Ancient traditions of hospitality    

8 days/ 7 nights

Day 1

Arrival at Zvartnots International airport.

Welcome and transfer to the hotel.

Free time in the evening for tourists.

Day 2

Breakfast at the hotel.

City tour in Yerevan – Garni –Geghard – Yerevan

David of Sassoun monument, Tsitsernakaberd memorial complex, Genocide museum, Victory Park and Mother Armenia monument, Cascade, France square, Opera theatre, Swan Lake, Northern Avanue, Republic Square, Abovyan street.

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

Tsitsernakaberd - Memorial complex, built in memory of the victims of the 1915 genocide. Eternal fire burns inside the monument, its flame is accompanied by the sounds of mourning melodies. Visit to the Armenian Genocide Museum, where documents and photographs are stored revealing the history of the preparation and implementation of the Armenian Genocide by the ruling circles of Turkey. There are premises for the library on the ground floor, document storage, conference hall, working rooms, as the museum is also a scientific center for studying the history of the Armenian Genocide.

Not far from the museum is an alley, where foreign statesmen plant trees in memory of the genocide victims.

Victory Park – also known among the natives as “Monument” is one of the most important places for rest among the citizens, from where a magnificent view of the whole city opens.  

Cascade - a pompous staircase, beautifully connecting the city center lying in the lowland and a residential area located in the mountains. From the platforms of Cascade an unforgettable panoramic view of the city opens. At each level there are a lot of halls, with a certain theme.

On the way to the Opera House we will pass through the France square, where the sculpture Jules Basten Lepage works of the great sculptor Auguste Rodin is installed. This sculpture was dedicated to Armenians from France.

Opera and ballet theatre is one of the main attractions in the city. In the southern part of the building the square of liberty is located, as one of the most beautiful squares in Yerevan. Near the square there are many open air cafes. Next to the opera theatre Swan Lake is situated which is formed n the shape of Lake Sevan.

Northern Avenue – a cozy alley connecting the Opera House with the Republic Square.

Republic Square – the central square of Yerevan. The square is famous for its monumental architecture in a deeply national style. In the evenings on the square you can see the laser show of beautiful "Singing Fountains".

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

Garni – Geghard – It is a two-story temple carved in stone and the adjoining church. The monastery was founded in the IV century on the site of a sacred spring, originating in the cave. Geghard received its name from the spear, which was pierced the body of Jesus Christ, Gegardavank is a UNESCO World Heritage Site and is one of the most visited places in Armenia.

Return to Yerevan.

Day 3

Yerevan – Gyumri – Vardzia - Akhaltsikhe

City tour in Gyumri

Ensemble of the central square, Mother Armenia, Black Fortress, Central Park, Russian chapel.

Shirak Marz is located in the north-west of Armenia at an altitude of 1800-2200 m and borders with Georgia and Turkey.

Gyumri is the second largest city in Armenia and the cultural capital of Armenia, the center of poetry and music. The Russian military base is located here. In 1988, near the city there was a strong earthquake that destroyed half of the city. The consequences of the earthquake have not been eliminated so far. It has become one of the most visited places in the city.

Freedom Square - is the heart of the city and the entrance of the old historic city. The square is surrounded by ancient temples - Yot Verk (Seven Wounds) and Surb Amenaprkich (Saint Savior).

Mother Armenia - is the most beautiful monument from which the Black Fortress is clearly visible.

The Black Fortress - (Sev Ghul - Black Clock) is one of the architectural reminders of the Russo-Turkish War. Considering the threat of war with Turkey, the Russian authorities began paying special attention to strengthening Alexandropol (now Gyumri) and built this fortress, which was used as a military prison.

From the top of the hill offers an excellent view of the city.

Central Park - a cozy park, in which the spirit of the 50s has been preserved. In the park you will find a viewing platform with a colonnade, telephone booths of the Soviet model and even a fountain with an authentic sculpture of a girl with a paddle.

Then we will visit the Russian chapel, which was built in 1879-80. and served in Alexandropol as a funerary chapel: here they did the burial service of Russian soldiers who died during the numerous assaults of the Turkish fortress Kars. The local called it Plplan (Brilliant), since the dome reflects sunlight glare.

The rest of our excursion we will continue in Georgia

Cave complex Vardzia in Georgia.

The Castle of Roses, a cave monastery - this is the name of one of the oldest men's monasteries of Georgia, whose age has already of 9 centuries. A complex carved in the rocks, originally planned as a fortress tower to protect against Iranian raids, has become a well-fortified monastery, playing an important role in the political, cultural, educational and spiritual life of the country. Until now, the frescoes of the 12th century are kept in the monastery, among which there are images of Tsar George III and Queen Tamara.

Overnight in Akhaltsikhe.       

Day 4

Breakfast in the hotel.

