Global Caucasia . Tours

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DAY 1 | Arrival to Yerevan

Arrival to Yerevan International Airport. Meeting at the airport with company representative.
Transfer to Yerevan Hotel.
Accommodation. Overnight in Yerevan.

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DAY 2 | Yerevan – Garni – Geghard

Breakfast at the hotel.
Visit to Geghard Monastery is another incredible ancient Armenian monastery, partly carved out of a mountain. Though the monastery has been around since before the 4th century, the main cathedral was built in 1215. The specific character of this monument reflects, no doubt, the peculiarities of the austere and majestic scenery around it.
Sightseeing tour around Garni Temple: The Temple of Garni is a first century Hellenic temple near Garni, Armenia. It is the only pagan temple in Armenia that survived the Christianization of the country in 301 AD. The structures of Garni combine elements of Hellenistic and national culture, which is an evidence of antique influences and the distinctive building traditions of the Armenian people. Visit to Armenian local family. An unforgettable experience is waiting for you in Garni village – you can take part in a real ritual of baking national “lavash” bread with local villagers. Enjoy the open air lunch.
Departure back to Yerevan. Overnight in Yerevan.

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DAY 3 | Yerevan – Zvartnots – Echmiadzin

Breakfast at the hotel.
Zvartnots temple was built in 7-th century, at a time when much of Armenia was under Byzantine control or influence and during the early invasions of Armenia by the Muslim Arabs. Unfortunately, like the majority of other ancient Armenian temples, Zvartnots has survived only in ruins since it was completely destroyed by powerful earthquake in the 10 th century. But even the ruins of this temple give us the idea of its rare and majestic beauty.
Visit to Echmiadzin Cathedral - one of the main attractions of the Echmiadzin is the Cathedral — the most ancient Christian temple of Armenia, one of the first in entire Christian world. The first stone of the temple, as the legend goes, was laid in 30 by the first Catholicos of Armenian Church.
Back to Yerevan for dinner and overnight.

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DAY 4 | Yerevan – Areni – Khorvirap – Noravank – Karahunj – Goris

Breakfast at the hotel.
After breakfast we depart for a visit to Khorvirap - the unique architectural monument, which nowadays has become one of the main attractions of Ararat Province. This fortified monastery is a place of pilgrimage and a holy site for the Armenian Apostolic Church. The history of the site dates back to a pagan temple that stood here for centuries before Christ’s birth.
Next visit is to Areni caves. For centuries, the caves in this region were thought to be just simple caves. Children would play in them, but nobody knew much about these caves. But that all changed in 2007, when excavations began in Areni Cave. Excavations unearthed large complexes, which showed that this cave was once used for religious and economic purposes. A wine press was found in one room of the cave, where there is a hard place that drains into a jug. Traces of seeds, stems, and the compound that gives red wine its signature color were found, which led a wide array of scientists to conclude that the area was used as a winery about 6,000 years ago. Areni Cave is now recognized as the oldest winery in the world. Only in two km from the cave there is one of the most popular wineries of Armenia, Areni Wine Factory. Departure to Noravank. Noravank means “New Monastery” in Armenian. However, today this name does not fit, as the monastery is already more than seven centuries old. The beautiful Noravank Monastery was built in the 13th century on the ledge of narrow winding gorge above the Amaghu River, near the city of Yeghegnadzor. The spare lines of the church contrast beautifully with the sharp red rock cliffs, and the dramatic scenery is one of the best reasons to visit Noravank. Late lunch at the restaurant close to Noravank.
The last visit of the day is Karahunj astronomic observatory, which is called “Armenian Stonehedge”, and translated like “speaking stones” The age of the observatory was thoroughly examined by various scientists with the help of precise mathematical-astrological methods and calculations, and all agreed on one: 7,500 years old. This fact is amazing, because of the oldest civilizations, such as Egypt and Sumer, are 5 000 years old.
Arrival to Goris for dinner and overnight.

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DAY 5 | Goris – Tatev – Khndzoresk – Jermuk

Breakfast at the hotel.
After breakfast we are going to visit Tatev monastery. The jewel of medieval Armenian architecture, Tatev, was constructed in the 9th-13th centuries. In the past, Tatev was difficult to reach, because the winding road had to descend the steep walls of a gorge, and cross a river on the Devil’s Bridge, but now Tatev is easily accessible by the world’s longest reversible cable car, named “Wings of Tatev”.
Our next stop is at Kndzoresk - the historical cave village, located on the steep slope of a gorge. It consists of natural and manmade caves. Since many of the dwellings were carved out over and around each other, a complex system of ropes and ladders were required for people to reach many corners of the community. Right up until the 20th century Khndzoresk Cave Village was the biggest village in Eastern Armenia.
Drive to mountain spa town Jermuk for dinner and overnight.

