DAY 1 – June 15
Departure form JFK airport

DAY 2 – June 16
Arrival to Yerevan. Meeting at the airport. Transfer to the hotel in Yerevan.
Check in. Time for resting. Rest time
OVERNIGHT IN YEREVAN

DAY 3 – June 17
Breakfast served
Tsitsernakaberd memorial and museum to the 1915 Genocide, Commemorating the 100 years since the Genocide.
Free time for Vernisage

OVERNIGHT IN YEREVAN

DAY 4 – June 18
Breakfast served
We will travel to Geghard (Cave monastery) for BADARAK (UNESCO) architectural complex (12-13th centuries), carved out of one monolithic rock. Due to the extraordinary acoustics, when the local singer begins to sing in this chamber it is hard to believe a large choir isn’t singing… be aware it is only one man…
A visit to Geghard is truly a spiritual experience.
Lunch with a traditional table/lavash making: “Eat thy bread with joy” in Geghard
Later on, to Garni, the location of the only pre-Christian pagan temple maintained in Armenia.
Return Yerevan

OVERNIGHT IN YEREVAN

DAY 5 – June 19
Breakfast served
Visit Aragatsotn Region – this part of Armenia, especially Mt. Aragats, has always attracted the attention of travelers, tourists and geologists due to a tremendous number of historical monuments and beautiful landscapes.
Artashavan – New Complex of Armenian Letters: “It is difficult to express the deep feeling Armenians have for their language, which many regard as the lifeblood of their culture”. Saghmosavank Monastery perch on the edge of the precipitous gorge of the Kasakh river. Visiting the village of Oshakan, you will see the church which is built over the grave of Mesrop Mashtots, who is the founder of the Armenian alphabet, and one of Armenia’s greatest benefactors. Lunch and hospitality with an Armenian Family.

CULTURAL PERFORMANCE: which represents the inimitable characteristics of various events, traditions and customs of different regions, as well as national and traditional dance of both Historical Armenia and present day Armenia.
OVERNIGHT IN YEREVAN

DAY 6 – June 20
Breakfast served
Visit to Lake Sevan – the emerald of Armenia, a beauty under the sky. Lake Sevan is considered to be one of the largest sweet water lakes in the world, situated at an altitide of 1,897 meters above sea level. The most picturesque view of Lake Sevan is seen from the peninsula atop which Sevan Monastery is nicely nestled dating to the 9th century; Lunch in Sevan
Trip to Dilijan: “A piece of Switzerland in Armenia” – Earth and sky, woods and fields, rivers, the mountains become excellent schoolmasters, and teach some of us more than we can ever learn otherwise… The old approach in the new century …
“Old Town Dilijan” complete with craftsmen workshops, small shops with traditional Armenian products and crafts, museum, showing typical 19th century living with all its local customs and handmade wood furnishings….. 10-13th centuries Haghadzin Monastery. Lunch in Dilijan
Return Yerevan

OVERNIGHT IN YEREVAN

DAY 7 – June 21
Breakfast served
A visit to Erebouni museum and Fortress founded in 782 BC. After you will take an excursion to the Cathedral of St. Gregory the Illuminator (20th c), the symbol of the 1700th anniversary of the proclamation of Christianity as a state religion in Armenia. The holy relics of St. Gregory were brought from Italy in time for the opening, and Pope John Paul II came to pay an official visit shortly after the consecration. This is one of those unrepeatable structures, the FUTURE built on the PAST.

OVERNIGHT IN YEREVAN

DAY 8 – June 22
Breakfast served
The day will start by visiting of Cascade, which is a huge white staircase built on the Yerevan hillside in the 1970s, with water fountains running down the sides, all reminiscent of a natural river or stream cascading. It connects the central district to Haghtanak Park -“Victory” Park to the center of the city. The structure has escalators so that it is unnecessary to manually ascend the stairs all the way to the top.
You will enjoy a tour of the most enigmatic of cities, visiting the remarkable Matenadaran Library and Research Institute of Armenia which houses about 17000 rare manuscripts. This is one of the richest depositories of manuscripts and books in the world. The history of the Matenadaran dates back to the creation of the Armenian alphabet in 405.
Lunch in Armenian Traditional Restaurant in Yerevan

OVERNIGHT IN YEREVAN

DAY 9 – June 23
Breakfast served and check out
Driving through the fertile plains of the Ararat valley, you will reach Khor Virap Monastery – the beginning of the History of Christianity in Armenia, magnificently set against the towering slopes of the Biblical Mountain, Ararat. You have some quite spectacular photo opportunities before a landscape of unparalleled beauty and majesty. The monastery is the site where St. Gregory the Illuminator was incarcerated and it is a pilgrimage destination for every believer. Later on we will taste and enjoy a guided tour of the famous “Areni Winery.” In Armenian, there is a famous saying that “Wine is bottled poetry”. Next, we will take the path through the narrow gorge, revealing Noravank Monastery, nestled inside the deep red landscape of the tuf stone mountains.
Lunch will be served near Noravank Monastery. Karahunge- ancient observatory.
Returning to the main highway we shall start driving South to Goris.
Hotel accommodation in Goris

DINNER & OVERNIGHT IN GORIS

DAY 10 – June 24
Breakfast served and Check out
After Breakfast we leave Goris for Tatev Monastery in the early morning; on the way you will admire a splendid view of the area. The Aerial Tramway of Tatev – spanning 5.7 kilometers across the spectacular Vorotan River Gorge, offer a spectacular journey with breathtaking views of the river gorge below, but most significantly, it will link you to one of the jewels of Armenia’s medieval legacy – Tatev Monastery as well the Tatev Aerial Tramway – the longest passenger aerial tramway in the world – is poised to be one of southern Armenia’s most popular attractions. Arriving you the picturesque monastery nestled at the top of an impregnable plateau, crowned by the ramparts walls from the upper part of the territory. After you will have time to discover the interior of the monastery which was founded in the 4th cent., becoming an important religious and educational center of medieval Armenia in 9-10th cc..
Lunch in the foothills.
Drive to JERMOOK and light tour
Overnight in Yerevan

DAY 11 – June 25
We embark on our journey to the land of ancient treasures of Christian history – Mother See of Holy Etchmiadzin (UNESCO) the “religious capital” and the seat of the Supreme Patriarch-Catholics of all Armenians. The story holds that the place where Noah made the fire after the flood is the site upon which the main Cathedral, one of the earliest Christian churches, was built. Nowadays, it is located in the lower chamber, underneath the main Altar of the Cathedral. Participation in DIVINE LITURGY (Meeting with the Catholicos)
Then, admire the Churches of Sts. Hripsime and Gayane (7th c.) named after the faithful virgins, these churches are dedicated to these virgins, 3rd century followers of Christ who were martyred.
Lunch is in one of the educational and cultural centers of Etchmiadzin

EVENING: FAREWELL DINNER in a typical Armenian Restaurant with live Armenian music completing your journey with unforgettable memories.

OVERNIGHT IN YEREVAN

DAY 12 – June 26
Breakfast served and Check out
TRANSFER to ZVARTNOTS INTERNATIONAL AIRPORT

HAVE A NICE FLIGHT!!!
**Itinerary is subject to change at any time

Price includes:
Airplane Ticket (DFW-EVN)
Full transportation and transfers in Armenia as specified in itinerary
Meals as indicated – Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner
Entrance fee to all sightseeing destination
4* Hotels – based on double occupancy in Armenia
English speaking tour guide