Splendid Armenia

Day 1 Arrival

1. 1

   Republic Square

   You are met by our Feel Armenia team at the airport and transferred to the hotel. As you will possibly be tired, we haven't planned anything for this day. You will have a rest and get prepared for the next day to start the trip.

Day 2 City tour (Victory Park-Matenadaran-Tsitsernakaberd Memorial Complex -Ararat Brandy Factory)

1. 1

   Victory Park

   1 hour

   Feel the old and modern city Yerevan, which is one of the oldest cities in the world (2800 years old), it is also unique, as it is called “pink city” because of its buildings all made of naturally coloured volcanic rocks of varying shades of pink.
   Take a look to Yerevan from the Park of Victory, which is a big park located at the top of Cascade. The park is a large forested area with an artificial lake, an amusement park, cafes, the Mayr Hayastan statue and museum. Mother Armenia is the female personification of Armenia. It symbolizes peace through strength.

2. 2

   Matenadaran - The Museum of Ancient Manuscripts

   1 hour Admission ticket included

   Feel the antiquity and take a trip to the Institute of Ancient Manuscripts after Mesrop Mashtots, commonly referred to as "Matenadaran", which is one of the most ancient manuscript repositories in the world. The "Matenadaran" collection was inscribed on UNESCO’s Memory of the World Register in 1997 in recognition of its world significance.

3. 3

   Tsitsernakaberd

   1 hour 30 min

   Pay tribute to the memory of victims of Armenian Genocide in Tsitsernakaberd Memorial Complex in Yerevan which is dedicated to the memory of the 1.5 million Armenians who perished in the first genocide of the 20th century, at the hands of the Osmania government.

4. 4

   ARARAT Museum

   1 hour 30 min Admission ticket included

   Armenia is well known throughout the world also for its cognac. When Winston Churchill was asked about the secret to his long life, he replied with “Cuban cigars, Armenian brandy!” Surely, you would like to visit Armenian brandy factory… Let’s discover it!

Day 3 Saghmosavank Monastery – Alphabet Valley – Amberd

1. 1

   Saghmosavank Monastery

   1 hour

   If you want to explore the nature and the culture of Armenia simultaneously, visit the 13th-century Saghmosavank, which was built in the village of Saghmosavan near the deep gorge of Kasagh River. Overall, its excellent location provides additional beauty and comeliness to the monastery. In the 13th century, it was one of the educational, cultural and spiritual centres of Armenia.

2. 2

   Armenian Alphabet Monument

   1 hour

   Discover Armenian Alphabet Monument in Artashavan. Giant stone letters are dedicated to the founder of Armenia's alphabet, Mesrop Mashtots. Find the first letter of your name!

3. 3

   Amberd Fortress

   1 hour 30 min

   Continue your tour to Amberd, which is an important historical site that survived and reached us from the 7th-century. Some say that it was built in the 11-13th centuries, attributing it to the near located church. Amberd means ‘fortress in the clouds’; the name is due to its location 2300 meters above sea level.

Day 4 Free Day in Yerevan

1. 1

   Republic Square

   This is your chance... As you already know our city quite well, you can go shopping and walking in the city.

Day 5 St. Hripsime Church-St. Gayane Church-Mother See of Holy Etchmiadzin-Zvartnots Cathedral-Yerevan

1. 1

   Echmiadzin Monastery

   2 hours

   Feel the breath of Christianity!
   Do you know that Armenia has another capital besides Yerevan? It is Etchmiadzin, the spiritual capital of Armenia.
   Enjoy an excursion out to the Church of the Holy Virgin Hripsime which offers good views of Mounts Ararat and Aragats. This building has stood since 618 AD. Visit also the 7th-century church of the Holy Virgin Gayane, which is an important architectural structure in Armenia. These virgins martyred to spread Christianity in Armenia.
   Stop for a minute and find your peace in Mother See of Holy Etchmiadzin, the religious centre of Armenia. The church was built in the place, where the Son of God (Jesus Christ) appeared in the dream of the first Catholicos of Armenia St. Gregory the Illuminator and pointed out. This is where the name Etchmiadzin (Only-begotten came down) emerged. You will take part in holy liturgy.

2. 2

   Zvartnots Temple

   1 hour Admission ticket included

   On the way back to Yerevan enjoy another Armenian 7th-century sanctuary Zvartnots, which means “Angels meeting”. Both Zvartnots temple and Mother See of Holy Etchmiadzin are listed in UNESCO World’s Cultural Heritage Sites.

Day 6 Khor Virap Monastery-Areni Cave- Wine tasting-Noravank Monastery-Jermuk

1. 1

   Khor Virap

   1 hour

   Drive through the pretty Ararat Valley to the 4th-century monastery Khor Virap, where you will enjoy the view of Mt. Ararat. Ararat is the mountain, which will let you feel where your ancestors come from. “Khor Virap” means “deep dungeon”, where the first Armenian Catholicos Gregory the Illuminator has been detained for 13 years for spreading Christianity in the 4th century in Armenia.

