Small Group Armenia Tour 2020

Arrival in Yerevan. Private transfer will be arranged to your hotel. Check-in at 14:00. Overnight at the hotel. - - - Hotel

At 09:00, meet your guide and driver and drive to Hayravank Monastery (9-12 cc). Continue to Noradus, a village famous for its big khachkar cemetery. There are about 900 khachkars of various styles and epochs on vast cemetery. Drive to the Lake Sevan, “The Jewel of Armenia” and one of the largest high-mountainous fresh water lakes in the world. The coastline of the Lake Sevan is rich with thick woods, white bare steep rocks, mountain steppes and Alpine meadows. Stop at Sevanavank to visit the remnants of the monastery that include two temples – Surb Arakelots and Surb Astvatsatsin standing among numerous khachkars, carved cross-stones. The buildings were constructed from black tuff which probably gave the monastery its name Sevanavank – “the Black Monastery”. The place opens up a magnificent view: the mountains surround lake from all sides and snow tops are seen almost on the entire perimeter and disappear behind horizon. Return to Yerevan. Overnight at the hotel.

Driving distance: 220 km

Duration of sightseeing tour: 8-9 hours

B _ _ Hotel

At 10:00, start city tour in Yerevan.

One of the oldest cities of the world, Yerevan is famous as a pink city and calls visitors with its humble and at the same time splendid landscapes. Visit Cascade Monument which was the main symbol of the city’s 2780^th anniversary with the equivalent number of stairs. Mega scale staircase is 500 meters high and 50 meters wide. On the top of the monument you will enjoy breathtaking city view with Opera House, Mount Ararat, Swan Lake, Republic Square, and Abovyan Avenue, which you will also walk by during the tour. Visit the Armenian Genocide memorial complex on the hill of Tsitsernakaberd. Continue to the Holy See of Armenia, Etchmiadzin. Visit Etchmiadzin Cathedral which is the residence of the head of Armenian Apostolic Church the Catholicos of All Armenians. Return to Yerevan for overnight at hotel.

Duration of sightseeing tour: 6-7 hours

Driving distance: 50 km

B _ _ Hotel

At 09:00 head to Khor Virap monastery (“deep pit”). According to the legend, St. Gregory the Illuminator, the Baptist of Armenia, had been kept here in the basement during 13 years for the disseminating of Christianity until tsar Tradt decided to adopt new religion. Monastery location allows you to enjoy the best views of the Mount Ararat. Drive to Areni cave complex, where in 2010 the earliest shoe was found. Continue to Noravank Complex situated on a ledge of a deep winding gorge. Noravank ensemble stands amidst the bizarre-shaped precipitous red cliffs.

Arrival in Goris at around 18:00. Overnight at the hotel.

Driving distance: 260 km

B _ _ Hotel

At 09:00, depart Yerevan and drive to Garni, one of the major villages in Armenia famous for its fortress. The fortress is the only pagan sacred place from the 1^st century that survived aggressive introduction of Christianity in the 4^th century. Next stop is at the monastery complex Geghard (“spear”). A beautiful landscape of Geghard is framed with towering cliffs. Decorative art cut into rocks reflect and explain Medieval Ages development in this part of the world. The complex appeared in the 4^th century as a sacred spring inside the cave. Return to Yerevan. Free time.

At 19:00, enjoy farewell dinner at the traditional restaurant with folklore show program. Overnight at the hotel.

Duration of sightseeing tour: 5-6 hours

Driving distance: 80 km

B _ D Hotel

Check-out from the hotel till noon. Free time till transfer to Yerevan International Airport. End of the tour.

Driving distance: 15 km

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