JULY 13 – JULY 22, 2012

DAY 1 – FRIDAY, JULY 13
On arrival at Zvartnots International Airport in the evening, you are met by your Tour Guide and immediately begin your unique journey with the Great Trains of Armenia; Transfer to the hotel; Check-in; Rest Time

DAY 2 – SATURDAY, JULY 14 - 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; 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; Mesrop Mashtots'; Lunch in Yerevan – Armenian Traditional Restaurant
“Victory” Park with panoramic view of Yerevan and Mt. Ararat;
Vernissage – outdoor market featuring hand made arts and crafts;
OVERNIGHT in YEREVAN

DAY 3 – SUNDAY, JULY 15 - Breakfast served

The Feast of the Transfiguration of Our Lord Jesus Christ is one of the five main “Tabernacle” feasts of the Armenian Apostolic Orthodox Holy Church. It commemorates the transformation that came over Jesus while He was praying.  Christ’s face shone like the sun and his clothes became a radiant and gleaming white.

Today we embark on our Journey to the lands of ancient treasures of Christian history. Mother See of Holy Echmiadzin, 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
Ashtarak Region:

The Feast also is known by the common name of “Vardakas” or “Vardevar”. This day is associated with an old Armenian tradition of pouring water on one another.
THE RULES ARE SIMPLE LET'S TRY:
First - Get water
Secondly - Splash at will
Third - Try not to get wet

Remember you could always try to tell people not to pour water on you, but there's no guarantee that you'll be spared from getting wet. Don't get angry! Instead, just try to be involved in it and enjoy yourself.... Good luck!!!
ALL OF THIS WILL CULMINATE WITH THE FESTIVAL  OF ARMENIAN NATIONAL  
DANCE AND SONGS

DAY 4 – MONDAY, JULY 16 - 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 5 – TUESDAY, JULY 17 -  Breakfast served
Khor Virap Monastery (St. Gregory the Illuminator’s underground pit); amazing view of Biblical Mt. Ararat: “The blessed Mountain for Armenians”; Enjoy and taste a guided wine in the famous “Areni Wine Factory” as in Armenia: “Wine  is bottled poetry”;Noravank monastery (9th – 14th centuries): “Human-and-nature-created wonders”;  Lunch in Noravank

DAY 6 – WEDNESDAY, JULY 18 -  Breakfast served
Matenadaran: institute of Ancient Manuscripts in Yerevan,  is one of the richest depositories of manuscripts and books in the world
MEGERIAN 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

DAY 7 – THURSDAY, JULY 19 - 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 Haghartsin  Monastery; Lunch in Sevan

DAY 8 – FRIDAY, JULY  20 - 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 hospitalityin the Armenian Traditional Family within traditional lavash making: “Eat thy bread with joy”

DAY 9 – SATURDAY, JULY  21 - Breakfast served
FREE DAY  IN YEREVAN

EVENING: Farewell Party Dinner in the restaurant with Armenian traditional cuisine and folklore live music

DAY 10 – SUNDAY, JULY 22

TRANSFER TO THE AIRPORT

HAVE A NICE AND SAVE TRIP!!!!

**Itinerary is subject to change at any time
**Prices will vary with daily exchange rate; to be locked in at time of deposit

Price includes per person:
Hotel Accommodation based on Double occupancy – 4 * Hotel
Full transportation and transfers in Armenia as specified in itinerary
Meals as indicated - Breakfast, 8 x Lunch, 1 x Farewell 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.

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

BOOKING FORM

^ UP ^