Biblical Journey Through First Christian Country

Today's program starts with a visit to the spiritual and religious center of Armenia Etchmiadzin. The city is best known as the location of Etchmiadzin Holy Mother Cathedral, the center of the Armenian Apostolic Church. It is unofficially known in Western sources as a “Holy City” and in Armenia as the country's "Spiritual Capital". Along with several important early medieval churches located nearby (St. Gayane, St. Hripsime), Etchmiadzin Cathedral was listed as a UNESCO World Heritage Site in 2000. In the museum of Etchmiadzin you will see very important and sacred Christian items - The Holy Lance that pierced Jesus’s side (also known as the Spear of Destiny and Lance of Longinus), Relics of Jesus’s disciples St. Thaddeus, St. Peter, St. Andrew, and St. Gregory the Illuminator, wooden pieces from Jesus’s cross and Noah’s Arc.

Lunch will be in Agape Refectory - This building is a restored monks’ refectory from 1655. It is now an elegant restaurant with classic and modern Armenian food where you will feel yourself back in 17th century.

Another amazing monument worth visiting is Zvartnots Cathedral (literally “celestial angels cathedral”) is a 7th-century centrally planned aisled tetra conch type Armenian cathedral. Now in ruins, it is located at the edge of the city of Etchmiadzin, on the background of mesmerizing view to Biblical Mount Ararat. Zvartnots was added to the UNESCO World Heritage list in 2000. Full of spiritual emotions we had back to the modern and busy Yerevan and will check in to your hotel.

Then we will visit Matenadaran - a place where you can feel the spirit of ancient civilizations, get acquainted with the rich ancient history (including Armenian) and see unique world ancient manuscripts (including Armenian).
The beginning of the creation of the Matenadaran collection dates back to the V century. Here you can see such interesting exhibits as the largest, smallest, thickest and thinnest books (handwritten) in the world. For example, “Sermons” written around 1200. The book weighs 27.5 kg and has a size of 75 by 55 cm. The oldest manuscript stored in Matenadaran is “The Gospel of Veghamor”, written presumably in 887. The manuscript is considered the oldest full-fledged Armenian manuscript.

Accommodation

• Overnight in Yerevan.

Included Activities

• Etchmiadzin Holy Mother Cathedral
• Zvartnots Cathedral
• Matenadaran

Meals Included 

• Breakfast at the hotel

08:00 - Breakfast in the hotel
09:00 - Starting the tour

The morning starts by heading to the Southern part of Armenia. From Yerevan we move towards Khor Virap Monastery (in Armenian stands for “deep dungeon”). Khor Virap's notability as a monastery and pilgrimage site is attributed to the fact that Gregory the Illuminator was initially imprisoned here for about 14 years by King Tiridates III of Armenia. Saint Gregory subsequently became the king's religious mentor, and they led the proselytizing activity in the country. In the year 301 Armenia was the first country in the world to be declared a Christian nation. The walled religious complex also stands before the snowcapped flanks of Biblical Mount Ararat, offering a spectacular view of the mountain and cutting a striking silhouette of itself. As mentioned in the Holy Bible, Noah’s Arc landed on Mount Ararat, and the history of mankind after the flood started from here and the Ararat Valley.

Then we will continue our tour to Armenian architectural masterpiece Noravank Monastic Complex. Noravank means “New Monastery” in Armenian. However, today this name does not fit, as the monastery is already more than seven centuries old. The beautiful Noravank Monastery was built in the 13th century.
The monastery complex is located on a steep mountain ledge, near the cliff. The territory is “framed” by unusual cliffs of bright red color, which create a very picturesque background for the buildings. Noravank Monastery is one of the most visited attractions in Armenia.

Lunch will be at Old Bridge Winery accompanied by tasting of delicious Armenian wines.

To finalize this beautiful day, we will visit Tatev Monastery - a 9th century historical monument. It is one of the oldest and most famous monastery complexes in Armenia. According to legend the monastery was named after Evstateos - the disciple of Thaddeus Apostateus.
During medieval times Tatev Monastery was a vital scholastic, enlightenment and spiritual center and played a singular role in the country’s history. You will reach to Tatev Monastery by the shortest, most picturesque and impressive route, by “Wings of Tatev” - the longest reversible cableway in the world (5752m), recorded in the Guinness Book of Records: twelve minutes of unforgettable flight above the gorge of the fierce Vorotan River, through a celestial highway at the altitude of 320m.

Accommodation

• Overnight in Goris on BB basis.

Included Activities

• Khor Virap Monastery
• Areni Cave 1
• Wine degustation at Old Bridge Winery
• Tatev Monastery
• “Wings of Tatev” longest reversible cableway

Meals Included 

• Breakfast at the hotel

08:00 - Breakfast in the hotel
09:00 - Starting the tour

The morning starts with a small hiking to the beautiful Shaki Waterfall, one of the most beautiful waterfalls in Armenia. On the left side of the river Vorotan's gorge, basalt lava flows have solidified to form a 18 meters high ledge from which the waterfall cascades down. Get closer to the refreshing splashes and enjoy the calming sound of the water. One could stay hours in this magnificent location.

