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Want
a holiday for your body and soul? Want a fresh breath of cultural air in your
spirit? Then the Cultural Tour we offer is your right choice. Sightseeing,
excursions to the local galleries and exhibitions, shows and concerts. And this
is only the smallest part of what kind of opportunities open before you the
very moment you step on Armenian land. You will also get acquainted with habits
and traditions of the inhabitants of this blessed land, become a witness of
many rituals, both with ancient roots, and modern ones. You are sure to be full
of romanticism, joy and satisfaction by the end of this tour.
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Duration: 7 days/ 6 nights
Start and finish in Yerevan
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| | The 1st Day you'll be welcomed at Zvartnots
airport
and roomed in a hotel in Yerevan. After a short rest you'll undertake a tour
around Yerevan, the magnificent capital of Armenia, representing a sweet
mixture of East and West cultures, ancient and modern. You are in Yerevan for
the first time? Then prepare yourself for fresh experiences and unknown
feelings, for that's what you are sure to have seeing sites of Yerevan by the
daylight, and even more seeing magic Yerevan at night. You have been to Yerevan
before? Then get ready to surprising changes in the appearance of the city, for
Yerevan has welcomed the 21st century with new hotels, restaurants, theaters,
attractions and shopping centers. |
The 2nd Day you'll spare
on visitting the temple of Garni (I c. AD), the Temple of Sun, suspended
between earth and sky, on the top of huge granite rocks and magnificent
architectural complex of Geghard (IV c. AD), carved in stone, settled under the
wing of a grand rock. Then you'll visit the Fortress Town of Erebuni, the
ancient forerunner of Yerevan, located at Arin-Berd hilltop. At present Erebuni
is partially restored and made into an open-air museum. In the pathway of the
entrance to the fortress Erebuni Museum (1968), located in the pathway of the
entrance to the fortress. The second place of great importance you'll visit
this day is Matenadaran, one of the world's largest depositories of ancient
manuscripts (more, than 17,000 documents), the Institute of manuscript study.
The 3rd Day you'll drive
to Echmiatsin. Once an ancient capitals of Armenia Vagharshapat, it got its
present name from the legend about the foundation of the church, when The Only
Begotten Son, Christ, descended and showed to Grigor the Enlightener the place,
where the present day Mother Church, The Cathedral of Holly Echmiatsin was to
be founded. It is a masterpiece of classical Armenian architecture, founded in
301 AD. You'll visit the Museum of the Cathedral and the Treasury, where an
experienced guide will tell you the exciting story of each of the exhibits.
Next last sight of this day will be the ruins of Zvartnots temple (built in
7-th c., destroyed by an earthquake in 10-th c.), a magnificent massive complex
of temple, palace, wine cellars and food storage. Then our tour will bring you
to the medieval fortress of Amberd (X c.), situated at a height of 2300 m on
the slopes of Aragats Mountain. Then you'll see the monastery of Saghmosavank
(XIII century), perching on the edge of precipitous gorge, amazing by compact
arrangement of the monuments, clever use of the terrain and well thought-out
decorations. The ensemble is famous for its depository of manuscripts.
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The 4th Day is for a
dizzily interesting
excursion to Sanahin monastery (X c.), which you'll reach over Sanahin Bridge
(1195) across Debed River. You'll continue the tour in the direction of Haghpat
monastery (X c.) rising sharply against a background of steep forested slopes.
Then you'll visit Odzoun basilica (VI c.), famous for its large memorial
monuments of V-VII centuries, representing some degree of approximation to the
antique triumphal arch. From here you'll drive to Dilijan, "a small
Armenian paradise", "an Armenian Switzerland", the resort of
Armenian kings. And have an overnight stop in Adamyan Family Guesthouse.
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The 5th Day will be
given to admiring Haghartsin (X-XIII), an architectural ensemble the building
of which took about 300 years. Here you can see numerous memorial khachkars,
among which unique and highly artistic ones can be found. You'll see Goshavank
(XII-XIII), a monastery complex rising in dense oak wood, in the gorge of a
turbulent river, in the place of an older monastery, Ghetik, destroyed by an
earthquake. Next beauty to visit will be lake Sevan, one of the most idyllic
spots. You'll visit its peninsula, once an island, with two churches ranking on
its top, providing a panoramic view. The exciting story, told by the guide will
take you to the reigning times of the king Ashot Erkat (Ashot the Iron X c.).
The impressions will fill you so much, you'll consider it enough for one day.
As soon as you have this feeling, it will mean it's time to return to Yerevan.
| | The 6th Day you'll get a day full of
information, excitement, surprise and admiration. Today you'll visit The State
History Museum, which presents the history of Armenia and contains a unique
collection of priceless relics and objects on Armenian history, culture and art
from the dawn of its civilization to our days. Here you'll find a unique
collection of ancient vehicles - carts and chariots - some of which are more
than 3500 years old the most ancient objects here are simple obsidian
implements, made by primitive inhabitants more than 600,000 years ago. You'll
also go to the State Picture Gallery, one of the leading art museums in the
region, the collections of which include outstanding examples of Armenian,
Russian and European art, numbering more than 20,000 works of applied art,
painting, sculpture and graphic. More than 3000 are constantly exhibited.
