ARMENIA CLASSIC
08 Days @ 888 Euro Per Person
Any Date in October - November 2017
Description
Armenia is considered to be the home of Christianity, as it was the first country to adopt Christianity as a state religion in 301 A.D. Therefore its history, landmarks and life is strongly connected with it. Visiting this tour you will have the unique opportunity to get acquanted with the most prominent monuments of the country, namely the numerous monasteries and cathedral, which depict the soul and spirit of this biblical land and its nation.
Program
Day 1: Yerevan
Arrival at Zvartnots International airport. Meeting at the Airport. Transfer to the Hotel . Check in. Rest
Day 2: Yerevan
City Tour - History Museum – Matenadaran – Mother Armenia - Tsitsernakaberd
YEREVAN CITY TOUR – Republic Square, Opera House, Cascade, Northern Avenue, Yerevan at night
HISTORY MUSEUM - was founded by the Parliament September 9, 1919. It was called Ethnographic-Anthropological Museum-Library and Yervand Lalayan was the first director. Yerevan History Museum with the number of its exhibits, the number of its publications and its preservation means corresponds to the demands of a modern museum. It has become one of the leading museums of our country.
Matenadaran. Matenadaran (a book depository), one of the world's earliest libraries, is situated on the northern part of Mashtots avenue. Its collections contain ancient Armenian books and miniature paintings that have gained world-wide fame. Among its unique treasures are the works of ancient classical authors and rare manuscripts that have come
to our days only in the Armenian translation.
Mother Armenia – The statue of Mother Armenia is a female personification of Armenia. Her most public visual rendering is a monumental statue in Victory Park overlooking the capital city of Yerevan, Armenia.
Tsitsernakaberd. The memorial-complex to the victims of the Armenian genocide towers over Tsitsernakaberd hill. At the center of the monument there is the Memorial Sepulcher with eternal flame and twelve, tall basalt slabs tilting over the flame. As a part of the Monument the arrow-shaped 44 meters high granite stele symbolizes the spiritual rebirth and bold spirit of the Armenian people. The Genocide Museum is a special constituent part of the complex. The exhibit contains a number of photos taken by the witnesses, archival documents, documentary films and the original documents issued by international organizations and parliaments of foreign countries condemning the Genocide.
Day 3: Fortress of Amberd – Oshakan – Saghmosavank – Yerevan
Fortress of Amberd - The area where the fortress presently sits, started as a Stone Age settlement. The fortress was built during the Bronze Age and Urartian periods. The castle of Amberd and some sections of walls were constructed in the 7th century AD as a possession of the noble House of Kamsarakan. Amberd was invaded in the 1070s by the Seljuk Turks who turned it into a military base. In 1197, a joint army of Georgians and Armenians led by General Zakarej Zakarian liberated the fortress. Under Zakarian control during the 12th–13th centuries, the walls were structurally reinforced and the castle and outer buildings were renovated.
Oshakan – Oshakan is a village in the Aragatsotn Province of Armenia located 8 kilometeres southwest from Ashtarak. It is famous for the tomb of Mesrop Mashtots, the creator of the Armenian alphabet, which is of extreme value to the Armenian patriotism. Above his grave is a church rebuilt by Katholikos George IV in 1875.
Saghmosavank – the monastery complexes of Hovanavank and Saghmosavank are five kilometers apart and situated in the villages of the same names in Ashtarak district. Both monuments perch on the edge of the precipitous gorge of the Kasakh river. The main temples of the monasteries erected by Prinice Vache Vachutyan – the Church of Zion in Saghmosavank (1215) and the Church of Karapet in Hovhanavank (1216 – 1221) belong to the same type of cross-winged domed structure with two-floor annexes in all the corners of the building.
Day 4: Khor Virap monastery - Noravank monastery – Yerevan
Khor Virap - Khor Virap is the most famous pilgrimage site in Armenia, as it is directly connected with the adoption of Christianity. As a state religion Christianity in Armenia was adopted in 301 due to endeavors of Saint Gregory the Illuminator, who before converting king Trdat the 3rd to Christianity, was imprisoned in the dungeon over which a church of Khor Virap monastery was built in the 17th century. From the monastery one can admire the stunning view of the Biblical Mount Ararat.
Noravank – is a 13th century Armenian monastery, located 122km from Yerevan in a narrow gorge made by Amaghu river, near the city of Yeghegnadzor, Armenia. The gorge is known for its tall, sheer, brick-red cliffs, directly across from the monastery. The monastery is best known for its two-storey Surp Astvatsatsin (Holy Mother of God) church, which grants access to the second floor by way of a narrow stone-made staircase jutting out from the face of building. The monastery is sometimes called Noravank at Amaghu, with Amaghu being the name of a small and nowadays abandoned village above the canyon, in order to distinguish it from Bgheno-Noravanq near Goris. In the 13th–14th centuries the monastery became a residence of Syunik’s bishops and, consequently, a major religious and, later, cultural center of Armenia closely connected with many of the local seats of learning, especially with Gladzor's famed university and library.
