Discovery of Armenia ( 8 days/7 nights)

Yervan – Goris – sanahin – Yerevan

 Day 1: Arrival to Yerevan
Arrival Yerevan at …. Transfer to hotel

Day 2: Yerevan
Tour to GARNI & GEGHARD (70km)
Garni Temple is the only currently standing pagan temple. This 2^nd century pre-Christian structure, with its classical Hellenic lines, is situated in a picturesque mountain locale offering a breathtaking panorama of the surrounding valley. The temple with its columns and forms was created to please the God of Sun – Miher and was the summer residence of the Armenian Royal Family. The Garni temple was destroyed by an earthquake in 1679 and rebuilt during the Soviet era. The ruins include a bathhouse with remnants of beautiful mosaic.
Proceed to Geghard Monastery (UNESCO World Heritage): The supremely beautiful Christian Monastery of Geghard is located nearby Garni temple and was carved out of solid rock between the 11^th and 13^th centuries. Geghard is the ancient monastery of the spear that was said to have wounded the chest of Christ on the cross. The latter destination is derived from the relics, which were conserved for many years in the monastery and are currently found in Etchmiadzine museum.Lunch in Garni. After lunch return Yerevan. Visit Parajanov Museum
Parajanov Museum is considered the best museum in Yerevan. It is small and idiosyncratic, and was the last home of famous   filmmaker Sergei Parajanov (1924-1990). He won international fame with “Shadows of Forgotten Ancestors” and “The Color of Pomegranates,” but his career was crippled by imprisonment and denial of resources. Parajanov’s visual imagination and subversive humor are represented in a series of compositions from broken glass and found objects. His figurines from prison-issue toilet brushes are proof that a totalitarian, materialist bureaucracy need not prevail.

 Day 3: Yerevan – Khor Virap – Noravank – Tatev (250km)
Drive to Vayots Dzor region. Along the way see the historic monastery Khor Virap is one of the most popular destinations in Armenia primarily because it is where St. Gregory the Illuminator was imprisoned for 13 years before curing King Tridat III of a disease. This caused the conversion of the king and Armenia into the first officially Christian nation in the world in the year 301. You can visit the underground chamber he was imprisoned, located in the nondescript St. Gevorg Chapel distinct from the main church. This monastery rests atop a little hill in an otherwise very flat Ararat Valley and has a beautiful view on the Biblical Mountain Ararat.
Proceed to Noravank Monastery Complex:  Noravank/preserved by UNESCO and included in the World Heritage List.
Noravank monastery is considered to be the pulpit of Syunik bishops. The main church of St. Karapet was built in 1227. The reliefs on the entrance tympanum and the windows on the western facade are very interesting from an architectural point of view. To the south of the complex one can see a two-storied sepulcher church built in 1339. This tomb monument can be traced to the 4th or 5th centuries. To the right of the entrance of the tympanum, one can find recently discovered stalactite caves. The monastery had been completely reconstructed and reopened in 1999. The magnificent landscape of mountains, surrounding the monastery, display a beautiful array of colors from the sun’s reflection.
Lunch en-rout.
Tour to Tatev Monastery Complex
Tatev monastery complex is located on a plateau surrounded by a precipice from three sides. Tatev monastery includes a number of structures. The main cathedral of St. Poghos and Petros (Paul and Peter) dates back to 885. The 8 meter high giant made of small stones topped by an airy cross rests on a hinge foundation. The cathedral is an example of 7th century monuments with free slanting pylons. To the south of the main cathedral, the church of St. Gregory (1295) is erected on the site of a former sanctuary from the 9th c. The periphery is surrounded by homes and other buildings. Among them are a vaulted fount and fortification walls dating back to the 17th century. In one of the precipices around the monastery, you will see the Vorotan river, one of the miracles of nature, which runs under the Devil’s Bridge. The walls of the canyon (where the river flows) are 250 to 300 meters high. A large number of stalactites hang from the bridge, and numerous springs flow from the walls.
Overnight & dinner in Goris.

