Sunny weekend in Armenia

4 days/3 nights

Day 1

Arrival at the international airport of Zvartnots.

Meeting at the airport with a sign Happy Happy and transfer to the hotel.

Excursion: Etchmiadzin city - Zvartnots temple - Yerevan city

A trip to the center of Christianity of Armenia, to the city of Etchmiadzin. During the tour we will get acquainted with the history of adoption of Christianity and visit the majestic church of St. Hripsime (VII century AD).

Etchmiatzin Cathedral is the mother church of the Armenian Apostolic Church located in the city of Vagharshapat (Etchmiatsin). This cathedral was built in ancient Armenian and is considered the oldest cathedral in the world. The original church was built in the early fourth century between 301 and 303 according to tradition by Armenian’s patron saint Gregory the Illuminator, following the adoption of Christianity as a state religion by King Tiridates III. It replaced a preexisting temple, symbolizing the conversion from paganism to Christianity.

The Treasury-Museum, complete with its majestic staircases made of marble imported from Italy and massive exhibition halls, houses more than 3,000 religious artifacts that trace the history of Armenian Christendom through the ages in Armenia and around the world.

On the way back we will visit the Temple of Bending Forces or Celestial Angels Zvartnots – the brightest monument of the Armenian architecture of the Middle Ages. In previous centuries, the temple was a 3-storey building made of volcanic tufa silver and black in color about 49 m high and round base. The ruins of Zvartnots, the Cathedral and the churches of Echmiadzin are included in the list of World Heritage.

Arrival in Yerevan. Hotel accommodation.

Day 2

Breakfast in the hotel.

Yerevan city - Khor Virap Monastery - city tour in Yerevan - Ararat Brandy Factory - Yerevan city

Khor Virap is an ancient monastery with a rich history, from which a beautiful view of Mount Ararat opens. Instead of the present fortress-monastery, there was a royal prison here. "Virap" in Armenian is a pit. It is filled with poisonous snakes and insects deep pit, where convicted prisoners were thrown. According to the annals of the famous Armenian historian Agatangeghos, Grigory the Illuminator was here, the founder of the adoption of Christianity in Armenia.

City tour around Yerevan: Davit Sassountsi monument (Railway Station Square), Tsitsernakaberd memorial complex, Genocide Museum, Yerevan Brandy Factory, Victory Park and Mother Armenia monument, Bagramyan Avenue, Cascade, Opera House, Swan Lake, Northern Avenue, Republic Square, street Abovyan.

Sassountsi David is one of the masterpieces of the sculptor Kochar, built in the center of the station square in honor of the hero of the Armenian folk epic David Sasuntsi, who throughout many centuries embodied the freedom-loving aspirations of the Armenian people.

The ARARAT cognacs of the Yerevan Brandy Factory are the legend itself, which embodies the spirit of Armenia. During the tour it will be possible to get acquainted with the conditions of cognac storage, find out which celebrity has its own barrel and during the tasting enjoy the delicate taste and rich aroma of two types of Armenian cognac: "Three Stars" and "Akhtamar".

Armenian Genocide memorial complex is Armenian’s official memorial dedicated to the victims of the Armenian Genocide, built in 1967 on the hill of Tsiternakaberd in Yerevan. Over the years a wide range of politicians, artists, musician, athletes and religious figures have visited the memorial.

Victory Park, or, as it is also called Monument by Armenians is one of the most important places of rest among the citizens, from where a magnificent view of the whole city opens.

Cascade is a giant stairway in Yerevan, Armenia. It links the downtown of Yerevan with the Monument neighborhood. The construction of the cascade designed by architects Jim Torosyan, Aslan Mkhitaryan and Sargis Gurzadyan. At the top of the Cascade is the residence of Charles Aznavour, in which he stops during his visits to his homeland. At the foot of the cascade you will discover the sculptures of contemporary artists, Botero, Brechtova etc.

On the way to the Opera House we will admire Jule Bastien's statue, a sculpture by famous French artist Francois Rodin, unveiled on Yerevan's France Square.

Armenian National Academic Theatre of Opera and Ballet named after Alexander Spendiaryan in Yerevan was designed by the Armenian architect Alexader Tamanyan. On the east side of the theater the tourists can see Swan Lake.

North Avenue is a pedestrian avenue in Yerevan. It is located in the central district. Located in downtown Yerevan, the avenue is mainly home to luxurious residential buildings, high-end branded shops, commercial offices, coffee shops, hotels, restaurants and nightclubs.

The Republic Square - central square in Yerevan. It is famous for its monumental architecture in national style. In the evening the tourists can enjoy “the dancing fountains”.

We will pass along one of the oldest streets of Yerevan along Abovyan Street, partially preserved the look of the old city.

Day 3

Breakfast in the hotel.

Yerevan city – Arch of Charents - Garni temple – Geghard monastery complex – Lake Sevan - Yerevan city

At one of the passes right by the road there is the Arch of Charents (architect R. Israelian, 1957), from which opens a breathtaking view of the Ararat valley with Ararat (aka Masis) soaring on the horizon. The arc of the Arch of Charents bears the following words: "Pass the whole world with its mountains white, to the beauty of Masis equals none!"

The Temple of Garni. It is the best-known structure and symbol of pre-Christian Armenia. It is the only standing Greco-Roman colonnaded building in Armenia.neopaganism. Near the temple there are ruins of an ancient fortress, royal chambers and also baths built in the 3rd century AD. From here you can see a picturesque view of the Azat River and Garni Gorge.

The monastery complex Geghard or Gegardavank is a two-story temple carved in stone and the adjoining church. The name commonly used for the monastery today, Geghard, or more fully Geghardavank , meaning "the Monastery of the Spear", originates from the spear which had wounded Jesus at the Crucifixion, allegedly brought to Armenia by Apostle Jude, called here Thaddeus, and stored amongst many other relics. Now it is displayed in the Echmiadzin treasury.Now it is displayed in the Echmiadzin treasury. Gueghard is listed as a UNESCO World Heritage Site.

Right at the entrance, local grandmothers sell sweets from dried apricots and a local gata.

Sevan is the second largest fresh mountain lake in the world. The lake as if merges with the sky, as it is located in a mountain bowl at a height of almost two kilometers above sea level. According to legend, the pure water of this lake in ancient times could drink only the gods and stars. Today, Sevan and its environs are a well-known landmark of Armenia, which is worth seeing to all the admirers of the Caucasus and its beauties.

Inspection of the 9th century monastery of Sevanavank.

Day 4

Breakfast in the hotel.

Transfer to the airport.

The price includes:

• Transfer from the airport to the hotel and back.
• Accommodation in the hotel in Yerevan of the selected category
• Breakfasts in hotels  
• Moving on comfortable transport with a given driver throughout the tour
• Professional tour guide services throughout the tour
• Excursions specified in the program
• Entrance tickets to historical and cultural attraction
• Tasting at the Ararat factory

The price does not include:

• Flight
• Lunch and dinner
• Medical insurance

*** The company reserves the right to change the sequence of the program without changing the volume of services provided.