May 16th
Departure from LA to Paris
May 17th
Departure from Paris to Yerevan
Day One May 17th
Arrive in
Yerevan Zvartnots Airport
Transfer to Hotel in Yerevan
Check into the Hotel
Overnight in Yerevan
Day Two May 18th
Breakfast at the Hotel
Garni-The only pagan temple existent in
Armenia, the 2nd century pagan temple of Garni was reconstructed from ruins.
This pre-Christian structure, with its classical Hellenist lines, is situated in
a picturesque mountain locale, offering a breathtaking panorama of the valley
below. The structure of the temple with its columns and dimensions was created
to please the gods and protect the people from their wrath. Garni temple was
destroyed by an earthquake in 1679 and rebuilt during the Soviet era. The ruins
include a bathhouse, where you can see remnants of beautiful mosaic work.
Geghard-This ancient monastery was carved out
of solid rock. In ancient times this monastery was known as "the monastery of
the seven churches", "the monastery of the forty altars" or Ayrivank (the
monastery of the cave), confirming the presence of ancient caves dug into the
rock. Geghartavank is the monastery of the spear. This last name derives from
the relics, for many years conserved in the monastery and now in Edjmiatsin’s
museum, of the spear that was said to have wounded the chest of Christ on the
cross. The exact date of Geghard’s foundation is not known, but according to the
inscriptions found locally dating from the 7th and 8th centuries, it is likely
that it dates back to the early times when Christianity was recognized and
declared the official state religion. The main church dates back to 1215. Inside
the church’s interior exists a natural spring, anciently worshipped and today
carefully preserved. A visit to Geghard is truly a spiritual experience.
Overnight in Yerevan
Day Three May 19th
Breakfast at the Hotel
The Tsaghkadzor (“Valley of flowers”)
mountain resort is located on the eastern slope of the Teghenis mountain, 52 km
north of Yerevan. There is a ski lift, operating in season, which leads to the
top of the Teghenis mountain. Tsaghkadzor is a small resort town. It is famous
for its sports complex, equipped with various sports facilities.
You will also visit the town’s Kecharis monastery,
a religious and cultural center of medieval Armenia built in the 11th to 13th
centuries, and comprised of three chapels. The domed hall of St. Gregory, the
ensemble’s most ancient structure dates back to 1003. The other structure is a
small chapel of St. Cross and next to it stands the church of Katoghike – a 13th
century building.
Overnight in Yerevan
Day
Four
May 20th 
Breakfast at the
Hotel
Edjmiatsin Monastery - Visit the Edjmiatsin
Cathedral, the most ancient Christian temple in Armenia, and the Holy See and
official residence of the Catholicos of all Armenians. According to tradition,
St. Gregory, the Illuminator, saw a vision of the “Only Begotten” descend from
heaven and show the spot where the church should be erected. In 303 A.D., two
years after Christianity was declared the state Religion, the Mother Church of
the Holy See was completed. It was rebuilt in the 480s. Through the centuries
there have been construction and additions. The main dome was rebuilt in 1627.
The interior murals were painted by Nagash Ovnatan in 1720. The church is
surrounded by gardens, where you will see examples of “khachkars” or stone
crosses.
St.Gayane and St. Hripsime Churches- The St. Gayane church is built in the
City of Edjmiatsin, a short walk from the Cathedral. Built in 630 (according to
a chronicle) they are the two oldest churches in Armenia. St. Hripsime is a
beautiful example of Armenian architecture of the classical period.
Zvartnots
-
Visit the magnificent ruins of the Cathedral of Zvartnots, built in the
7th century by Catholicos Nerses III. Here once stood a mighty three-tiered
circular structure with a glorious central dome. The Cathedral was
decorated with sculptured floral and geometric patterns and
decorative pillars and arches, the ruins and remnants of which can
be seen on the grounds. Zvartnots is considered to be the masterpiece of
Armenian Church architecture.
Overnight in Yerevan
Day Five
May 21st
Breakfast at the
Hotel
Check out of the
Hotel in Yerevan
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. Enjoy one of the most
breathtakingly scenic areas in all Armenia and sample some fine Armenian wine
along the way.
