ARARAT-Armenian dream
During this tour you will see biblical Ararat from
different sites of Armenia
You will hear different stories about Ararat
You will see how often Armenians use this holy word
You will feel the presence of Ararat as close as possible
Which will mean You are close to the Armenian dream...
You will hear different stories about Ararat
You will see how often Armenians use this holy word
You will feel the presence of Ararat as close as possible
Which will mean You are close to the Armenian dream...
Duration: 10 days
Type: classic; excursion
Accommodation: 4* ARARAT hotel
Meal plan: BB, banquet
Price: 700 euro/pppt/(calculated for 8 pax)
Kilometrage: 1048km
Day 1. Arrival(40km)
Arrival to Yerevan,
Meeting at "Zvartnots" International airport,
Transfer to the hotel,
Check-In Support,
Overnight at the hotel (ARARAT).
Day 2. Yerevan(50km)
After
breakfast at the hotel meet your tour guide and start city tour round Yerevan
which is located in ARARAT valley lying under the feet of the majestic mount ARARAT
on the Noah's route. The contemporary capital of Armenia is the 13th and it is one of
the oldest cities in the world founded in 782 BC. During tour visit Erebouni
Museum of the History of the Foundation of Yerevan which stands at the foot of
the Arin Berd hill, on the top of which the Urartian Fortress Erebouni has been
constructed. The next visit is Yerevan History Museum which throws light on the
history of the city beginning from ancient times up to our days. Return to the
hotel. Overnight at the hotel (ARARAT).
Day 3. Yerevan-Garni-Geghard-Yerevan(73km)
Breakfast
at the hotel. Visiting National Gallery of Armenia which has a huge collection of
Russian, Armenian, and European works, and is considered one of the best museums in the former Soviet Union. Here you will see works of the
Armenia immortal sea-scapist Hovhannes Ayvazovsky including the famous painting of "Dejection of
Noah from Mountain ARARAT".
Drive to Garni temple(1stA.D.) which is the
only "witness" of Hellenistic Epoch in the territory of CIS. It's the only standing temple in the territory of Armenia which has been preserved after Armenia addopted Christianity in 301. It's dedicated to the powerful pagan God of sun called Mithra.Continue tour to Gegard Monastery(12-13th centuries). Geghard was initially known as Ayrivank (Cave Monastery). The name refers to the
biblical lance with which a Roman soldier pierced Christ's body. Hundreds of
Khachkars and caves are built in the rocks surrounding the Monastery. Geghard and the Upper Azat
Valley are inscribed on the UNESCO World Heritage List. Return to Yerevan with
stop at the Charents's Arch. It is from here that the greatest Armenian poets of the 20th century admired the view of the double-peaked ARARAT. Here you can enjoy one of his poems dedicated to ARARAT: (Pass the whole world, there's no summit as white as that of ARARAT,
Like glory road, unreachable, I love as well my Mount Massis). In the
evening we invite you to visit a movie club and watch the film "ARARAT" with Sharl Anznavour as a head actor. It is a 2002 film directed, written, and co-produced by an Armenian-Canadian
director Atom Egoyan based loosely on the Siege of Van during the Armenian
Genocide, an event that is disputed by the current Turkish government. Overnight at
the hotel(ARARAT).
Day 4. Yerevan-Echmiadzin-Zvartnots-Yerevan(40km)
Breakfast at the hotel. Visiting Tsitsernakaberd Memorial Complex dedicated to the memory of the 1.5 million Armenians who perished in the first genocide of the 20thcentury, at the hands of the Ottoman Empire. Tour to centuries-old
monuments Echmiadzin(Armenian Vatican) and Zvartnots listed on UNESCO World
Heritage list. Visiting the Churches of 3 Virgins: centre-domed cruciform Church of Saint Hripsimeh (618), domical basilica of Saint Gayaneh (630) and
'domed gallery' type Church of Shoghakat (1694). The Cathedral of
Echmiadzin(303) is the official residence of the Armenian Catholicos. Continue tour
to Zvartnots(7-10th centuries)- a Temple of Vigil Forces. Return to Yerevan.
Overnight at the hotel(
ARARAT).
Day 5. Yerevan-Ashtarak-Oshakan-Moughni-Saghmosavank-Yerevan(90km)
Early
breakfast at the hotel. Visiting Matenadaran-one of the unique institutes of ancient Manuscripts in the world. Trip to Oshakan village which is perhaps best
known for the Church of Saint Mesrop Mashtots(1875-1879) which also happens to
be the burial place of Saint Mesrop Mashtots, the creator of the Armenian
alphabet. Drive to Ashtarak city and take a tour with the historic monuments of
Ashtarak: Tsiranavor basilica Church(5th century), Karmravor (7th century), Spitakavor
(7th century) Churches, the Ashtarak Old Bridge (13-18th centuries). Drive to St. Gevorg Church in Moughni village. Continue tour to Saghmosavank-renowned religious,
academic and cultural centre of medieval Armenia.After you are back to Yerevan wou will visit ARARAT Cognac Factory (including a tour and degustation). Overnight at the
hotel(ARARAT).
