JUNE 9 - 24, 2010

DAY 1 – WEDNESDAY, JUNE 9
Arrive at Zvartnotz International Airport Meeting; Transfer to Hotel

DAY 2 – THURSDAY, JUNE 10 - 9.00 – 10.00 – Breakfast served
YEREVAN CITY TOUR - Republic Square, History Museum of Yerevan, Yerevan State University, Tsitsernakaberd memorial and museum to the 1915 Genocide, Sports and Concert Complex, Kievian Bridge, Bagramian Avenue, Presidential Palace, Academy of Sciences, National Parliament, Opera Theater;  Lunch in Yerevan – Armenian Traditional Restaurant

DAY 3 – FRIDAY, JUNE 11 - 9.00 – 10.00 – Breakfast served
Visit to Garni – the Pagan Temple of Hellenistic Style 1st century AD, wonderful canyon of Garni, Geghard – Cave monastery – architectural complex in the 12-13th century-cut in one monolithic rock  - Lunch

DAY 4 – SATURDAY, JUNE 12 – 9.00 – 10.00 – Breakfast served  
Matenadaran - Depository and Museum of ancient manuscripts, “Victory” Park with panoramic view of Yerevan and Mt. Ararat; Vernissage – outdoor market featuring hand made arts and crafts;
Lunch in Yerevan

DAY 5 – SUNDAY, JUNE 13 - 9.00 – 10.00 – Breakfast served
Visit to Echmiadzin, the center of Armenian Apostolic Church (301- 303 AD), and the Holy See of  the Supreme Catholicos, DIVINE LITURGY, Museum, Churches of Virgin Hripsime and Gayane
church, Lunch in Echmiadzin

DAY 6 –  MONDAY, JUNE 14 – 9.00 – 10.00 – Breakfast served  - CHECK OUT
Visit to Khor Virap Monastery (St. Gregory the Illuminator’s underground pit) – Amazing view of  Mt. Ararat –  Areni Wine Factory - Noravank monastery – unrepeatable view of the nature – Lunch in Noravank; Returning to the main highway we will head South, and after a short stop by the entrance of the Syunik region we will arrive in Stepanakert - the capital of the Republic of Mountainous Kharabagh.  CHECK IN
Dinner and overnight in the hotel of Stepanakert.

DAY 7 – TUESDAY, JUNE 15 – 9.00 – 10.00 – Breakfast  served
The second day of the journey begins with a tour of Stepanakert. One of the highlights of the tour will be the  Artsakh State Museum, where a selection of ancient and Christian manuscripts are on display; A short walk towards the hill offers you a view superb landscapes and the famous monument called “We Are Our Mountains”; Lunch
We will depart for Gandzasar by the impressive mountainous road to a highly artistic monumental monastery which has long attracted the attention of many specialists. Charles Dill, professor of Sorbonne University, called it "the pearl of architectural art";
Dinner   and overnight in the hotel of Stepanakert.

DAY 8 - WEDNESDAY, JUNE 16  - 9.00 – 10.00 – Breakfast served  - CHECK OUT
On the way back to Yerevan, you will see the “Tank” Liberation Monument. It is a restored tank dedicated to the capture of the town of Shushi, also  known as "Eagles Nest", which is the next stop.   Shushi is surrounded on three sides by deep canyons, and is home to Ghazanchetsots Cathedral - a massive structure with a white stone facade that dominates its surroundings and remains a silent witness of the destructions of the last war. Lunchwill be served in a picturesque setting on the bank of Arpa river.

Return Yerevan – CHECK IN

DAY 9 – THURSDAY, JUNE 17  – 9.00 – 10.00 – Breakfast served
FREE DAY IN YEREVAN

DAY 10 – FRIDAY, JUNE  18 – 9.00 – 10.00 – Breakfast served Ashtarak – where you can find numerous churches  or various ancient buildings at any step; 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”, Saghmosavank Monastery perch on the edge of the precipitous gorge of the Kasakh river.
Oshakan – the most famous as the last resting place of  Mesrop Mashtots; Lunchand hospitality in the Armenian Traditional Family within traditional table/lavash making: “Eat thy bread with joy”

DAY 11 – SATURDAY, JUNE 19 – 9.00 – 10.00 – Breakfast served
Visit to Lake Sevan – the emerald of Armenia, a beauty under the sky. Lake Sevan is considered  to be one of the biggest lakes in the world with sweet water situated at the altitide of 1,897 meters above sea level. Gorgeous view to Lake Sevan is opened from the peninsula atop which Sevan Monastery is nicely nestled dating to 9th centuray; Dilijan: “A piece of Switzerland in Armenia” - Earth and sky, woods and fields, rivers, the mountains are excellent schoolmasters, and teach some of us more than we can ever learn otherwise… The old approach in the new century ... “Old Town Dilijan” complete with craftsmen workshops, small shops with traditional Armenian products and crafts, museum, showing  typical 19th century living with all its local customs and handmade wood furnishings.....
10-13th centuries Goshavank Monastery; Lunch in Sevan

DAY 12  - SUNDAY,  JUNE 20 – 9.00 – 10.00 – Breakfast served
Armen Carpet Factory  and Show room: Which brings together time-honored traditions and a rang of exquisite aesthetics to create objects of art for  modern living; Pak Shuka  - a covered bazaar where you can taste the rich yield of our Blessed Ground such   as luscious fresh and dried fruits, flavorsome vegetables and delicacies; Lunch in Yerevan;
A Unique experience: Master Levon, through Godly vision, transformed the rock into a underground sanctuary that will undoubtly impact both the eyes and the spirit of all who walk through.

DAY 13 - MONDAY, JUNE  21 – 9.00 – 10.00 – Breakfast served
Vanadzor City – the historical and modern center of the province of Lori; Alaverdy town in a canyon, between Yerevan and Georgian - is famous for its copper mines. Dsegh Village – Home/Museum of famous Armenian writer Hovhannes Toumanyan; Lunch; We proceed to another outstanding  masterpiece of Armenian architecture Haghpat Monastery (World    UNESCO Heritage) in which  artistic merits transcended the limits of the national culture.

DAY 14  - TUESDAY, JUNE  22 – 9.00 – 10.00 – Breakfast served
Tour to Sardarapat – Memorial Monument and Ethnographic Museum of the historical battle at
Sardarapat in 1918; on the way back visiting Zvartnots temple - the ruins of Zvartnots  luxurious
temple speak of its majestic beauty and richness; Lunch

DAY 15 -  WEDNESDAY, JUNE 23 – 9.00 – 10.00 – Breakfast served
FREE DAY - Use this time to explore the city on your own!
EVENING:  Farewell Party Dinner with Armenian traditional cuisine with Armenian folklore
live music

DAY 16 - THURSDAY, JUNE 24
TRANSFER to Zvartnots Airport

**Itinerary is subject to change at any time

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
Hotel accommodation in Kharabagh
Visa for Kharabagh

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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