Daily Tour 1 (27.09.2018): Treasures of Armenia

YerevanCity tour-Echmiadzin-Zvartnots-Ararat Brandy Factory
Duration: (09:00-17:00)Distance: 70 km

The proper launch of your stay in Yerevan will be a comprehensive tour of the capital, with explorations of the most prominent architectual sites and monuments. We will start from the Republic Square - the heart of the city. The route then will lead us to National Academic Theater of Opera and Ballet of Armenia, towards which we will go through Northern Avenue, which is the relatively new part of the city. Also, you will be impressed by Cascade complex, which hosts a modern museum now and is beautifully occpying northern slope of the city. The spiritual and religious capital Echmiadzin is our next destination. You will be introduced to the first Christian Church in the world, the mother of Armenian Apostolic Church. We will have a tasteful lunch at a local restaurant. On our way back from Echmiadzin, another medieval Cathedral is awaiting. Despite being mainly ruins now, Zvartnots Cathedral is still a finding for curious mind. Afterwards, we will visit Yerevan Brandy Factory where you will be introduced to the world known Armenian brandy.

Overnight in Yerevan.
Price per person-75EUR

Minimum number of participants: 6

The price includes:

* Transportation according to the program
* All tickets and local guides according to the program
* English speaking guide throughout the program
* 1 lunch in Echmiadzin
* All taxes

Daily Tour 2 (28.09.2018): Discover the History

Yerevan city tour-Matenadaran-Garni-Geghard-Yerevan
Duration: (09:00-18:00) Distance: 90 km

We will start from the Republic Square - the heart of the city. The route then will lead us to National Academic Theater of Opera and Ballet of Armenia, towards which we will go through Northern Avenue, which is the relatively new part of the city. Also, you will be impressed by Cascade complex, which hosts a modern museum now and is beautifully occpying northern slope of the city. Afterwards comes Matenadaran - repository/institute of medieval manuscripts, books, valuable documents is on our list. You will get acquainted with the world's biggest collection of ancient manuscripts, learn their history and be impressed by the importance Armenians have always accorded to the alphabet and to preserving heritage through writing. Then we will visit Garni temple. The Temple of Garni is the only standing Greco-Roman colonnaded building in Armenia and the former Soviet Union. A traditional lunch is planned in a local house during which you will be introduced to the making process of Armenian national bread 'Lavash'. We plan to visit another beauty of Armenian Highlands - Geghard (meaning "spear") which is a medieval monastery, being partially carved out of a mountain, it is listed as a UNESCO World Heritage Site. On our way back to Yerevan we can't skip the famous Charents Arch, The arch itself is just an arch, you may even wonder, why this place is a "must-see". From the Charents Arch opens a breathtaking view to Ararat, probably the most stunning view of the Biblical mountain. From this place it seems that Ararat is not connected with the ground, but is "hanging down" from the sky.

Overnight in Yerevan.
Price per person-75EUR

Minimum number of participants: 6

The price includes:

*Transportation according to the program
* All local tickets and guides according to the program
* Local English speaking expert guide throughout the program
* 1 lunch in Garni
* Preparation and tasting of Lavash
* All taxes

Daily Tour 3 (29.09.2018): Armenian Highlands

Yerevan city tour - Sevan - Dilijan - Yerevan
Duration: (09:00-19:00) Distance: 280 km

We will start from the Republic Square - the heart of the city. The route then will lead us to National Academic Theater of Opera and Ballet of Armenia, towards which we will go through Northern Avenue, which is the relatively new part of the city. Also, you will be impressed by Cascade complex, which hosts a modern museum now and is beautifully occpying northern slope of the city. Afterwards we will take the road to Sevanavank. Being situated in a breathtaking location, this monastic complex is one of the few in Armenia that work for religious purposes. There are benches in front of the two churches of the complex (dating back to 9th century), where you can enjoy a stunning scenery of Big and Little Sevan lake. Once we have a tasteful lunch at a local restaurant by the lake, we will drive north and visit Haghartsin, which is a 13th century complex. It has very picturesque surroundings nested cozily in the forest. Next, you will be taken to the oldest street of the town Dilijan to explore Armenian artisans' handmade crafts, breathe in pure mountain air and enjoy the scenery.
Return to Yerevan after a day full of impressions.