Day 4: Goris – Selim Pass – Noradouz – Sevan – Dilijan (250km)
Check-out. Drive to Sevan Lake via Selim pass.
Selim (Sulema) pass and Caravanserai. From the days of Marco Polo and the Silk Road (from China to Europe) Medieval Armenia was a major thoroughfare for merchants, traders, and explorers alike. Weary travelers would look forward for a rest at one of many inns or caravansaries along the way. The Selim Caravanserai constructed in 1332 and situated in the Selim (Sulema) mountain pass on the border of Gegharkunik is one of the best preserved. The Caravanserai lies below the road just before the summit on the south side of Selim Pass (2410 m).
Noradouz ancient cemetery. Thousands of unique cross-stones:
Khatchkars or Cross Stones are the unique manifestation of Christian Armenian national art which in its Christian form and type has no other equivalent in the world. Khatchkars constitute an integral dimension of Armenian sculptural art; with their high artistic standards and strong national character, they also occupy their worthy position in the treasury of international art. Khatchkars are also an expression of the Christian faith and high esthetics taste of the Armenian nation, that was first to officially adopt the Christian faith in the year 301 AD. While spreading Christianity in Armenia, St. Gregory the Illuminator used to put wooden crosses in the places of pagan shrines as well as where Christian Churches were to be built. As the wooden crosses could be destroyed easily, the stone crosses replaced them later. Initially khatchkars were carved on vertical stone stabs. Later cross stones attained such perfection that they ceased to be mere religious symbols be coming unique pieces of art.
Sevan Lake – the pearl of Armenia:
Sevan, this wonder of nature, is 60 Km from Yerevan on a highway which cuts northward through mountains and rocks. Sevan is so austere and majestic that the gentle turquoise waters are astonishing. They fill the gigantic depression situated at the height of almost 2000 m above sea level. Sevan, with its pure air and sandy beaches, is a popular holiday resort. Sevan has always been famous for its fish “Ishkhan” which means “prince-fish” in Armenian. The fish has graced many Lords’ tables in old times. One of the most interesting sites in Sevan is the monastery on the rocky peninsula founded in 874 AD by King Ashot I and his daughter Mariam. Other monuments include Sevan Monastery (874) and Astvatsatsin Church. Lunch on the beach of lake.
Drive to Dilijan.
Overnight and dinner in Dilijan

Day 5: Dilijan   – Haghardzin – Haghpat – Sanahin : (135km)
Dilijan tour:
Dilijan is a famous spa rich in curative mineral springs, some of which are comparable to those at Vichy in France and Davos in Switzerland. The surrounding mountains are covered by forests and Alpine meadows. The climate is rather mild with cool summers and warm sunny winters. Armenians believe that if there are woods, mountains and mineral springs in paradise, then paradise has to look like Dilijan. Its picturesque locality, healthy climate, mineral springs and rich flora attract many tourists. The old district of Dilijan, now totally renovated, will give you a slight idea about life in this small town 100-150 years ago.
Visit Haghardzin (11^thc), the monastery complexes of the Dilijan district -one of the true masterpieces of Armenian medieval architecture.
Proceed to North Armenia – Lori region. Lunch en-route.
Visit Monastery Complex of Haghpat (UNESCO World Heritage).The construction of this monastery is associated to the glory of the Bagratouni Royal Family. The oldest structure of the monastery was built in 977-991 and was called the Holy Cross church. Holy water fills the small pool in the church. Believers say this water has curative qualities for people with poor health. Many cross-stones are built on the ground of the churches. A three-storied bell tower built in 1245 is part of the complex.
Visit Monastery Complex of Sanahin (UNESCO World Heritage).
Sanahin is a monastery complex the most prominent structure of which is the Savor’s Church (956-967), built by architect Tridat for princes Gourgen and Smbat from the Kyurikian Kingdom. The eastern part of the church holds a bas-relief depicting the two princes holding the miniature copy of the actual church. The former village of Sanahin is located on the right side of the gorge. It has become a part of the town of Alaverdi. An interesting point is the Academy dating back to 1063, where famous scientist, philosopher and writer Grigor Magistros-Savor lectured. The Sanahin Monastery had many feudal properties, a great number of estates, lands, vineyards, oil-mills and factories.
Overnight and dinning in Lori.

