To Armenia for the longest cable car in the world (6 days/5 nights)

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.

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 XIX century. Inspection of the monastery complex of Haghartsin (XIII century). Haghartsin is the most secluded and cut off from the outside world monastery, which includes 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

Optional tour:

Etchmiadzin (Hripsime, Gayane, Cathedral, Museum "Treasures of Etchmiadzin"), Zvartnots

4-5 hours (start at 10:00), Price $ 22 per person.

Breakfast at the hotel. 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.

A trip to the Wings of Tatev cable car, built in 2010, which is the longest cable car in the world. It is listed in the Guinness Book of Records. Travel by cable car to the Tatev Monastery. Tatev Monastery is one of the most unique and beautiful monasteries in Armenia. It is located at the edge of a deep gorge and is surrounded by powerful fortifications. The Tatev ensemble is harmonious with the surrounding mountain landscape. In the past, Tatev was not only the religious, but also the political center of the Syunik principality. At one time, a university functioned here, in which there were 3 departments: music (spiritual chants), painting and sciences. In the latter, the Old and New Testaments were studied, as well as translations and manuscripts of spiritual and secular content from Greek and other languages. The complex includes the central church - the church of St. Pogos-Petros (895 - 906), as well as the church of St. Grigor (1265), the abbot's chambers (XVII century), the refectory with kitchen and pantries, and monastery services. Located in a row along the perimeter of the fence, the housing and utility rooms of the monastery fit into the overall composition and give the whole complex originality and grandeur. In the X century. the monastery consisted of about 1000 inhabitants, including artisans, in whose workshops works of applied art were created, an example of which are the finest carvings of the cross-stone and the door of the temple. Next, a trip to the village of Khndzoresk, where a complex of ancient cave dwellings, archaeological and ethnographic museums is located. A 100-meter suspension bridge has recently been built through the gorge in Khndzoresk, from which a magnificent view of the gorge and the surrounding area opens. Return to Yerevan.

Overnight in Yerevan