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Hidden Treasures
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Hidden
Treasures
7 Days
Tour Program Day One Erebouni - Walk through the Erebouni Museum where you will find hundreds of artifacts from Erebouni, Karmir Blur, and Armavir, the three principal Urartian cities in the Ararat valley. This small two-story museum is located on the western slope of the Erebouni elevation where hundreds of artifacts were dug out during the excavations in 1950. The old settlement of Shengavit - This substantially chalcolithic (transition from stone to the use of metal) settlement is of great scientific significance vis-à-vis the history of the entire region. It is perched on the slope on the far side of the Yerevan Lake. There you will find the crumbling circular foundations of a number of rubble and mud-brick houses, once surrounded by a stone fortification wall and underground passage leading to the river. Four settlement phases have been identified here, from the end of the 4th millennium BC to the beginning of the second millennium BC. Garni is the only pagan temple currently standing in Armenia. This 1st century pre-Christian structure, with its classical Hellenistic lines, is situated in a picturesque mountain locale offering a breathtaking panorama of the surrounding valley. Geghart- This ancient monastery was carved out of solid rock. Geghartavank is the monastery of the spear that was said to have wounded the chest of Christ on the cross. The latter designation is derived from the relics, which were conserved for many years in the monastery and are currently found in the Edjmiatsin museum. A visit to Geghart is truly a spiritual experience. Overnight in Yerevan
Day Two Khor Virab - The site where St. Gregory the Illuminator was imprisoned by an Armenian king for preaching Christianity. You can climb down into the dark pit on foot and upon climbing back up treat yourself to the most spectacular view of the glorious Mt. Ararat. You will also visit the remains of the city of Dvin Dvin is situated on a hill where a settlement, turned into a fortress in the antique epoch, had existed since the third millennium B.C. In the reign of Khosrov II (330—338) Dvin became the capital, and since the middle of the fifth century till the middle of the 13th century, it was a major trade, handicraft and cultural center of Armenia known in the countries of Asia Minor and Europe Overnight in Yerevan
Day Three Visit Institute of Archeology and Ethnography Visit village of Agarak-where bronze era monuments have been excavated in 2002-2003. Your visit also includes a trip to the village of Oshagan, home of St. Mesrob Mashtots, the 4th century monk who invented the Armenian alphabet. You will visit his tomb as well as a church built in the 5th century and reconstructed in the 19th century. A seminary is located nearby. Overnight in Yerevan
Day Four Visit Trchunneri Cavern-it is one of the rarest and best- preserved late Copper Age Monuments in the South Caucasus. Visit the monastery of Noravank, a 13th century structure with beautiful stone crosses. The main church of St. Karapet was built in 1227. Two console stairs on both sides of the entrance take you inside the church. Jewish cemetery in Yeghegis - about 40tombstone survived in the cemetery and 30 were found nearby.10 tombstone bear inscriptions in Hebrew or Aramaic. The cemetery belonged to Jewish community which lived in Yeghegis in the 13-14cc. Overnight in Yerevan
Day Five St. Karapet and St. Arakelots monasteries -No trip to Armenia is ever complete without a visit to Lake Sevan, one of the largest of the highest lakes in Eurasia at about 1,900 meters above sea level. At Lake Sevan you will visit these monasteries. The lakeshore community of Noraduz, located northeast of Gavar, is famous for the biggest cemetery of khachkars (stone crosses) in Armenia, dating back to the 9th-10th centuries. Dilijan- Located in the northern part of Armenia, this region is famous for its forests and health resorts, its spectacular scenery and cultural centers. You will drive through a plush forest to reach the Haghartsin Monastery, an 11th-13th century church situated deep in the woods, about 18 km from the town of Dilijan. You will also visit the beautifully landscaped 12th century monastery of Goshavank. Overnight in Yerevan
Day Six Amberd - Visit the family castle of the Pahlavooni Princes, one of the few castles in Armenia that has been preserved. Tour the church and fortress of Amberd, built on a rocky promontory in the 10th-13th centuries and situated near Mt. Aragat. The domed church was built in 1026 and is one of the most unique churches of its type in Armenia. Haridj - The main church is a domed hall built by the Zakarian Princes in 1201. The porch was added later in the 13th century. Horom - This is one of the most impressive archaeological sites in Armenia, particularly in the spring when the massive volcanic stones of the fortress are set off by brilliant green grass. Potsherds and obsidian flakes are strewn everywhere. You will then continue on to Marmashen. This complex is composed of three churches, the principal structure being a domed hall built in 986 through 1029 by Vahram Pahlavooni. Overnight in Yerevan
Day Seven Edjmiatsin Monastery - Visit the Edjmiatsin Cathedral, the most ancient Christian temple in Armenia and the Holy See of the Armenian Apostolic Church The Cathedral is surrounded by beautiful gardens bejeweled by stone crosses, better known as khachkars. You will visit the underground site of the pagan temple upon which the present cathedral stands. The tour of the museum is available every day except Monday and Sunday. Visit Medzamor - Take a trip through time to a place that boasts 6,700 years of continuous inhabitation. The Medzamor culture survived through the Bronze and early Iron Ages when it was integrated into the Urartu Empire in the 7th century BC, and later continued under the Persians, Greeks, Romans, Byzantine, and Ottomans until the 18th century, when it was abandoned Zvartnots - Visit the magnificent ruins of the Cathedral of Zvartnots, built in the 7th century. Zvartnots is considered to be the masterpiece of Armenian Church architecture. Overnight in Yerevan
Last Day Transfer to Airport Departure Bon Voyage
The quoted price includes: Hotel accommodations based on double occupancy 8 nights (an early check in) in Yerevan, All breakfasts at the hotel Full transportation on all excursions as specified in the itinerary Archeologist tour guide from The Institute of Ethnography and Archeology in Agarak and Dvin Local English speaking tour guides All admission fees Services of a tour manager |
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