After your refreshing morning hike time to visit the mysterious prehistoric complex of Carahunge (Zorats Qarer) (walking). This famous megalithic structure consists of hundreds of vertically arranged stones that are stretched from the south to the north. In the middle, there are about 40 stones that are formed into an ellipse. The size of the stone’s ranges from 0.5 to 3 meters and can weigh up to 10 tons. It is also called "Armenian Stonehenge". According to researchers, Carahunge could be among the world's oldest astronomical observatories, and is at least 3,500 years older than British Stonehenge.

Lunch will be in the cozy village Yeghegis, where you can have genuine interaction with the locals and enjoy your delicious lunch of local food.

On our way to next destination we will pass by Vardenyats (Selim) Caravanserai - an ancient caravanserai located along Vardenyats pass that was part of the Great Silk Road. The building served as a place where caravans, moved from Europe to the East, stopped for an overnight stay. Historical sources indicate that the construction located on the Vardenyats Pass was erected in 1332, by the order of Duke Chesar Orbelyan. It is known that Marco Polo crossed this area and described how the Armenians lived in impenetrable mountains.

Our next highlight is Noratus village - situated near the legendary Lake Sevan. The world’s biggest khachkars collection is located here, as well as the oldest Armenian cemetery covering an area of 7 hectares. The amount of khachkars here reaches nearly 1,000 copies from the 13th-17th centuries. Each of them has their own distinctive design made of ornamental or life scenes. “Khachkar” implies “cross stone” in Armenian translation. It is the monument with complicated sculpted patterns, clusters of grapes, solar disk and a cross. The oldest khachkar in Noratus was built in the 5th century.

We reach Sevan in Gegharkunik region, where we are going to spend the overnight.

Accommodation

• Overnight in Sevan on BB/ basis.

Included Activities

• Shaki Waterfall
• Carshunge (Zorats Qarer)
• Orbelian Caravanserai (Silk Road)
• Noratus village

Meals Included 

• Breakfast at the hotel

Important Notes

Today we will be having small hiking and walking in Shaki Waterfall and Karahunj. No special physical readiness is required, being moderately fit is enough. It is recommended to wear comfortable shoes and clothes and have sun protection (caps, sunglasses, sun cream).

09:00 - Breakfast in the hotel
10:00 - Starting the tour

Early in the morning we will start our tour with a visit to Sevanavank Monastery. Enjoy a visit to the picturesque site of monastery, an ancient religious complex that overlooks Lake Sevan. Situated on a peninsula that was once an island before the water level dropped, the monastery stands atop a hill, with scenic views of the lake and the often-snow-capped slopes in the backdrop. You'll need to climb a number of stairs to reach the site, but you'll be rewarded with inspiring panoramic views. Explore the two historic churches, most likely dating from the 9th century and exhibiting a typical, simple Armenian style of architecture.

Not a single visit to Armenia is complete without visiting her majesty Lake Sevan - the highest freshwater mountain lake in Europe, and surrounded by the Lesser Caucasus mountain range. Set 1900m above sea level, Sevan is the largest lake in the Caucasus, it's also one of the largest freshwater high-altitude lakes in the world. Its colors and shades change with the weather and by its own mysterious processes, from a dazzling azure to dark blue and a thousand shades in between.

We will visit Dilijan that is sometimes referred to as the forest kingdom of Armenia. In this cozy town, you can find vivid examples of traditional wooden house architecture. The mountains and gorges are covered with rich forests changing to alpine meadows and dotted with small farms, hiking tracks, lakes and rivers. The mountainous landscape is highly diverse, with different terrains, climates, soils and water resources. Many natural and man-made features enrich the national park: monasteries, lakes, archeological sites, forests, rivers and farmland create an endlessly-changing environment.

Lunch will be in Dilijan. 

The day wouldn’t be complete without visiting Haghartsin Monastery that rises among the majestic mountains where eagles fly. The name of the monastery is associated with them: Haghartsin in Armenian means “game of eagles”. The most ancient building of Haghartsin is the Church of St. Grigor built in the 11th century by monks who fled from Western Armenia fleeing persecution. Haghartsin used to be a major center of culture and spirituality in Armenia since the 13th century.

We will visit a local Honey House located in a cozy corner right in the heart of nature, where you can taste different types of natural delicious homemade honey, jams, and the most unique and authentic wine — a kind you probably have never tasted before — Honey Wine. Couldn’t resist the taste? Buy from these delicious treats and take with you.

Full of emotions we had back to the Yerevan.

Accommodation

• Overnight in Yerevan.

Included Activities

• Lake Sevan and Sevanavank Monastery
• Dilijan
• Haghartsin Monastery
• Honey House

Meals Included 

• Breakfast at the hotel

Breakfast at the hotel and Departure. See you soon in Armenia. We hope that while looking at Armenia pinned in your travel map, will bring back unforgettable memories and experience during your trip with us!