Arrival in Yerevan.
Transfer to the hotel for overnight.
The day starts 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, Closed Market and Blue Mosque on Mashtots Avenue, Republic Square, Cascade and Mother Armenia, Opera House and ambitious projects of independent 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.
On a lighter note we make an interesting excursion to Ararat Brandy factory.
Visit Vernissage, the huge arts & crafts market, the best place in Caucasus to buy souvenirs. 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.
Visit Megerian Carpet Factory and take part in tolma making masterclass. During the masterclass you will discover all the secrets of preparing Armenian dish tolma. After you will have a chance to taste it at dinner.
Overnight in Yerevan.
Day 3: Yerevan – Echmiadzin – Zvartots – Machanets House – Yerevan (B/L/-)
Today we continue our exploration of the treasures of Armenia with a visit to the Vatican City of Armenia, Holy Echmiadzin. Experience a fascinating journey through time, descend to the ruins of the pagan sanctuary beneath the altar and pay tribute to the Treasury of Mother Cathedral with striking collection of relics of Christianity. On to Zvartnots, a temple consecrated in the presence of Emperor Constantine of Byzantium, it stands out as one of the most prominent creations of medieval architecture.
Visit Machanents House and take part in Armenian sweet sujuk making masterclass.
Back to Yerevan.
Overnight in Yerevan.
Drive to the magnificent Temple of the Sun at Garni and the legendary Monastery of Spear at Geghard. Explore the mosaic ancient baths and ruins of the royal palace, immerse yourself in the atmosphere of this mythical place and examine remarkable cross stones carved into sheer rock.
See the process of baking traditional bread “Lavash”
Even when abroad, Armenian remember about their traditional bread- lavash. A very thin, lightly wrapped stripe of dough about one meter long, baked on the hot wall of the oven- tondir, that is what the real lavash is. Try to bake Lavash by yourself, and taste it with traditional Armenian cheese and greens, which are surely the part of each dinner.
Lavash is included in the UNESCO Intangible Cultural Heritage List.
Drive through the picturesque pass to come to the shores of Lake Sevan, one of the highest freshwater lakes in the world, The Pearl of Armenia. Relaxing time at the Lake, enjoy the scenery, take a 20-minute
walk to the top of Akhtamar Trail for the best photographic views of the Lake, explore romantic Sevanavank Monastery.
Lunch at a private house in Tsaghkunq – Enjoy fish BBQ masterclass. Drive back to Yerevan. Overnight in Yerevan.
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.
Visit Areni Cave. The cave represents a rocky room with niches and aisles, which was inhabited in different epochs by ancient civilizations. During the archaeological excavations in the cave, valuable specimens were discovered which later became key details to the world history of civilization. One of such valuable findings was the ancient leather shoe, which is perfectly preserved. It is considered the oldest shoe in the world, the age of which is supposed to be about 5,5 thousand years. Enjoy homemade wine and vodka tasting and Armenian Cheese masterclass in Vayots Dzor Region.
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.
Dinner at a national restaurant with folk music performance. Overnight in Yerevan.
Check out before 12:00. Transfer to airport. Departure.
Package price based on double/twin room accommodation:
8 pax– 790 USD per person
Single room supplement- 165 USD per person
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