We invite you to spend your vacation in the Armenian Highlands.
We invite you to spend a vacation in the Armenian Highlands.
7 days/6 nights.
Day 1: Yerevan-Sevan
Arrival and meeting at Zvartnots airport. Hotel transfer. After arrival in Sevan accommodation and rest sightseeing tour of the lake. Back to the hotel.
Day 2: Sevan-Sevanavank-Ayravank
Breakfast at the hotel. After breakfast, inspection of the monastery of Sevanavank (IX century) on the Sevan Peninsula. The monastery was founded in 874 by Princess Mariam, daughter of Ashot I Bagratuni, and wife of Prince Gegharkunik Vasak Gabur. The monastery lost its walls in the XVI-XVII centuries. In 1930, the last monk left the island and the monastery ceased to exist for a long time. To this day, small three-apse cross-domed Surb Arakelots and Surb Astvatsatsin (871-874) have survived. At present, the monastery is again operating, it has a theological seminary named after Vazgen I, located just below the churches. A trip along the shore of Lake Sevan to the Ayravank Monastery (IX century). Iravank inspection. Inspection of the medieval cemetery of tombstones-khachkars in the village of Noratus (X-XVI centuries). Noratus is an ancient Armenian village, located in Gekharkunik region, 4 kilometers from the city of Gavar. In the XVI century, Noratus was the residence of Armenian meliks (princes). Lunch in Martuni or Sevan. Tourists will be able to try kebabs made of fish sig and kabab from Sevan crayfish. Day 3: Free day
. Rest on the beach (bathing), picnics
Day 4: Sevan-Dilijan-Alaverdi
In the morning after breakfast we go to Switzerland-Dilijan. Travel to the resort town of Dilijan, famous throughout the former USSR thanks to the heroes of the movie “Mimino”, a beautiful monastery lost among the mountain forests and the patrimony of Mkhitar Gosh, a lawyer and fabulist of medieval Armenia. And you will also see the old quarter of Dilijan and the Hagartsin monastery complex, which is hidden among the dense forests of the Dilijan reserve. A beautiful place among the forest in the mountains is Lake Parz. Overnight in Alaverdi at the hotel.
Day 5: Alaverdi-Odzun-Sanain.
After breakfast tour of the city of Alaverdi. Alaverdi is a city in the northeast of Lori region of Armenia, located 167 km from Yerevan. It is located on the steep slopes of the Debed River Canyon at an altitude of 750 to 1400 m above sea level. It is known as the center of the copper industry of Armenia. The word “Alaverdi” translates as “given by God.” On the river Debed preserved medieval bridge of the XII century (1195), in Alaverdi is the church of St. Grigor Narekatsi. In the vicinity of the city there are such famous cultural monuments as monasteries in Sanahin, Ahpat, Ahtala and Odzun temple. One of the masterpieces of that period is the temple of Ozuna, built in the 6th-7th centuries. The temple is built in the village of Odzun, Lori region, on a high hill surrounded by the beautiful nature of northern Armenia, the colorful paintings of which are simply amazing, especially in autumn. The temple is a domed basilica of rectangular layout, stretching from west to east. Inside, the temple is divided into 3 halls by 3 pairs of columns; the central hall is larger and ends with a semicircular altar; on the sides the entrances to the sacristy are open. The dome, located almost in the center of the parish, dominates the entire structure of the church. The monastery complex of Sanahin, located in the Debed River Delta, is considered one of the most inaccessible religious buildings in Armenia. This location was not chosen by chance: initially the monastery was intended for the residence of monks who fell out of favor with the Byzantine emperor Roman Lakapin. Built in 966 on the initiative of Prince Ashot III Bagratuni, the building was supposed to provide fugitives with a reliable shelter, so such a remote place was chosen for its placement. Over time, Sanahin, in addition to religious function, began to perform educational: the school at the monastery was transformed into an academy, where Ananias, Theodoros, Vardan and other famous scientists of medieval Armenia taught. Despite the difficult fate (the complex was repeatedly destroyed due to earthquakes and attacks by Arabs and Seljuk Turks), the temple survived. In 1996 it was included in the UNESCO World Heritage List and completely restored. After the tour, lunch. And after lunch rest in the pool (bathing) near the hotel. Overnight in Alaverdi at the hotel.
Day 6: Ahpat-Akhtala
After breakfast, Haghpat Monastery is located in the southeastern part of the village of Haghpat: on a high plateau. It was founded in 976 during the reign of Ashot G Bagratuni. Haghpat was one of the most important spiritual and cultural centers. From the second half of the 12th century to the 14th century, Haghpat Monastery was the diocesan center of the Kurikyan dynasty. From the monastery of Sanahin, the family crypt of kings was transferred here. In the 11th century, Tashir was frequently attacked by the Seljuks and Arabs. From the second half of the 12th century, the monastery passed to the Artsruni dynasty from Makhkanaberd, and then to the Zakaryan dynasty. In 1223, by order of Ivan Zakaryan, the fortress of Haghpat was built nearby to protect the monastery. The city of Akhtala is located in the Lori region of Armenia, at the foot of Lalvar, on the left bank of Debed. In the Middle Ages, the city was called Phndzakhank (“Bronze Mine”). Kirkos Gandzaketsi in his History of Armenia.
Akhtala Monastery is one of those Orthodox complexes whose construction coincided with the Renaissance period in Armenia. The monastery was built in 1188 by the daughter of Prince Kurike G Kurikyan Mariam. The complex of monuments harmoniously combines Armenian, Georgian and Byzantine architectural elements. And also visit the caves (7th century), picnics by the river and the bridge (4th century) Back to the hotel.
Day 7:Alaverdi-Sagmosavank-Valley of Armenian letters-Yerevan
Early in the morning after breakfast departure to the Aragatsotnsky district, where you will visit the nearby Ovanavank Monastery and Sagmosavank, which are located above a high gorge by the Kasakh River, from where there is an amazing view. You will also visit the Park of Letters and the city tour of Yerevan.
At the appointed time - Transfer to the airport for your departure.