Tour program
Dates
Destination
Duration/ Hours
December 26,
Arrival at 12:35 (flight ME 275), transfer from the airport to the hotel
Saturday
December 27, Observing tour in Yerevan
Sunday
Visiting Yerevan brandy factory "Ararat"
0.5
2-3
1
December 28,
Garni temple, Geghard monastery
Monday
4-5
December 29, Echmiadzin (St. Hripsime and St. Gayane churches, Mother Cathedral),
Tuesday
Zvartnots temple
4-5
December 30,
Ashtarak city, Oshakan village
Wednesday
4-5
December 31, Tsaghkadzor (Kecharis monastery, ropeway*), lake Sevan (Sevanavank
Thursday
monastery)
6-7
January 1,
Friday
Free day
January 2,
Saturday
Transfer to the airport, departure at 13:35 (flight ME 276)
The total price of the program
0.5
Without guide
With guide
110 USD per
Person
160 USD Per
person
The prices include:
√ transportation service (comfortable air-conditioned car corresponding to the number of pax);
√ 2 way airport transfer;
√ driver service;
√ professional guide service, in case you choose this option;
√ soft drinks;
√ entrance fees to the historical and cultural attractions;
√ insurance of the vehicle and passengers.
The prices do not include:
√ stay and meals of the guests;
√ Tsaghkadzor rope - way ticket during the tour to Tsaghkadzor (two way cost – 5USD per person).
Itinerary
St. Grigor Lusavorich Church
St. Gregory the Illuminator Cathedral in Yerevan was solemnly consecrated in 2001. It was built on the occasion of 1700th
anniversary of Christianity in Armenia and symbolically seats
1700 people. The church is in a large park next to one of the
central streets of Yerevan.
Vardan Mamikonyan monument
Vardan Mamikonian, also known as Saint Vardan, was
an Armenian military leader, a martyr and a saint of
the Armenian Church. Vardan Mamikonian, a member of
the Mamikonian family, is revered as one of the greatest
military and spiritual leaders of Christian Armenia in the 5th
century. Major Armenian churches are named after Saint
Vardan . A major equestrian statue representing him is located
in the Armenian capital Yerevan.
Lovers’ Park
Located on the nicely-paved and tree-lined Baghramyan
Avenue, Lover’s Park is a year-round open getaway. Japanese
traditional landscaping has been a major source of inspiration
for the park’s design project. One of the highlights of the park
is the stone compositions and sculptures, which feature
decorative lighting at night. There are benches in the park,
honoring the 60th anniversary of the UK Queen Elizabeth II’s
reign. Also, you can find a very unique bench of conciliation
in the park.
Circle Gardens
This is one of the most favorite parks of the youth, visited by a
large number of students, which is due to the park’s location
close to some of Yerevan’s most popular universities, including
the famous State University of Yerevan. It's the longest park of
Yerevan, stretching along the territory called "Small Center"
The park teems with nice cafes, gorgeous, kid-friendly
attractions and rides. Of great interest is the park’s majestic
fountain and the artificial lake.
Sasuntsi Davit monument
In the centre of the square, surrounded by the Railway
Workers’ Cultural Centre, a cinema and residential blocks,
stands the statue of Davit Sasuntsi, a mythological hero of the
Armenian folk epic poem. The sculptor was Yervand Kochar.
From generation to generation, from century to century,
people have handed down tales of Davit's deeds, his gigantic
strength. The episode of the crucial battle when Davit,
unwilling to shed the blood of the enemy soldiers, challenged
their leader Msyrmelik, ruler of the Arab caliphate of Msyr, to
a duel and defeated him, is particularly enthralling.
Yerevan Brandy Company
ARARAT brandies produced by Yerevan Brandy Company
embody the Legend itself, the spirit of Armenia, its cultural
and historical heritage and the craftsmanship of the Armenian
people. ARARAT is the most famous and successful brand of
Armenian brandy in the world. We are pleased to invite you to
get acquainted with the history of brandy making in Armenia,
follow its production phases and enjoy the delicious taste and
flavor of different kinds of ARARAT brandies just from the
first hand.
