Customize your package from 17 available daily tours
Your Itinerary
Day 1:
ASHTARAK&SAGHMOSAVANK (3 - 3,5 hours)
Churches of Karmravo r(VIIc.) and Tsiranavo r(Vc.); Old Bridge (XVIIIc.), Hovhannavank (V-XIII) and Saghmosavank (XIIIc.) Monasteries. The different style Armenian churches of Ashtakak city form a traditional landscape of medieval Armenian city. Those churches date from the V century to the XVIII century. The relatively small but unique architectural complex of Saghmosavank is situated 11 kilometres from the town of Ashtarak in the region of Aragatsotn, on the right hand side of Kasakh river gorge. The depth of the gorge is about 200 meters at the level of monastery. On the other side of the canyon you can see Ara mount. The establishment of Hovhannavank is connected with the name of Grigor the Illuminator, who founded here first basilica
(B)
Day 2:
ASHTARAK&OSHAKAN (3 - 3,5 hours)
/Ashtarak/; Churches of St. Marine (1281) and Karmravor /Oshakan/; Mesrop Mashtots burial site(443), Mankanots church (VIIc.) with the stella of Morikis - Byzantine Empire (optional); Oshakan village is situated in Aragatsotn marz, near of Ashtarak city. It was mentioned by Armenian historians in 440 A. D. with reference to the creator of the Armenian alphabet Mesrop Mashtots According to the Koryun - one of Mesrop Mashtots's pupils St. Mesrop was buried in Oshakan village, where four year later Armenian nobleman Vahan Amatuni built a church on Mashtots's grave (443/444). On the place of that church Armenian Catholicos George IV Kostandnupolsci in 1875-1879 constructed new one with the chapel (1884). The grave of St. Mastots is under the southern dome of the church.
(B)
Day 3:
ASHTARAK & AMBERD (4 - 5 hours)
Mughni church (XVII c.), Saghmosavank (XIII c.), Amberd church (XI c.) and fortress, Byurakan Observatory, Armenian Catholicoses' Summer residence, Monument of Van fighting in 1915. In the vicinity of Ashtarak, Mughni village was settled, which is famous for its apricot gardens St. Gevork church built in 1661. The next is Saghmosavank black contour of which stands on the edge of the Qasakh river canyon. The ruins of Amberd castle are located 7 km north from the village of Byurakan on the southern slope of Aragats mount. The triangular form height on which the fortress stands, is in the middle of the confluence of Amberd and Arkhashen rivers. Up to the present the round form towers of the castle on the magnificent view of Ararat form an unforgettable impressions for every visitor. Byurakan village is the cradle of astronomical achievements of the Armenian nation. The silver dome of the observatory is shining in the greenery of the village
(B)
Day 4:
ASHTARAK CITY TOUR(2,5 - 3 hours)
Churches of Karmravor (VII c.), St. Marine (1281), Mughni (XVIII c.), Saghmosavank Monastery (XIII c.); Old bridge and Water mill. Ashtarak is one of the most ancient settlements of Armenia full of historical, architectural monuments, constructed in different periods. (II millennium B. C. – XVIII century A. D.)The picturesque locality of Ashtarak situated 20 km north-west from Yerevan. It has many remarkable architectural monuments of the V-XVIII cc. Ashtarak and its surroundings can simply called an open-air museum of ancient Armenian architecture. The first mentions of Ashtarak in the Armenian historiography dates to the IX century
(B)
Day 5:
ECHMIADZIN ( 5 - 5, 5 hours)
Hripsime Temple (VII c.); Cathedral; Holy Mass (on Sundays only); Museum of Cathedral (opened after Mass); Zvartnots (VII c.) The visit to Armenia is not complete without the tour to Ezmiadzin Holy See and official residence of the Catholicos of all Armenians. After the adoption of Christianity in 301 A. D., Armenian king Tiridat III destroyed the pagan fireplace and temple in Vagharshapat (former name of Echmiadzin), and founded in its place the Mother Cathedral of St. Echmiadzin. St. Echmiadzin is the first official church in the Christian world. You will visit the underground site of the pagan temple under the main altar of the Cathedral. In the collection of the museum of Cathedral visitor can see various thing connected with the ritual and liturgy of the Armenian church, such as dresses, cups, jugs, crosses, crowns, and others
(B)
Day 6:
ECHMIADZIN (3 - 3,5 hours)
Hripsime Temple(VIIc.); Cathedral(IV-XVIII cc.); Holy Mass; Church of Gayane(VII c.); Zvartnots(VII c.). The temples in and around the Echmiadzin are extremely interesting. Among them St. Hriphsime and St. Gayane were built in the VII century and have an underground burial sites of Holy virgins Hriphsime and Gayane who were martyred on the places of these temples in 301 A. D. Both of them are beautiful examples of the early Armenian architecture Zvarthnots is a unique monument of the Armenian architecture of VII c. The magnificent ruins of three-store round for temple is located on the left side of Yerevan-Echmiadzin highway. Zvartnots is considered to be the masterpiece of early medieval Armenian architecture of the classical perio
(B)
Day 7:
ECHMIADZIN & SARDARAPAT (3,5 - 4 hours)
Echmiadzin(IV-XVIII cc.); Hripsime Temple(VII c.); Cathedral; Sardarapat. After the visit to the Holy See, the next stay is Sardarapat Memorial and Ethnographical Museum. Sardarapat is the place of famous battle which had occurred here in 22-28 May 1918 between Armenians and elite Turkish troops of Vehib pasha. The victory of Armenians gave the birth to the First Armenian Republic (1918-1920). The Ethnographic Museum is the largest in Armenia. The collection of the museum includes artefacts and memorabilia of more than 4000-year history of Armenia. The ancient carpets, traditional dresses of the regions of historical Armenia, metal works, instruments of the various masters of XVIII-XIX cc. are shown in the halls of the museum. Special section of Sardarapat museum is devoted to the history of Sardarapat fighting and its participants
(B)
Day 8:
GARNI & GEGHARD (3 - 3,5 hours)
Arch of Charents; Garni pagan temple and fortress (I-III cc). A. D.); Geghard Monastery (XIII c.). 35km southwards of Yerevan on the right hand of the Azat river canyon, one can see a picturesque panorama, which flies, up to the hills revealing unexpected site, which is like a mirage. The unique monument of Hellenistic culture - Garni fortress with its famous Mitra temple (I c. A. D.) is located on the natural inaccessible ledge surrounded from tree sides by deep gorges and rocks. The only pagan temple currently standing in Armenia built in 77 A. D. , is situated in a picturesque mountain area with a panorama of the surrounding valley. The ruins of the fortress include a bathhouse with the remains of beautiful mosaic. The monastery of Geghard is the centrepiece of the Armenian architecture, which is partly carved out in the mountain rocks
(B)
Day 9:
KHOR VIRAP (3 - 3,5 hours)
Khor Virap Monastery (IV-XVII cc.); (Gregory the Illuminator's underground pit). Gevork Chaushe’s statue (as option) The monastery of Khor Virap has a very old and rich history, both secular and religious. It is situated in the Ararat valley, against the Biblical Ararat Mountain (where Noah’s Ark cast anchor) on the left bank of the river Araks on one of the high hills. From ancient times Khor Virap was highly estimated for its geographical and territorial advantages. Artashat, the oldest capital of Armenia, where the most significant political, economic and cultural events took place, was founded there. Historical and literary sources and archaeological excavations testify that Artashat was one of the greatest centres of Hellenistic culture and civilization in ancient Armenia
(B)
Day 10:
SARDARABAD (3 - 3,5 hours)
Sardarabad Memorial and Ethnographic Museum.
Sardarapat Memorial was built close to the battlefield where in 22-28 May 1918 Armenians defeated elite Turkish troops of Vehib pasha. The victory of Armenians gave the birth to the First Armenian Republic (1918-1920). The Ethnographic Museum is the largest in Armenia. The collection of the museum includes artefacts and memorabilia of more than 4000-year history of Armenia. The ancient carpets, traditional dresses of the regions of historical Armenia, metal works, instruments of the various masters of XVIII-XIX cc. are shown in the halls of the museum. Special section of Sardarapat museum is devoted to the history of Sardarapat fighting and its participants
(B)
Day 11:
TSAKHKADZOR (4 - 4,5 hours)
Cable-cars (optional); Kecharis Monastery (X-XIIIcc.); Home-Museum of Orbeli Brothers.