Day 6: Lori – Amberd – Yerevan (250 km)
Drive north to Aragats Mountain:
Aragats Mountain is shaped like an oval shield. A circle of four peaks rises in the middle of the shield. The highest of them has an elevation of 4090 meters. The others are only a few meters lower. This circle of mountains is the remains of a crater from a big volcano. The average temperature is minus 12 degrees C in winter but sometimes the absolute temperature reaches minus 40 degrees C. The snow disappears from the slopes in June. The Stone Lake with the Cosmic Rays’ Scientific Research Centre is situated on the mountain of Aragats.
Amberd Fortress and Church of Pahlavouni Princes:
Amberd fortress stands at an elevation of 2300 meters above sea level on the high cape, in the canyon of two rivers high upon the southern slope of Mount Aragats. It is considered to be the only preserved monument of secular type on the territory of Armenia. The fortress, founded in the 7th century by Pahlavouni princes, had its own water-supply pipe which channels springs from the Aragats Mountain. The church inside the fortress was built in 1026 as shown by the date inscribed on the door. The church itself, the palace bathhouse with two domes, a floor heating system and a secret passage to the gorge are considered to be the most well-preserved monuments of Amberd. In the 13th century fortress was destroyed and set on fire by Mongolian invaders.
Lunch en-route.
Overnight & dinner in Yerevan.

Day 7: Yerevan – Etchmiadzine – Zvartnots ( 60km)
Trip to Etchmiadzine Cathedral, the first official Christian church in the world and the Holy See of the Armenian Apostolic Church. According to tradition, St. Gregory the Illuminator had a vision of the “Only Begotten Son” descend from heaven and indicate the spot where a church should be erected. In 303 AD, two years after Christianity was declared as the State Religion, construction of the Mother Church of the Holy See was completed. Visits to the underground site of the pagan temple upon which the present cathedral stands is available, as well as, the Museum Gandzaran that houses exquisite church attire embroidered in gold and pearls, crosses and all kinds of vessels of
silver, gold, ivory, adorned with filigree work and jewels dating back to the 17^th through 19^th centuries.  Ancient Churches of St.Virgins: St.Gayane and St.Hripsime built in 630 (according to a chronicle) are in the city of Etchmiadzine. St.Hripsime is a beautiful relic of Armenian architecture of the classical period.
Visit the magnificent ruins of the Cathedral of Zvartnots, which was built in the 7th century. Here a mighty three-tiered circular structure once stood, with a glorious central dome. The Cathedral was magnificently decorated with sculptured floral and geometric patterns and decorative pillars and arches, the ruins and remnants of which you can see on the grounds. Zvartnots is considered the masterpiece of Armenian Church architecture. Back to Yerevan.  Lunch
Major museums in Yerevan

• The Tsitsernakaberd Genocide Memorial is a solemn tribute to the 1.5 million victims of the Armenian Genocide committed by the Turks in 1915.  It is located in a large park on a hill, across the Hrazdan River from downtown Yerevan, and is visible from many points in the city.  The adjacent Genocide Museum is an important destination for visitors to understand the Armenian people and their story better.
• The Matenadaran is the Mesrob Mashtots Research Institute of Ancient Manuscripts. The contents of the Museum and Library are what many consider to be the richest legacy of the Armenian people. Ancient manuscripts dating back to the 5th and 6th centuries, medieval manuscripts, copies of the Bible, historical works, theological and philosophical works, and discourses on natural sciences are on display, and allow visitors the opportunity to consider the mastery of Armenian miniature artists.
• Visit Flea market Vernissage – the great weekend tourist bazaar.
  Farewell dinner

 Day 8: Yerevan departure…
Dearly morning transfer to airport for return flight …. End of our services.