What do Аrmenian petroglyphs tell us?

Arrival at the Zvartnoc airport and transfer to the hotel.

Breakfast. Take trip to Garni. This Pagan Temple was built in the 1st century AD. It is the only temple that has been preserved 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 have a lunch at the 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”. Get back to Yerevan, visit to History Museum and museum and memorial of Armenian Genocide. Dinner at the traditional Armenian restaurant. Overnight in Yerevan. (B/L/D)

Breakfast. Drive to Sevan Lake 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. Visit Noraduz Kachkars cemetery and Hayrivank Monastery. Then we will drive to Sev Sar Mountain (about 2500m above the sea level) to see Petroglyphs of this region. Picnic lunch. Afterwards we will continue our trip to Yeghegnadzor. On the route visit 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. Dinner at the local house. Overnight in Yeghegnadzor. (B/L/D)

Breakfast. Today we will see Petroglyphs of Murad Mountain which dates back to Bronze era. Lunch at the local restaurant. Visit 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. Then 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. Dinner and overnight at the hotel of Goris. (B/L/D)

Visit the cave village of Khndzoresk. Picnic lunch. After here drive to Ukhtasar Mountain known for its ancient rock carvings. At an elevation of 3300 meters above sea level, Ukhtasar (which means Pilgrimage mount) is still considered a sacred place by local residents. There used to be a volcano here. Travelers will see a glacial lake, turquoise circular pools, lush meadows, and boulder streams characteristic of the geological formations of this area. However, the highlight of this excursion is the petroglyphs and pictograms dating back to the 5th – 2nd millennia BC. Dinner and overnight in Goris. (B/L/D)

Breakfast. We will start our trip visiting the monastic complex of Tatev. The complex was founded 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. After this we will continue our tour to Armenian Wine Village Areni. This village is very famous with its red wine. Visit the wine factory of the village where we will have wine degustation. We will drive to village Chiva, which is typical Armenian village with old traditions and lifestyle. At a local house we will have lunch “Barbeque party”. You will taste a very famous Armenian National meal made by your own hands. 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. Dinner at the restaurant with folk music. Overnight in Yerevan. (B/L/D)

Breakfast. We will start 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. Then we should visit ‘‘Ararat’’ brandy factory. Lunch at the local restaurant. Excursion to centuries-old monuments Ejmiatsin and Zvartnots. These sites are listed on UNESCO World Heritage list. Zvartnots Temple was built in 7th century by Nerses Builder Catholicos. Our next step is the spiritual center of Armenia: Ejmiatsin. The Cathedral of Ejmiatsin, founded in 303, is the official residence of the Catholicos of Armenia. Dinner at the traditional restaurant. Overnight in Yerevan. (B/L/D)