A week in Armenia

Arrival at Zvartnots International Airport.

Start your week trip to Armenia with one of the oldest capitals standing up to now. First of all, feel the mixture of the old and modern in Yerevan. Have an early morning walking tour through the streets of the “pink city”. Afterwards, drive to Tsitsernakaberd Memorial Complex dedicated to the memory of 1.5 million Armenians who perished in the first genocide of the 20th century.
Visit the Erebuni Museum. The Museum stands at the foot of the Arin Berd hill, on top of which you can still witness the Urartian Fortress Erebuni. 
Next, visit Megerian Carpet in Yerevan with a spectacular showroom where you’ll watch the production of the rugs and learn a lot about them. Finalize all your emotions of the day tasting the real flavour of Armenia- Armenian brandy known all over the world as the favourite drink of Winston Churchill. 

You will have a wonderful day exploring the early and late middle age period monasteries nestled in the most beautiful corners of the Armenian Highlands. Your first stop will be at Lake Sevan to admire the beauty of our Blue-Eyed Queen. Take the steps up to the Penninsula of Lake Sevan to witness  9th-century Sevanavank monastery with your own eyes and hear all the heroic stories related to that Penninsula once being an Island. Then visit the medieval monastic complex Haghartsin regarded as a “The Hidden Pearl of Middle Ages”. It’s hard to describe all the marvels of this place which didn’t leave even the Sharzhah Sheikh indifferent. Walk back to the Middle Ages through this winding forested paths, face the biggest refectory, churches standing partially destroyed, royal mausoleum and breathtaking views surrounding you.

Early in the morning drive through the Ararat Valley to the “the cradle of civilization” to enjoy a close view of Mt. Ararat. Take the steps up to Khor Virap monastery meaning  “deep dungeon”. This is the very dungeon where Gregory the Illuminator has been detained for 13 years before spreading Christianity in Armenia. In short, feel the breath of Christianity!

Did you know that Armenia has another capital besides Yerevan? Etchmiadzin is the spiritual capital of Armenia. Mother See of Holy Etchmiadzin was built in the place, where the Son of God appeared in the dream of the first Catholicos of Armenia St. Gregory the Illuminator and pointed out the place. On the way back to Yerevan enjoy the next Armenian 7th-century temple Zvartnots. Both Zvartnots temple and Mother See of Holy Etchmiadzin are listed in UNESCO World’s Cultural Heritage Sites.

This time take a trip to Saghmosavank Monastery, which is a 13th-century Armenian monastic complex located in the village of Saghmosavan. The monastery has been one of the largest depositories housing thousands of books, manuscripts.
Then visit Amberd, which is a 7th-century fortress located 2,300 meters (7,500 ft) above sea level, on the slopes of Mount Aragats. That is why the name Amberd translates into “fortress in the clouds” in Armenian.
After a healthy and tasty lunch head to go to explore St Mesrop Mashtots Cathedral built in the 19th-century church in Oshakan village of Aragatsotn Province. The church is famous for being the burial place of Saint Mesrop Mashtots, the creator of the Armenian alphabet.

No traveller to Armenia can avoid this wonderful masterpiece partially carved out of the rock right in the canyon of the Azat river. The name ‘Geghard’ derives from the holy spear. So, head to Geghard Monastery to let your soul soar above these rocks and mountains and enjoy all the marvels.
Afterwards, continue your wonderful tour to Garni Temple, the only standing heathen temple in Armenia. The plateau on which the temple stands is included in the UNESCO World Heritage Site along with the surrounding area. Go there to walk over the paths of Armenian kings, feel the breeze coming over you from the surrounding peaks and taking you back to royal periods! Reveal the secrets of Armenian kitchen here…. Be present in the master class of lavash baking – traditional Armenian bread. This flatbread is also inscribed in the UNESCO Representative List of the Intangible Cultural Heritage of Humanity.

Transfer to Zvartnots International Airport.