New Year in Armenia

Breakfast. 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. Lunch at a local restaurant where you will have the chance to participate in the preparation of Armenian traditional pastry “gata”. Return Yerevan. Overnight at the hotel in Yerevan.(B/L/-)

Breakfast. Take trip to Garni. This Pagan Temple 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. Get back to Yerevan. Overnight in the hotel. (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. 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. On our way back 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. Lunch at a local house in Areni
Return Yerevan. Overnight inYerevan. (B/L/-)

Breakfast. Take trip to the resort city of Tsaghkadzor, a famous center of alpine skiing. Tsaghkadzor is located on the eastern side of Teghenis Mountains, at an altitude of 1840 meters above sea level. Tsaghkadzor ski resort is only ten meters below the highest of the four famous Courcheve ski resorts, and only 60 km or 40 minutes drive from the capital of Armenia – Yerevan. Tsaghkadzor boasts spectacular ski slopes, beautiful hotels and delicious restaurants. And certainly Tsaghkadzor is a paradise for skiers, who come here specifically for test drives, descending from the magnificent slopes of the mountain.
The uniqueness of this ski resort is that it is located at an altitude of 2000 meters above sea level. The average temperature in spring and autumn is +18 ° C in winter -6 ° C, the average annual rainfall is 600-700 mm, the number of sunny days more than 300. The lowest temperature recorded in winter is minus 33 ° C. The number of sunny days per year – 260-270. The skating season runs from mid-December to early April. The snow cover reaches 1.4 meters. Lunch in a local restaurant. Rest and ski trip. Visit to Lake Sevan. Return to Yerevan. Overnight in Yerevan. (B/L/-)

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. Then we should visit History museum and Genocide Memorial known as Tsitsernakaberd. Farewell dinner at a traditional Armenian restaurant. Overnight in Yerevan. (B/-/D)

Breakfast and transfer to the airport.