Beyond - The Ancestral Beauties Of Armenia

Arrival in Yerevan “Zvartnots” airport. Transfer to the hotel (not included in the price). Time to rest.

Full Board.
In the morning after breakfast we start a city tour of the Armenian capital. On this day we discover the historical, cultural, architectural and current backgrounds of the pink city of Yerevan.
Visit “Matenadaran” a home to the world’s largest collection of Armenian illuminated manuscripts. In the funds of Matenadaran you will have a chance to see the biggest book weighing 28 kilograms, and the smallest one weighing only 19 grams (closed on Mondays).

After lunch at one of the centrally located restaurants of Yerevan, you head to the Genocide museum which displays unprecedented international documents on Armenian Genocide, carried out by Ottoman Turkey in 1915. After the museum tour, we will explore the memorial complex of Tsitsernakaberd dedicated to 1.5 million victims of Armenian Genocide.

In the evening enjoy delicious dinner at the Art Cafe and Museum of an Armenian painter and ethnographer Lusik Aguletsi (a legendary figure that has managed to preserve and re-create traditional puppets that used to be present in everday life of the people of Armenian highland) and experience masterclass of making a traditional souvenir from wheat branches.

Overnight in Yerevan.

Full Board.
Today you will visit Geghard Monastery (4th c. AD and a UNESCO World Heritage site with enhanced Protection). The complex of medieval buildings is set into a landscape of great natural beauty, surrounded by towering cliffs at the entrance to the Azat Valley. Proceed to Garni village famous for its Hellenistic Pegan Temple of the 1st century. The place is particularly famous for its nice landscapes and the extraordiary view opening to the gorge and surrounding mountains. Near the temple of Garni enjoy the sounds of Duduk (duration 15 min).. Duduk is an Armenian traditional wind musical instrument and is a part of the UNESCO World Cultural Heritage. Descend to the Azat River gorge, where the 'Symphony of Stones’ or 'Basalt Organ' seats. Those basalt columns were formed as a result of moving lava. Lunch in a local restaurant and lavash (Armenian traditional bread; UNESCO Cultural Heritage) baking demonstration in Garni Village. After that enjoy “brduj” (stuffed bread roll) and taste the freshly baked bread stuffed with young cheese and local herbs.

Afterwards drive to Gavar to visit a local family farm and their cheese ripening cellar, get acquainted with the cheese making process and participate in tasting of ‘drunken’ cheese aged in wine and cognac.

Scenic drive along the pearl of Armenia, Lake Sevan. Peninsula is the regular stop with its spectacular view opening to the Lake. Some small buildings from Soviet style architecture will be worth seeing by quick stops as they represent the architectural solutions of the early 20th c.

Dinner and overnight at the hotel in Dilijan.

Full Board.
In Dilijan resort town you will enjoy natural and architectural monuments of antiquity, the mountains and the forests which surround you at any point in this place. In the "Old Town" you will see unique balconies and terraces typical to 19th century Dilijan that display the region’s historical love for fine woodwork. The place is famous for talented locals and you will visit a local artist who will introduce to you his special techniques of masterpieces.

You will also visit Haghartsin Monastery (13th c. A.D) hidden among dense oak woods this construction is in absolute harmony with nature and is considered to be one of the gems of the medieval Armenian architecture
Lunch in one of the nice local cafes of Dilijan.
Then explore your creative mind by painting in batik under the guidance of local artists (duration~1.5h).
Then drive to Fioletovo village and meet with the local national minority Molokans (from Russia) and see their traditions and tea making ceremony in "samovar". A great opportunity to see how ethnic minorities live in this almost monoethnic country.

For dinner you will enjoy a tasty Armenian traditional meal with the locals.
Overnight in Dzoraget.

Full Board.
Head to Akhtala fortress which is considered to be among the best preserved ones in the country from the 10th Century. The main church is famous for frescoes that cover its internal walls.

Continue to Haghpat Monastery, (10th-c.) one of the prominent spiritual and cultural centers, which had popular school and printing house. The complex is inscribed in the UNESCO World Heritage for its unique architectural design as well as famous gavit (vestry).
Lunch in a local house/ restaurant. Continue to Gyumri, the second largest city of Armenia. Gyumri is the cultural center of Armenia, known for its traditions and local unique humor of people as well as nicely preserved buildings and architectural complexes of 19th c. In Gyumri you will enjoy a fun photoshoot experience in a traditional Armenian ‘Taraz’ (traditional Armenian dress), the entire history of which will be told to you by an expert.

Dinner at the famous Fish Restaurant of Gyumri. Overnight in Gyumri.

Half Board.
This day will be the last in your one week experience of the first Christian country of the world and the last highlights will leave a deep impression so that you will definitely take in your heart a small piece from this ancient land. Visit Dashtadem Fortress which was built in the 11th-13th centuries, and in the Middle Ages it bore great defensive significance. Head to Etchmiadzin, the center of Armenian Christianity, which is considered to be the “Vatican” city of Armenia with the Holy See of the Armenian Apostolic Church. Being the first state Christian church in the world Etchmiadzin cathedral boasts of its unique architectural style and frescos that were worked out during centuries by a generation of painters belonging to one and the same dynasty.

NOTE: In Etchmiadzin Cathedral there have been cosmetic reconstruction processes lately and a new layer of frescos has been discovered and by the announcement of the government the cathedral is locked currently, as they are doing researches and new excavations too. This means that the guests might be able to see the complex from exterior and will not have the chance to enter the inside.

Enjoy a typical Armenian lunch in this authentic cultural atmosphere at the Cross of Armenian Unity which is an education and support center for the younger generation, it carries out a number of social outreach programs as well. If the weather permits, you will participate in the preparation of the meal, cooked outdoors on a solar plate.

Drive Yerevan and Check-in. Time to rest.
Overnight in Yerevan.

Transfer (not included in the price) to the airport and departure.