DAY 1 – AIRPORT | CITY TOUR IN YEREVAN | MATENADARAN

Meeting in airport.

The program of Itinerary 5 day budget tour for Armenia starts with a city walking tour. You will see the sights in Yerevan: The Square of ​​France, the Opera and Ballet House, Northern Avenue, the Republic Square.

Then we will visit the Matenadaran. The Matenadaran, officially the Mesrop Mashtots Institute of Ancient Manuscripts, is a museum, repository of manuscripts, and a research institute in Yerevan. It is the world’s largest repository of Armenian manuscripts.

Next is Grand Cascade (open-air museum of Yerevan). It is a 500-meter high staircase (522 steps) with fountains and flower beds, as well as an open air museum, which presents about 30 sculptures by famous masters. Inside the complex Cafesjian Center of Arts is located on 5 tiers.

Transfer to the hotel / Check in

DAY 2 – YEREVAN | GARNI | GEGHARD | TSITSERNAKABERD MEMORIAL COMPLEX | YEREVAN

Breakfast in the hotel

Our guide will pickup you at the hotel and arrange transfer to Temple of Garni It is one of the most ancient landmarks in Kotayk region of Armenia. The Temple of Garni is the only standing Greco-Roman colonnaded building in Armenia and the former Soviet Union.

Next stop is Geghard monastery complex (XIII century), which is included in the list of World Cultural Heritage by the UNESCO. Its full name is Geghardavank, literally it is translated as “Monastery of the spear”. The name of the monastery complex comes from Christ Spear (Spear of Longinus), which the Roman soldier Longinus thrust in Jesus Christ. The spear is now kept in the museum of Echmiadzin Cathedral.

Return to Yerevan

Next destination is Tsitsernakaberd memorial complex, dedicated to the victims of the Armenian Genocide of 1915, and the Genocide Museum.

Optional: If you wish (for extra payment) we will visit Yerevan Brandy Factory, where we have a fascinating tour with tasting of 2 types of brandies (a three-year old “Ararat” and a ten-year old “Akhtamar”).

DAY 3 – YEREVAN | KHOR VIRAP | ARENI | NORAVANK | YEREVAN

Third day in Yerevan starts with breakfast in the hotel and transfer to Khor Virap monastery, Khor Virap is one of the most sacred and visited sites in Armenia primarily due to the legend of Saint Gregory the Illuminator who was imprisoned for 13 years in Khor Virap’s dungeon before succeeding in the conversion of King Tiridates (Trdat) the Great to Christianity in the first decades of the 4th century CE. During the Middle Ages, Khor Virap was a center of education and learning, and despite a colossal earthquake in 1679 CE, it remains a site of pilgrimage and immense cultural interest to Armenians today.

Then we continue our way to the village of Areni in Vayots Dzor marz of Armenia. Areni is one of the best places in Armenia to taste the national wines.

Optional: If you wish (for extra payment) we will visit “Areni” wine factory and taste Armenian wine in the tasting room of the factory. The wines of this producer differ in their unique tastes. The bouquet of the fragrance is revealed gradually leaving a pleasant aftertaste.

Next destination is Noravank monastery complex. It was once the residence of the Orbelian princes whose stronghold consisted of the entire Syunik region. To the right, one sees the Surb Astvatsatsin Church, which was completed in 1339 CE, and to the left, one sees the Surb Karapet Church, which was completed in 1227 CE.

DAY 4 – YEREVAN | SEVAN | DILIJAN | HAGHARTSIN | GOSHAVANK | YEREVAN

Breakfast in the hotel

Day starts with transfer to Lake Sevan. Sevan is considered one of the three great “seas” of historic Armenia. The bird fauna of the lake Sevan and its vicinity makes over 200 species, out of which 95 species are breeding.

We will also visit Sevanavank monastery. Initially the monastery was built at the southern shore of a small island. After the artificial draining of Lake Sevan, which started in the era of Joseph Stalin, the water level fell about 20 metres, and the island transformed into a peninsula.

Next is Tavush region and spa town Dilijan, the forested town is home to numerous Armenian artists, composers, and filmmakers and features some traditional Armenian architecture. The town is often referred to as the “Armenian Switzerland or Little Switzerland” by the locals.

We will visit the historic Sharambeyan street renovated through the efforts of the Tufenkian Foundation of Cultural Heritage. 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.

The next stop will be Haghartsin Monastery, which was built in the X-XIII centuries, mostly under the auspices of the Bagratuni Dynasty.

Then we will visit Goshavank monastery built in XII-XIII centuries in the village of Gosh in Armenia. Goshavank does not have outer walls, and is surrounded by village homes. All of the buildings are attached to each other except for S. Hripsime Chapel, which is located on the opposite hillside and within view.

Return to Yerevan

DAY 5 – CENTRAL MARKET | VERNISSAGE – ST. ECHMIADZIN | ZVARTNOTS | AIRPORT

Breakfast in the hotel and check out.

Day starts with a visit Farmers Markets place. The Gumi Shuka in Yerevan, Armenia is a food market where locals sell Armenian cheese, herbs and spices, dried fruits and nuts, and bread.

Next we visit the Vernissage. This is the right place to get little taste of Armenia and a special spot to witness the fusion between national traditions and modern taste.

We continue our tour to Vagharshapat – the Center of the Armenian Apostolic Church, where the residence of the Catholicos is located. You will visit Echmiadzin Cathedral (301-483), which is included in the UNESCO World Heritage list.

The last destination is Zvartnots temple, which was destroyed in the earthquake. The ruins and Zvartnots is so special because it was made with a rare construction technique that was not common during the 7th-century and the methods used were considered extremely advanced.

The 5 day budget tour for Armenia ends with transfer to airport.