Day 1: Arrival at “Zvartnots” International Airport. Our tour manager will meet you at the airport and accompany to the old and new Yerevan, capital of Armenia. City tour and welcome dinner. Overnight at Residence Ayghedzor. The hotel is located in a picturesque and environmentally clean corner of Yerevan. The interior is distinguished by its original design and delicate selection of colours. Meals: Dinner. Day 2: Breakfast at hotel. Matenadaran,which is one of the richest and fascinating depositories of manuscripts and books in the world.The collection now numbers over 100,000 manuscripts, documents, and fragments and dates back to 405, when Saint Mesrop Mashtots created the Armenian alphabet. Then we will visit Geghard Monastery, a unique architectural monument, founded in the forth century, partially carved out of the adjacent mountain, surrounded by cliffs and listed as a UNESCO World Heritage Site. We will continue our way to Garni, the only pagan temple in Armenia, where you can admire the unique mosaic baths and ruins of the royal palace. Overnight at Residence Ayghedzor. Meals: Breakfast. Day 3: Breakfast at hotel. We will continue exploring art and craft Armenia , paying a visit to the unique woodcraft museum in the center of the city, where you can admire the coexistence of works of modern and ancient Armenian craftsmen. A visit to “Megeryan carpet” carpet weaving factory with selection of original materials and dyes, painstaking attention to knotting technique, to the completely thorough final inspection in the antique making. A visit to the showroom of Megerian Carpets allows tourists the opportunity to purchase a piece of Armenian tradition to bring home as well as view the cleaning and spinning of raw wool, the use of natural dyes to produce vibrant colors, and the weaving process itself. Leisure in Yerevan. Overnight at Residence Ayghedzor. Meals: Breakfast. Day 4: Breakfast in the hotel. A visit to Amberd, a 7th century Armenian fortress located at 2,300 meters above sea level, on the slopes of Mount Aragats at the confluence of the Arkashen and Amberd rivers. You can also admire the vestiges of a fortified three-storied palace, a church built in 1026, a palace bathhouse with two domes. After we will follow to one of the most picturesque sights of Armenia, Saghmosavank monastery. The main church of the monastery, St. Zion, was built in 1215. Having explored the unique interior of Saghmosavank with our tour guide, you will be welcomed by a famous Armenian artist. While you exploring the astonishing works of art you will be offered a specific national dinner at his place and have leisure. Clay art, modeling in clay with the craftsman. Overnight at Residence Ayghedzor. Meals: Breakfast and Dinner. Day 5: Breakfast at hotel. We will be led through the plains of the Ararat valley to the magnificent monastery of Khor Virab, set against the backdrop of towering Mount Ararat. The monastery is a place of pilgrimage and is the site of the prison where St. Gregory the Illuminator (who brought Christianity to Armenia in 301 AD) was imprisoned. Continue your way to Noravank. The monastery is best known for its two-storey S. Astvatsatsin church, which grants access to the second floor by way of narrow stones jutting out from the face of building. A traditional dinner in a natural cave-café. Overnight at Residence Ayghedzor. Meals: Breakfast and Dinner. Day 6: No art tour is ever complete without a visit to Parajanov museum, unique in its style. You will pass a special day full of colorful impressions. A Visit to the art center “Three jugs” and life-long memories are guaranteed. You will be introduced to the secrets of studio pottery and carpet weaving, meantime savoring Armenian national dishes. Overnight at Residence Ayghedzor. Meals: Breakfast and Dinner. Day 7: Day is given to discover a piece of paradise called Dilijan with its monastery ensembles Haghartsin and Goshavank, which are situated in dense oak woods, in the gorges of small but turbulent mountain rivers. The most ancient of the group is the church of Saint Grigor (11th century) with its cupola on an octagonal drum. A second near-by gavit is rectangular in shape and built in the 12th century The refectory built in 1248 by the architect Minas, is one of the best representatives of medieval Armenian architecture: a structurally daring concept is divided into a pair of communicating square halls, roofed with intersecting arches. The local terrain and scenery determined the compositional peculiarities of these ensembles. Having explored Haghartsin and Goshavank monasteries we will visit the Museum of Folk Art and “Dilijan” Historical and Cultural Reserve Museum will make more memorable this special day. The works of woodmaster Garnik Alikhanian are of wide acknowledgement both in the republic and abroad. The carpet made of small pieces of different tree types is done with special mastery. These unique masterpieces are shown in Dilijan branch of the Museum of Folk Art of Armenia. Overnight at Residence Ayghedzor Meals: Breakfast Day 8: Breakfast at hotel. An unforgettable visit to Metsamor archeological museum. The excavations have shown that back in the early Bronze Age (late 4th-3rd millenia BC) Metsamor was a flourishing cultural center that had a substantial influence on the historical and cultural development of the local people. Recent studies define the monument as a large urban-type settlement which, according to preliminary data, occupied an area of 10.5 hectares and consisted of a citadel fenced in by a sturdy Cyclopean wall and a zikkurat observatory sited on a low mountain ridge. A vast archaeological site, now a museum with a spectacular collection of over 22,000 artifacts, jewellery and weapons dating from Neolithic times. There is ample time to explore the museum and have a walk at the site with the remains of burial sites, and a fire temple built 28 centuries ago. Half day free in the city. Overnight at Residence Ayghedzor. Meals: Breakfast. Day 9: Breakfast at hotel. No one will ever leave Armenia without visiting Ararat Brandy factory and miss the chance of sampling the famous Armenian cognac and learning brandy making process with the factory specialists. Brandy factory will be followed by a visit to the famous fruit market in the centre of the city, with astonishing variety of fresh, marinated and dried armenian fruits and vegetables. Farewell dinner in one of the best restaurants of Armenian national cuisine. Overnight at Residence Ayghedzor. Meals: Breakfast and dinner. Day 10: Breakfast at hotel. Transfer to Zvartnots International Airport. Member discount: Notes: Airfare is not include in the tour price. 
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