Day  1. Arrival in Yerevan, meeting at the airport, transfer to the hotel, sightseeing tour of the city (optional).

• Yerevan is one of the ancient cities in the world, founded in 782 B.C. by Argishti II. During the excursion you’ll attend the Republic Square, which had been building for 50 years by different architects, nevertheless a perfect architectural ensemble has been made; Opera and Ballet National Academic Theatre is a unique architectural complex in the center of Yerevan; Ring boulevard, where you’ll see monuments to Andranik Zoravar, Griboedov, Zoravar Vartan Mamikonyan, Michael Nalbandyan, Ivan Aivazovsky; St. Grigor Lusavorich Cathedral; Cinema ‘’Russia’’, Komitas Chamber Music House, Cascade hills, Yerevan train station of Sasuntsi David, which has become the symbol of Yerevan.
• Visiting "Erebuni" Historical and Archaeological Museum
• Greeting dinner

Day 2. Etchmiadzin, Hripsime, Shoghakat, Gayane, Zvartnots, Garni Geghard

• Etchmiadzin is 15 km from Yerevan. This place is worshiped by Armenians all over the world, because here is the center of the Armenian Apostolic Church. Etchmiadzin, the former name of which is Vagharshapat, was founded in the first half of the II century on the site of ancient colony Vardgesavan. Since 163, after the destruction of Artashat by the Romans, the town has become the political, cultural, and later the religious and enlightening center of the country.
• St. Hripsime Church. Before the entrance to Etchmiadzin stands a magnificent St. Hripsime Temple. Hripsime is the name of a martyr, whose grave is located in the tomb, under the altar. On the site of her death in the fourth century A.C. was built a chapel, and in the seventh century Catholicos Komitas erected a temple.
• St. Shoghakat Church. Shoghakat is the name of one of the 40 martyrs, whose grave is also under the altar. It is located not far from the St. Hripsime Church. According to a blindly accepted belief, the temple got its name from the name of a virgin, who perished there. However, the name of the martyr, according to а legend, is Marine. The name ‘’Shoghakat’’ is connected with the vision of Grigor Lusavorich and means ‘’descending ray’’. The church was built in the XVII century.
• St. Gayane Church is south from the temple of Etchmiadzin. It was built in 630 by the designation of Catholicos Ezra, on the site of a chapel, erected in the place, where, according to the same legend, was buried Gayane, the abbess of virgin-christians and the governess of Hripsime, who also accepted martyrdom and, like Hripsime, was convicted to a rank of saints. In the southern aisle, near the altar apse, the relics of Hripsime are at rest.
• St. Etchmiadzin Cathedral. In 301 Christianity became the state religion in Armenia. According to a legend, the first patriarch Grigor Lusavorich had a vision as the only begotten, Jesus Christ, came down from heaven with a flaming hammer in his hands and indicated the place for building the Cathedral. There, where was an ancient pagan temple, in 303 was built the church, named Etchmiadzin, which in Armenian means “Descent of the Only Begotten Son".
• Zvartnots Temple is 10 km from Yerevan. The construction of the Temple of Watching Forces began in 641-643 and had been conducting for 20 years. The initiator of the construction was Catholicos Nerses III the Builder (Shinarar), who engaged masters from ancient Armenian town Dvin, a city which was famous for its beauty. Extant to our days remains of Zvartnots are witnessing the glory of the building.
• The temple of Garni is 28 km south-west from Yerevan, over the gorge of the River Azat is located a fortress of the same name. On the hill, surrounded by vineyards, rise the remains of the pagan temple (the I century). The pagan temple Garni is the only monument to the epoch of Hellenism in Armenia. The temple, dedicated to the sun goddess Mythra, was built in the second half of the first century, in the days of Tiridates I.
• Geghard Monastery is 7 km north-west from Garni, above the gorge of the River Azat. There was founded a cloister named Ayrivank (Cave-Monastery) because of its location in natural and artificial caves. The later name of the Monastery – Geghard, church legends connect with the spear, once kept there, the one, with which Jesus Christ was pierced by one of the Romanian legionaries, guarding him.
  The diamond-shaped tip plate of that spear nowadays is kept in the Museum of Armenian Church in Etchmiadzin.
• Dinner

