Beauty of Armenia in 6 days

Arrival at Zvartnots International Airport. Meet and greet to Yerevan. Transfer to your selected hotel. Check-in and  rest. Overnight in Yerevan.

Start exploring the capital of Armenia – Yerevan, one of the oldest cities in the world. The capital of Armenia is  already 2,800 years old.Yerevan is also named “Pink City” for buildings with pink color which gives the stone “tufa”. It’s an old and ancient city therewith considered also a modern and splendid city. Start your tour from Republic Square which was build 1950s by the project of Tamanian 20 years of after his death. The Square is also famous for its singing fountains, the shows of which can be enjoyed from the middle of April to the end of October. Walking through the Northern Avenue, which is the modern part of the capital and considers to be the heart of Yerevan. Here you will find impressive new  buildings, restaurants, cafes and shops. Afterwards you are next to Opera House and Swan Lake where you can have  photo stop.Continue to Cascade monument which is an open-air museum. At the base of the Cascade is a garden  courtyard with statues by contemporary sculptors such as Botero, Lynn Chadwick, and Barry Flanagan. Climbing up  the stairs you will enjoy the fascinating view of Yerevan. Visit Vernissage flea market which offer many kinds of  national souvenirs, jewelry and many traditional items.

After breakfast trip to Garni Pagan Temple from 1st c. The temple was built by Armenia King Tiridates and was  dedicated to the God of Sun Mithra. Garni is the only Hellenistic temple existing nowadays in Armenia. The stairs of the temple are made huge and high which means that every human being climbing up the stairs is condescending to God of Sun. 

Visit the Arch of Charents – a favorite place of tourists, from where opens a stunning view of Mount Ararat and Yerevan. The arch is named after the great Armenian poet Egishe Charents, who loved to come to this place and enjoy the beauty of Armenian land. You can also enjoy that beauty and take a photo for memory about your wonderful trip to Armenia.

Continue our journey to Geghard Monastery (13th c.) – a monastery which is hewn out from a cave. The monastery  had been originally named Ayrivank meaning “the Monastery of the Cave”. The name commonly used for the  monastery today, Geghard, or more fully Geghardavank meaning “the Monastery of the Spear”. The monastery is  also included in the UNESCO World Heritage list.  

Optional: Armenian flat bread “lavash” baking ceremony in an underground heater called “tonir” in a local house in  Garni. Here you will learn also how to make Armenian local sandwiches with “lavash” and cheese. In 2014, “Lavash,  the preparation, meaning and appearance of traditional bread as an expression of culture in Armenia” was inscribed  in the UNESCO Representative List of the Intangible Cultural Heritage of Humanity – by extra cost 

Optional: visit Garni Adventure Park for some adventure activities / Drive quadbike, buggy etc/ – You will  choose the activity and pay on spot. 

Tsaghkadzor is a well-known winter resort town in Armenia, renowned for its ski facilities and stunning mountain  scenery. Located about 50 kilometers northeast of Yerevan, it sits at the  foothills of the Teghenis Mountains. In winter, it attracts skiers and snowboarders, while in summer, visitors enjoy hiking, mountain biking, and the serene nature. The town also features the Kecharis   Monastery, a significant historical site, and offers stunning views of the surrounding mountains. It’s a great destination for both adventure seekers and those looking to relax in a picturesque setting! Opportunity to ride up the ropeway which will take you to the peak of mount Teghenis mount from where opens breathtaking  view to the fortress town. 

The road will take you to Lake Sevan which is going to be one of the highlights of your trip. Climb the stairs up on  the peninsula from where opens a fascinating view to the “blue-eyed” lake. Sightseeing tour on the peninsula. Lake  Sevan is considered to be one of the largest sweet lakes in the world at an altitude of 1897 meters above sea level.

Drive to the historical treasures of Armenia – to Ararat Valley to visit Khor Virap Monastery. The monastery of Khor Virap is located in the place of an ancient capital of Armenia –Artashat.  

The significance of the church is relatively connected with Grigor Illuminator who was spreading Christianity in Armenia. This is where Saint Gregory the Illuminator (“Surb Grigor Lusavorich” in Armenian) was imprisoned for 13 years living in this deep pit. In a way, this can be seen as a monument to the birth of Armenian Christianity. In fact, it can be seen as the starting place of Christianity altogether, as Armenia was the first country to adopt it as an official religion. There is also the most beautiful and nearest view of Mount Ararat and entire Ararat Valley from the monastery.  

Departure to Zvartnots, a complex of structures erected in the middle of the 7th century, is of extreme architectural  value. Zvartnots is the oldest and largest aisled tetra conch church in historical Armenia. Zvartnots had stood for  more than three hundred years and around 930 was destroyed by the earthquake. It was only in the early 20 th  century that the famous Armenian architect Toros Toramanian tried to start the restoration works in Zvartnots.  Today Zvartnots territory is the archaeological reserve and the museum which was opened in 1937 where it is  possible to see the models – possible variants of the temple reconstruction, and numerous sculptural fragments  impressive in their sizes. Huge stone slabs with the figures cut in them, the sundial, clusters of grapes and pomegranates have survived in good condition. UNESCO added the ruins of Zvartnots Cathedral to its World  Heritage List in 2000 CE.

According to the flight details, transfer to the airport and departure home!