Enchanting Armenia Adventure

Breakfast in the hotel. This trip takes you to churches, that are listed among the UNESCO World Cultural Heritage Sites. The first stops are the churches of St. Hripsime and St. Gayane, that are two of three churches in Echmiadzin, dedicated to the Christian women-martyrs who escaped from Rome with their abbess Gayane. Next up is Echmiadzin Mother Cathedral, the main cathedral of the Armenian Apostolic Church and the very first Christian cathedral in the World. Currently Mother Cathedral is under reconstruction and, unfortunately, you can see it only from the outside. The center of Armenian Apostolic church – St. Echmiadzin is located 20 km far from Yerevan. The Cathedral of Echmiadzin was founded at the beginning of the fourth century and is one of the oldest churches in the world. According to the legend, the church was built in the place where apparition of Jesus Christ was seen to Gregory The Illuminator in the dream. The interior of the church is covered with frescoes, created by Hovnatanyan family. The residence of the Catholicos and the Theological Academy are situated near the Cathedral. Starting from the end of 2018 year till the present day reconstruction works are being carried out, thus the visit of Mother Cathedral currently is foreseen only from outside. The site is included in UNESCO World Cultural Heritage List. This marvelous temple is a result of skillfulness and brave creativity of Armenian architects of the 7th century. Having been built on several columns, it was able to survive only till the 10th century. When in the beginning of the 20th century this site was being excavated, many specialists could hardly accept its reconstruction model, designed by famous Armenian architect Toros Toramanyan, as it was difficult to believe, that such a huge and complicated construction could have been built those days, and amazingly at that time one of the bas-relieves of St. Chapelle church in Paris came to prove Toramanyan’s version; the bas-relief depicts Zvartnots temple with Noah's Ark and it looks like the model, represented by the architect. The site is included in UNESCO Cultural World Heritage List.

Breakfast in the hotel. One of the most unusual places in Armenia, the village of Garni that bears the same name as the ancient pagan temple, is situated on 37 km from the center of Yerevan. Before the adoption of Christianity, the architecture in Armenia was interrelated with the Hellenistic style. This is evidenced by Garni, executed in this elegant manner with a characteristic colonnade on all sides and located on the top of a hill divided from the mountain range by a deep gorge. The temple was restored in 1976 and welcomes a multitude of tourists daily to this day. Since 2011, it has been awarded the UNESCO heritage award. The picturesque mountains, steep gorge and endless echo to be heard again and again, fascinate and ask to return. Once approaching Geghard, the tops of the crosses and the church itself will not be the first thing to notice, as that place will belong to music. The musicians are right the ascent to the church, always playing, welcoming guests with joy and loud national music. The air is filled with the aroma of national delicacies, such as dried fruit, sweet sujukh and honey, yet once you climb up the hill, you will be shocked by what you see. You will appear in front of the gates, leading to the temple of Geghard, completely carved out of the mountain. This masterpiece of Armenian medieval architecture amazes with its detail and antiquity. Geghard is a complex consisting of the main chapel, two cave halls, and tombs. There is a cold spring in the first cave hall, which to this day captures the attention of the visitors. It is believed that its holy water heals diseases, rejuvenates and gifts beauty. Literally translated, Geghard means “holy spear” in memory of the spear kept in it, which had wounded Jesus Christ at the Crucifixion. It is also included in the UNESCO list of heritage since 2000. The nearby flowing Azat River hypnotizes with its murmur, pigeons hover over the church, and the coolness from the gorge gives strength to continue the path to new discoveries and impressions.