Day  3,4. Khor Virap, Areni, Noravank, Shushi /overnight stay/, Stepanakert, Gandzasar, Askeran Fortress, Stepanakert /overnight stay/

• Khor Virap, an architectural monument of the XVII century, monastery-fortress, is located on the hill, near the village of Pokr Verdi. In ancient times here used to be a historical city Artashat, one of ancient capitals of Armenia. The Monastery is one of the saints of the Armenian Apostolic Church, the place of pilgrimage. On the site of the monastery-fortress there used to be czar’s prison ‘’Virap’’, a deep pit, filed with poisonous snakes and insects, where condemned prisoners were thrown. Here bore his anguishes Saint Grigor Lusavorich, the initiator of acceptance of Christianity in Armenia (301). According to a legend, he was imprisoned in the dungeon by the order of King Tiridates III and spent there 13 years.
• Village Areni is one of the oldest villages of historical Syunik. The significance of the village was explained, first of all, by its geographical location on exit from a gorge, connecting Vayots Dzor with the valley of Sharur. Thereby, the village was not only a resting-place, but also an important military point. On the surrounding heights military fortifications were built. In the XIII century King Orbelyan Tarsaich built a palace here. By his order Bishop Sarkis (1265-1287) of Noravank built a three-arch bridge near Areni on the river, the foundation of which remained till our days. In 1321 by the order of Bishop Hovhannes of Syunik the architect Momik built St. Astvatsatsin Church in Areni.
• Noravank Monastery is located among fancy sheer red cliffs at the mouth of a meandering gorge. The Monastery was founded in the XII century on the site of ancient buildings. In the days of King Orbelyan it became a major religious center, and in the XIV century – the residence of the Bishops of Syunik. The gorge is famous for sheer red cliffs, rising behind the Monatery, on the territory of which is located a two-story St. Astvatsatsin Church with narrow cantilevered staircases. This Church, the construction of which was finished in 1339, is considered the last masterpiece of a talented Armenian sculptor and miniaturist Momik.
• Shushi is located in the foothills of Karabakh Ridge, at the height of 1368 meters above sea level. The ancient town-fortress had been the executive, religious, cultural and educational center of one the 15th province of historical Armenia – Artsakh over thousands of years. The pride of Shushi is St. All-Savior Ghazanchetsots Churh, built in 1886 by architect Simon Ter-Hakobyan. Ghazanchetsots Church is one of the most impressive religious buildings of Armenia.
• Overnight stay in Shushi
• Stepanakert is the capital of the Republic of Arstakh (Naghordno-Kharabakh Republic). It is surrounded with mounts and forests – a wonderful place for rest. Although the city is not big, there are a lot of picturesque places, green squares and cozy courtyards. The heart of Stepanakert is Veratsnund Square (Renaissance) with the Presidential Palace, Parliament and Government Buildings and the Palace of Youth.
• Gandzasar Monastery was built in the X century. It was the residence and family tomb of the princely family of Hasan-Jalalyans, the governors of Хабенское княжество. In the XIV century it became the residence of the Aghvan Catholicos of the Armenian Church.
• Askeran Fortress was built in the XVIII century by Panah Khan (1747-1760). The Fortress is located above a small district center Askeran on the both banks of the River Trtu 16-17 km north-east from Stepanakert. In the Middle Ages here used to be located a fortress and Armenian settlement under the name of Mayraberd.

