Easter in Armenia 2025

Arrival at Zvartnots International airport and transfer to the hotel.

The denomination of Holy Thursday in almost all Christian denominations indicates the Thursday preceding Easter Sunday.

Breakfast
Breakfast at the hotel.

Yerevan City Tour
We will start the tour with the capital of Armenia: Yerevan. For ages, this city has been known as the “pink city” because of the color of the stone it has been built with. We will visit Republic Square, Mashtots Avenue, the House of Opera and Ballet named after Aram Khachatryan, and the Cascade.

Matenadaran Museum
Next, we will visit the Manuscript Museum of Armenia, known as Matenadaran, where all ancient Armenian and world manuscripts are preserved.

Saint Anne Church
We will visit Saint Anne Church in Yerevan, an Armenian Apostolic Church inaugurated in 2015 in the central district, next to the 13th-century Katoghike Church.

Foot Washing and Lights Out Ceremony
In the Armenian Apostolic Church, we will witness the impressive foot washing ceremony, where clergy wash the feet of men or young boys as an expression of Christian humility. In the evening, we will also attend the “extinction of the lights” ceremony.

Cascade
The Cascade is both an architectural feat and a cultural hub in Yerevan. It consists of a series of massive, white steps ascending up a hillside, offering panoramic views of the city and Mount Ararat. Originally conceived as a monumental architectural project, the Cascade was only partially completed. It is adorned with various statues and modern art installations, creating a unique blend of classical and contemporary aesthetics. At the top, there is a garden and an outdoor museum, serving as a space for cultural events and exhibitions. The Cascade has become a popular gathering place for locals and tourists alike, hosting art displays, concerts, and social activities.

Dinner
Dinner at the local restaurant.

Overnight in Yerevan

Good Friday
Good Friday is the Friday before Easter in the Christian calendar. On this day, Christians commemorate the passion and crucifixion of Jesus Christ. This anniversary is observed with special practices and rites by the faithful of many Christian denominations.

Breakfast
Breakfast at the hotel.

Haghartsin Monastery
We will visit the Haghartsin Monastery, a 12th-century monastery located near the town of Dilijan in the Tavush Province of Armenia. The church is topped by a conical dome on an octagonal drum. Towards the end of the 12th century, a small blue basalt church and a portico were added to the complex. In 1244, a small church dedicated to Saint Stephanos was also built, which is a miniature replica of the main church of Saint Gregory.

Dilijan
Then we will drive to Dilijan. Walking along Sharambeyan Street, one of the oldest streets of the city, we can buy souvenirs and experience the life of this small town. During the walk, you will breathe the clean mountain air.

Lunch and Easter Egg Dyeing
At a local house, we will meet Amalya Hakhverdyan, who has founded and developed her own small business in Dilijan. We will participate in a cooking master class where we will dye Easter eggs. Dyeing Easter eggs is a popular tradition in many cultures and can be a fun and creative activity, producing beautiful and colorful decorations for the Easter holiday.

Sevan
We will drive to Lake Sevan, one of the largest lakes in the world, known for its sweet and astonishingly blue water. Here, we can enjoy the breathtaking scenery of the lake. We will also visit Sevanavank Monastery, situated on the Sevan Peninsula. The monastery complex, built around the 10th century, includes one monastery that has been preserved while another has been destroyed.

Return to Yerevan
Return to Yerevan.

Overnight in Yerevan
Overnight at the hotel.

Holy Saturday
Holy Saturday is the liturgical day in which the Christian worship celebrates the Lord Jesus Christ in the mystery of his descent into Hell. On Holy Saturday, Armenian churches fill with faithful for Vespers and participation in the annual Vigil. During the vigil, fire is blessed and the Paschal candle, symbolizing the light of Christ, is lit. The Paschal vigil lasts throughout the night. Fire, as a fundamental symbol in Christian liturgy, is the supreme expression of the triumph of light over darkness, warmth over cold, and life over death.

Breakfast
Breakfast at the hotel.