Day 6. Yerevan-Sevan-Dilijan(180km)
Breakfast
at the hotel. Trip to the "pearl" of Armenia lake
Sevan which is the 2nd high-altitude lake in the world with its sweet and astonishingly blue water. Visiting
Sevanavank Monastery in Sevan peninsula which became the royal citadel of the
Syuniats kings in the 6th century.
Continue tour to the resort town Dilidjan. Yu. Kirillova has said: '' If there are
woods, mountains and mineral waters in paradise, it will be like in Dilijan''. Trip
to Haghartsin Monastery one of the religious and educational centers in medieval Armenia (10-13th centuries).
Overnight at the hotel (Dilijan).
Day 7. Dilijan-Odzun-Sanahin-Haghpat-Akhtala-Vanadzor(105km)
After morning meal departure to prominant monasteries of the Lori Region. The
first one isthe Church of Odzun constructed in the 6th century. The next one is Sanahin Monastery Complex founded in the 10th century and included in the UNESCO World Heritage
List along with the nearby Haghpat Monastery(10th century), an outstanding and magnificent
example of medieval Armenian architecture. Continue tour to the fortified Monastery
of Akhtala (12- 18th centuries). Drive to Yerevan. Overnight at the
hotel(ARARAT).
Day 8. Yerevan-Khor Virap-Noravank-Areni-Yerevan(120km)
Breakfast at
the hotel. First trip to
Khor Virap(4-18th centuries) the importance of which is
connected with Gregory the Illuminator, the first Catholicos in Armenia and during whose lifetime Armenia addopted Christianity.
On the way to Khor Virap you can enjoy the spectacular view of the sacred Mount ARARAT - the immortal symbol of Armenia. Then excursion to Noravank Monastery (13-14thcenturies) situated among
amazing sheer rocks on the bench of a twisty gorge. After that you'll enjoy
your dinner in a grotto with a spirit of mystery and antiquity. Near Noravank you will visit Chalcolithic pit in the cave of Areni, where you will get acquaintanted with latest archeological discoveries in the territory of Armenia. A six thousnad-year-old winery has been found in this cave. Archeologists have unearthed the oldest
wine-making facility, using biochemical techniques to identify a dry red
vintage of the winery. An international group of archeologists
have discovered the world's oldest leather shoe in this very cave. The 5500 years-old shoe was
perfectly preserved in a cool and dry condition. On your way back you will visit Areni Church(14th century). The village of Areni is also famous for its excellent wine, which you are welcome to taste. Drive to Jermuk.
Overnight at the hotel(Jermuk).
Day 9. Jermuk-Khndzoresk-Tatev-Yerevan(300km)
Breakfast at the hotel. Drive to Khndzoresk village which is famous for its
canyon with picturesque rock formations and ancient cave settlements. The
artificial caves, some of which are currently used as stables and warehouses,
used to be inhabited till the 1950s. Tour to legendary Tatev Monastery one of the finest in Armenia. Built in 895, the
complex consists of three churches of an impressive size. In the 14the century Grigor
Tatevatsi (an Armenian scholar) based here the University of Tatev with more than one thousand students living and studying there. On the way to Yerevan, descending
to the gorge of Vorotan river, you can see real wonder of the nature - the Satan's Bridge. The bridge being created by the nature itself astonishes by its perfection and ,
moreover, the lower part of the bridge is covered with stalactite formations.
Back to Yerevan. Banquet in ARARAT restaurant where you will observe the atmosphere of the Armenian traditional interior. Overnight at the hotel (ARARAT).
Day 10: Departure(50km)
Breakfast at the hotel.
Check-out from the hotel.
Transfer to the airport 3 hours before flight.
Support in airport check-in.
Weepy parting
.P.S All tours contain colorful and artistic add-ins, but we do not provide further information about them.
Tour package includes:
- All transfers by program
- Accommodation in 4* hotel ARARAT in DBL/TWIN room
- Breakfasts, banquet in Ararat restaurant(day 9)
- High-qualified guide-interpreter in the preferred language
- All entrance tickets
- Professional friendly driver
- Comfortable mini-bus with climate-control system
- 24-hours tourist support
- Souvenirs as presents from SacVoyage
Tour package does not include:
- Air ticket
- Visa to Armenia
- Medical insurance(1.2$ per day)
- HB Supplement is 130 EUR