Day  5. "Wings of Tatev" cableway, Tatev Monastery, Agitu Memorial, Vorotnavank Monastery, Shaki Waterfall, Yeghegnadzor /overnight stay/

• "Wings of Tatev" cableway is the longest reversible aerial tramway, connecting villages Halidzor and Tatev through Vorotan gorge, stretches 5,7 km. The maximum height above the gorge is 320 km. The cabin, holding 25 passengers, moves with the maximal speed of 37 km/h, passing the way from the point of departure to the destination in 11 minutes 25 seconds.
• Tatev Monastery is located in the middle of Syunik Province in South Armenia, 30 km from the town of Goris near the village of the same name – Tatev, on the right bank of the River Vorotan. It was founded in 895-906. The Monastery is one of the intellectual centers of medieval Armenia. Its strategically beneficial location on a foreland, created by the deep, rocky slopes of the river, prospered to the creation of a powerful defensive complex. Gavazan (the pendulous column), built in 904 in the courtyard, near the living quarters of the Monastery, refers to the number of unique works of architectural-engineering art of Armenia. It is octahedral, folded out of shallow stones, column with the height of 8 meters. Under the impact of seismic soil fluctuations and even from a simple touch of a human arm, the column, due to articulation, bent and returned to its initial position.
• Agitu Memorial. In the early Middle Ages, Agitu was one of the first settlements in Syunik for political, religious, military and economic purposes. Agitu is famous for its famed memorial, which was built in the VI-VII centuries. The sculptures of the memorial are very similar to the sculptures of Zvartnots Temple. Stone inscriptions can also be seen on them. Agitu Memorial is one of the rare preserved tombstone obelisks in Armenia. It is noteworthy that the obelisk of Agitu served as an example for the construction of the arch of the bell tower of Memorial Complex of Sardarapat. According to one version, this memorial is the burial place of the victims in the name of the Christian faith.
• Vorotnavank Monastery is located near Vaghatin village. Vorotnavank was founded in 1000 by Queen Shaandukht of Syunik. In the early Middle Ages, the church was an educational center, and also a famous place of pilgrimage with the miraculous power of healing from snake bites. According to historian Stepanos Orbelyan, the monastery complex was one of the largest in Armenia. According to him, the most ancient church of the complex - St. George Church (now ruined) – was built by Grigor Lusavorich.
• Shaki Waterfall. According to a legend, the Waterfall got its name in honor of beautiful Shake, who, unwilling to submit to violence from one of the conquerors, threw herself off the cliff. During the fall, the girl's long dress opened from the wind and turned into a waterfall, which was later called Shaki waterfall. The waterfall is 3 km north-west of the city of Sisian, in the gorge of the River Vorotan, the height is 18 meters.

Day  6. Selim Pass, Noratus, Ayrivank, Sevanavank, Dilijan (dinner), Haghartsin, Goshavank, Parz Lich, Yerevan

• Selim Pass. This mountain pass is located at the height of 2500 meters, it’s a fast and comfortable way to reach from Lake Sevan to south of the country. In ancient times through Salim Pass used to pass The Great Silk Road, the remembrance of which is Salim caravanserai, located under the pass. The first stone of the caravanserai was laid in 1326, and the construction was finished in 1332.
• Noratus is an old village, 27 km from the town of Sevan. In the XVI century Noratus was the residence of Armenian Meliks (Kings). There was the largest cemetery with khachkars – cross-stones, on the territory of modern Armenia. Most of the khachkars in Noratus cemetery go back to the XIII-XVII centuries, the most ancient goes back to the V century.
• Ayrivank Church is located on a craggy cape on the east coast of Lake Sevan, in the village of the same name, and refers to the IX-XII centuries.
• Sevanavank Monastery is 6 km west from the town of Sevan, on Sevan peninsula. Before the shallowing of the lake, the peninsula was a small island, separated from the land by a three-kilometer stride. At the end of the VIII century a few monarchs settled there. The congenial location of the island contributed to the enlargement of the monastic brethren and the dynamic construction of the Monastery.
• Dilijan is 99 km north from Yerevan. Dilijan is the climatic and balneological mountain resort of Armenia, which is famous abroad for its wonderful beauty.
• Dinner
• Haghartsin Monastery is 18 km west from Dilijan, in a wooded valley of the Ijevan range. It was built in the XI-XIII centuries.
• Goshavank Monastery is 20 km west from Dilijan, 8 km from Dilijan-Ijevan highway, in Gosh village, on the right bank of the River Getik. The Monastery was constructed in the XII century, on the site of ancient Getik Monastery, ruined in 1188 by an earthquake.
• Lake Parz is located in a shallow valley between woodlands and has an oblong outline, the length is up to 385 meters and the width is 85 meters. The maximum depth is 5 meters. Water in the lake is clear, green, the forest is close to the coastline, and heavy trees, leaned towards the lake, reflect in its green surface. The Lake is at the height of 1300 meters above sea level and its water comes from mountain springs.