Price per person-75EUR

Minimum number of participants: 6

The price includes:

* Transportation according to the program
* All local tickets and guides according to the program
* Local English speaking expert guide throughout the program
* 1 lunch in Sevan
* All taxes

Mystical Legacy (27-29.09.2018)

Day 1: Yerevan - Khor Virap - Noravank - Qarahunj - Goris
Duration: 09:00-19:00. Distance: 270 km

Right after breakfast we will drive towards famous Khor Virap monastery located East from capital, in Ararat region, the importance of which relies on tha fact that this is where St. Gregory the Illuminator was imprisoned for 13 years before miraculously healing the king and thus making him accept Christianity as the main religion of Armenia back in 4th century. Then the road will lead us to the monastery of Noravank major religious and later cultural center of Armenia. The architecture of this complex is outstanding, particularly well merging with the surrounding splendid nature. Following our route after a luch at a local restaurant, we will find ourselves in Syuniq, Southeast region of Armenia, where our next stop will be the notorious Qarahunj (Zorats Karer), prehistoric archeological site, which has numerous parallels with the British Stonehenge, with an important distinction, which is that Qarahunj is believed to be 3500 years older than its British analog. By the end of the day we will reach Goris and have a tasteful local dinner. Overnight in Goris.

Day 2: Goris - Tatev - Selim - Noratuz - Sevan
Duration: 09:00-18:00. Distance: 260 km

The day will start by visit to Tatev monastery, which we will reach by Tatever cable car - the longest non-stop double way cable car in the world, included in the World Guiness records book. During medieval times Tatev Monastery was a vital scholastic and spiritual center. The monastery served as the repository for thousands of valuable manuscripts, monastic and official documents and contracts. After soaking into the splendor of Tatev and its surroundings we will drive northwest to have a tasteful stop in a traditional restaurant for lunch, fuel up and continue our way towards Gegharkunik region. We will drive through Selim pass, which hosts an ancient caravanserai that used to accommodate weary travelers and their animals as they crossed through the mountainous regions. Noratus cemetery, our next destination, is a large field of Armenian khachkars (cross-stones), not far from the largerst body of water in Caucasus - astonishing Sevan. Cross-stones have a special and sacred meaning for Armenians. The oldest of them date back to 9th century. They were believed to save people's souls. By the evening we will approach the hotel by the lake Sevan, so that you can have a proper rest. Dinner and overnight in Sevan.

Day 3: Sevanavank – Goshavank – Ararat Brandy Factory
Duration: 09:00-17:00. Distance: 175 km

In the morning we will visit monastery Sevanavank, situated on the peninsula of Sevan. Having a breathtaking location, this monastic complex is one of the few in Armenia that work for religious purposes. There are benches in front of the two churches of the complex (dating back to 9th century), where you can enjoy a stunning scene to Big and Little Sevan. Then, visit to the Monastery of Goshavank. The monastery is located in the territory of the national park of Dilijan and is one of the famous religious, educational and cultural centers of the XII - XIII centuries. An academic, legislator, clergyman, Armenian teacher Mkhitar Gosh, where the name of the monastery derives from, founded the complex. We will stop at Old Dilijan Sharambeyan street, an atmospheric place where you will get acquainted with a multitude of works of Armenian craftsmen and artists, will walk around and enjoy yourself. A traditional lunch is planned for you in a local house where you will also be introduced to the making process of Armenian confectionery ‘Sujukh’. By the end of the day we will return to the capital and visit Ararat Brandy Factory, where you will taste notorious Armenian brandy and learn the history of the making of this historical drink.

Price per person based on double accommodation
6 - 270 EUR
Single Supplement- 30 EUR

Miminum number of participants: 6

The price includes:

* 1 night accommodation at the hotel in Goris
* 1 night accommodation at the hotel in Sevan
* Transportation according to the program
* All local tickets and guides according to the program
* Local English speaking expert guide throughout the program
* 2 breakfasts
* 3 lunches and 2 dinners
* Master class of Sujukh
* Brandy degustation in Yerevan Brandy Factory
* 1 bottle of mineral water per day per person
* All taxes

Links of the hotels:
Goris : Diana Hotel **** or similar
Sevan : Best Western Bohemian**** or similar