AUTUMN IN ARMENIA

Tour overview

5 days / 4 nights
Yerevan – – Lake Sevan – Dilijan – Geghard Monastery – Garni – Temple – Yerevan
*Dates are flexible

Day 1/Arrival

Meet and greet at the airport. Transfer to the hotel. Overnight at a hotel in Yerevan. (-/-/-)

Day 2/Yerevan Sightseeing Tour

After having some rest, we will have an unforgettable sightseeing tour in Yerevan. This ancient city is 29 years older than Rome. We will start walking in the most pleasant Republic Square with Government buildings, History Museum and Marriott Hotel surrounding it. In the evening, we can enjoy the colorful singing and dancing fountains. In case of desire, we can visit a jewelry gallery, where we can buy exclusive jewelry. The jewels presented are executed in a single copy and are unique. Walking up one of the oldest streets in Yerevan – Abovyan Street – we will appear in the richest avenue in Yerevan – the Northern Avenue with many brand shops, luxurious cafes and restaurants. Our next stop – the Opera and Ballet House and the Swan Lake – face the Northern Avenue. Afterwards, we will enjoy our time in the fascinating weather of the sunny Yerevan while walking around Cascade Monument. If we walk up the “huge staircase” of 500 meters’ height and 50 meters’ width, we can enjoy the wonderful panorama of the city with the spectacular Opera House, Mount Ararat as well as the view to the whole city. Overnight at the hotel in Yerevan. (-/-/-)

Day 3/Yerevan – Lake Sevan – Dilijan – Yerevan

After breakfast at the hotel we will proceed to Lake Sevan. The fascination and the "pearl" of mountainous Armenia is Lake Sevan, which is one of the world's greatest high altitude fresh-water lakes. It is about 1900 m above sea level. The lake is of volcanic origin and is surrounded with mountains of 3000 m and higher. The beautiful landscape and the crystal water serve nice preconditions for excellent rest. The lake is also famous for its peninsula and medieval church complex, built in 874. Driver to Dilijan. Our first stop will be Hagharstin Monastery. Haghartsin monastery, situated in the woodlands of Tavush region, represents an indescribable example of blend of nature with architecture. It was founded in the 10-11th centuries, though new buildings were added in the 12-13th centuries. Now it consists of St. Grigor, St. Astvatsatsin (Holy Mother of God), St. Stepanos churches and some other buildings. The refectory, due to its skillful architectural composition, is of great interest. Near Haghartsin there used to grow a huge oak tree, almost at the age of the monastery, completing the whole scene. Unfortunately, only a small part of the hollow has remained till the present day, however, it is still of much interest among the visitors, and preserves the tradition, according to which, when one makes a wish and at the same time manages to pass through the tree (hollow), it is expected to come true in the nearest future. Next stop will be Lake Parz. Overnight at the hotel in Yerevan. (-/-/-)

Day 4/Yerevan – Geghard Monastery – Garni – Temple – Yerevan

After breakfast at the hotel, we will explore the top tourist attractions of Armenia: Garni Temple (a pagan temple built in 1st century, the only survival of the Hellenic epoch in the whole territory of the Caucasus) and the Monastery of Geghard (UNESCO). The monastery was first recorded in a document of 1250. Geghard is famous due to the relics, among which the most important one is the spear which wounded Christ on the Cross. It was presumably brought there by the Apostle Thaddeus. Here we can (optional*) enjoy the medieval vocal concert. In Noah’s Garden we can watch the process of “lavash” baking in the traditional underground oven “tonir”, to take part in pottery, woodworking, to taste Armenian delicious dried fruits and sweets. Overnight at the hotel in Yerevan. (B/-/-)