Departure at 9:00.

We start the day driving to Vagharshapat city, Etchmiadzin Monastery, where there is the
Cathedral of Etchmiadzin IV century, interesting buildings of the XIX century, alley of
khachkars and the residence of the Supreme Patriarch and Catholicos of the Armenians
of the world. On the territory there are two more, already modern churches. Visit to the
treasury of Etchmiadzin, which contains Christian relics. Etchmiadzin is included in the
UNESCO World Heritage List
Drive to the historical monument, which is located at an altitude of 2300 m - the unique
castle-fortress Amberd. The history of its construction in the 7th century is connected
with the famous Kamsarakan family, who for centuries built powerful monasteries and
fortresses. The location of Amberd captivates the eye both by the very forms of the
fortress and by the surrounding Ararat valley stretching far below with its majestic crown,
Mount Ararat. The mountains Aragats and Araler are also superbly viewed from here.
Nearby is the 11th century Vahramashen church, which is practically preserved in its
original form. During the reign of Bagratuni, the fortress turned into a powerful defensive
structure that protected the approaches to the then capital of Armenia, Ani. In the XIV
century, Amberd was captured and burned by the troops of Tamerlane, but even today it
admires the people who visit it.

We call in the city of Ashtarak

1 hour for rest and meals.
For an additional fee, we can organize:
- tasting of Armenian wines

The next point to visit is the Saghmosavank monastery, which was built by the Vachutyan
family in the 13th century. The complex consists of the churches of St. Zion, and the Holy
Mother of God, a vestibule and a book depository. Standing on the edge of the Kasakh
river gorge, you can enjoy the beautiful landscapes and feel the severity and beauty of the Armenian canyons.

On the way to Vanadzor we have a stop at the “Armenian Alphabet Monument”. This place
is not just an architectural creation, but a real tourist attraction: here you can admire the
graceful shapes of the letters of the Armenian alphabet, as well as find your initials and
capture yourself against their background.


On the way, we visit a bakery and taste delicious bread and sweets of
the food court in the city of Aparan.
Vanadzor is located in Lori region and is surrounded on all sides by
forests of mountains. The climate here is very mild both in winter and summer. It has
been known as a settlement since the second century BC. Vanadzor is the third largest
city in Armenia. In addition to its various attractions and museums, the city center houses
the Russian Orthodox Church of 1893-95, which is a miniature copy of the St. Sophia
Cathedral.
For an additional fee, on request, we can organize:
- visit and master class on the Armenian khachkar by a local master.
Hotel accommodation.

Check out at 9:00

Visiting the “House of the Fairy Tale”, you will have an opportunity to get acquainted with
Armenian traditions, national costumes, folk songs and have fun.
Visiting the monastery complex of Haghpat X-XIII centuries, included in the UNESCO
World Heritage List. Presumably Haghpat monastery was founded in 976 under the rule
of Ashot Bagratuni. He also served as a refuge. Its saddle-shaped roofs are reminiscent
of towers and bunkers, and from the tall towers the whole area was perfectly visible. It
was conceived as a fortified monastery.
1 hour for rest and lunch in a restaurant with a mind-blowing view.
Visit to the cave-fortress complex “Zarni-Parni”. In ancient times, it served as a fortress
during the raids of enemies. This is a very interesting, mystical place. There is a “drop spring” here, the water of which is perfectly clean.
At the end of the day we will visit the village of Dsegh, where our beloved writer
Hovhannes Tumanyan was born. The village is rich in cultural values and nature. Here we
will have a short walk to see Bardzrakash Monastery: the hidden pearl of Dsegh and the
Hovhannes Tumanyan Museum.

Drive to Dilijan town.
Hotel accommodation

Check out at 9:00

“Little Switzerland of Armenia” is the name of the town of Dilijan. In this region, nature is
completely unique even for Armenia: high mountain ranges covered with forests and
glades. The region, thanks to its climate and rich nature, has always been attractive and
was a hunting and recreation place for princely and royal families. During excavations,
archaeologists discovered settlements of the 2nd-1st millennia BC. Dilijan is a
balneological resort. The Dilijan mineral water plant is located here. During the Soviet
period, the first anti-tuberculosis dispensary was built.

Our road continues to the Goshavank monastery. This monastery was built in the XII
century on the site of the old Getik monastery destroyed by an earthquake. Goshavank
was named in honor of the outstanding scientist, creator of the first "Code of Law" Mkhitar
Gosh. He took an active part in the construction of the monastery and was buried a little
further than the monastery.

Next stop is at the Haghartsin monastery complex, built in the XI-XIII centuries. This is a
very interesting and unique complex. In addition to beautiful churches, there is the tomb
of the Armenian kings Gagik and Smbat. The complex has recently been renovated.
Outwardly, it has a more updated look, however, when you go inside, you feel all the
prayerfulness of this ancient place.
1 hour for rest and meals.

Then we have a walk through the old quarter of Dilijan and a photo session at the
monument to the heroes of the film “Mimino”.
Drive to Lake Sevan.

Acquaintance with the history of the pearl of Armenia, Lake Sevan, located at an altitude
of 1900 m above sea level. Sevan is one of the five high-mountain freshwater lakes in the
world. Visit to the Sevanavank monastery, the churches of which date back to the 4th and
9th centuries. A magnificent panorama of the lake, the waters of which shimmer in
various shades from light blue to dark blue and surrounded by mountain ranges on all
sides.
Hotel accommodation.

