1^st day

Arrival in Yerevan.

Meet at the airport

Transfer to hotel

2^nd day CITY TOUR + "ARARAT" BRANDY FACTORY (TOUR AND TASTING) + DINNER WITH FOLKLORIC PROGRAM

Breakfast at hotel.

10:00 Meeting with guide.

City tour: the Republic Square, "Haghtanak" park, "Mother Armenia" monument, Cascade, and other attractions.

13:00 Lunch

14:00 - 15:00 Visit to "Ararat" brandy factory and tasting.

Transfer to the hotel

19:00 - 21:00 Dinner at a traditional restaurant with folkloric program.

Transfer to hotel

3^nd day HAGHARTSIN MONASTERY + PARZ LAKE + DILIJAN + SEVAN ALPINE LAKE

Breakfast at the hotel.

09:00 Meeting with guide.

Transfer to Haghartsin. (150 km, 2 hours)

11:00. - 12:00. The Haghartsin Monastery (10th - 13th centuries), located in the forests of the Tavush region, is an indescribable example of the fusion of nature and architecture.

Moving to Lake Parz. (25 km, 30 min)

12:30 The name "Parz" literally means "clear lake." Since the forests are very close to the shoreline, the massive trees, sloping toward the lake, are reflected in the water

13:00 - 14:00 Lunch

14:00 - 15:00 Dilijan. Dilijan attracts people with its unforgettable beauty and mild climate. The city stretches on the banks of the Aghstev River, surrounded by mountains and forests. Dilijan has a reputation of a health resort. The warm sunshine, fresh air and natural hot springs have a great healing influence on people. Dilijan is also rich in interesting architectural monuments. Transfer to Lake Sevan. (30 km, 30 min)

15:30 - 16:30 Journey to the blue pearl of Armenia - Alpine Lake Sevan (1900 m a.s.l.). Russian writer Maksim Gorki edited his characterization of Sevan - "A genuine piece of heaven fallen to earth among the mountains."

Visit to Sevanavank Monastery (12th cent.).

 17:30 (70 km, 1 hr) return to Yerevan

Free evening

4^th day  KHOR VIRAP + ARENI VILLAGE + WINE TASTING + NORAVANK + ARENI CAVE I

Breakfast at hotel.

09:00 Meeting with guide.

Depart for the Ararat valley with a visit to Khor Virap monastery (40 km, 60 min)

10:00 - 11:00 Khor Virap Monastery is located in a high position on the left bank of the Araks River on the Turkish border with a beautiful view of Mount Ararat.

11:00 - 12:30 Continue to the Vajots Dzor region along the beautiful Gnishik River Gorge. (75 km, 1.5 h)

The village of Areni is located in the Vayots Dzor region. This sunny village is famous for its best wine assortments. Due to its specific flavor and delicate taste, "Areni" wine has its respected place among the best Armenian wines.

12:30 - 13:30 Lunch in a village house with khorovats (Armenian barbecue) in a tandoor and wine tasting

14:00 - 15:00 Noravank monastery. Passing a narrow road surrounded by rocks of hundreds of caves, one discovers a scene of harmony of architecture with nature. The monastery with its refined architectural solutions and luxurious embellishments is one of the most brilliant examples of 13th-century Armenian architecture. Noravank consists of the churches of St. Karapet, St. Gregory the Illuminator and St. Astvatsatsin (Holy Mother of God), a two-story church, which stands out for its ideal construction and sculptural work.

You will have the opportunity to walk in the Noravank canyon.

15:30 - 16:30 You will visit Areni Cave 1 (Bird Cave). The oldest shoe in the world was found right here during archaeological excavations.

16:30 - 18:30 (110 km, 2 hours) Transfer to Yerevan

Free evening

5^th day GEGHARD + GARNI + MASTER CLASS + THE STONE SYMPHONY + TRADITIONAL PRODUCTS MARKETS

Breakfast at the hotel.

09:00 Meeting with guide.

09:30 (15 km, 30 min) First stop will be near the Charents Arch from where there is a beautiful view of Mt. Ararat.

Transfer to Geghard. (20 km, 30 min)

10:30 - 11:30 Journey to Geghardavank Monastery (in Armenian “Lance Monastery” 12th - 13th cent.) The name Geghard is derived from the relic, brought by the apostles Thaddeus and Bartholomew - a fragment of the lance with which Christ's side was wounded on the cross.

Moving to Garni. (15 km, 20 min)

12:00 - 13:00 Visit the Garni Fortress (3rd cent. B.C.- 12th cent. A.D.)- the most beloved summer residence of the Armenian royal dynasties. Visit to the Hellenistic Garni Temple dedicated to God of Sun in ancient Armenian mythology.

13:00 - 14:00 Lunch in the village of Garni in a rural house with a possibility to watch how the Armenian lavash bread is baked

Descent into the Azat River gorge to the natural phenomenon: the Stone Symphony

14:30 - 15:30 (40 km, 1 hour) Transfer to Yerevan

15:30 We will visit Vernissage, the souvenir market, and Tashir, the market of locally prepared sweets and dried fruits. You can buy wine, brandy, dried fruits, herbs, sweets, pottery and other popular souvenirs.

Free evening

6^th day ECHMIADZIN + ZVARTNOTS

Breakfast at the hotel.

10:00 Meeting with guide.

Transfer to Etchmiadzin (20 km, 30 min)

10:30 - 13:00 Depart for the ancient capital of Armenia - Echmiadzin (Vagharshapat). You will see the main Cathedral of Echmiadzin from outside (currently under renovation) and the church of St. Hripsime (7th s.). The original church of Echmiadzin was built in the early fourth century by Armenia's patron Saint Gregory the Illuminator and thus is one of the first Christian churches in the world. The cathedral is the center of the Armenian Apostolic Church and the residence of the Catholicos of all Armenians.

The "Treasures of Echmiadzin" Museum is located in the southeast section of the Cathedral. Unique sacred relics and religious art are now housed in the museum. Among the many treasures there is the Sacred Spear (Geghard) that pierced the side of Christ and is now kept in a silver reliquary.

13:00 - 14:00 Lunch

Transfer to Zvartnots (4 km, 10 min)

Zvartnots Cathedral (literally 'place of resurrection/lifefulness/joyfulness'), built in the seventh century and now lying in ruins, was noted for its circular exterior structure, unique in medieval Armenian architecture.

Transfer to Yerevan (17 km, 30 min)

Free evening

7^th day DEPARTURE HOME

Breakfast at the hotel.

Transfer to airport

The price includes

The price doesn’t include

- Transfers airport – hotel and hotel - airport;

- Accommodation in a 4* hotel;

- 1 pax free in a SGL room;

- Guide for the entire period (available languages: English, German, French, Italian. Chinese – per request);

- Accommodation for 6 nights in Yerevan;

- 6 breakfasts + 5 lunches;

- 1 dinner with folklore;

- 2 wine tastings (brandy and wine);

- 1 master class on Armenian baking;

- Radio equipment;

- 1 bottle of water per day per person during the tour;

- Transportation services;

- All entrance fees to historical and cultural sites mentioned in the program

o Airline tickets;

o Optional excursions:

o Drinks and gratuities;

o Dinners (except 2^nd day);

o Any services not mentioned in the section “The price includes”