TRAVEL  DATES:

STARTING FROM APRIL - 2012

The tour of Vayots Dzor Province allows everyone to truly get to know a region, to absorb the sights and sounds of the nature, to learn about local culture and enjoy numerous adventures along the way.
Visiting this area it means experiencing the different rural communities of this province and its wonders.  If someone chooses to explore and enjoy the natural wonders of Vayots Dzor, this tour was prepared just for you.
Actually during the tour you'll walk and hike to remote and quiet places undiscovered by most tourists. You can enjoy historical, natural and geological themes and the pure pleasure of walking.
Mainly this will be a small group with 4-8 participants and you'll stay in a carefully selected and comfortable hotel in Vayk town, which is not only a hotel but also the Tourism Center of the Vayots Dzor province; offering a warm welcome as well as  traditional and typical foods of the province.
Vayots Dzor Tourism Center and the hotel is a modern building, which was opened since 2010.  It is situated on the 136th km of Yerevan  Meghri, Yerevan  Stepanakert inter governmental highway.
This hotel will become our host for these 4 nights 5 days.
Food will be selected in the hotel restaurant which is also the area to set the scene for the next days' tour excursions.

DAY 1
Upon your arrival at Zvartnots International Airport in the early morning you are met by your Tour Guide and immediately begin your unique journey with the Great Trains of Armenia especially in Vayots Dzor;
Let's start with a unique and delicious Armenian breakfast … in one of the cafes of Yerevan, which is famous for its' homey, open and airy atmosphere…
There are some long days on our journey in Vayots Dzor Province and today is the first of them. Starting early morning for Vayots Dzor Province we pass through the fertile plains of Ararat valley to Khor Virap.
…who doesn't know that everywhere the sunrise is beautiful ... so be ready to become the witnesses of the twilight arch at the sun's azimuth starts to glow with a purple hue growing up to purple red, and is caused by the deeply reddened sun shining from below the horizon onto MOUNT ARARAT ...
Magnificently set against the towering slopes of Mount Ararat, in a landscape of unparalleled beauty and majesty, lays Khor Virap Monastery, presenting us with some quite spectacular photo opportunities not only on the way, but also when you climb up the nearby hill to see the border of Armenia and present day Turkey.
Driving via the fertile plains of the Ararat valley we reach the “Areni Winery” where they say, “Wine is bottled poetry”; we'll taste and enjoy a guided tour of the winery.
 Lunch will be served in one of the local restaurants which is situated on the bank of Arpa River.
Returning to the main highway we shall start driving to the town of Vayk, which is the second largest town of Vayots Dzor Province and today it has become the home of the tourism center of the province. To get there we'll pass through the central town of the province, Eghegnadzor. During our tour we'll have a chance to get acquainted with it as well.
After this long drive, we'll CHECK IN and have free time to rest and prepare for the next day's tour.
DINNER and OVERNIGHT in Tourism Center and hotel of Vayots Dzor in Vayk.

DAY 2
Breakfast Served
Today there are different kinds of areas to visit.  Let's start. First we'll get acquainted with the town of Vayk where we are based for these 5 days. Vayk is a small, quaint city with just a few long streets running parallel to Arpa River; after you can enjoy a shorter walk in the central town of Vayots Dzor Province, Eghegnadzor, we'll visit the Museum of Eghegnadzor - here you can find thousands of valuable and unique ethnographical, archaeological samples of different historical epoch detected in the region territory.
Lunch - Picnic is organized in one of the villages of the Province, where we have chosen a friendly family home and of course the perfect accompaniment of good homemade food. The lunch will be served in the spacious garden.
Now it's the time to see one of the unrepeatable monasteries in the Vayots Dzor Province, Spitakavor Monastery, within S. Astvatsatsin church, it was built in 1321 by Proshians Family. From Eghegnadzor we'll take our van to drive until the lovely little village of Vernashen, almost 7 km, which is famous as a winemaking area too. Afterward, we have one more attractive spot for today; it's the Gladzor University area. If we could go back to one time and place in medieval Armenian history, one that we're really proud of, what would it be? It was really the heyday of our education Gladzor University, the 13th century within Tanahati Monastery, from the same century. Now it's the time to continue walking, no more than 7 km distance.  The narrow track leading us to the monastery is quite unusual but spectacular, as well there is also a breathtaking view from this area 
DINNER and OVERNIGHT in Tourism Center and hotel of Vayots Dzor in Vayk town