Relaxation by the lake: you can swim, go boating or sit in a cafe by the
lake, enjoying the clean air and the pleasant sound of the rolling waves,
the cry of seagulls and the beautiful bathing of ducks.
For an additional fee, at will:
- master class of cooking Fish Gata.

Check out at 9:00
After enjoying an unrepeatable morning in Lake Sevan, we head to Noratus village. On the
way, we stop at the 9th century monastery complex Hayravank. This is a very beautiful
church, which, it is believed, was once connected by an underground passage with the
fortress "Spitak Berd" located 1 km away. A visit to the ancient cemetery in Noratus, where
There are a huge number of khachkars dating from the 9th century.
Further on our route is the Selim caravanserai, built by the princes of Orbelian. The “Silk
Road” along which loaded caravans went from west to east, from south to north had
different directions. The path ran mainly in those places where there were water sources
and there were resting points for people and livestock. The Selim caravanserai is an
example of such places. Built in the XIV century, it is a three-aisled hall with places for
animals to rest and rooms for people to spend the night.
Stopping in Vayk, where you can rest and eat for 1 hour.
Our next stop is Karahunj or Zorats Karer (stone army) - this is a megalithic complex
consisting of a large number of giant stones vertically installed in a certain sequence, the
height of which ranges from 1.5-3 m and weighing up to 8.5 tons. In many of them tapered
holes are made. According to our scientists, this is one of the oldest observatories in the
world. Dated from the V-VII millennium BC. and through these holes watched the starry
sky.
Then we drive up to the town of Goris, which we can admire from the observation deck
located along the road. The city is surrounded by rocks called "stone forest", which give
this place has a fantastic, even alien image. There have been settlements in these places
since the Stone Age. The old name of the city is Kores or Goraik. In 1870, according to
the general plan, modern Goris was rebuilt, which consists of 36 streets intersecting at
right angles.
Accommodation in a hotel / guest house

Check out at 9:00

We continue our journey to a very interesting and amazingly beautiful place - the cave city
of Khndzoresk. These caves were a place of rest and protection from the weather for
ancient hunters. However, later people settled here, believing that the place is protected
from enemies and it is comfortable and warm to live in it. It is shocking that these caves
were landscaped and people lived in them until the 50s of the XX century.
And eventually, we get to the cable car "Wings of Tatev", which is registered in the
Guinness Book of Records. The record was not only the length of the road - 5,752 meters,
but also the construction time - only 10 months. Visit to the Tatev monastery, built in the
9th-10th centuries next to the 4th century church. This is a unique monastery complex
located on a high cliff and protected from almost all sides by a natural landscape. The
monastery consists of three churches: St. Gregory the Illuminator, the Cathedral of Peter
and Paul and the gateway church of the Holy Mother of God. At one time, the monastery
complex became a place of pilgrimage, a place of study (Tatev University), and an
important strategic point. During the invasions, the Tatev fortress was an important
defensive stronghold.

1 hour of free time for rest and meals.
We are going to admire the beautiful Shaki waterfall. The height of the waterfall is 18 m.
The waterfall itself is located in a very beautiful area, indented by gorges with grottoes
and niches, which further enhances the impression of the waterfall.
Our path continues along a very picturesque edge towards the balneological and alpine
resort town of Jermuk. The mineral water Jermuk is very similar in its chemical
composition to the water of Karlovy Vary. Sanatoriums, rest houses, hotels were built
Here.

Hotel accommodation.
Walk around the city: visit the waterfall "mermaid hair", drinking gallery and park of fedain
heroes. There is also a cable car.
For an additional fee, on request, we can organize:
- Jeep tour to hot springs.

Check out at 8:30

In the morning, we leave Jermuk and our direction is towards the stunning gorge and
Noravank monastery. Driving into the gorge, you are breathtaking from the stunning
towering cliffs surrounding the road on both sides. We leave the gorge and see stunning
red rocks and mountains in front of us. And finally, before us is the Noravank monastery,
which is another changing frame that delights the eye so much. The structure, as in most
places in Armenia, harmoniously fits into the surrounding nature. The monastery complex
begins to be built on the site of an older one in honor of the victory over the Seljuk Turks.
The pearl of Noravank is the Church of the Holy Mother of God built in 1339 by the
architect Momik.

1 hour for rest and meals.

For an additional fee, on request, we can organize:
- visiting the Areni-1 cave or the Bird's grotto. Here was discovered a leather shoe made
from a single piece of leather, whose age is 36-33 centuries BC, and the oldest winery
was located.

- tasting of Armenian wines.
We leave for the Ararat valley to the Khor Virap monastery. We will be accompanied by
vineyards and orchards. The monastery was built on the site where, for about 13 years, in
a deep pit, the future first Catholicos of Armenians Gregory the Illuminator sat, sentenced
to death. The building dates back to the 8th century. The complex also has the Church of
the Holy Virgin, built in the 17th century. Nearby is the citadel of one of the former capitals
of Armenia, the city of Artashat. And the beautiful view of the nearby Biblical Mount Ararat
can be enjoyed both from the observation deck and from the citadel.
Return to Yerevan.
Airport transfer.