Day 5. Dilijan – Haghartsin monastery – Lake Sevan - Sevanavank monastery – Yerevan
Dilijan – The health resort town Dilijan surrounded by the Lesser Caucasus mountain-range lies to the north-eastern part of the Republic of Armenia, in the valley of t he river Aghstev, at a height of 1100 – 1510 meters above sea level. The gorge mountain-ranges are covered with rich forests changing to alpine meadows at the alp. Due to its natural and climatic conditions Dilijan is a single land. Fine landscape has an extra positive influence on patients and holiday-makers. To the east of Dilijan at a distance of 12 kilometers lies Haghartsin, a medieval monastery complex of the 10-13th centuries. It consists of four chuches, two chapels, a mess-room and khachkars (cross-stones). The mess-room is considered to be construction of great architectural value among the similar others.
Lake Sevan – often referred to as ‘The Pearl of Armenia’, Lake Sevan is the biggest freshwater lake in Caucasus, and one of the largest in the world. Nowadays it is a beloved place to spend a holiday for both local and foreign tourists.
Sevanavank – Sevanavank is a monastic complex located on a peninsula at the northwestern shore of Lake Sevan in the Gegharkunik Province of Armenia, not far from the town of Sevan. Initially the monastery was built at the southern shore of a small island. After the artificial draining of Lake Sevan the water level fell about 20 meters, and the island transformed into a peninsula. At the southern shore of this newly created peninsula, a guesthouse of the Armenian Writers’ Union was built.
Day 6: Garni – Geghard – Yerevan Brandy Factory
Garni – Garni temple which towers over a three-cornered cape is the only survived example of pagan culture in Armenia. It is a blend of Greco-Roman and Armenian styles. King Trdat the First began building the temple in the first century A.D. and dedicated it to the God of Sun. after adopting Christianity in 301 the pagan temple lost its significance and the fortress of Garni became the summer residence of the kings. Nowadays the ruins of the royal palace and the bathroom with a stunning mosaic work can be found near the temple.
Geghard – Geghard monastery is the unsurpassable masterwork of the 13th century Armenian architecture. Some of the churches of the complex are masterfully hewn in a huge rock. From the outset the complex was called Ayrivank (cave monastery), later it was renamed Geghard (lance), as the lance used by the roman soldier to sting Jesus Christ’s side, was kept in this monastery for many centuries. Due to its construction Geghardavank serves the best place for singing spiritual songs. The complex is rich in subtle sculptural embellishments and many striking khachkars (cross-stones).
Brandy Company - Visit the museum of the factory, get acquainted with the legends of ARARAT brandies, learn the 120 years old history of Armenian brandy manufacture, know who has drunk Armenian brandy, and see the oldest Armenian barrels and the medals which decorate the ARARAT legend. Walk around the ageing cellar and see how the brandy spirits are preserved, know who has nominal barrels and enjoy the delicate aroma of the cellar. Spend a lovely and unforgettable time in the tasting hall enjoying the wonderful "THREE STARS", "AKHTAMAR", "NAIRI".
Day 7: Echmiatsin – Zvartnots – Yerevan – Farewell Dinner
Echmiatsin - Echmiatsin is the center of the Armenian Apostolic Church. It is where the Catholicos Of All Armenians lives, and the location of the Echmiatsin Cathedral. The cathedral, built in 480, is located in a walled compound with gardens and various structures. The word "Echmiatsin" means ‘The Only Begotten Descended’, and the cathedral was built on the very spot Grigor Luysavorich (St. Gregory the Illuminator) dreamt Jesus Himself descended from heaven to show him where He wanted the church to be built. It is a scenic place to visit. The main church structure is pretty large, however the majority of the interior is used for purposes other than worship and the area you enter is much smaller than the size of the entire complex. It is a traditional Armenian design with a belfry and a number of rotundas. Most of the exterior is plain until you make it around to the entrance which is intricately carved and very beautiful.
Zvartnots - The architectural masterpiece of Zvartnots was built by order of the Catholicos Nerses 3rd between the years 641 and 662. It was damaged by an earthquake in the 10th century and unearthed nearly a thousand years later in 1900 – 1907, in the town of Echmiatsin. Zvartnots is listed in the UNESCO World Heritage List since 2000.
Farewell Dinner. In the end of the tour the tourists are invited to a farewell dinner at ‘Ararat’ restaurant in Yerevan, during which they are not only served delicious traditional Armenian food, but also enjoy an amazing show with national dances and music. Within 3 hours almost the whole Armenian culture and history is presented to the visitors. This event is organized to make their trip to Armenia even more unforgettable.
Day 8:Yerevan - End of services
Early breakfast at the hotel . Check – out. Transfer to the airport.
Price includes
3* Hotel accommodation 7 nights in Yerevan
Half Board meals (Breakfasts and lunches)
Full transportation during the whole tour on comfortable buses
Professional Guide (English)
All entrance fees
Farewell dinner at a restaurant
Price does not include
Dinners
Alcoholic Beverages
Tips/ GST / Visas / Flights
Anything not mentioned in "THE PRICE INCLUDES"
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