JULY 11 - 26, 2009

DAY 1 – SATURDAY,  JULY 11
Arrive at Zvartnotz International Airport Meeting; Transfer to Hotel

DAY 2 - SUNDAY, JULY 12 - 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 Virgin Hripsime and Gayane church, Lunch in Etchmiadzin

DAY 3 - MONDAY, JULY 13  - 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 altitude 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 century; 10-13th centuries Goshavank Monastery; Lunch in Sevan

DAY 4 - TUESDAY, JULY 14  – 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, residential Palace, Academy of Sciences, National Parliament, Opera Theater;  Lunch in Yerevan – Armenian Traditional Restaurant

DAY 5 - WEDNESDAY, JULY 15 - 9.00 – 10.00 – Breakfast served
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

DAY 6 - THURSDAY, JULY 16 – 9.00 – 10.00 – Breakfast served  
Visit to Garni – the Pagan Temple of Hellenistic Style 1st century AD, wonderful canyon of Garni, and Geghard – Cave monastery – architectural complex in the 12-13th century-cut in one monolithic rock - Lunch

DAY 7 - FRIDAY, JULY 17– 9.00 – 10.00 – Breakfast  served - CHECK OUT
Depart from Yerevan; Lunch on the way;
The road: Yerevan, Akhltskhe, Vale, Posof, Artahan, Kars
Pass two borders: ARMENIAN-GEORGIAN, GEORGIAN-TURKISH
Dinner; Overnight in KARS

DAY 8 - SATURDAY, JULY 18  - 9.00 – 10.00 – Breakfast served 
KARS-VAN
City tour in Kars. It is a town that is dominated by the ruins of the ancient castle, sits at the top a rocky hill over-  looking Kars and St. Arakelots Cathedral, Cathedral of the Holy Apostles (10th century), Armenian Old Houses; Kars Museum with the wide collection of antiquities;Lunch;
Ani  ...Today the great City of Ani is in ruins... a ghost town, a mere shadow of the once world- renowned splendor of 1,000 years ago; can attract us even today; panoramic view of Mt. Ararat from the Western Armenia; short stop in Igdir: which is with its high mountain ranges, remote plateaus, plains splashed with color, and some of the best   architecture within, this region brings history to life; the valley of Dougbayazid. It was settled by Armenians in the Daroynk Fortress, emanated lava of  Tondrouk; Berkri waterfall
Dinner; Overnight in VAN

DAY 9 - SUNDAY, JULY 19  – 9.00 – 10.00 – Breakfast served
VAN 
Van-Tushpa one of the ancient and important capitals of Great Armenia in the second millennium B.C., ancient fortress of Van Kingdom, visiting the museum of VAN, ancient town and water canals area, Mher’s Door - with the famous Urartian cuneiform inscription; Varagavank; Archak Lake; riving to Haykaberd - "Armenian Fortress", Lunch in the territory of fortress.
Free time in the town, Dinner, Overnight in VAN

DAY 10 - MONDAY, JULY 20– 9.00 – 10.00 – Breakfast served
VAN - MUSH
Akhtamar the volcanic isle; on which only the majestic Holy Cross Church has survived and has been renovated; every place with a breathtaking view of Lake Van as it has been said “Van is in this “World– Paradise is in the Next”; Lunch - the tasting famous fish "Tarekh" from Lake Van, depart from Van to Mush the center of both Paganism and Christianity in Historical Armenia; Mt. Nemrut one of the most impressive worshipping grounds /connected with the weather and time/; Bitlis is located on the most important pass in the eastern Taurus Mountains, the city itself fanning  upward like an amphitheater from the river vale /a short visit/; Dinner, Overnight in MUSH

DAY 11 - TUESDAY, JULY 21– 9.00 – 10.00 – Breakfast served
MUSH - ERZRUM
Walking in the Mush valley, Sulukh bridge- with 12 arches and eghraget; St. Karapet church: originally it was a big and beautiful 4the monastery; but if you hope to experience this unrepeatable Monastery let's muster up our courage to do it... Fortress of Khnus ,Lunch on the way, Varto Karliov, Erzrum,Tercan Apranits the unique Khachkars''  with high of about 6.40 meter;
Dinner, Overnight in ERZRUM

DAY 12 - WEDNESDAY,  JULY 22– 9.00 – 10.00 – Breakfast served
ERZRUM - KARS
In the town of Erzrum-Karin visiting Armenian Church, Fortress - one of the important remains from
the period of Byzantine is the well preserved a fortress city that has been a military bastion since Roman times; Old Houses; Market, the fortress of Basen; Lunch on the way, The Shepherd's bridge  the confluence of Araqs and Mourad (Aratsani) rivers
Dinner, Overnight in KARS

DAY 13 - THURSDAY, JULY 23 – 9.00 – 10.00 – Breakfast served
KARS - YEREVAN
Pass two borders: TURKISH-GEORGIAN, GEORGIAN-ARMENIAN
Arrive to Yerevan

DAY 14 - FRIDAY, JULY 24 – 9.00 – 10.00 – Breakfast served
FREE DAY

DAY 15 - SATURDAY, JULY 25 – 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 - SUNDAY, JULY 26
TRANSFER to Zvartnots Airport

**Itinerary is subject to change at any time

Price includes per person:
Full transportation and transfers in Armenia and Turkey as specified in itinerary
Hotel accommodation in Turkey
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
Visa for Turkey
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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