11 days
MARCH 27 - APRIL 6, 2010

The Mystery of Easter is the mystery of Jesus Christ, His Salutary Holy Blood shed for mankind and His Rising from the dead for mankind. “The Son of God should incarnate, be subjected to tortures, be crucified, buried and the third day raise from death”

(Ps 15:9-11, 29:4, 40:11-13, 117:16-17, Ho 6:2-3).

Day 1 - SATURDAY - MARCH 27
Arrival at Zvartnots International Airport. Our guide will meet you at the airport and transfer to the hotel in Yerevan assisting you in hotel check-in and other formalities

Day 2 - SUNDAY - MARCH 28 - 9.00 - 10.00 Breakfast served
PALM SUNDAY  
“All this was done, that it might be fulfilled, that which was spoken by the prophet, saying “Tell the daughter of Zion, Behold, your king is coming to you! He is humble and sitting on an ass, and a colt, the foal of an ass.” (Mt 21:4-5)
Yerevan City Tour!
Let’s start getting acquainted with Yerevan by attending the DIVINE LITURGY, celebrating the Triumphant Entry of Christ into Jerusalem, in Saint Gregory the Illuminator Cathedral -  devoted to 1700th anniversary of the proclamation of Christianity as a state religion in Armenia.
After liturgy we will proceed to the History Museum of Armenia- History of the Foundation of Yerevan.  As well as,  Tsitsernakaberd memorial and museum to the 1915 Genocide, one of the most important monuments in Yerevan; Lunch in Yerevan – Armenian Traditional Restaurant

DAY 3 - MONDAY- MARCH 29 - 9.00 – 10.00 – Breakfast served 
We depart Yerevan, beginning our journey with the psalms in the monastery of Psalm-Saghmosavank. It seems the ancient psalms are still resounding in the walls. On the way,  you will see one of the most beautiful and the highest mountains in Armenia, Mt. Aragats.
Visiting the village of Oshakan, you will see the wonderful church which is built on the grave of Mesrop Mashtots, a 4th c. monk, who is the founder of the Armenian alphabet, and one of Armenia's greatest benefactors.
Artashavan – New Complex of Armenian Letters: “It is difficult to express the deep feeling Armenians have for their language, which many regard as the lifeblood of their culture”; Lunch and hospitality in Armenian Traditional Family- traditional table/lavash making ceremony: “Eat thy bread with joy”

Day 4 - TUESDAY - MARCH 30- 9.00 – 10.00 – Breakfast served 
Visit to Lori region; Vanadzor City – the historical and modern center of the province of Lori; Alaverdy town in a canyon; Kobayr – the spatial constructions and functional solution are unified with architectural currents and the expressive method are simple solemn; Wonderful monasteries Haghpat and Sanahin in which artistic merits transcended the limits of the national culture; Lunch in Alaverdy

Day 5 -WEDNESDAY- MARCH 31- 9.00 – 10.00 – Breakfast served 
No trip to Armenia is ever complete without a visit to the blue waters of Lake Sevan - “The Emerald of Armenia”, set some 1900m above sea level, situated high in the mountains and famed for its glorious and
ever changing hues. On arrival your first stop is at the lakeside churches on the top of peninsula while you admire a spectacularly picturesque scene overlooking the lake and distant mountains. Continuing our journey across Armenia’s fascinating landscapes we travel to the lush environs of Dilijan - “a piece of Switzerland” in Armenia and one of Armenia’s most appealing resort towns. The town is peppered with numerous examples of traditional Armenian architecture and the romantic setting of the 10-13th c. Goshavank Monastery, which we'll visit.
Lunch in Sevan – Tasting fresh fish from the lake Sevan

Day 6 - THURSDAY - APRIL 1 - 9.00 – 10.00 – Breakfast served 
HOLY THURSDAY:  FOOT WASHING SERVICE
Christ, displaying true humility and humbleness, washed the feet of his disciples after the last Supper (Jn. 13:1-16).
You enjoy a tour of the most enigmatic of cities, visiting the remarkable Matenadaran Library and Research Institute of Armenia with its 17000 rare manuscripts, one of the richest depositories of manuscripts and books in the world.
Garni the rare pre-Christian pagan temple maintained in Armenia; it is a unique place to acquaint you with the time of pagan religion in Armenia as there is no other pagan temple remaining intact in present Armenia.  Lunch
Geghard (Cave monastery) architectural complex in the 12-13th centuries cut in one monolithic rock. As the acoustics in this upper chamber is extraordinary this is truly demonstrated to you when the local monk begins to sing. When he begins to sing in this chamber it is hard to believe a large choir isn’t singing… be sure it is only one man…
A visit to Geghard is truly a spiritual experience...

