DAY 1 : ARRIVAL

Arrival to the Zvartnots International Airport in Yerevan. Transfer & check into your hotel.

DAY 2: YEREVAN CITY TOUR - MATENADARAN - TSITSERNAKABERD - YEREVAN

Starting a city tour with your guide. During the city tour, you will see the most beautiful sights in Yerevan.

Republic square, the heart of Yerevan. the base of the General Plan of Yerevan designed in 1924-1936 by architect Tamanyan.

Cascade Monument, one of the most famous landmarks of Yerevan, the Cafesjian Museum of Modern Arts.

Matenadaran, the world's largest repository of ancient manuscripts.

Lunch in Armenian local restaurant.

Genocide memorial “Tsitsernakaberd” to get closer to one of the saddest pages of the Armenian history.

DAY 3: YEREVAN - ECHMIADZIN - ZVARTNOTS - VERNISSAGE - YEREVAN

Drive to Echmiadzin Cathedral - the religious center for all the Armenian. Armenia was the first country in the world to adopt Christianity as a state religion in 301 (UNESCO)

Hripsime Church built in 618 (UNESCO)

The ruins of Zvartnots Cathedral one of the medieval Armenian cathedrals built in the 7th century (UNESCO)

Lunch in Armenian local restaurant.

Return to Yerevan & visit Vernissage, a large open-air exhibition-market in Yerevan, where you will find anything and everything.

 

DAY 4: YEREVAN - KHOR VIRAP -GNISHIK - NORAVANK - ARENI - GORIS

Depart from Yerevan. Drive to the Khor Virap Monastery, located at the foot of the biblical Mount Ararat, the greatest symbol of Armenia.

We arrive at the town Amaghu, from where we will begin our path to the Gnishik canyon through Arpa Protected Landscape.

Noravank Monastery, considered one of the jewels of Armenian architecture, located in an impressive canyon.

Lunch in Armenian local restaurant.

Birds’ Cave which was inhabited in different epochs by ancient civilizations. One of the valuable findings was the oldest shoe in the world (5500 years).

Arrive in Goris & check into your hotel. The most peculiar feature of Goris is the uniquely styled one-two storey houses, with stone fences & arched gates.

Walking: approx. 2 hours, 3 km, ↑16 m ↓180 m 

DAY 5: GORIS - KHNDZORESK - TATEV - DEVIL'S BRIDGE - GORIS

In the morrning we start walking towards the village Khndzoresk (approx. 2-2.5 hours) which is located in the slopes of a deep canyon. The cavernous town stretches 3 kilometers. The town houses are mostly dug into the rocks. Then we go to Halidzor, from where we are going to visit Tatev Monastery, the gem of Armenian architecture. It was founded in the 9th century. We are going to take cable car Wings of Tatev which is the longest reversible cableway in the world (5752 m), recorded in the Guinness Book of Records.

From here we will walk towards the Devil's Bridge (approx. 2-2.5 hours), passing through the Big Desert of Tatev. The Devil's Bridge, located 150 m above the Vorotan River, is considered one of the natural wonders of Armenia. It is a natural "roof" that protrudes above the stormy waters.

Return to Goris.

Walking: approx. 5 hours, 9 km, ↑260 m ↓150 m ↑110 m ↓620 m

DAY 6: GORIS - KARAHUNJ - SHAKI WATERFAL - SELIM - SEVAN - DILIJAN

Depart from Goris. Visit Karahunj, one of the few megalithic monuments preserved in the world. It dates back to the III-II millennium B.C. It was built 6000 years ago, and was used for 4000 years up to the adoption of Christianity. From here we will begin our path to Shaki Waterfall, located in one of the cosiest corners of Syunik region, gloriously opening its striking beauty to all the admirers.

Lunch in Armenian local restaurant.

Drive to Selim Pass. Visit Caravanserai of Selim, built in 14th Century, located at an altitude of 2410 meters above sea level. It was one of the major points of Armenian Silk Road.

Visiting Sevanavank. The monastery is made up of two churches dating back to the 9th century, located on the peninsula of Lake Sevan which was an island. From the peninsula, there is a beautiful view of Lake Sevan, which is the jewel of Armenia and the second highest freshwater lake in the world. Arrive in Dilijan & check into your hotel. Spend the evening exploring spa town Dilijan.

Walking: approx. 3 hours, 8 km, ↑200 m ↓290 m

DAY 7: DILIJAN - LAKE PARZ - GOSHAVANK - YEREVAN

After breakfast we will drive to Lake Parz, from where we start walking towards the Monastery Goshavank (1500 MASL) within thick forests. We will pass by the wonderful Lake Gosh, where you will be able to rest a little bit and enjoy the incredible nature.

Goshavank Monastery where the major medieval university used to be. Goshavank was erected in 1188 on the place of ancient monastery Getik destroyed by the earthquake.

Lunch in Armenian local restaurant.

Drive to Yerevan. Check into your hotel. Spend the evening exploring Yerevan.

Walking: approx. 5 hours, 12 km ↑150 m, ↓400 m

DAY 8: YEREVAN - GUEGHARD - GARNI - GOGHT - YEREVAN

Drive to Kotayk region. Visit Geghard Monastery. According to tradition Geghard was founded by Saint Gregory in the 4th century on the site of a sacred spring. The current constructions of the monastery, which are partially excavated in the rock, date from the 13th century (UNESCO). From here we go to the village Goght, from where we will begin our path through the Azat river gorge, arriving at the Symphony of Stones, and we will go up to Garni temple. It’s the only preserved pagan temple in the entire territory of the Caucasus. The construction dates back to the second half of the 1st century and was dedicated to the Sun God.

In Garni you will take part in "lavash" baking masterclass. During this master class you will observe and learn the millennia-old techniques of making lavash, and, of course, taste self-baked lavash together with some fresh greens and yummy local cheese. In 2014 "The preparation, meaning and appearance of traditional bread lavash as an expression of Armenian culture" was inscribed in the UNESCO Representative List of the Intangible Cultural Heritage of Humanity.

Walk: approx. 3 hours, 7 kilometers, ↓330 m ↑160 m

DAY 9: DEPARTURE

According to the flight time, transfer to the airport.

Have a nice flight!

 

Transfers: airport-hotel-airport

5 x overnights in 4* hotel (Double/Twin rooms) in Yerevan

2 x overnight at the hotel (Double/Twin rooms) in Goris

1 x overnight at the hotel (Double/Twin rooms) in Dilijan

Comfortable transportation according to the program

Professional Foreign language-speaking guide during the program

Entrance fees

Wings of Tatev ropeway ticket

All breakfasts and lunches

Lavash baking master class

One bottle of water per person per day

Our assistance 24/7

Flight tickets and visa fee

Dinners

Alcoholic beverages

Insurance

Services, not mentioned in the inclusions