Arrival To Yerevan. Transfer from the Zvartnots International Airport. Check in a hotel. Overnight in Yerevan.
After breakfast at the hotel we will drive to Kotayk region. Before we get to Garni village we will take off-road way through the Canyon of Garni, stretching along the rivers Azat and Goght. We will continue our trip through the Canyon, enjoying magnificent, seemingly artificial slopes from the foot to the top of the gorge named "Symphony of Stones". Climbing up from the canyon to the village, we will take our way to Garni Temple, built in the second half of the 1st century A.D. and dedicated to the God Mitra, the God of the Sun. After Christianity the temple was used as a summer residence of Armenian Kings and was described as ‘‘A House of Coolness‘‘. After excursion in the temple we will have delicious lunch in Garni village and will be back to Yerevan. Reaching Yerevan we will visit Victory Park, from where we will enjoy the bird eye view of Yerevan. Then we will visit the Institute of Ancient Manuscripts known as Matenadaran. It contains over 16,000 manuscripts that document the centuries-old history of the Armenian nation, art, literature, and natural sciences. Manuscript art is one of the most unique examples of Armenia’s medieval culture. After excursion in Matenadaran we will walk near Cascade, Opera House and Northern Avenue. After a nice city tour, in the evening we will have a dinner in the restaurant. Overnight in Yerevan.
After breakfast at the hotel and check out, we will take our direction to the North to the highest mountain of Armenia Aragats (4090 m) and taking off-road way through the nice gorge we will climb up to Amberd Fortress, which is a midcentury fort-city built during the X century. We will enjoy the landscape surrounding the fortress and alpine flowers on the wings of Aragats. Then we will drive to Byurakan village where we will have lunch in an ethnographic center accompanied with folk show and lavash baking. Enjoying the lunch and hospitality we will leave this fascinating place to continue our way around Aragats mountain towards Gyumri, which is the second city in Armenia. After checking in a hotel, we will have short city tour visiting the most interesting places and sights in one of the oldest cities in Armenia, which is also famous place for its historical-cultural traditions, strong art and crafts, education and also by film making industry. After city tour we will have dinner in the hotel tasting the food specific to Gyumri’s famous kitchen. Overnight in Gyumri.
After breakfast at the hotel we will drive to the North-East towards Lori Region and taking off-road way we will get to one of nice waterfalls in Armenia called Trchkan. We will have coffee break near the waterfall and enjoy the beautiful natural sites. After visiting the waterfall we will continue our way and reaching beautiful area in the nature we will have delicious picnic lunch at the bank of the river near Shirakamut village. Having lunch and a little rest we will drive through Vanadzor city, which is the third largest city of Armenia and was one of the biggest industrial areas in Soviet Union. Passing Vanadzor we will continue our way to Dilijan National Park located on the upstream pool of Aghstev river, and surrounded by the Lesser Caucasus mountains. Dinner and Overnight in the hotel.
After breakfast we will drive to the South towards Lake Sevan, which is the largest lake in Caucasus as well as one of the largest, and highest freshwater lakes of the world. The lake is located on 1900m above sea level. In summer, the middle temperature of lake surface is 18-21 degrees above zero, which is quite convenient for swimming. After reaching the shore of Lake Sevan we will have coffee break and will be introduced to the legends of Armenian mythology. After coffee break we will drive to the South-West towards Selim Pass, climbing up over 2,410m, following the historical Silk Road and visiting on the way Caravanserai built in 1331. Continuing our way we will drive to Yeghegis State Sanctuary where we will have lunch in a tavern, then we will visit the Fortress of King Smbat located on the top of mountain and built X – XI centuries with high and wide (2-3 m) pyramid type fort-walls and protected by the Artabuni River and deep canyons. Leaving the fortress we will continue our way to Sisian town, passing along the way Lake Spandaryan. Dinner and overnight in the hotel in Sisian.