In the evening:
SOLEMN SERVICE IN GEGHARD MONASTERY….
In the evening of the Holy Thursday, a solemn service is held, which is the introduction to Good Friday. It symbolizes the Crucifixion, Death and Burial of Our Lord Jesus Christ. 

Day 7 - FRIDAY - APRIL 2 - 9.00 – 10.00 – Breakfast served 
GOOD FRIDAY
But Jesus held his peace, And the high priest answered and said unto him, I adjure thee by the living God, that thou tell us whether thou be the Christ, the Son of God (Matthew 26:63).

Driving via the fertile plains of Ararat valley you reach “Areni Winery” as in Armenia: “Wine is bottled poetry”; you'll taste and enjoy a guided tour of the winery. After this we take the path through the narrow gorge, you reveal “Human-and-natural-created wonder”- Noravank Monastery.  Lunch in the blessed refectory of Noravank Monastery.
Khor Virab Monastery - the beginning of the History of Christianity in Armenia magnificently set against the towering slopes of Biblical Mount Ararat. The monastery is the site where St. Gregory the Illuminator was incarcerated and is a place of pilgrimage for every Armenian as well as for foreign believers. It is especially a time to reflect upon the work of our Church’s patron saint, Gregory the Illuminator, who spread the light of Christianity in Armenia and inspired King Trdat to proclaim Christianity as the state religion in 301, which had a determinate impact on the Armenia  people and their history.

In the evening:
SOLEMN SERVICE  OF GOOD FRIDAY in the Holy Mother of God CHURCH /KHOR VIRAP/

Day 8 - SATURDAY - APRIL 3 - 9.00 – 10.00 – Breakfast served 
HOLY SATURDAY
A Unique experience: Master Levon, through a Godly vision, transformed rock into an underground sanctuary that will undoubtedly impact both the eyes and the spirit of all who walk through.
OPTIONAL: Forthe morning “Vernissage” - outdoor market selling handmade arts and crafts; Lunch in Yerevan
In the evening:
The feast of the Glorious Resurrection of Our Lord Jesus Christ or the Easter Feast starts on the eve and is continued after midnight.
CANDLELIGHT DIVINE LITURGY and DIVINE LITURGY in one of the modern churches in Yerevan - Holy Trinity

Day 9 - SUNDAY- APRIL 4 - 9.00-10.00 Breakfast served 
EASTER PROCESSION, EASTER LITURGY
Christ rose from the dead, by means of His Death He destroyed Death and granted eternal life. “I am the Resurrection and I am the Life. Whoever believes in me will live, even though he dies; and whoever lives and believes in me will never die” (Jn 11:25).

Today we embark on our Journey to the lands of ancient treasures of Christian history. Mother See of Holy Etchmiadzin, you will also participate in DIVINE LITURGY. It's the "religious capital" of the country and the seat of the Supreme Patriarch-Catholics of all Armenians. It has 4 main churches, including the Cathedral. Built in 303AD, the cathedral is a masterpiece of Armenian classical architecture and considered to be one of the world’s earliest Christian churches. Admire Hripsime and Gayane Churches (7th c) named after faithful virgins.
Magnificent ruins of Zvartnots (celestial angels) Cathedral (7th c) will show you the uniqueness of Armenian temple’s architecture.
Lunch in Yerevan

Day 10 - MONDAY - APRIL 5 - 9.00 – 10.00 -Breakfast served 
FREE DAY IN YEREVAN

EVENING: Farewell Party Dinner in the restaurant with Armenian traditional cuisine and folklore live music
  
Day 11 - TUESDAY - APRIL 6
TRANSFER

Price includes per person:
Full transportation and transfers in Armenia as specified in itinerary
Meals as indicated - Breakfast, Lunch/Dinner 
Entrance fee to all sightseeing destinations
Bi-lingual tour guide

Price does NOT include:
Airplane Ticket
Visa for Armenia
Travel Insurance
Alcoholic drinks
Additional tours and transfers not included in itinerary.

NOTES:
Other hotels are available upon request.
Discounted Tour Packages for groups of 20 or more people.
Discounts for children under 11 years old.  

For individual and family arrangements or details,
please refer your enquiry to: info@simatours.com

BOOKING FORM

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