Akhaltsikhe - Borjomi - Gori - Tbilisi

The fortress Rabat is located on the western outskirts and is visible from virtually anywhere in the city. Built in the XIII century, this military building has seen a lot in its time. The fortress was repeatedly destroyed, often under siege, and eventually absorbed the traces of various cultures and religions. In 2012, there was a large-scale reconstruction, after which the fortress of Rabat in Akhaltsikhe appeared as a city in the city. At the same time, it has become not only a historical monument, but also a real cultural center of the city. Within the fortress walls there is a church, a mosque, a synagogue, a small park, a historical museum, various shops, a hotel and even a registry office.

Borjomi is the home of the favorite mineral water of Soviet leaders. For experienced ecotourists, it is not only a Soviet health resort, but also a place with unique natural conditions, thanks to which it can be safely asserted that, without Borjomi water, the city of Borjomi would then become the favorite resort of many. It is a picturesque region, located in a ravine surrounded by massifs of majestic Caucasian mountains covered with broad-leaved and coniferous forests, whose height sometimes reaches 3 thousand meters above sea level.

The city of Gori is a large city with a population of approximately 50,000 people, the administrative center of the Shida-Kartli region and the Gori district. It is located mainly on the northern side of the Kura, when the Great Liakhvi River flows into it. Gori is the heart of eastern Georgia, both in archaeological epochs and in the Middle Ages. The city is known for the Gorisziche fortress, the Gorijvari temple. In the vicinity the famous Uplistsikhe town and the less famous temple of Athenian Zion are situated.

Arrival to Tbilisi.

 

Day 5

Breakfast in the hotel.

City tour in Tbilisi - Mtskheta - Jvari

 

Tbilisi is the capital of Georgia. The city was founded in the 5th century and is located on the banks of the Kura River, at the intersection of the main trade routes between Europe and Asia. Previously, Tbilisi was called Tiflis, and the current name was created thanks to hot sulfur springs: "tbili" means "warm" in Georgian.

Today the image of the city harmoniously combines antiquity and modern features: next to the temples of the VI-VII centuries. modern high-rise buildings have been constructed, wide streets, parks, gardens, squares have appeared, majestic bridges spread through the fast and full-flowing Kura river.

We will begin our excursion from Freedom Square (central square of Tbilisi). We will pass through the quarters of the Georgian medieval nobility, the Anchiskhati basilica (VI century). We will pass the right part of the Old Town, from where, a huge rock massif, steep and precipitously falling to the river Kura, is clearly visible. It is effectively crowned by Metekhi Cathedral, built in the second half of the 13th century.

We will rise to the Narikala fortress on the cable car. There are amazing views from the fortress wall. A wonderful place for memorable photos. After that we will visit the sulfur baths in the amazing place Abanotubani.

The ancient capital of Georgia Mtskheta is a holy place for every Georgian. In this place there is a huge number of cult places, for which the ancient city is called "Second Jerusalem".

The monastery temple of Jvari, immortalized in literature by Mikhail Lermontov (the poem "Mtsyri"), is the oldest cult monument built at the dawn of Georgian Christianity in the 6th century (585-604). Its name Jvari (in translation from Georgian "cross") the temple was not accidental. This states the ancient tradition that it was in this place that Nino of Cappadocia placed the Holy Cross, which marked the adoption of Christianity in Georgia.

Overnight in Tbilisi.

 

Day 6

Tbilisi - Haghpat - Dilijan - Sevan

Breakfast in the hotel.

Arrival to Armenia.

Medieval monastic complex Akhpat was built during the X-XIII centuries. The monastery of Haghpat was the largest scientific center with a rich collection of manuscripts. There were rooms for the census of manuscripts of the library, refectory and universities. The monastery is under the protection of UNESCO and is included in the List of World Heritage Monuments.

Dilijan is an old and beautiful city, where there is everything a tourist needs for happiness: picturesque streets, beautiful nature around with mountains, forests and lakes and historical sights that you can admire. The city itself has the status of a national park. And in its vicinity there are amazing medieval monasteries. The monastery complex of Haghartsin (XI-XIII centuries) is the pearl of the entire region, one of the most mysterious places in Armenia, drowning in the greenery of mountain forests.

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. 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.

Overnight in Sevan.

 

День 7

Sevan-Tsakhkadzor-Yerevan

Breakfast in the hotel.

Free time. Rest at Lake Sevan

Tsaghkadzor - is a cozy resort mountain-skiing town with a population of 1,700 people. In Armenian, it means "the gorge of flowers". Here, tourists can take the cable car at will.

 

Arrival to Yerevan.

Day 8

Breakfast in a hotel.

Transfer to the airport.

 

Included in cost:

• Comfortable transfer from the airport to the hotel and back
• 3 overnights in hotel in Yerevan
• 2 overnights in hotel in Tbilisi
•  1 overnight in a hotel in Akhaltsikhe
•  1  overnight at hotel in Sevan
•  Hotel Breakfasts
•  Traveling on comfortable transport with a given driver throughout the tour
• Professional tour guide services throughout the tour
•  Excursions indicated in the program
• Entrance tickets to historical and cultural attractions

 

The price does not include:

• Flight
• Lunches and dinners
• Medical insurance

 

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