After breakfast and check-out from the hotel we will visit one of the most ancient megalithic constructions of the world, called Zorats Karer (Karahunj). The two-meter pointed blocks last precisely from the south to the north, fencing large territory, in the center they form a correct circle. There is a hypothesis among scientists, that Zorats Karer is an observatory built in VI mil. B.C. Scientists have found similar constructions in many areas of Europe. The most known of them is the Stonehenge (II mil. B.C.). Then we will do our off – road jeeping. We will start our climbing from Ishkhanasr village and will reach Tsghuk crater mountain (3400m above sea level). After that we will see thousands of years-old rock carvings called petroglyphs and will be introduced of their types, meanings for the people of that time. After that we will drive towards plateau which is on the altitude of 3000m above sea level. Here we will make picnic lunch and will be admired of the surrounding beauty of the nature. After the lunch we will continue our off- road up to the end of the plateau closely to the top of the mountains (3300 meters above sea level) we will see one of the youngest volcanoes called Nazeli and its Crater with 15 km Lava flow. After interesting mountainous excursion and picnic in the nature, we will drive back to the hotel, where we will have dinner with folk show of the young dancers of Sisian. |
After breakfast at the hotel we will drive to Tatev Monastery Complex built in 895-906, which is one of the most important Education and Religion Centers situated in medieval Syunik region and is a candidate for UNESCO World Heritage Sites. On the way we will take Tatev Wings ropeway, which is the longest two-way ropeway of the world and flies above deep Vorotan gorge opening breath-taking views of the canyon. Visiting Tatev Monastery we will enjoy Tatev ensemble fitting in perfectly with the mountainous landscape around it. This gives the ensemble an original and majestic appearance. During the XIV and XV centuries it was famous for its university. Leaving Tatev Monastery we will have lunch in Tatev village, where we will explore Armenian village hospitality hosted by the local family, getting acquainted village family life, their culture and traditions. After lunch we will drive to Old Khndzoresk village, where we can visit the canyon of ancient cave residences of the people. On the way we will enjoy surrounding mountainous sights and beautiful city Goris. Leaving these amazing cave residences we will continue our driving towards Jermuk town. On the way we will make an off- road jeeping, passing near the sources of Vorotan river, and reaching 2400 m. will get to Jermuk Resort town. Dinner and overnight in the hotel.
After breakfast at the hotel we will have a little walk in Jermuk, where we will taste mineral water in Jermuk Gallery, then will visit Jermuk waterfall. Then we will continue our way to the North. Reaching Aghavnadzor village we will make another off- road towards Rind village, driving through vineyards and rocky mountains. On the way we will make a stop at Ulgyur church. Then we will have a lunch in Areni village. Areni is a variety of grape, which is used for making wine from ancient times. Our next stop will be the famous Areni Cave (Birds Cave), where the oldest leather shoe (5500 years old) and oldest winery (6000 years old) in the world have been found by an international group of local and foreign archeologists. Then we will visit Old Areni winery with a tour and wine tasting. After the wine tour we will drive through Ararat Valley and enjoy the panoramic view of Ararat mountain and will reach Yerevan. In Yerevan we will visit Yerevan Brandy factory, where we will be introduced to the history of brandy making in Armenia. After the excursion in the factory we will have free time and farewell dinner with folk show. After the dinner transfer to the Airport.
The price is per person, is calculated for the case of 4 passengers and a guide-driver in a vehicle. It includes costs of transportation, airport transfer, Yerevan city tour, entrance fees for museums, Tatev Ropeway, Brandy factory, wine factory, Areni cave, Matenadaran and folk show in Byurakan, overnight in 3-4* hotels, full board, as well as the driver/guide. The price for the case of 3 passengers and 1 guide-driver in a vehicle is 1300 US$ and for the case of 2 passengers and 1 guide-driver is 1600 US$. All prices are for double accommodation in hotels. The supplement for single accommodation in US$ 140 per person for all cases.
The price does not include airfare, personal expenses, visa fees, insurance and other expenses not mentioned above.