Old and New Armenia

Historic snapshot is a cultural tour option for those who visit Armenia for a long weekend. Through this tour we will demonstrate the most popular tourism destinations in Armenia and present the cultural heritage from prehistoric times to nowadays.

Day 1 – Yerevan
Arrival at “Zvartnots” International Airport, Yerevan. Meeting at the airport, transfer to the hotel.

Day 2 – Yerevan city tour

Breakfast in the hotel.

Round tour in Yerevan, one of ancient cities in the world. Yerevan was founded in 782 B.C. by the king of Urartu Argishti, it became the capital city for the first Republic of Armenia, later Soviet Armenia, and since 1991 it has been the capital of the current Republic of Armenia.
Walk in the center of the city, the main square of the city, the Opera and Ballet House, the Northern Avenue, as well as other structures.
History Museum of Armenia – History Museum represents a coherent picture of the culture and history of Armenia from ancient times till nowadays.
The Cascade Complex – The Complex represents a structure made up from huge stairs, while numerous fountains leave the impression of a waterfall. Cafesjian Center for the Arts is also located here. In the Cascade Complex one can see works of modern sculptors like F. Botero, J. Brychtová,S. Libenský, J. Plensa and many others.

The Armenian Genocide Museum and Memorial is dedicated to the memory of 1.5 million Armenians who were massacred by the Turks at the beginning of the 20th century.

Victory Park –here tourists can find the statue of Mother Armenia and the memorial complex dedicated to the memory of the soldiers who died in the Second World War. A magnificent view of the city opens up from here.
Accommodation in the hotel of Yerevan.

Day 3 – Echmiadzin – Garni – Geghard

After breakfast tourist will be taken to Echmiadzin.

Echmiadzin is the center of the Armenian Apostolic Church, as well as the Holy See of the head of the church – the Catholicos. The city is considered to be the spiritual capital of Armenia and is located 20km from Yerevan.

Echmiadzin Cathedral was constructed in 301-303 by the founder of the Armenian Apostolic Church and the first Catholicos Gregory the Enlightner. It is considered to be the first Christian church in the world. Inside the church one can find the Treasury (museum) where church relics are kept, among which tourists can see a fragment of Noah’s Ark, Holy Lance that was used by a roman soldier to pierce the side of Jesus Christ and other interesting objects.

St. Hripsime and St. Gayane churches – Hripsime and Gayane were hermit nuns and they were persecuted in the Roman Empire because they were Christians. They found a shelter in Armenia. These churches were constructed exactly in the sites where they were killed. The church of St. Hripsime has a great architectural value as represents one of the first samples of Armenian Church architecture.
Ruins of Zvartnots Temple – Zvartnots was constructed in 643-652, had a unique structure which was different from typical Armenian medieval churches. However, unfortunately, it got destroyed approximately in the 10th century. The ruins of the temple were found at the beginning of the 20th century, and a very little part of it is reconstructed.

Later tourists will drive to Kotayk region.

Geghard monastery – According to legends the monastery was founded in the 4th century, but nowadays surviving constructions belong to the 13th century. This unique structure, partially cut into the adjacent rock, is surrounded by high mountains. The monastery is included in UNESCO list of world heritage.

Garni Fortress – The territory of Garni fortress was inhabited in the ancient times, inscriptions from the times of the Kingdom of Urartu, as well as constructions belonging to different ages were found here. One of the most significant constructions is the 1st century pagan temple dedicated to the God of Sun Mitra. This temple is the only surviving example of a pagan temple in Armenia, as well as the only one constructed in Greek-Roman style. Tourists will also see the 2nd century bath.

Driving back to Yerevan. Accommodation in the hotel in Yerevan.

Day 4 – Yerevan

Transfer to the airport. Departure.

Historic snapshot will help you travel through the ups and downs of Armenian history, live it, feel it and fall in love with Armenia once again.