Garni
Garni temple which towers over a triangular cape, is the
unique survived example of heathen culture in Armenia. It is a
blend of Greco-Roman and Armenian styles. King Trdat the
First ordered building the temple in the first century A.D. and
dedicated it to the God of Sun. After adopting Christianity in
301 the pagan temple lost its significance and the fortress of
Garni became the summer residence of the kings. Nowadays
the ruins of the royal palace and the bathroom with a stunning
mosaic work can be found near the temple.
Geghard
Geghard monastery is the unsurpassable masterpiece of the
13th century Armenian architecture. Some of the churches of
the complex are masterfully hewn in a huge rock. From the
outset the complex was called Ayrivank (cave monastery),
later it was renamed Geghard (lance), as the lance used by the
roman soldier to sting Jesus Christ's side, was kept in this
monastery for many centuries. Due to its construction Geghardavank serves the best place for singing spiritual songs. The
complex is rich in subtle sculptural embellishments and many
striking khachkars (cross-stones).
St. Hripsime
St. Hripsime church is the one of the famous ecclesiastical
buildings in the city of Echmiadzin. This is the developed and
perfect example of cross-cupola churches in Armenia. The
church is notable with its architectural simplicity and loftiness.
The tomb of the Christian martyr Virgin Hripsime is in the
sacristy of the church.
St. Gayane
Not far from the Echmiadzin Cathedral against the background of white peaks of Ararat one can see the silhouette of
the cupola of St. Gayane church. The church was built in the
7th century and belongs to the domed-basilica style. According to the legend this church was constructed over the tomb
of Virgin Gayane, who was martyred for preaching Christianity.
Cathedral of Echmiadzin
The center of Armenian Apostolic church- St. Echmiadzin is
located 20 km far from Yerevan. The Cathedral of Echmiadzin was founded at the beginning of the forth century and is
one of the oldest churches in the world. According to the legend the church was built in the place where apparition of
Jesus Christ was seen to Grigory the Illuminator in the dream.
The interior of the church is covered with frescoes created by
Hovnatanyan family. The residence of the Catholicos and the
Theological Academy are situated near the Cathedral.
Zvartnots
This marvelous temple is a result of skillfulness and brave
creativity of Armenian architects of the 7th century. Having
been built on several columns it could survive only till the
10th century. When in the beginning of the 20th century this
site was being excavated many specialists could hardly accept
its reconstruction model designed by famous Armenian architect Toros Toramanyan as it was difficult to believe that such a
huge and complicated construction could have been built
those days.
Oshakan, Tomb of St. Mesrop Mashtots
Oshakan village has been a holy place since the 5th century,
when in 440 due to the duke Vahan Amatuni's efforts the
creator of Armenian alphabet Mesrop Mashtots was buried
there and a small church was built over his tomb. In the 19th
century a bigger church bearing the name of St. Mesrop
Mashtots was constructed in the place of the old one. Every
year many first class schoolchildren learn the first letter of the
alphabet in this church after an oath at the tomb of St.
Mashtots.
Tsaghkadzor
Tsaghkadzor city ("Valley of flowers") is considered to be one
of the most popular winter resorts of Armenia. It is one of the
places of our mountainous country, where the beauty of the
nature appears with its whole variety. Tsaghkadzor is situated
in Kotayk region, 50 kilometers North from Yerevan, on the
eastern slope of Teghenis Mountain and is surrounded with
virginal woods and alpine meadows.
Kecharis
Kecharis monastery is in the north-western part of Tsakhkadzor. It was built in 11-13th centuries. The monastery consists
of four churches and a half-destroyed mausoleum of Grigorius
Pahlavuni, who financed building the monastery.
Lake Sevan
The fascination and the pearl of mountainous Armenia is
Sevan Lake, which is one of the world's greatest high altitude
fresh-water lakes. It is about 1900 m above sea level. The lake
is of volcanic origin and is surrounded with mountains of 3000
m and higer. The beautiful landscape and the crystal water
serve nice preconditions for excellent rest.The lake is also
famous for its peninsula and medieval church complex built in
874.
Sevanavank
A marvelous scene opens in the north-western part of Sevan
Lake, where the peninsula towers over the transparent surface
of the lake. Sevanavank monastery was built on the peninsula
in 874 by the order of king Ashot Bagratuni's daughter princess Mariam. The silhouette of the churches against the background of the turquoise lake and blue sky casts unexplainable
impression on the visitors.