DISCOVER THIS ANCIENT LAND THROUGH YOUR EYES
ARMENIA and KHARABAGH

JUNE 6 – 17, 2012

DAY 1  – WEDNESDAY, JUNE  6
Arrive at Zvartnotz International Airport Meeting; Transfer to Hotel

DAY 2 – THURSDAY, JUNE 7- 9.00 – 10.00 – Breakfast served
YEREVAN CITY TOUR - Republic Square, Acquaintance with Yerevan should start with Erebouni museum and Fortress which was founded in 782 B.C., 29 years before Rome, the “Eternal City”, was built; Yerevan State University, Tsitsernakaberd memorial and museum to the 1915 Genocide, Sports and Concert Complex, Kievian Bridge, Bagramyan Avenue, Presidential Palace, Academy of Sciences, National Parliament, Opera Theater;  Cascade and Gerard Cafesjian  Art Museum, which is Armenian’s largest repository of modern art with the Sculpture at the base of the Cascade.
Lunch in Yerevan – Armenian Traditional Restaurant

DAY 3 – FRIDAY, JUNE 8 - 9.00 – 10.00 – Breakfast served
Garni the rare pre-Christian pagan monument maintained in Armenia; wonderful canyon of Garni, where you can see magnificent sheer vertical cliffs, which look manmade;Geghard (Cave monastery) architectural complex in the 12-13th century, cut in one monolithic rock; Lunch

DAY 4 – SATURDAY, JUNE 9 – 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; “MEGERIAN RUGS” Factory & Show room: Which brings together time-honored traditions and a rang of exquisite aesthetics to create objects of art for modern living and you will become acquainted with the ancient technology of Armenian carpet making.

DAY 5 – SUNDAY, JUNE 10 - 9.00 – 10.00 – Breakfast served
Visit to Etchmiadzin, the center of Armenian Apostolic Church (301- 303 AD), and the Holy See of  the Supreme Catholicos, DIVINE LITURGY, museum, churches of the virgins Hripsime and Gayane, Lunch in Etchmiadzin

DAY 6 – MONDAY, JUNE 11 – 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 nature – Lunch in Noravank; Returning to the main highway we will head south, and after a short stop at 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 Stepanakert.

DAY 7 – TUESDAY, JUNE 12 – 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 of the superb landscapes and the famous monument called “We Are Our Mountains”; Tigranakert was one of the four cities founded by the Armenian king, Tigranes the Great, in different territories of the Armenian highlands during the 1st century B.C. 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 Stepanakert.

DAY 8 - WEDNESDAY, JUNE 13  - 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 the 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 banks of Arpa river.
Return Yerevan – CHECK IN

DAY 9 – THURSDAY, JUNE 14 – 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; Lunch and hospitalitywith an Armenian Family with a traditional table/lavash making: “Eat thy bread with joy”.

DAY 10 – FRIDAY, JUNE 15 – 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 largest sweet water lakes in the world, situated at an altitide of 1,897 meters above sea level. The most picturesque view of Lake Sevan is seen from the peninsula atop which Sevan Monastery is nicely nestled dating to the 9th century; Dilijan: “A piece of Switzerland in Armenia” - Earth and sky, woods and fields, rivers, the mountains become 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 11 – SATURDAY, JUNE 16 – 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 as well as Armenian folklore live music

DAY 12 - SUNDAY, JUNE 17 – 9.00 – 10.00 – Breakfast served
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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