Hikes and UNESCO Heritage Sites

Day 1: Transfer, homestay in the city centre in Yerevan (20 km). Dinner at a dweller’s home. Day 2: Breakfast at a dweller’s home. This time, let's explore the city on foot. Stroll around Cascade with the statues of Botero and visit Matenadaran, a depositary of ancient manuscripts, research institute and museum located in Yerevan. It holds one of the world's richest depositories of medieval manuscripts and books which span a broad range of subjects, including history, philosophy, medicine, literature, art history and cosmography in Armenian and many other languages. Our next stop is the Museum of History of Armenia, which represents an integral presentation of the history and culture of Armenia from prehistoric times (one million years ago) till our days. In the evening, let's do a night walk around the city. Dinner and overnight homestay in Yerevan. Day 3: Breakfast at a dweller’s home. Departure to Echmiadzin which is located at 30 min outside of the city and considered as the holiest city in Armenia. This former capital is now the residence of the Supreme Catholicos of the Armenian Apostolic Church. The main Cathedral (UNESCO world heritage) was founded by St. Gregory the Illuminator in 303 and stands on a former pagan temple. On the way back, we will see the ruins of Zvartnots cathedral (UNESCO world heritage), one of the most original masterpieces of Armenian architecture. This place was built in the 7th century by Catholicos Nerses III Shinarar. It collapsed by an earthquake in the 10th century. The temple was a two-tiered central-domed structure that amazes with its magnificence. ​After that, return to Yerevan. Visit to the Armenia Genocide Museum and Memorial.  The Genocide Monument is designed to memorialize the innocent victims of the first Genocide of the 20th century. Its mission statement is rooted in the fact that understanding the Armenian Genocide is an important step in preventing similar future tragedies, in keeping with the notion that those who forget the past are condemned to repeat it. In the evening, we will enjoy dinner and overnight homestay in Yerevan. Day 4: Breakfast at a dweller’s home. Direction to Geghard (UNESCO World Heritage) a cave Monastery. The hermitage was renamed Geghard, which meant "lance", as it  was the depositary of one of the relics of the Armenian Apostolic church: The lance that one of the Roman guards had used to pierce the rib of crucified Christ. After, our next stop is at the pagan temple of Garni, which is the only remaining monument of the Hellenistic period in Armenia. The holy place is dedicated to the God of the sun Mihra and was built in the 2nd half of the I century A. D. during the reign of king Trdat I. Notice that it is built of basalt stone. After, Armenia adopted Christianity as a state religion in 301, the temple became the summer residence of the Armenian royal family. Dinner and overnight homestay in Garni. Day 5: After a delicious breakfast at your hotel, lmet's take the direction to the Monastery of Khor Virap. The landscape here is dominated by Mount Ararat (5165 m). The Monastery of Khor Virap is one of the sacred places of the Armenian Apostolic Church, where one can see the pit that served as a prison for Gregory the Illuminator, the first Armenian saint and founder of the Apostolic Church. Then, we will move to Noravank, a canyon flora, very interesting and its preservation is of crucial importance because you can find either rare plants or an entire row of wild relatives of exceptional endemic cultivated plants there. The canyon was also populated by one of the precious animals of the country that is currently missing: the Persian Leopard (Panthera paradus saxicolor). Visit the Monastery of Noravank founded in the 13th century which is located in a deep gorge. The monastery is dominated by high mountains of exceptional beauty. Drive to Yeghegnadzor.  Dinner and overnight homestay in Yeghegnadzor. Day 6: Breakfast at a dweller’s home and direction to Karahundj, 3,500 years older than England’s Stonehenge and 3,000 years older than the Egyptian pyramids. The total area of the observatory is 7 hectares. According to the scientist’s findings, a temple consisting of 40 stones built in honour of the Armenians’ main God,"Ari", meaning the Sun, is situated in the central part of Karahunge. Besides the temple, it had a large and developed observatory, and also a university that makes up the temple’s wings. Continue to Khndzoresk, a village that was once inhabited and is now about to be discovered. Most of the caves were built by the people who used to live here. Drive to the city of Goris, famous for the medieval cave-dwellings carved out of the soft rock in the southern part of town. Dinner and overnight in the 3* hotel Mirhav or similar in Goris. Day 7: Continuation towards the monastic complex of Tatev, which is an architectural masterpiece dated from the 9th century and is often called a monastery built on the edge of nothing. Starting from the 14th century it is mentioned as a university.  