Spring in Armenia (5 days / 4 nights)

After breakfast at the hotel, we will have a morning walk in the pink city of Yerevan. This ancient city is 29 years older than Rome. We will start walking in the most pleasant Republic Square with Government buildings, History Museum and Marriott Hotel surrounding it. In the evening, we can enjoy the colorful singing and dancing fountains. In case of desire, we can visit a jewelry gallery, where we can buy exclusive jewelry. The jewels presented are executed in a single copy and are unique. Walking up one of the oldest streets in Yerevan – Abovyan Street – we will appear in the richest avenue in Yerevan – the Northern Avenue with many brand shops, luxurious cafes and restaurants. Our next stop – the Opera and Ballet House and the Swan Lake – face the Northern Avenue. Afterwards, we will enjoy our time in the fascinating weather of the sunny Yerevan while walking around Cascade Monument. If we walk up the “huge staircase” of 500 meters’ height and 50 meters’ width, we can enjoy the wonderful panorama of the city with the spectacular Opera House, Mount Ararat as well as the view to the whole city. Visit the Blue Mosque in Yerevan - 18th century Shia Mosque. Visit Vernissage Souvenir Market. Overnight at the hotel in Yerevan.

After breakfast at the hotel, we will explore the top tourist attractions of Armenia: Garni Temple (a pagan temple built in 1st century, the only survival of the Hellenic epoch in the whole territory of the Caucasus) and the Monastery of Geghard (UNESCO). The monastery was first recorded in a document of 1250. Geghard is famous due to the relics, among which the most important one is the spear which wounded Christ on the Cross. It was presumably brought there by the Apostle Thaddeus. Here we can (optional*) enjoy the medieval vocal concert. In Noah’s Garden we can watch the process of “lavash” baking in the traditional underground oven “tonir”, to take part in pottery, woodworking, to taste Armenian delicious dried fruits and sweets. Visit GUM Food market to try some Armenian dried fruits and sweets. Overnight at the hotel in Yerevan.

After breakfast at the hotel, we will drive to the wholeyear-round resort town of Tsaghkadzor and take a 2-seat chairlift ropeway ride to Teghenis mountain (2851 m.) to enjoy the breathtaking view of Lake Sevan. Our next stop is Lake Sevan at Sevanavank Monastery on the semi peninsula. The trip to Sevan is undoubtedly one of the most exciting ones in Armenia. This wonder of nature is surrounded by Geghama Mountains. The sweet waters, sandy beaches and fresh air attract holiday makers every year. During the 8th century a few monks settled on the former island of Sevan in the present day Sevanavank Monastery, and began to build their churches. Due to the strategically good location, many others came here. For a while it was the residence of the king Ashot Erkat (Ashot the Iron) who received his name due to his numerous glorious victories. With the time the walls of the monastery were destroyed and in 1930 the last monk left the monastery. During the lunch at the lake we will have an opportunity to taste the fish from the lake prepared with the special local recipe.

We will then drive to have a walk in the wonderfully forested region of Dilijan to enjoy the 19th century appearance of the town. Dilijan is rich in mineral waters. Some of them are compared with Wichi in France and Davos in Switzerland. Moreover, Dilijan is often called “the Switzerland of Armenia.” Drive to the forests of Dilijan national Park to visit red deer and feed them. Return to Yerevan. Overnight at a hotel in Yerevan.