Breakfast in the hotel. On this tour first visit "Hin Areni" wine factory in Areni settlement, where you will have a tour and tasting of its famous wines. Afterwards there comes the visit of Shaki waterfall, which is located in one of the coziest and nicest corners of Syunik province, gloriously opening its striking beauty to all the admirers. And the last stop will be Tatev monastery, that was once a spiritual center and also had outstanding scientific and political significance. Vayots Dzor and Areni village in particular has been the cradle of Armenian winemaking for millennia. "Hin Areni" wine factory opens up the doors of this region to the world to showcase the historic and indigenous Armenian grape varietals. At the winery the historic traditions of winemaking are well combined with state-of-the-art modern equipment. "Hin Areni" wine factory has the capacity to process over 250 tonnes of grapes. Shaki waterfall is in the southern part of Armenia, close to Sisian. The fall, being located in one of the coziest and nicest corners of Syunik, gloriously opens its striking beauty to all admirers. The air here is full of inspiring melody of water and scent of mountains, loading all their wafts. Among the architectural pillars of Zangezour, the monastery of Tatev does not have its “rivals”. It used to be the wealthiest medieval monastery in Armenia. Besides being a religious center, Tatev was also the important strategical center of Syunik kingdom. Being situated on a naturally defended place, Tatev monastery has always been an impregnable fortress for alien. In non-stable political conditions several secret ways in the territory of the fortress led to the canyon and served as a link between the monastery and the external world. Church bells were ringing loud in Tatev on October 16 of 2010, heralding the launch of a program to revive a medieval monastic complex and the opening of “Wings of Tatev Ropeway” The 5.7 km ropeway, built within 11 months, passes through a deep gorge of the River Vorotan and over hills, covered with lush forests. The tramway is supported by three towers between its two terminals. One terminal is on a hill, overlooking the village of Halidzor and the other is near Tatev Monastery, on the road to Tatev village. Two cabins operate at once, traveling in opposite directions. There are 6 cables altogether (3 for each cabin), each uniquely foreseen for the specifications of this project. Within about 11 minutes a tramway cabin takes passengers, 30at a time, from the village of Halidzor to the magnificent complex of Tatev.

Breakfast in the hotel. Hidden corners, ravenous cities and a secret – entrusted only to the gorge. People looking forward to experiencing natural scenery, through outdoor activities while caring about the sustainability and the impact on the environment of these activities, will find their happy place in Armenia. The tour starts from Yerevan, the capital and heads to the north of the country. Passing through the long highway, catch your first glimpse of the expansive waters of the beautiful Lake Sevan with its backdrop of mountain peaks. The road then will take you to Dilijan, nick-named as the little Armenian Switzerland. Lake Sevan is one of the first associations that comes to mind after mentioning Armenia. It is the largest source of fresh water for the country and the also the biggest in the whole Caucasus. Surrounded by mountain ranges at an altitude of about 1900 meters above sea level, Sevan is striking in its beauty and azure-blue water surface. The lake has a small peninsula, at the top of which is located the monastery of Sevanavank. In a complex with several buildings, the monastery has been preserved since the 18th century and is still in effect. From a height, it seems that the mountains and the water merge together and there is not a single border between them. Watching the endless play of the waves shimmering under the sun makes one mistake it for a sea. This association is truthful indeed. In the ancient Armenian sources, Sevan was called “the Geghama Sea”, or was simply referred to as “the sea”. Amazing nature combines rocky landscape and pine mini forests located alongside the coast. Once here for the first time, you begin to feel the infinite harmony and inner peace. We invite you to immerse yourself in this feeling and relax both mentally and physically. Dilijan is a city of forests. Surrounded by them on almost all sides, it resembles a fairy tale that was made to be written about, painted and have songs dedicated to its beauty. So it is, Dilijan is an intellectual city, which is home to many cultural figures of Armenia. There are colleges, specialized schools and a sports complex, and two branches of state institutions. The valley charges with a youth spirit, floating in the air. It disposes to create and relax. The nature makes you stop for a moment and just listen. You hear the wind and strive to remember everything that is there: Lake Parz, forests, an amphitheater, museums and eternally beautiful monasteries. You can experience all this beauty with us.

After your breakfast, you will be transferred to airport for your onward flight, We return home with wonderful memories of our tour.