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DAY 6 | Jermuk – Selim Pass – Noratus – Sevanavank – Dilijan

Breakfast at the hotel.
Jermuk is the second largest city Vayots Dzor province and one of the most well-known resorts in Armenia. The city became popular thanks to unique thermal-mineral springs around which the city has grown. Departure from Jermuk to continue exploring Armenia with Selim Pass Caravansary, also known as Orbelian's Caravanserai, located at a height of 2410 meters above sea level. The Caravansary was built in 14th Century and was one of the major points of Armenian Silk Road. Visit to Noratus cemetery: the settlement famous for its big khachkars (crosses-stones) cemetery. There are about 900 khachkars of various styles and epochs there. Noraduz Cemetery became one of the most visited and popular sights of the Gegarkunik region because there is one of the largest collections of Armenian khachkars.
Arrival to Lake Sevan and Sevanavank Monastery. This huge mountain lake which takes up 5% of Armenia's surface area and is about 2,000 meters above sea level. On a clear and sunny day, the water is often a deep turquoise color.
Sevanavank monastery. Monastery of Sevan, which stands on what was once an island of the same name, can be dated to the 9th-10th centuries. For several hundred years, as an important spiritual center, housing many monks, it was visited by thousands of pilgrims from all parts of Armenia. Fish lunch on the lake Sevan.
Dinner and overnight in Dilijan hotel.

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DAY 7 | Dilijan – Akhtala – Haghpat – Sanahin – Yerevan

Breakfast at the hotel.
Sightseeing tour around Dilijan. An alpine city located on the banks of the Aghstev River, Dilijan’s heavenly climate and calming environ offer holiday-makers a peaceful and memorable escape. Often referred to as the “Switzerland of Armenia”, the city is surrounded by deep forests and spellbinding mountain views.
Departure back to Yerevan for overnight.
Departure to Lori region to visit Akhtala one of the few churches in Armenia with its inner walls covered with frescoes, painted between 1205 and 1216, and among the best examples of Byzantine art outside of the Empire of Byzantium. Visit to Haghpat Monastic complex. It is an exceptional example of ecclesiastical architecture that developed in Armenia in the 10th to 13th centuries which is unique by virtue of its blending of elements of both Byzantine church architecture and the traditional vernacular building style of this region. Sanahin monastery: In the first half of the 10 th century Armenian clerics expelled from Byzantium constructed St. Astvatsatsin (the Mother of God) in Sanahin. The church was very similar to Georgian cult structures of that time – the cross-shaped facade crowned with big dome resting on round drum. The main monastery church, Amenaprkich (962), Gregory Magistros academy (11 th century), the round St. Gregory the Illuminator temple (1061), scriptorium (1063) and belfry (13th century) were later built around it.
Departure back to Yerevan for dinner and overnight.

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DAY 8 | Yerevan – Amberd fortress – Oshakan – Yerevan

Breakfast at the hotel.
After breakfast we depart for a visit to Amberd fortress. It stands on the rocky cliff on the height of 2100 meters protected from two sides with deep gorges at the junction of rivers Amberd and Arkashen. This unique sight is located 50km from Yerevan. There is only one serpentine road leading to it that passes through mountains, and it is impossible to visit it during winter, as everything is covered with snow. Fortress of Amberd is not only a popular destination in Armenia yet, but it definitely is a gem of the medieval architecture of the Caucasus.
Continue to Oshakan, well known as the site of the grave of Mesrop Mashtots, the inventor of the Armenian alphabet.
Departure back to Yerevan for dinner and overnight.

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DAY 9 | Yerevan sightseeing tour

Breakfast at the hotel.
Sightseeing tour around Yerevan, which includes the visits to the following sites: Republic square, Northern Avenue, Opera house, Cascade complex, Victory Park with panoramic views on the city, St. Gregory the Illuminator Cathedral, Matenadaran the museum of ancient manuscripts, Tsitsernakaberd the memorial to Armenian Genocide, Koniak and Wine factories and many other sites... Visit to Noy Conyak factory. Conyak degustation.
Departure back to the hotel for dinner and overnight.

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DAY 10 | Departure

Breakfast at the hotel. Check out.
Transfer to Yerevan International Airport.

TOUR PACKAGE: «EXPLORE UNIQUE ARMENIA»