Classic Armenia - 7

Day 1.

Arrival in Yerevan - Transfer to the hotel

2nd half of the day

Free time

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Day 2. (from 10:00 ~ to 16:00)

1st half of the day

Yerevan Brandy Factory* - Yerevan City Tour

Plunge into the holiest of holies of the Armenian brandy industry, try several types of truly noble drink, be initiated into the craft's secrets, meet with angels in the heart of Yerevan, and learn a lot of interesting things – about the secret connection between Stalin and Churchill, how kosher cognac is made, the rebirth of the Erivan fortress, nominal barrels, toasts, and much more – you will never be able to if you miss an excursion.  Do you enjoy French cuisine with chocolate? In Russian, with a squeeze of lemon? Or, as the Armenians would say, with cold delicious peaches? But keep in mind what Maxim Gorky said: "It's probably a lot simpler to climb Mount Ararat than it is to ascend from the Ararat plant's cellars."

The journey through the capital of Armenia, which recently celebrated its 2800th anniversary, will begin with its geographical center - Republic Square. After that, we will visit the station square, where one of the symbols of Yerevan is located - a monument to the hero of the medieval Armenian epic, the hero David Sasunsky.  Then, passing by the Ring Boulevard, we will go up to Victory Park, which offers a breathtaking panoramic view of the city and the biblical Ararat. 

2nd half of the day | Lunch

Museum-Institute of Ancient Manuscripts of Matenadaran*

The word "Matenadaran" means "repository of manuscripts" in Armenian. The beginning of the creation of this collection dates back to the 5th century and is associated with the name of the creator of the father of Armenian writing Mesrop Mashtots. An avenue is named in his honor, at the end of which is the Matenadaran Museum, which is one of the largest repositories of manuscripts in the world and the largest repository of ancient Armenian manuscripts. The funds of this unique museum number more than 17 thousand ancient manuscripts and more than 100 thousand. ancient archival documents in Armenian, Russian, Hebrew, Latin, Arabic, Syriac, Greek, Georgian, Indian, Japanese, Persian, and other languages.

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Day 3. (from 10:00 ~ to 17:00)

1st half of the day

Yerevan - Mother Cathedral of Holy Echmiadzin - St. Hripsime - St. Gayane Churches

In the very heart of Vagharshapat – one of the most significant cultural and religious centers of Armenia, like the Vatican in the center of Rome – the Holy Mother See of Etchmiadzin is located. It is not only the spiritual capital of the Armenians but also the first Christian church in the world! As you know, in 301 Armenia was the first in the world to proclaim Christianity as the state religion, and in the same year, the foundation stone of the future temple was laid during the reign of King Trdat III.

2nd half of the day | Lunch

Garni Fortress - Symphony of Stones - Geghard Monastery - Yerevan

We recommend going across time and space, from paganism to Christianity, from the pagan temple of the Sun God in the first century to the "cave monastery" Geghardavank, whose name originates from Longinus' spear. The Roman centurion pierced the corpse of Jesus Christ on the Cross with this spear, and the Apostle Thaddeus transported its point to Armenia, along with many other relics. This shrine was once kept in the Geghard monastery complex (which means "spear" in Armenian), but currently, it is kept at the Etchmiadzin museum.

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Day 4. (from 10:00 ~ to 19:00)

1st half of the day

Yerevan - Khor Virap Monastery - Areni Winery

It is no coincidence that the monastery of Khor Virap ("Deep Dungeon") is considered the most sacred place in Armenia – after all, it was in the prison here that Gregory the Illuminator, who later baptized our country, languished for 14 years. It was here that by the power of faith, by the power of his prayer, he was able to resist death, and then gave Armenia a "new life" - this is how the adoption of Christianity as the state religion will be called after 301. Separately, it's worth noting that a beautiful view opens from Khor Virap: this is the closest point from the symbol of Armenia, the biblical Mount Ararat - only 7 km!.

2nd half of the day | Lunch

Noravank Monastery - Yerevan

Red rocks, the picturesque Amagu gorge, and the unique Noravank monastery complex on the top of the mountain, stunning, right? The bas-relief of one of the churches depicts God the Father himself! With His right hand, He blesses the Crucifixion, and with His left He holds Adam's head with a dove hovering over it, symbolizing the Holy Spirit. Panoramic photos taken from a bird's-eye view will remind you of this exciting journey for a long time.

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Day 5. (from 10:00 ~ to 18:00)

1st half of the day

Yerevan - Lake Sevan - Sevanavank

The pearl of Armenia - Lake Sevan! Coming to Armenia and not visiting Sevan, not admiring its enchanting beauty, not visiting the churches on the top of the Sevan peninsula, not swimming (or, if it's not the season, at least washing with lake water), not tasting Sevan fish cooked over coals and crayfish kebab made from crayfish necks is at least criminal. It is worth noting that this is the largest lake in the Caucasus, as well as one of the largest high-altitude fresh lakes on Earth, second only to Lake Titicaca in terms of freshwater resources.

2nd half of the day | Lunch

Dilijan - Goshavank Monastery - Yerevan

This city is truly legendary. Tens of millions of people who have watched the film "Mimino", beloved by several generations, have heard about it, and of course, everyone is also aware of the water, which, according to the hero of the picture performed by the great Frunzik Mkrtchyan, ranks second in the world. Dilijan has long been a favorite resort, a place of rest, residence and inspiration for artists, musicians and other creators. And this is not surprising – the most picturesque city, surrounded by wooded mountains, is located on the territory of the reserve and has the status of a national park. People go to Dilijan at any time of the year to enjoy the beauty of "local Switzerland", explore the masterpieces of medieval Armenian architecture located nearby and, of course, improve their health with the purest air and healing mineral water. The hundred-kilometer road from Yerevan through Sevan generously rewards travelers with a variety of views, observation of the change of climatic zones, and, of course, the famous Dilijan serpentine. At the end of the XII century, in the gorge of the Aghstev River, surrounded by oak forests, the outstanding thinker, the author of the first law book Mkhitar Gosh founded the monastery of Nor Getik. After the death of Gosha, during the XIII century, the monastery complex was completed and named in his honor – Goshavank. The compact monastery complex, consisting of three churches, chapels, a book depository and the ruined crypt of Mkhitar Gosh, is now very popular and loved by visitors and pilgrims. Separately, it should be noted that there is also a unique khachkar (cross-stone) of the famous master Pavgos – the finest "lace" work (1291), rightfully considered the most beautiful khachkar in Armenia.

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Day 6.  (from 10:00 ~ to 16:00)

1st half of the day

Sergei Parajanov Museum Tour*

Soviet film director, screenwriter and artist, the winner of many film awards, People's Artist of the Ukrainian SSR and the Armenian SSR, Sergei Parajanov became world-famous after shooting the cult films "Shadows of Forgotten Ancestors" and "The Color of Pomegranate", thanks to which the director is considered one of the founders of the "new Soviet wave" and "poetic cinema".

2nd half of the day | Lunch

Amberd Fortress - Yerevan (From October to May Oshakan)

On the southern slope of the highest mountain in modern Armenia, Mount Aragats, facing the Ararat Valley, there is a fortress-castle Amberd, which was in the Middle Ages the ancestral possession of the Armenian princes of Pahlavuni. In 1026, at the behest of the famous military commander Vahram Pahlavuni, one of the best churches in its noble elegance was built in the fortress, on a harsh cliff.

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Day 7.

1st half of the day

Free time

We recommend visiting Vernissage and Central Market. (The vernissage is open every day, but only a small part. The main most part works on Saturday-Sunday).

2nd half of the day

Transfer to the airport