Essential about Armenia (8 days/7 nights)

Sightseeing tour of Yerevan, ancient (29 years older than Rome) and at the same time, a beautiful modern city with unique color against the backdrop of the majestic biblical Mount Ararat, sparkling with its snow-capped peaks. Excursion to the ruins of the Erebuni fortress, founded by the Urartian king Argishti I in 782 BC. e. and a visit to the Erebuni Museum (1968) with exhibits from the Urartu era. The fortress played an important role in the life of the Armenian state. From the name of the fortress comes the name of the city - Yerevan. Next, a visit to the carpet-making factory, where the centuries-old traditions of Armenian carpet-making are preserved, a demonstration of production - dyeing of threads with the help of vegetable dyes, weaving, shearing and finishing. There is a unique opportunity to participate in the manual weaving of the carpet. A short sightseeing tour of Yerevan, which includes acquaintance with the city center and its attractions: Opera and Ballet Buildings, Republic Square, Swan Lake, Cascade. A visit to the world famous Yerevan Brandy Factory “Ararat”, which has kept the traditions of the production of the legendary brandy since 1887. For 1 hour, visitors are given the opportunity to familiarize themselves with the cognac manufacturing process, the museum of the factory, taste different varieties of cognac of varying degrees of aging, as well as purchase genuine Armenian cognac in the store directly on the factory premises.

Overnight in Yerevan

Breakfast at the hotel. A trip to the Ararat Valley to the Khor Virap church. From here a unique panorama opens to the beautiful biblical mountain Ararat sparkling with snow-white peaks. Deep under the church is a sacred place: here in the dungeon in prison, Gregory the Illuminator spent 13 years on the orders of Tsar Trdat for spreading Christianity in Armenia. After his liberation in 301, Gregory the Illuminator consecrated the Armenian people and Christianity was adopted in Armenia as the state religion. At the place where Gregory the Illuminator was imprisoned, the Khor Virap church was built, which became a holy place for the whole Christian world, and Gregory the Illuminator was elevated to the face of saints and is considered the founder of the Armenian Apostolic Church. The church has preserved the entrance to the dungeon, so it is possible to go down the stairs and inspect the place of confinement. Not far from the church are the ruins of the ancient capital of Armenia, Artashat, which is one of the few ancient cities built according to a special project. The author of the city plan was the commander of ancient Carthage Hannibal, who fled to Armenia after losing the war with Rome. A trip to the monastery complex Noravank (XIII-XV centuries), which is an outstanding monument of medieval architecture and a major religious and cultural center. Situated among bizarre steep red rocks on a ledge of a winding gorge, it is an unusual sight in its beauty. The most ancient monument of Noravank is the Surb Karapet church (IX - X century). To the north of it in the XIII century. the main temple of the monastery was erected, also dedicated to this saint. His sculptor and architect was the famous talented architect Momik. To the north of the main temple is the tomb of the Orbelian clan. The temple is decorated with images of the Mother of God with the baby, God the father, the crucifixion of Christ, as well as a large number of cross-stones openwork. The nearby church of Surb Astvatsatsin (Our Lady) is a highly artistic monument of memorial significance. The first floor served as a tomb, the second - a memorial church. The western facade of the building is especially beautiful, decorated with cantilevered stairs leading to the second floor. A trip to the village of Areni - the cradle of winemaking. During recent archaeological excavations in the Areni region (Vayots Dzor province) in modern Armenia, a winery and 5 wine cellars 6,100 years old were found. Archaeologists have discovered containers for squeezing grapes, fermenting and storing wine, drinking bowls, vines and seeds. This winery and cellar are currently recognized as the oldest in the world. Archaeologists suggest that our early ancestors used wine in ceremonies honoring the dead, as well as a gift placed inside tombs. This is evidenced by jugs from under the wine and cups found in burial places. According to Armenian and American scientists, these are the only holistic and most ancient excavations in the world for the production of wine (more than 6,000 years). These findings indicate a high level of winemaking in those days in Armenia. Visit to the Areni winery with a tasting of different types of wines.

Overnight in Yerevan

Breakfast at the hotel. Excursion to the unusually beautiful pagan temple of the Sun (I century A.D.) in the village of Garni. Built in the Greek style with a characteristic colonnade on all sides and located on the top of a hill, separated from the mountain range by a deep gorge, it is an unusual sight in its beauty, which at times seems unreal. Garni fortress served as the summer residence of the Arshakid royal court. Destroyed by a strong earthquake in 1679, later in 1969-1974. the temple has been restored. Part of the wall of the fortress surrounding the temple, as well as the ruins of the royal palace and baths, have been preserved. The mosaic floor of the dressing room and the inscription on it are interesting: "They worked without receiving anything." Greek inscriptions have been preserved, from which it follows that the temple was built in 77. n e. King Trdat I (Arshakid Dynasty). Directions to the rare temple of St. Geghard carved in the rock (XII - XIII centuries), which means "holy spear" in honor of the very spear that was kept in it for a long time, which interrupted the torment of Christ on the cross (now it is in the Museum of St. Etchmiadzin). The temple is located high in the mountains in the picturesque gorge of the Azat River. This is a masterpiece of Armenian medieval architecture. It is a complex consisting of a main church, two cave churches, as well as a tomb. In the first cave temple, a cold spring beats from a rock, which to this day is an object of worship. It is believed that its holy water heals from diseases, rejuvenates, gives beauty. Geghard Monastery is a UNESCO World Heritage Site (2000).