2. 2

   T'rchuneri (Bird) Cave

   1 hour Admission ticket included

   Continue your tour to Areni cave it is where the oldest shoe in the world was found exactly during the archaeological excavations. Several years ago a place, equipped for wine production was found in Bird Cave. This most ancient winery in the world has a 6000-year history. Taste some Armenian wines near the cave!

3. 3

   Noravank Monastery

   3 hours

   Visit the most beautiful Noravank monastic complex, which was constructed in the 13th century. Consequently, a major religious and later cultural centre of Armenia was closely connected with many educational institutes, primarily with Gladzor’s university and library.
   Have a rest in Jermuk, the centre of medical tourism in Armenia. Jermuk mineral waters from natural sources are unique and rare minerals with the chemical content to be biologically active, which makes it very effective in the treatment and prevention of various diseases. Water is also used for (SPA) procedures, which you can enjoy in the hotel.
   Jermuk mineral water is successfully used in the gastrointestinal, musculoskeletal system, genitourinary system, and metabolic abnormalities.

Day 7 Tatev Monastery (getting there by Tatever Ropeway)-Zorats Karer – Jermuk

1. 1

   Wings of Tatev

   4 hours Admission ticket included

   Let your soul soar and visit the 9th-century monastery of Tatev, which is one of the oldest and most famous monastery complexes in Armenia. During medieval times, Tatev Monastery was a vital scholastic, enlightenment and spiritual centre and played a singular role in the country’s history.
   You will reach the monastery by the cable car. The ropeway is the longest in the world and if you are looking for unforgettable adventures in the air and want to fly, you don’t need planes! Wings of Tatev will take you to the sky!

2. 2

   Zorats Karer

   2 hours

   Go to reveal the Armenian Stonehenge Zorats Karer or Karahunj, which is a prehistoric archaeological site near the town of Sisian. The site is rich with stone settings, burial cists and standing stones - Menhirs.

Day 8 Jermuk-Selim Caravanserai- Haghartsin Monastery– Dilijan

1. 1

   Selim Caravanserai

   1 hour 30 min

   You can trace the Silk Road in Armenia by following its caravanserai, or inns; medieval stopping points where caravan riders and their pack animals spent the night. The Selim Pass Caravanserai is a valuable example of these inns along the Armenian Silk Road.

2. 2

   Haghartsin Monastery

   1 hour 30 min

   To explore one of the treasures of the Tavush region, visit the medieval monastic complex Haghartsin regarded as a school of architecture dating back many generations. It’s because the refectory of Haghartsin monastery is the biggest in Armenia. It was an innovation of its time.
   Have a rest in the beautiful city Dilijan located in Dilijan National Park!

Day 9 Sevanavank -Garni Temple (Duduk Concert and Lavash Making Master Class) – Geghard Monastery (Choir Music)-Yerevan

1. 1

   Monastery Sevanavank

   1 hour 30 min

   To enjoy the nature of Armenia, go on a tour to Lake Sevan, where the 9th-century Sevanavank is located. It was built by the Armenian Princess Mariam to honour her deceased husband.

2. 2

   The Monastery of Geghard

   2 hours

   Feel the mystery and go to reveal the 4th-century Geghard Monastery which is cut into the side of the rock. The name Geghard appeared because of the spear kept there, with the help of which the Roman soldier pierced the side of Christ. In Armenian, it is called “Gerhard”. Now the spear is situated in the museum of Etchmiadzin.
   Besides discovering this wonderful monastery you will have an opportunity to listen to the choir music in the monastery, you don’t even imagine how it sounds.

3. 3

   Garni Temple

   3 hours Admission ticket included

   Continue your wonderful tour to the 1st Century A.D. Pagan Temple, which is the only standing heathen temple in Armenia. The plateau, on which the temple stands, is incredibly beautiful and is included in the UNESCO World Heritage Site along with the surrounding area.
   Special for you a musician will play an Armenian national instrument duduk, which is also included in the UNESCO World Heritage Site.
   Everybody knows that Armenian cuisine is very rich… So we give you the opportunity to be present in the master class of baking traditional Armenian bread, which is called lavash. This flat bread is also included in the UNESCO World Heritage Site.

Day 10 Gala Dinner in Megerian Carpet

1. 1

   Megerian Carpet Armenia

   4 hours Admission ticket included

   Gala Dinner in Megerian Carpet (National Armenian Dance Master Class)
   Free Day in Yerevan (optional Vernissage local market)
   Enjoy your last day in Yerevan!
   If you want to go shopping and buy some souvenirs for your friends and relatives, Vernissage is the best place. Vernissage is a large open-air market in Yerevan, Armenia. In addition to carved wood and art works, traditional carpets, old collections of coins and medallions, books, jewellery, musical instruments, electronics and even pets are found in the market. (Optional)
   Visit Megerian Carpet in Yerevan, which has a spectacular showroom where visitors can make their purchases. Visitors and guests are welcome to watch the production of the rugs. Enjoy a unique experience worth remembering! Here you will have a gala dinner.
   Come on and join our dance! Get acquainted with the Armenian National Dances!

Day 11 Departure

1. 1

   Republic Square

   Admission ticket included

   Unfortunately, we are saying goodbye to each other, but we hope that we will see you in Armenia again…
   Transfer to Zvartnots International Airport