It’s one of the oldest universities in the world where students used to study humanitarian and social sciences, music, writing skills, calligraphy and so on. Then, you will be moved to the town Jermuk as both a resort zone and as a living area. It is as ancient as Vayots Dzor highland itself. Since ancient times the people used the vital mineral waters of Jermuk for medical treatment of various diseases. The ruins of basin constructed in the Armenian middle ages and reconstructed and equipped with modern amenities in 1860 are the clear evidence of it. Therefore, today, mineral water sources are the main pride of Jermuk City. Transfer to Yeghegnadzor, administrative centre of Vayots Dzor region. Dinner and overnight homestay in Yeghegnadzor. Day 8: Breakfast. Continuation of the trip by Selim pass, on the way visiting Selim Caravanserai, situated in the Selim mountain pass, 2410m above the sea level, on the old road that connected historical Gegharkunik with Vayots Dzor. According to the two building inscriptions, the caravanserai was built in 1332 by Prince Orbelyan Chesar. Next stop is Noraduz, a cemetery of crosstones (khachkars). It is a big cemetery and widely known thanks to its great numbers of unique khachkars mostly of the 13th to 17th century. After that, departure to Lake Sevan. Discovery of the Lake Sevan, or Armenia’s Blue Pearl, which is located at 2000m above sea level. Surrounded by mountains it one of the largest mountain lakes in the world and strikes the imagination with its magnificent beauty. It deserves to stroll along its coasts enjoying its breathtaking view. Visit the Monastery Sevanavank, located on a peninsula. The monastery was founded in 874 by Princess Mariam. It consists of two churches dating back to the 10th century, the holy apostles and holy mother of God. Continuation and stop for overnight in Dilijan. Dinner and overnight in the 4* Best Western Paradise Hotel or similar in Dilijan. Day 9: Breakfast in the hotel. And we will explore Dilijan lush, a green city located in the northern Armenian province of Tavush. It is one of the most important resorts of Armenia, situated in Dilijan National Park. The Sharambeyan street in the centre has been preserved and maintained as an "old town," complete with craftsman's workshops, a gallery and a museum. Next stop is Lake Parz, a small lake hidden in the forest. Departure to the region of Lori. Passing through the city Vanadzor. Visit to the monastery of Haghpat (UNESCO World Heritage). This monastic complex represents the highest flowering of Armenian religious architecture. Now, let's turn to Akhtala monastery. The impressive Akhtala monastery was reconstructed during the XIII century by prince Ivaneh Zakarian with a unique architectural style. This medieval Christian complex, which is located inside the fortress, was one of the important educational centres in the historical province of Gugark. Continuation to the village of Odzoun. Visit of Odzun Basilica (VI c).  You will also have the chance to participate in the preparation of a regional dish. Dinner and overnight homestay in Odzoun.   Day 10: After a delicious breakfast, direction to the region of Shirak. Visit to the monastery of Marmashen, a great cultural and spiritual centre of the X century founded by Vahram Pahlavuni. Then, we will go on to the city of Gyumri, formerly Alexandropol and Leninakan, which is the second largest city of Armenia, severely affected by the earthquake of 1988. Lets' now do a small city tour in Gyumri. Here, you can enjoy the Master class of cooking and participate in the preparation of Tolma (grape leaves stuffed with meat). Dinner and overnight in a homestay in Gyumri. Day 11: Direction to the fortress of Amberd (Xe-XIII century) - Visit the fortress and the church of Amberd. The heritage of Pahlavuni princes, as other feudal fortresses, Amberd was erected on the territory of Armenia to protect its land from the Romans and the Parthians and then the Byzantines, Persians, Mongols and Turks. Amberd is built on a promontory bounded by cliffs and overlooking deep gorges. Continue to the monastery of Saghmosavank, standing at the edge of the picturesque canyon Kasakh. Return to Yerevan and you will be free for your own activities.   Dinner and overnight in a homestay in Yerevan. Day 12: Transfer to the airport and flight back home.