DAY 3
Breakfast Served
After Breakfast we leave the town for some wonderful sightseeing, so we have to start early morning; to get to the tiny village of Artabuynk.  We are driving 34 km but along the way it is quite a special feeling and for sure we will enjoy and admire a splendid view of the area. Before reaching the village of Artabuynk we have a specially chosen village Shatin where we will experience the wilderness and the natural habitat of wild animals and birds (for example bezoars goats, wild pigs, muflon, vulture and some others).
Now it's the time to enjoy our 2.5 km walk to Smbataberd fort which was founded during the 5th century, but it became especially famous as a powerful fortress from the 10th to 11th centuries as well it was better established and heavily fortified during this time.
After some excellent climbing our appetite is generally enlarge, so it's Lunch - Picnic time. How about an outdoor smorgasbord event for today's meal?  It'll be in a secluded meadow area, very close with spring water.
Continuing our interesting walk almost 2.5 km, we'll go to Cakhacqar which is a monastic complex within the churches St. Hovhannes, built in 989, St. Karapet of the 10th -13th centuries and many other structures that are in ruins located along the path.  The highlight of this monastic complex is the magnificent 3.20 Meters Cross Stone decorated with such traditional patterns as pomegranate, grape and many others. It is in the mountain foothills overlooking the spectacular Yeghegis River.
DINNER and OVERNIGHT in Tourism Center and hotel of Vayots Dzor in Vayk

DAY 4
Breakfast Served
Our walk today is unique as well, the roads is taking us into the heart of the archeological settlement of the Vayots Dzor Province - picturesque village Herher. It is situated on the slopes of the extinct volcanic mountain of Vayots, the height of it is 2581 m above sea level. In reality it's one of the most beautiful extinct volcanoes with the longest lava in the Caucasus.  From here we'll have a breathtaking view of the whole of the Vayots Dzor Province.  It's only 18 km away from Vayk. There are some medieval monasteries and forts around, which one can find a lot of early Christian cross stones too. Let's start from Kapuyt berd (Blue Fort) which is only 2 km walking distance. During the centuries Vayots Dzor Province was also very famous for Caravansaries, this area was also very important point as a fortified fort and caravansary.
Today's Lunch is with a local family in the village area, where you will experience the true hospitality of the Armenian people -"Eat thy bread with joy".
Once we've eaten a full meal, we are travelling to St. Sion church of Herher village within 13 pairs of churches built during Proshian princes, here one can see many more ornaments than in other places;
By the way here there is another opportunity to partake in some other activities such as, fishing, watching wild animals and birds (for example ducks, hoopoe and other).  Let's just do it and have an unforgettable experience…
DINNER and OVERNIGHT in Tourism Center and hotel of Vayots Dzor in Vayk

DAY 5
Breakfast Served
CHECK OUT
Today we will begin our final walk.  It will be full of spectacular scenery. Let's start … but before that we have to prepare ourselves to leave this picturesque area which is full of other impressions. 
As we noticed each monument in Armenia has its uniqueness especially here in Vayots Dzor Province. Today we have an opportunity to meet with one of the masterpieces of construction which was built far from any residences, where nature is  interrelated mystically, harmoniously and perfectly with the charm of its construction, it's Noravank monastery (9th- 14th centuries).
Lunch
After the hearty lunch and before departing from Vayots Dzor Province we will follow the coastal path to Areni Village to visit the final section of our touring St. Astvatsatsin church. It was built in 1321, the church of Areni is embellished inside and outside with a series of high reliefs and ornate architectural motifs.

RETURN TO YEREVAN
CHECK IN YEREVAN HOTEL
FREE TIME
Tonight we meet for a FAREWELL DINNER in a typical Armenian Restaurant with live Armenian music and Folk Dances. Let's celebrate our wonderful journey!

DAY 6
TRANSFER TO THE AIRPORT.
Have a nice and save flight!!!

*Itinerary is subject to change at any time 
**Prices will vary with daily exchange rate; to be locked in at time of deposit
*** Other days are available upon your request

Price includes per person:
Full transportation and transfers in Armenia as specified in itinerary
Hotel accommodation in Yerevan – 1 night
Hotel accommodation in Vayots Dzor – 4 night
Meals as indicated - Breakfast, Lunch and 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.

MORE INFORMATION ABOUT VAYOTS DZOR

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

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