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Long Weekend in Armenia |
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Cultural Short Tour
(4 days) |
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The history of Yerevan dates
back to the 8th century BC. A
little part of the capital
city's 3,000-year history has
survived: Central Yerevan was
once dominated by huge
Soviet-style buildings, but now,
due to the nowadays active
constructions, many modern-style
buildings appear. While your
tour you will see the Republic
Square which is designed in the
traditional Armenian
architectural style and includes
the Government House Republic
square, the Ministry of Foreign
Affairs, the Central Post
Office, the National Art
Gallery. You will also see Opera
house, Victory Park with Mother
Armenia statue, the Sports and
Concert complex, Kievyan Bridge,
Baghramyan Avenue, the
Presidential Palace, Academy of
Sciences, National Parliament,
Writers Union and the fruit
market. Lunch in a local
restaurant. Visit to the
Tsitsernakaberd Memorial park
and museum of the victims of
Genocide. Departure to
Echmiadzin which is mere 20 km
from Yerevan.
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Day 1 |
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Arrival /
City tour / Echmiadzin / Zvartnots /
Yerevan
Arrival in Zvartnots airport. Meet
and greet transfer, accommodation at
the hotel. Breakfast at the hotel.
City tour around Yerevan. On the way
visit to St Hripsime church which is
considered to be one of the 7
wonders of Armenia. Etchmiadzin
Cathedral is known as the center of
the Armenian - Gregorian Church and
appears to be one of the world's
first Christian churches. Legend has
it that it was here that Jesus
Christ descended from heaven to show
were he wanted a church built. So
Echmiadzin means "The only-begotten
descended". The Church was built
between the years 301 - 303 AD under
the Armenian king Tiridates III and
the first Armenian Catholicos, St.
Gregory the Illuminator. Return to
Yerevan with stop at the ruins of
Zvartnots temple - the pearl of the
7th c. architecture (inscribed in
UNESCO World Heritage list). Drive
back to Yerevan.
Welcome dinner in a national
restaurant and overnight at Yerevan. |
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Day 2 |
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Yerevan /
Carpet Factory / Khor Virap / Areni
/ Noravank / Yerevan
Start tour to Carpet Factory to see
Armenian Carpet making process.
Sightseeing tour to Khor-Virap
monastery 4- 17th cc. 45 km. from
Yerevan the monastery of Khor-Virap
has a very rich history, both
religious and secular. Khor Virap
was built in Artashat during the
reign of the Arshakids dynasty. At
that time it was used as a pit-
dungeon for convicts. In the 60s of
the 4th century Artashat was ruined
by Persian invaders. It is situated
in the Ararat valley against the
biblical Ararat Mountain, were
Noah's arch cast anchor. The
importance of it is connected with
Gregory the Illuminator, who
introduced Christianity to Armenia
and is considered to be the first
Armenian catholicos. Here you will
also have an opportunity to take a
lit candle from the pit like His
holiness Paul II did while his visit
to Khor Virap. Continue tour to
Noravank monastery - a great
religious and cultural centre of
12th c. On the way visit Areni wine
factory to taste local wine made
from special sorts of vines.
Noravank ("New Monasterey") is 122
km away from Yerevan and is located
in an inaccessible location
throughout the stunning nature. The
oldest structure of the monastery is
the church of St. Karapet (9-10 c)
that has not survived. The principal
church is known as St. Karapet as
well, which was built in the 13th c.
The church has an atrium, which was
rebuilt by the famous architect and
sculptor Momik and is decorated with
bas-relives on religious themes.
Lunch in a local cave cafe. Drive
back to the capital city. Dinner and
overnight at the hotel in Yerevan.
Overnight. |
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Day 3 |
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Matenadaran
/ Garni / Geghard / Vernisage /
Fruit Market
Departure to Garni Temple. The
citadel and pagan temple of Garni is
a picturesque monument of the
Hellenistic period and an impressive
piece of ancient Armenian
architecture. It was built in the
first century A.D. by the Armenian
King Tiridates and it is dedicated
to a heathen god, probably to Mithra,
the god of the sun whose figure
stood in the depth of the sanctuary.
After proclaiming Christianity as a
state religion in Armenia in 301,
the temple was probably used as a
summer residence of the kings. Lunch
at a local house in Garni where you
will have opportunity to watch
Armenian national bread "lavash"
baking and barbeque making process
in the underground stove called "tonir".
Northeast of Garni, higher up the
gorge of the Azat river, there is a
magnificent monument of medieval
Armenian architecture - Geghard
monastery inscribed in UNESCO World
Heritage list (inscribed in UNESCO
World Heritage list). Geghard is
another incredible ancient Armenian
monastery, partly carved out of a
mountain. The meaning "the Monastery
of the Spear", originates from the
spear which had wounded Jesus during
his crucifixion, allegedly brought
to Armenia by Apostle Thaddeus, and
stored amongst many other relics.
Now the historical spear is
displayed in the Etchmiadzin
treasury. Though the monastery of
Gueghard was around before the 4th
century, the main cathedral was
built in 1215. The entrance of the
compound is surrounded by high walls
on three sides and mountain on the
other. Outside the monastery complex
there are some caves which have a
bunch of little cave rooms and are
quite interesting. Return back. In
the second half of the day visit
open air market Vernissage that
bustles with hundreds of vendors
selling a variety of crafts on
weekends. The market offers
woodcarving, antiques, fine lace,
and the hand-knotted wool carpets
and kilims that are a Caucasus
specialty. Visit to the famous fruit
market for shopping of dry fruits
including Armenian apricot.
Farewell dinner and overnight at the
hotel in Yerevan. |
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Day 4 |
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Departure
Transfer to the airport. |
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Other details available upon request
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Note:
Duration of the tour must be fit to your
arrival and departure Flights. |
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Airport - Hotel - Airport
Transfer |
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Inland transportation |
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Tour Guide |
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Hotel Accommodation (in the
cities) Double room |
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FB Meal: BLD |
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1
bottle of mineral water per
person per day |
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Museums Entrance fees |
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Meeting dinner at the restaurant |
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Leaving party at the National
restaurant |
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Wine tasting |
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Air
fare |
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Single room supplement
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Meals except described |
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Alcoholic beverages |
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Travel insurance
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