UNESCO WORLD HERITAGE TOUR

Arrival at the Zvartnoc International 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. Stop at a master who creates Kachkars (it has been included in the UNESCO intangible heritage list). Visit the museum of Sculptor Ervand Qochar (the first creator of the 3D statue). Here we can watch cartoon of the Armenian epic poem ” Sasna Tsrer ” which has been included in the UNESCO intangible heritage list. Dinner in the traditional restaurant. Overnight in the hotel. (B/D)

Breakfast. We will leave for Alaverdi region. On the way we will have a stop to visit the the Armenian Alphabet Park. Armenian Alphabet is included in the UNESCO intangible heritage list. Today we will visit two unique monuments of Armenian architecture of X-XIV centuries: the monasteries of Sanahin and Haghpat which are UNESCO World Heritage Sites. Literally the name ’’Sanahin’’ in Armenian means “this one is older than the other,” which probably means that this monastery is older of than Haghpat. These two monasteries are very close to each other and can be easily seen from one to the other. Both are located on an uneven plateau, separated by a deep crack formed by a small river that flows into the river Debed. Haghpat Monastery was one of the largest religious, cultural and educational centers of medieval Armenia. The monasteries of Sanahin and Hgahpat were included in UNESCO World Heritage list in 1996. Drive back to Dilijan. Dinner and overnight there. (B/D)

Breakfast. City tour in Dilijan. 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. 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. 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. We will do a jeep tour to Garni gorge with 4×4 cars to visit the natural Rock, known as “Symphony of Stones”, inscribed on the UNESCO World Heritage list. 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. Geghard Monastery and the Upper Azat Valley entered in the list of UNESCO 2000. 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 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 here. Get back to Yerevan. Overnight at 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. 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 in a local house. Here you can participate in the master class of famous Armenian Barbeque. On our way back we will visit a master of Duduk, National Armenian musical instrument. Duduk and its melody have been included in the UNESCO Intangible Heritage List. Return to Yerevan and overnight there. (B/L)

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. The Mother Cathedral and Churches of Ejmiatsin and The archeological Site of Zvartnoc have been inscribed in UNESCO World Heritage List in 2000. Get back to Yerevan. Overnight in Yerevan. Return to Yerevan. Visit ‘‘Ararat’’ Cognac factory. Dinner. Overnight at the hotel. (B/D)

Breakfast. Transfer to the airport.