Armenia – Cultural Heritage

Arrival in Yerevan.
Transfer to the hotel for overnight.

The day starts with a visit to History Museum housed by Yerevan City Hall. 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, 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. A cultural showcase not to be missed is Matenadaran, one of the world’s oldest repositories of Greek, Persian and Arabic manuscripts. 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.

Welcome dinner at a local restaurant with folk music performance.

Overnight in Yerevan.

Today we will visit 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. Visit Echmiadzin Treasury.

Visit St. Hripsime Church and St. Gayane Church (early 7th century churches).

A few kilometers from Echmiadzin are the ruins of the 7th century AD Temple of Zvartnots (built in 641—661), which was to suppress Echmiadzin cathedral by its grandeur. The remnants of Zvartnots are a wonderful sight, even in ruins. Only the lower parts of the walls and individual fragments have been survived.

Cathedral and Churches of Echmiadzin and the Archaeological Site of Zvartnots were inscribed as a UNESCO World Heritage Site in 2000.

Back to Yerevan.

Overnight in Yerevan.

Drive to Garni via sightseeing of the picturesque Azat 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 the relief and the virgin nature you will see the pagan Garni architectural complex of the 1st century and feel the spirit of ancient ages. Garni Temple lies on the road to Geghard and both can be comfortably seen on the same day. When you get to Garni, it will remind you of a somewhat plain Parthenon. It was built in the first century A.D. by the Armenian King Tiridates with the money he received after visiting Emperor Nero in Rome. The temple was destroyed in 1679 in an earthquake, but was reconstructed in Soviet times.

Enjoy a live duduk music in Garni Temple.

Duduk and its music are inscribed on the UNESCO Intangible Cultural Heritage of Humanity List.

Lunch at a private house, where you will see how local people bake traditional Armenian bread-Lavash. According to the American heritage dictionary lavash is of Armenian origin. It is also known as lavash or cracker bread. It is the most widespread type of bread in Armenia. Lavash is included on the UNESCO Intangible Cultural Heritage List.

Explore one of the most beautiful natural monuments near Garni Temple, the Symphony of Stones.

Another ten minutes ride through the gorge will take you to the cave monastery of Geghard (12th –13th centuries). The monastery of Geghard is a unique architectural construction in the Kotayk province of Armenia, being partially carved out of the adjacent mountain, surrounded by cliffs. It is listed as a UNESCO World Heritage Site.

Monastery of Geghard and the Upper Azat Valley were inscribed as a UNESCO World Heritage Site in 2000.

Overnight in Yerevan.

Drive to Lake Sevan, one of the highest freshwater lakes in the world, The Pearl, The Emerald of Armenia. Lake Sevan is situated in the central part of the Republic of Armenia, inside the Gegharkunik Province, at the altitude of 1,900m above sea level. Explore romantic Sevanavank Monastery.

Set off to Lori region for the sightseeing of Haghpat and Sanahin Monasteries, UNESCO World Heritage Sites. The ensembles of Sanahin and Haghpat stand out not only for the original architecture of religious and especially civil buildings but also as samples of town building art which show high skill of Armenian architects. Marked by the unity and compactness of their asymmetrical layout, they had a tremendous influence on the development of medieval Armenian architecture.

Overnight in Dzoraget.

Drive to Yerevan via the sightseeing of Haghartsin Monastery. The Armenian paradise of Tavush region is rich in both natural and historical monuments. The monastery complex of Haghartsin, one of the wonders of Armenian medieval architecture, is located 18 km to the north of the resort town of Dilijan. The exact date of construction of the monastery is unknown. According to historians, the monastery was gradually built from the 10th to 13th centuries. Due to numerous enemy raids, as well as earthquakes, monastic structures and churches were repeatedly destroyed and restored. It is only known that Haghartsin Monastery had been flourishing from the 12th to the 13th centuries. It was at this time that the monastery in various historical sources was mentioned as one of the most important and leading scientific and cultural centers of Medieval Armenia.

Overnight at the hotel in Yerevan.

Check out before 12:00. Transfer to airport. Departure.