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The 7th Day will be the
day of earnfull departure. You are sure to leave Armenia anticipating your next
visit to the wonderful country of Armenia.
Duration: 11 days/ 10
nights
Start and finish in Yerevan
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Day 1: You'll be
welcomed at Zvartnots airport and roomed in a hotel in Yerevan.
Day 2: You'll spare on
visiting the temple of Garni (I c. AD), suspended between earth and sky, on the
top of huge granite rocks. Garni area is also famous for Garni gorge with
volcanic columns soaring 500-800 meters above the canyon, known for its
"Stone Organ". You'll also go to ageless monastery of Geghard (IV c.
AD), carved in stone, settled under the wing of a grand rock. Overnight in
Yerevan. | |
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Day 3: You'll enjoy
sightseeing in the vicinage of Yerevan with first stop at Echmiatsin, with the
Mother Church, The Cathedral of Holy Echmiatsin. You'll see the Museum of the
Cathedral. Your second stop will be Sardarapat. This is a memorial complex,
erected in the honor of the Armenian victory over Turkish invaders in May 1918.
The architectural and sculptural complex with a park and Museum of Ethnography
was laid out on the battlefield in 1968. Next site will be at ruins of
Zvartnots temple (built in 7-th c., destroyed by an earthquake in 10-th c.), a
magnificent massive complex of temple, palace, wine cellars and food storage.
Overnight in Yerevan.
Day 4: Is given to
visiting the Fortress Town of Erebuni, the ancient forerunner of Yerevan,
located at Arin-Berd hilltop. At present Erebuni is partially restored and made
into an open-air museum. The second place of great importance you'll visit this
day is Matenadaran, one of the world's largest depositories of ancient
manuscripts (more, than 17,000 documents) and the Institute for manuscript
study. Overnight in Yerevan.
Day 5: Visit to Amberd,
a medieval (IX) defensive complex on the slopes of Mt. Aragats includes
impressive ruins of castle and walls, as well as splendid small church on
junction of mountain rivers. The monastery of Saghmosavank, constructed in XIII
century is perching on the edge of precipitous gorge. The ensemble is famous
for its depository of manuscripts. Overnight in Yerevan.
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| | Day 6:
Embroidery, lace making, weaving, wood-carving and many other handicraft
products can be purchased at Vernissage and their creation process can be
viewed at different artisan shopettes. Traditional costumes can be seen at
museum in Yerevan, and some details of it can be found at Vernissage, too.
You'll start for lake Sevan, one of the most idyllic beauty spots. You'll visit
its peninsula, with two churches on its top, providing a panoramic view. After
that you'll move to Dilijan to be hosted at GuestHouse. Mrs. of house will
familiarize you with some secrets of Armenian cuisine, as well as accompany you
to rug-makers and other craftsmen in Dilijan. Overnight in Dilijan.
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Day 7: The beginning of
the day will starts with visits to craftsmen and later you'll visit Goshavank
(XII-XIII), monastery complex situated in dense oak wood, in the gorge of a
small but turbulent river, in the place of an older monastery, Ghetik,
destroyed by an earthquake. Then you'll see Haghartsin (X-XIII), an
architectural ensemble the building of which took about 300 years. Overnight in
Dilijan.
Day 8: The beginning of
the day will starts with visits to craftsmen and in the evening you'll have
open-air feast at Parz Lake shore. Overnight in Dilijan.
Day 9: After midday
you'll be taken to a breathtaking excursion to Sanahin monastery (X c.), which
you'll reach over Sanahin Bridge (1195) of supreme artistic merit across Debed
River. Then you'll continue your tour to Haghpat monastery (Xc) rising sharply
against a background of steep forested slopes. Exploring this tremendous work
of architecture you'll start for Odzoun basilica (VI c.), famous for its large
memorial monuments of V-VII centuries, representing some degree of
approximation to the antique triumphal arch. Overnight in Dilijan.
Day 10: On the way back to
Yerevan you'll visit
Tsakhkadzor, the so-called Flower Gorge is a picturesque mountain resort,
famous for its spectacular countryside, healthy climate and numerous springs.
This name is always associated with modern tourism, recreation and sports.
While in Tsakhkadzor we advise you to visit a wonderful example of Armenian
architecture, a marvelous monastery complex Kecharis (XI-XIII), standing at the
edge of a thickly forested site of eastern slope of Panbak Ridge. Overnight in
Yerevan. | |
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Day 11: Transfer to
Zvartnots airport and departure.
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