakfast at the hotel.
Full day excursion to Armavir Region: a visit 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 in a walled compound with gardens and various structures. The tour continues with the visit to 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.
Transfer 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 ride through the gorge will take you to the cave monastery of Geghard (12th –13th centuries).
Lunch at a local restaurant.
Dinner at a local restaurant.
Overnight at the hotel in Yerevan.

KHOR VIRAP / NORAVANK / ARENI / YEREVAN

Breakfast at the hotel.
Morning tour 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.
Today we will also visit Areni wine factory where you can taste the local wines and get acquainted with the production process.
The tour will on to the 12th century monastery complex of Noravank set in a canyon rich with rare flora.
Drive back to the capital city Yerevan.
Lunch at a local restaurant or in a private house.
Dinner at a national restaurant with folk music performance.
Overnight at the hotel in Yerevan.

YEREVAN

Transfer to the airport for flight back home.