By Traces of Noah

YEREVAN / ECHMIADZIN / HRIPSIME CHURCH / ZVARTNOTS / CITY TOUR / 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.
Afternoon visit to Armenia History Museum and Matenadaran having a collection of over 16000 ancient manuscripts.
Lunch at a local restaurant.
Dinner at a local restaurant in Yerevan.
Overnight at the hotel in Yerevan.

YEREVAN / ASHTARAK / KARMRAVOR CHURCH / OHANAVANK MONASTERY/ AMBERD / YEREVAN

Breakfast at the hotel.
Full day excursion to Ashtarak – one of the ancient cities of Armenia. The settlement is full of historical architectural monuments constructed in different periods of time (from II millennium BC to XVIII AD). Here we will visit Karmravor church (VII-XIX) that preserved its original appearance with red tile roofing. The 4th century Ohanavank monastery complex will also be visited. We 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 founded by St. Gregory the Illuminator. The 13th century Saghmosavank, famous for its depository of manuscripts, is also located in this region.
The tour includes a visit to Mughni church as well.The church has a distinctive striped drum below the conical cupola. It was rebuilt in 1661-1669 by the architects Sahak Khizanetsi and his successor Murat.
Lunch at a local restaurant.
Dinner at a local restaurant.
Overnight at the hotel in Yerevan.

YEREVAN / GARNI & GEGHARD / SEVAN

Breakfast at the hotel.
Transfer to Sevan 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).
Arrive in Sevan and visit Sevanavank monastery.
Check-in the hotel in Sevan.
Lunch at a local restaurant.
Dinner in the local restaurant.
Overnight in the hotel in Sevan.

SEVAN / SANAHIN & HAGHPAT MONASTERIES / AKHTALA / SEVAN

Breakfast at the hotel.
We continue our tour driving to Lori region for the sightseeing of the 10th-13th centuries Haghpat and Sanahin historical and architectural monuments 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.
Today we will also visit Akhtala church. Above Sanahin and Haghpat there lies less known but very worthwhile fortified monastery of Akhtala with breathtaking frescoes. Return to Sevan.
Lunch at a local restaurant.
Dinner at a local restaurant or at the hotel in Sevan.
Overnight at the hotel in Sevan.

SEVAN / HAYRIVANK / NORATUS / SELIM / TATEV / GORIS

Breakfast at the hotel.
Visit Hayravank Monastery dating to the 9th century. The Monastery is located near the village of Hayravank along the southwest shore of Lake Sevan in the Gegharkunik Province of Armenia. 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.
Drive to Goris via Selim pass. Stop at 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.
Lunch at a local restaurant.
Dinner at a local restaurant or at the hotel in Goris.
Overnight at the hotel in Goris.

GORIS / ZORATS KARER / NORAVANK / ARENI / KHOR VIRAP /  YEREVAN

Breakfast at the hotel.
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. The tour will on to the monastery complex of Noravank set in a canyon rich with rare flora. On our way to Yerevan we will visit Areni wine factory where you can taste the local wine and get acquainted with the production process. After it we will visit 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.
Lunch at a local restaurant.
Dinner at a national restaurant with folk music performance.
Overnight at the hotel in Yerevan.

YEREVAN / AIRPORT

Breakfast at the hotel.
Transfer to the airport for flight back.