10nights/11 Days
MARCH 31 – APRIL 10, 2012

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 31 -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 – APRIL 1 - 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 acquaintance with Yerevan through the DIVINE LITURGY celebration: 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. Next we move to the History Museum of Armenia. You will 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.
Lunch in Yerevan

DAY 3 - MONDAY – APRIL 2 - Breakfast served 
Tsitsernakaberd memorial and museum to the 1915 Genocide, which is one of the most impressive monuments in Yerevan and show our respect to all victims.
We will continue today’s journey with the psalms in the monastery of Psalms-Saghmosavank. In silence it seems the ancient psalms are still echoed in its walls. Along 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 visit 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 – APRIL 3 - 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 construction of architectural currents is simple solemn; Wonderful monasteries Haghpat and Sanahin in which artistic merits transcended the limits of the national culture; Lunch in Alaverdy

Day 5  WEDNESDAY- APRIL 4 -  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. Upon arrival you will stop by the lakeside churches on top of the peninsula and 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 settings of the 10-13th centuries Goshavank Monastery, which we'll visit.
Lunch in Sevan – Tasting fresh fish from the lake Sevan

Day 6 - THURSDAY - APRIL 5 - 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).
Garni the rare pre-Christian pagan temple maintained in Armenia; it is a unique way to acquaint you with the time of pagan religion in Armenia as there is no the other pagan temple in present day Armenia.  Lunch
Geghard (Cave monastery) architectural complex in the 12-13th centuries cut in one monolithic rock. The acoustics in this chamber are extraordinary.  The sound you hear demonstrated when the local monk begins to sing 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 Holy Thursday, a solemn service is held. It symbolizes the Betrayal, Crucifixion and Death of Our Lord Jesus Christ. 


Day 7 - FRIDAY - APRIL 6 - 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 the Ararat valley you reach “Areni Winery” as in Armenia: “Wine is bottled poetry”; you'll taste and enjoy a guided winery tour. After this take the path through the narrow gorge, which reveals “Natural and manmade wonders”- Noravank Monastery.  Lunch in Noravank
Khor Virab Monastery – nestled in the valley is this Monastery where the beginning of the History of Christianity in Armenia is magnificently set against the towering slopes of Biblical Mount Ararat. It 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 Christ in Armenia and inspired King Trdat to proclaim Christianity as state religion in 301, which made a determinate impact on the Armenia  people and their history.

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

Day 8 - SATURDAY - APRIL 7 - Breakfast served 
Annunciation of St Mary
Each year on April 7, the Armenian Apostolic Church marks the Annunciation of St Mary, the press service of the Holy See of  Etchmiadzin said.
In 1990, the then Catholicos of all Armenians, Garegin II, declared April 7 as the Day of Maternity and Beauty.
All the churches in Armenian serve a holy mass on this day and deliver a special blessing to expectant mothers.

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 Service and DIVINE LITURGY in the church of the Holy Trinity, in Yerevan.

Day 9 - SUNDAY- APRIL 8 - 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 land of ancient treasures of Christian history the 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.
Lunch in Etchmiadzin

Day 10 - MONDAY - APRIL 9 -  Breakfast served 
FREE DAY IN YEREVAN
EVENING: Evening dinner to celebrate the completion of your Easter Pilgrimage to Armenia.
  
Day 11 - TUESDAY - APRIL 10
TRANSFER

 **Itinerary can be altered to accommodate your specific requests

Price includes per person:
Full transportation and transfers in Armenia as specified in itinerary
Hotel accommodation in Yerevan  at 4 * Hotel – 10 x night
Meals as indicated - Breakfast, 8 x Lunch , 1 x 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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