Day  7. Hiking tour through the center of Yerevan

• The excursion begins near the base of Cascade hills; rise to the 4th level of the complex, from where a wonderful panorama of city opens; pedestrian climb-down on the lower level; acquaintance with works of art, which are the extension of the exposition of Cafesjian Museum, located in the complex of Cascade; further the excursion continues to the monument to the main architect Alexandr Tamanian, later you’ll see the monument to M. Saryan, composers Komitas and A. Khachatrian in French Square; crossing Opera square, where are located monument to writer H. Tumanyan and composer A. Spendiaryan, authors of the opera ‘’Anush’’, with the premiere of which Opera and Ballet Natioanl Academic Theatre was opened; later crossing Charles Aznavour Square, where are located ‘’Moscow’’ cinema, the buildings of Russian Dramatic Theatre and hotel ‘’Yerevan’’; further excursion goes to Abovyan street, where an old building of the city, before Republic Square, has survived; acquaintance with the complex of a building area, crossing Metropolitan boulevard with fountains, the number of flushes of which is 2750, this is how old was Yerevan, when they were built; the excursion finishes on Shahumyan Square.

Day  8. Ashtarak, Karmravor, St. Marine, Oshakan, Mastara, Talin, Aruch

• Ashtarak is located on the bank of the River Kasakh, 20 km north-east from Yerevan. Ashtarak is one of the oldest towns of Armenia with a variety of monuments of Material culture.
• Karmravor Church. The most famous monument of Ashtarak is well preserved Karmravor Church, built in the VII century. This is the only monument in Armenia, tiled roof of which retained until our days.
• St. Marine Church is located in Ashtarak and was built in 1281. St. Marine Church is devoted to one of the 40 virgin martyrs.
• Village Oshakanis 4 km south from Ashtarak. Here is the burial place of great Armenian Saint Mesrop Mashtots, the creator of the alphabets of very different in language nations – Armenian, Georgian and Albanian Caucasians. Above the grave of Saint Mesrop Mashtots, located in the south-east of the village, in 443 was built a small chapel by Vahagn Amatuni, where in 1875-1879 was built a church by Catholicos George III. On the right side, near the altar, was a tomb, where in the foundation of an ancient chapel, under the marble tombstone, the relics of Mesrop Mashtots are at rest.
• Dinner
• Village Mastara is 75 km north-west from Yerevan, here is located St. John (Surb Hovhannes) Church, founded in the V century. The architectural style of the temple symbolizes the transition of Armenian church from simple compositions to complex church structures, like the church of St. Hripsime in Etchmiadzin.
• Talin is 9 km from the village of Mastara and 66 km from Yerevan. In the V-VII centuries it was the center of Armenian princedom. In the city there is a religious complex of the Cathedral of Talin, consisting of the Small Church of Talin and the Big Temple, which were built by Kamsarakan brothers in the VII century.
• Village Aruch is 50 km north-east from Yerevan, where is located one of the largest churches in Armenia – St. George Cathedral, built in 666. Before the turn to Aruch there is also a caravanserai (a palace or house for rest on the trade route) of the XIII century.

Day 9. Check out. Transfer to the airport