ACT RESPONSIBLE, THINK SUSTAINABLE

Arrival at the Zvartnoc airport and transfer to the hotel

Breakfast. We will start the tour with the tour in the capital of Armenia: Yerevan. For ages this city has been known as a “pink city” because of the color of the stone it has been built with. So we will visit Republic square, Mashtoc Avenue, the House of Opera and Ballet after Aram Khachatryan, the park “Cascad”. Then we will visit the Manuscript Museum of Armenia, which is called Matenadaran; here all ancient Armenian Manuscripts are kept. Visit Terracota Ceramic Studio for master class of clay art and craft. You are welcome to paricipate and leave your own masterpeice. Visit local market of fruits and dry fruits and homemade sweets. Overnight in the hotel. (B)

Breakfast. Drive to Arshaluis Village in Armavir region. Here we will visit famous Sculptor and Painter Rouben Nalbandyan, whose works of art are participating in world exhibitions. Here we will also see his small school where many children are studying. We will see the small exhibition of paintings of children. We will have coffee break with homemade sweets treated by the hostess. We will start the excursion to centuries-old monuments Ejmiatsin and Zvartnots. These sites are listed on UNESCO World Heritage list. The Cathedral of Ejmiatsin, founded in 303, is the official residence of the Catholicos of Armenia. We’ll continue the trip to Zvartnots Temple, which was built on 7th century by Nerses Builder Catholicos. Drive to Parakar village and at a local house we will have lunch and will enjoy the cooking master class of Armenian desserts “gata” and “Sudzukh”. The show will by run by a famous Armenian TV star. The active participants will get gifts by the host and will be treated by homemade lyquior. Drive back to Yerevan. (B,L)

Breakfast. Take trip to Khor Virap Monastery (4-18th cc.). This monastery is very prominent because of its history; Gregory the Illuminator, who introduced Christianity to Armenia, has been imprisoned there about 13 years as at that time there was a prison in the place of the monastery. Here we can enjoy the spectacular view of the sacred Ararat Mountain – an immortal symbol of Armenia. On our way towards Noravank we will visit village Areni which is considered to be an important center of wine production industry. You are welcome to taste its excellent wine. We will continue our tour to Noravank – a monastery of XII century situated among amazing sheer rocks on the bench of a twisty gorge. This is the only monastery where we may find a unique sculpture of Father God. Drive to Yeghegnadzor. We will visit here a local house where we will take part in the master class of vodka preparation. We will see how is homemade vodka prepared. We will also participate in preparation of Armenian cake “Gata”, make it with our hands and bake and taste it. We will have lucnh here and we will taste the very special meal of the hostess, Dolma with Onion. Drive to Goris and overnight there. (B,L)

Breakfast. We will explore the ancient observatory of Karahunj quite similar to Stonehenge in England. The columns sit like soldiers on a hill. The 204 stones near Sisian have been ascribed with mystical, fertility and cosmic powers, but rarely have ancient monuments caused such a sensation in astronomical circles. Drive to Sisian. Visit a crafts centre of a straw maker, and will enjoy heartily communication and talk with him and we will try to make the easiest things with our hands. Coffee break with the master. Drive to Shinuhair village. Here we will visit “the Centre of Woman Recourses” which owns a small factory of wool. Visit and tour in the factory. Lunch in the centre prepared with by the member women. We will continue our trip visiting the monastic complex of Tatev. The complex was found within the ages of 9-13. Formerly it was a very famous educational center in Armenia and all famous contemporary scientists and philosophers were educated there. It used to accept students from abroad as well. Here we can use the world’s longest rope way, which has length of 5700 m. Drive back to Goris. Overnight there. (B,L).

Breakfast. Today we are going to pass the pathways that have been used by the travellers of Great Silk Road. We will drive through the Selim Caravanserai, which served as an important center of exchange, trade and for overnight during the times of Great Silk Road. Here we can see the immortal tracks of world history. Visit to Noraduz. After here we will drive to Lake Sevan which is one of the largest lakes in the world. It stands out with its sweet and astonishingly blue water. Here we can enjoy the breathtaking scenery of the beautiful lake. Then we will visit Sevanavank Monastery which is situated on Sevan Peninsula. There are 2 monasteries actually; one of them is destroyed but the other stands still. They have been built in the middle Ages, around 10th century. Lunch at a local restaurant.Then we will drive to Dilijan. Walking along the Sharambeyan Street, which is one of the oldest streets of the city, we may buy souvenirs and see the life of the small city. During the walk you will breathe the clean mountain air. Overnight in Dilijan. (B,L)

Breakfast. Small stroll in Dilijan, the small Switzerland of Armenia, surrounded by mountains covered by dense forests. This is the best place to be near nature. Walking along the Sharamberyan Street we will come across with many museums, souvenirs’ markets, small shops and so on. We will also observe two traditional houses built of wood, with tiled roofs and balconies with meticulously carved being typical examples of Dilijan. Today we will do a hiking tour which will start from Parz lake, which is very beautiful clear mountainous lake. This route is a part of Transcaucasian trail of hiking and trekking routes. Our paths pass through green forests and will take us to Goshavank monastery. Lunch at a local house in Dilijan with a family. Overnight in Yerevan. (B,L)

Breakfast. Take trip to Garni. This Pagan Temple was built in the 1st century AD. It is the only temple that has been preserves from the Pagan times in Armenia. It was devoted to the god Mihr, who was the god of cleanness. In 1679 it was destroyed by earthquake. In the 1975 the Temple was restored. Then we will continue our trip to Geghard Monastery. Its name came from the legendary lance that was used to pierce the body of Christ. It has been kept here for centuries. Though the exact foundation of the monastery is unknown, the present complex was built in the mid – 13th century. Afterwards we will a local house where you will have the chance to see and participate in the preparation of Armenian national bread: lavash. It is a very thin, usually sold in very large forms. It is usually cooked in a ground oven: “tonir”. In 2015 it has been inscribed in UNESCO intangible heritage list. Here we will enjoy the “Armenian fast food” with lavash and cheese. Lunch with the family in the garden. Get back to Yerevan and overnight at hotel. (B,L)

Breakfast. Transfer to the airport.