Demonstration of the unique process of baking Armenian bread - pita bread in a dummy in a rural house.

Return to Yerevan.

Breakfast at the hotel. A trip to Echmiadzin (Vagharshapat) - the ancient capital of Armenia. From the 4th century to the present, it is the largest religious center, the permanent residence of the head of the Armenian church, the Catholicos. Echmiadzin Cathedral is the center of the Armenian Apostolic Church. It was founded in 301g. Gregory the Illuminator. Later it was rebuilt, completed, and now it is a complex that includes the Cathedral, Theological Academy, the Residence of the Catholicos of All Armenians, the Synod of the Armenian Church, and the library. The museum of the cathedral, located behind the altar, contains: a collection of objects of decorative and applied art related to the liturgy, objects of gold, silver, precious stones, jewelry, a huge silver cauldron for peacemaking and the legendary "holy spear". Visit to the church of St. Gayane (VII century A.D.), which died for the spread of Christianity in Armenia. It is located south of the Cathedral and was founded in 630. Catholicos Ezrom. Later, a gallery was added to the western facade of the temple - the burial place of the hierarchs of the Armenian church, and the relics of St. Gayane rest in the southern aisle. Before entering the city of Etchmiadzin stands the majestic temple of the Martyr St. Hripsime, whose grave is in the crypt under the altar. According to legend, she was tortured and killed for the spread of Christianity in Armenia. At the place of her death in the VII century. Catholicos Komitas erected a temple. This is evidenced by the inscription on the western wall of the temple. A trip to one of the architectural wonders of Armenia, the Zvartnots temple (641-661 AD) or the “Vigil Forces” temple, which got its name from the word “zvart”, which means “joyfully beautiful” in Armenian. This is a three-story building in the past, supported by massive columns with images of eagles, decorated with carved vines, pomegranate branches, pamettas and acapras. The remaining ruins give an idea of ​​the rare beauty of this temple. The temple is listed as a World Heritage Site by UNESCO (2000). Return to Yerevan.

Overnight in Yerevan

Breakfast at the hotel. Free day in Yerevan.

Optional tour:

1) Amberd, Aragats (Lake Kari), Letter Avenue, Saghmosavank, a workshop of Armenian sweets in a real village garden

6-7 h (start at 09:00), Cost $ 20 per person. (NET)

Overnight in Yerevan

Breakfast at the hotel. A trip to the highland lake Sevan - one of the wonders of Armenia. This dazzling blue lake is located high in the mountains. Cold and majestic, it is fraught with inexplicable beauty. No wonder many artists choose Sevan as the object of their art. A trip to the mountain resort of Dilijan. It is located high in the mountains (1200-1500m), covered with virgin pine forests. Walk in the old district of Dilijan. The architecture of Dilijan is interesting for its lighter and more airy style using wood in the structures and facades of houses. Of interest is Sharambeyan street, located in the historic district of old Dilijan with many restored workshops of local artisans, which recreates the spirit of the old city of the 19th century. Inspection of the monastery complex of Haghartsin (XIII century.). Haghartsin is the most secluded and cut off monastery from the outside world, including a group of monastery buildings that are closely adjacent to each other. Suddenly arising among the dense trees, the monastery creates a fabulous impression of a lost world. The group of monastery buildings includes - the church of St. Stepanos, St. Mariam Astvatsatsin and the church of St. Gregory the Illuminator, as well as the famous refectory. Then visit the medieval monastery of Goshavank (XIII century). The monastery was erected on the site of an ancient Getik monastery destroyed by an earthquake. The construction was attended by the prominent scientist and writer of medieval Armenia, Mkhitar Gosh, in whose honor the monastery was named. The ensemble of monastery buildings includes the Church of St. Astvatsatsin (Our Lady of 1196), the Church of St. Grigor (1231), the Church of St. Grigor the Illuminator (1241), a book depository with a bell tower (1291), a school building, a chapel and gallery (XIII century.). Return to Yerevan.

Overnight in Yerevan

Breakfast at the hotel. Extract from the hotel. Airport transfer.

* On Thursday, only early check-in is possible (until 08:00)