Khor Virap
Take a trip to Khor Virap Monastery (4th-18th centuries). This monastery is very prominent because of its history; Gregory the Illuminator, who introduced Christianity to Armenia, was imprisoned here for about 13 years when there was a prison on the site. Here, we can enjoy the spectacular view of the sacred Ararat Mountain—an immortal symbol of Armenia.

Noravank
We will continue our tour to Noravank, a monastery from the 12th century situated among amazing sheer rocks on the edge of a twisting gorge. This is the only monastery where we may find a unique sculpture of Father God.

Areni
On our way back, we will visit Areni Village, which is considered an important center of the wine production industry. You are welcome to taste local wines.

Areni Cave
Continue the tour to Areni Cave. The cave consists of three rooms, most of which are not yet explored. During studies of the cave, metal knives, fruit seeds, grain residues, rope, pottery, clothing, grapes, and dried plums dating back to 4200-3500 BC were found. The oldest leather shoe in the world (more than 5500 years old) was discovered here. The cellar found is considered to be the oldest in the world, dating back over 6000 years.

Momik Winery
Visit Momik Winery. “We are dedicated to providing our guests with unique wine and dine sets that we hope you will enjoy with your family and friends very soon! Our pairings feature fresh local foods paired with our delicious wines. You’ll also tour our family vineyard.”

Lunch: Traditional Armenian Easter meal

Return to Yerevan

The Zoravor Astvatsatsin Church
In the 9th to 10th centuries, a chapel was built in this area over the relics of the Apostle Ananias, which was then a pilgrimage site. People came from various places hoping for the miraculous relics of the saint to have healing powers. The church has been renovated several times.

Overnight in Yerevan
Overnight at the hotel.

Resurrection Sunday
Easter is the main celebration of Christianity. It recalls the resurrection of Jesus, which took place on the third day after his death on the cross, as stated in the Gospels.

Breakfast
Breakfast at the hotel.

Ejmiatsin
This morning you will be transferred to Etchmiadzin (also called Ejmiatsin), the spiritual heart of the Armenian Apostolic Church, located in the Ararat Valley. In 301 Armenia was the first country in the world to adopt Christianity as its state religion, following the conversion of King Tiridates by St. Gregory the Illuminator. In 303 the first church was built on the site of Etchmiadzin. Visit Etchmiadzin’s main cathedral as well as other beautiful and very early churches such as St. Hripsime and St. Gayane.

Lunch
Lunch at the local house, where with the owner of the house, you can prepare another typical cake for the Easter table, “Gata.”

Zvartnots Cathedral
Upon our return to Yerevan, we will visit the ruins of Zvartnots Cathedral, which was built between 643-652 but destroyed in the 10th century. The ruins of the cathedral were discovered in the early 20th century during excavations, and part of it has been restored. Zvartnots had an exceptional construction for the tradition of Armenian religious architecture.

Return to Yerevan

Vernissage
Visit Vernissage; a vibrant open-air market and cultural phenomenon located in the heart of Yerevan, the capital of Armenia. Vernissage gathers local artists, craftsmen, and vendors who display and sell a diverse array of handmade crafts, traditional Armenian art, souvenirs, jewelry, carpets, ceramics, and other unique items.

Overnight in Yerevan

Breakfast
Breakfast at the hotel.

Garni Temple
Take a 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 dedicated to the god Mihr, the god of cleanliness. In 1679, it was destroyed by an earthquake. In 1975, the Temple was restored.

Geghard Monastery
Then we will continue our trip to Geghard Monastery. Its name comes 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.

Lunch at the House of Abelyan
Lunch at a local house, where we will have the opportunity to observe and participate in the making of the Armenian national bread, “lavash,” and Jengyalov hats. Typically baked in an underground oven called “tonir,” lavash was included in UNESCO’s Intangible Cultural Heritage list in 2015.

Return to Yerevan

Overnight in Yerevan

Breakfast
Breakfast at the hotel.

Transfer to the Airport
Say goodbye to Armenia!

Departure from Zvartnots International Airport