Tsakhkadzor (the name Tsakhkadzor translates as “the valley of flowers”) is one of well-known resorts of Armenia situated on the eastern slope of Theghenis mountain. It is famous winter sport place with the campuses, sport complexes equipped with the various sport facilities. Tsakhkadzor was the main Olympic base of the former Soviet Union’s sportsmen. Today Tsakhkadzor remains as a popular place for winter skiing. The snow-covered hills attract lots of winter sports fans. The complex of Kecharis was constructed in XI-XIII cc. by the efforts of Armenian Phahlavuni and Proshyan princes. During this period Kecharis became one of the centers of medieval Armenian spiritual and cultural life, were Grigor Magistros – prominent Armenian military, political as well as scientific leader have been lived and acted. The Kecharis monastery was also center of manuscript writing
(B)
Day 12:
YEREVAN CITY TOUR (4 - 5 hours)
Mother Armenia; Matenadaran; Brandy factory; Vernisage - an open air handicraft shopping. Matenadaran is the museum and the Research institute of the ancient Armenian manuscripts. The Matenadaran is named after Mesrop Mashtots, who invented the Armenian alphabet in 405 A. D. Over fifteen thousand manuscripts are in the collection of the Matenadaran. Vernisage is the open-air market of Armenian souvenirs and handicrafts. Available on Saturday and Sunday only. The weekend tourist market is full of hand made souvenirs and things cannot be found anywhere else
(B)
Day 13:
YEREVAN CITY TOUR (MUSEUMS – 1) (4 - 5 hours)
Matenadaran; Tsitsernakaberd - museum of Armenian genocide; Pharadjanov museum; Visit to the Tufenkian showroom/carpet factory (optional) Pharadjanov museum is one of the newest museums of Armenia, established in 1988 to the honour of prominent Armenian producer Sergei Pharadjanov. Located on the ledge of Hrazdan river canyon this museum holds the best works of S. Pharadjanov. The collection includes various collages, paintings, placates and sketches of films created during 1958-1988. The exhibition is has been designed in style, which is loyal to Pharadjanov’s artistic principles. Pharadjanov had a talent of turning simple thing into the art works
(B)
Day 14:
YEREVAN CITY TOUR (MUSEUMS –2) (4 - 4,5 hours)
Matenadaran; Mother Armenia-Museum of Karabagh War and WWII heroes, Tsitsernakaberd - museum of Armenian genocide; The complex of Mother Armenia with its museum stands in the Victory park which was built in the occasion of the victory of Soviet Army in 1945. During the Second World War over 300 000 Armenian participated in the struggle against nazis. From the side of Soviet government 106 Armenians were granted the high title of Hero.
Tsitsernakaberd complex was built in 1965 after the 50 years of the tragic Genocide of Armenian from the side of Ottoman Turkish government in 1915. The composition of the monument symbolize as a big tombstone with the eternal fire. The Genocide museum was opened in 1995
(B)
Day 15:
YEREVAN CITY TOUR (3 - 4 hours)
Erebuni castle and museum, Monument of Sasunci David, St. Grigor Lusavorich cathedral; State University, Abovyan st.; Republican sq.; Wine factory; Cognac factory; Hrazdan stadium; Music and Sport Complex; Bagramyan st;, Opera house, Oriental market. A small two-storey building has been erected on the western slope of the Erebuni Castle elevation, where objects dug out during the excavation of the citadel and the scientific auxiliary items are exhibited which give the visitor a comprehensive idea of the history of Yerevan. The tour is the best opportunity to introduce with the one pf the ancient capitals of the world
(B)
Day 16:
YEREVAN CITY TOUR(3 – 3, 5 hours)
Mother Armenia; Matenadaran; Erablur pantheon; Brandy factory; Matenadaran is the research institute of ancient manuscripts. Stocked in Matenadaran is the invaluable age-long heritage of Armenian culture. In number and value of manuscripts this establishment is considered to be one of the world’s oldest and richest treasure-troves. In the Erablur pantheon over 600 heroes of the Karabakh (1992-1994) war are buried. Thanks to them Armenia and Nagornno-Karabagh republic secured its independence and security
(B)
Day 17:
YEREVAN CITY TOUR (3,5 - 4 hours)
Historical museum and Art Gallery, Pharadjanov museum; Brandy factory; Vernisage (as option); The collection of the Museum of the History of Armenia numbers three hundred thousand exhibits of great scientific and instructive value for studying the ancient the ancient history as well as those of Asia Minor and the peoples of Transcaucasia. The museum consist of the departments of registration and preservation of stocks, archaeological, ethnographical, numismatic memorabilia, works on modern and new history etc
(B)
Notes:
Airfare is not included in the tour price.
The price is per day
VAT 20% does not included
Boutique hotel accommodation, breakfast, transfer included
Also see tour packages in:
Europe
Armenia
Cultural Journey
Church Tours
|
| Check out these similar vacation offers: |
|
|
