Armenia adopted Christianity in 301, thus becoming the first country in world which established Christian approach to live on the state level. Through this tour you will have the opportunity to see the first Armenian church, which is now the center for all Armenian Christians, visit unique monasteries, see the only standing pagan temple in Armenia, as well as explore Armenian Christian knowledge saved and passed through generations. Enjoy and discover Christian Armenia through this tour.
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.
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
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 Illuminator. 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.
Back to Yerevan.
Day 4 – Sevanavank – Haghartsin – Goshavank – Dilijan
Breakfast in the hotel.
Starting the route Sevanavank – Haghartsin – Goshavank – Dilijan
Lake Sevan is the largest lake in modern Armenia which occupies 5% of the territory of the country. It is situated in Gegharkunik region at 1900 meters above sea level. It’s the second largest alpine lake in the world after Lake Titicaca in South America.
Sevanavank monastery is in the peninsula of Sevan.
Sevanavank – the monastery was founded in the 4th century by Gregory the Enlightner, though the existing churches belong to the 9th century and were constructed by the princess of Armenia Mariam Bagratuni in memory of her husband.
We continue our tour towards Dilijan.
Haghartsin -The complex was formed by constructions belonging to different centuries and it consists of three churches, two narthexes (one is ruined), refectory, several chapels, khachkars and so on. The oldest construction in the complex is St. Gregory church (approximately X century). The most fascinating construction is the refectory which is a bright example of Armenian civil architecture.
Goshavank – Goshavank monastery (12-13th century) is situated 20 km away from Dilijan. In historic sources the monastery is referred to as school, academy, university, seminary. Among the subjects were languages – Armenian, as well as foreign languages (Greek, Latin), grammar, rhetoric, music, writing art and painting. Famous men of culture got educated and later worked here.
Back to Dilijan town. Accommodation at the hotel in Dilijan.
Day 5 – Dilijan – Haghpat – Sanahin – Akhtala – Yerevan
Breakfast in the hotel. Check-out. Trip to Lori Region.
Haghpat – Haghpat monastery was founded in 976 during the reign of Ashot G. Bagratuni. The monastery was one of the largest cultural centers of medieval Armenia, where prominent figures of time worked, written and illustrated many manuscripts. The monastery is also of great architectural value, especially the magnificent bell tower.
Sanahin – is also located near the city of Alaverdi. The exact date of Sanahin’s founding is unknown. According to the tradition, the monastery was founded in the 4th century. The name “Sanahin” means “This is Older”, according to the tradition, Sanahin was called an older monastery than Haghpat.
According to the written and material evidence, the current Sanahin Monastery was founded in the 10th century during the reign of King Abas Bagratuni in the 930s. Later, being the administrative center of the Kyurik kings and the cemetery of the ministerial house (half the 12th century). In both monasteries, and especially in Sanahin, humanities, music and medicine were taught and scientific works were written.
Akhtala Monastery complex – is located about 10 km from the city of Alavard. The castle of Akhtala has been erected on a vast expanse of monumental rocks surrounded by rocky deep gorges that are natural barriers. The main church of the Akhtala monastic complex is the Holy Mother of God. The exact date of the church construction is unknown. it’s considered to be the 11th-13th centuries. The church is fully decorated with beautiful frescoes inside.
Return to Yerevan.
Day 6 – Garni – Gaghard
Tour to Matenadaran, one of the richest centers of ancient manuscripts. There are over 23,000 ancient manuscripts here.
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.
Day 7 – Yerevan
Transfer to the airport.
This tour will help to discover the impact of the culture of Christian Armenia on the world heritage.
We believe Armenia to be one of the world’s great undiscovered tourism destinations and it is our passion to share this region with you.
We have assembled an all-star team of knowledgeable and service-oriented guides and staff members, who save no effort to make any visit to Armenia the most memorable and enjoyable one.