Visit the
monastery of Noravank, a 13th century structure with beautiful stone
crosses. This monastery is considered to be the pulpit of Suinik bishops. The
main church of St. Karapet was built in 1227. the relieves on the entrance
tympanum and the windows on the western façade are interesting from an
architectural point of view. The focus of the southern section is the
two-storied church of Prince Orbelian, completed by Momik (great sculptor) in
1339. Two console stairs on both sides of the entrance take you inside the
church.
Continue the
tour to the Areni Winery and taste the bounty of Armenia’s sun kissed
grapes. Along the way you would be greeted by hospitable villagers under the
apricot trees (in season).
Lunch on
the road
Stonehenge
Also known as
Karahunj, Angelakoth, and just Zorakar, the ancient monument of Zorakarer
is an equivalent to England's Stonehenge, only older and cruder.
a Bronze Age
settlement/cemetery site left of the road, around whose large chamber tombs are
a series of standing stones, some with holes pierced in them. It is universally
assumed that this is an early observatory, though the alignment is not ideal for
the purpose. In any case, the site is beautiful and ancient, well worth the
visit
Overnight in Goris at Mirhav hotel
Day
Six
May 22nd
Breakfast at the
Hotel
Visit the
majestic Tatev monastery, a former center for the sciences and arts,
where many famous Armenians lived and worked centuries ago. The Tatev complex
consists of three churches, a refectory, a library, a vault, and several
residences . Magnificent canyons surround the monastery.
Check into
Shushi hotel
Lunch
Shoushi City Tour
The
Ghazanchetsots Church (19th century)
Tank (1993)
Shoushi liberation monument
The Muslim
Mosque (19th century)
The Djdrdjuz
(Panoramic view of mountains and spectacular nature)
Overnight in Karabagh
Day Seven
May 23rd
Breakfast at
the Hotel
The panoramic
view of Karin tak village (under stone)
Stepanakert city tour
The
Historical museum of Artsakh
The memorial
Monument to the killed soldiers of Karabagh
Revival
Square
The Tombstone
of the first president of Karabagh (Arthur Mkrtchian)
The monument
of the legendary freedom fighter Ashot Ghulian
Gandzasar
monastery
Lunch
The symbol of
Artsakh “ Tatik Papik” statue
Overnight in Karabagh
Day Eight
May 24th
Breakfast at the Hotel
Check out from the hotel
On the way back visit to:
Jermuk
Lunch
in Jermuk
Overnight in Yerevan
Day Nine
May 25th
Breakfast at
the Hotel
Free Day.
Overnight in Yerevan
Day Ten
May 26th
Breakfast at the
Hotel
Yerevan
City Tour -Tour the sights and sounds of one of the most ancient and
fabulous cities of the world, where the earliest recorded settlement dates back
to 782 B.C. Your tour of the capitol city of the Republic of Armenia will
include visits to:
Also
visit the Erebouni Museum and the ruins, with its 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. You will also visit the ruins of Erebouni.
Matenadaran - The Research Institute of Armenia which houses beautiful
illuminated manuscripts created by scribes centuries ago. The Matenadaran is
named after Mesrob Mashtots, founder of the Armenian alphabet. Over ten
thousand manuscripts detailing history, philosophy, medicine, and geography
written in Armenian, Greek, Arabic, and other languages are preserved here
Tsitsernagaberd Monument and Museum-This monument commemorates the 1915
Genocide. It was built around 1965. The monument and its eternal flame are
pilgrimage sites for Armenians all around the world.
Overnight
in Yerevan
Day
Eleven
May 27th
Breakfast at the
Hotel
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, then take a serene stroll on the beach and a boat ride, in
season. By then, you will have worked an appetite and will be ready to taste the
most delicious trout, fresh from the lake.
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.
Overnight in Yerevan
Day Twelve
May 28th
Breakfast at the Hotel
Pay
tribute to the heroes of the Battle of Sardarabad!
The Sardarabad Memorial and Museum ensemble was built in 1968 to mark the
victory over Turkey in the Battle of Sardarabad in 1918, which led to the first
independent Republic of Armenia in 1918.
Here you
will visit the largest ethnographic museum in Armenia, rich with artifacts and
memorabilia.
Farewell
Dinner at a restaurant
Overnight in
Yerevan
Day
Fourteen
May 29th
Breakfast
at the Hotel
Transfer to Airport
Departure
Bon Voyage!
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