OCTOBER 3 – 13, 2012

During this tour we suggest that you be involved in one of the highlights of Armenia's culture, agriculture and historic treasures. 
To be in the center of reviving and
celebrating Armenia’s rich harvest, customs and traditions.

DAY 1  - OCTOBER 3 – WEDNESDAY
On arrival at Zvartnots International Airport in the evening, you are met by your Tour Guide and you immediately begin your unique journey with the Great Trains of Armenia; Transfer to the hotel; CHECK-IN;
Rest Time
OVERNIGHT in YEREVAN

DAY 2  - OCTOBER 4 – THURSDAY - Breakfast Served
YEREVAN CITY TOUR
Yerevan.... known as the rose-colored capital.... as most of its buildings use a pink shade of "tuf" stone which is quarried in Armenia. This is a most prominent feature of Yerevan: "Pink Yerevan..." Get acquainted with Yerevan by starting off at the Erebouni museum and Fortress, founded in 782 B.C., 29 years before Rome, the “Eternal City”, was built; Republic Square, 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; “NOY” Yerevan Brandy, Wine Factory:  “…one does not drink brandy, one derives pleasure from it.” Now let's do it in one of the oldest factories in Yerevan "NOY" Brandy factory; Lunch in Yerevan– Armenian Traditional Restaurant
OVERNIGHT in YEREVAN

DAY 3 – OCTOBER 5 – FRIDAY - Breakfast Served
The tour begins with visiting the heart and the center of Armenian Apostolic Church (301- 303 AD), and the Holy See of the Supreme Catholicos Holy Etchmiadzin.,  visit the Museums, as well as the Churches  of  St. Hripsime and Gayane ;  Lunch in Etchmiadzin
OVERNIGHT in YEREVAN

DAY 4 – OCTOBER 6 – SATURDAY - Breakfast Served
CHECK OUT
The day is full of events - Harvest Festival and Winemaking: it is the day of wine harvest and the national food festival in Armenia!
Food, Music and Fun! You’ll find it all at the Harvest Festival in the Vayots Dzor region. So witness, and even take part in the process of port harvest on this tour, offering the unique opportunity to experience treading the grapes and to be involved in the harvest festival! Just join us. As well you might know, from ancient times, the human foot is considered to be far gentler than any form of mechanical grape pressing. Let's put in our efforts to make this delicious wine together and taste the aroma of natural wine in the area.
Let’s start our amazing journey from 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 Turkey. So now it’s time to visit one of the famous wineries of Vayots Dzor region, while visiting let’s test different kinds of Armenian wine: “Wine is bottled poetry”, just try it…
Noravank monastery (9th – 14th centuries): “Human-and-nature-created wonders”; this being the main area of the Harvest Festival.
Lunch  in Noravank.
CHECK IN
DINNER&OVERNIGHT in VAYK 

DAY 5 – OCTOBER 7 – SUNDAY – Breakfast Served – CHECK OUT
After this unforgettable day we have another unique day full of interesting stops in other regions – Gegharkunik, which is famous for its historical and natural sightseeing. First stop in Selim  Caravanserai  the part of the “Silk road” on the way from Vayots Dzor to the Gegharkunik region, the unique inn was founded as a transit point along the most famous of the caravan routes of old; Lunch- Next stop will be in Hayrivank 9th century church. After you will enter a field of khachkars -  Noraduz - “Forest of Khachkars - Cross Stones”: this being a masterpiece of stone art.
CHECK IN
DINNER&OVERNIGHT IN SEVAN

DAY 6 – OCTOBER 8 – MONDA – Breakfast Served – CHECK OUT
Visit to Lake Sevan – the emerald of Armenia, a beauty under the sky.
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. A gorgeous view of Lake Sevan is opened from the peninsula atop which the Sevan Monastery is nicely nestled dating to the 9th century; Lunch.We continue on our way to  Dilijan – a small piece of Switzerland in Armenia. 10-13th centuries Haghartsin  Monastery.
CHECK IN
DINNER&OVERNIGHT IN DILIJAN

DAY 7 –OCTOBER 9 – TUESDAY – Breakfast Served - CHECK OUT
Today we again travel from region to region, this time from north to north-west. As it is harvest time, on the way you will see the workers in the fields gathering the bounty. In reality every region has its’ specialty to offer. Let’s find out what kind of harvest this region is famous for. Vanadzor, a town largely constructed from multi-color tuf /tufa/ stone; Wonderful monasteries Haghpat and  Sanahin where artistic merits transcend the limits of the national culture (UNESCO recognized); Lunch
 Kobayr – the spatial constructions and functional solution unify architectural currents and the expressive methods of simple solemnity.
CHECK IN
DINNER&OVERNIGHT IN LORI

DAY 8   - OCTOBER 10 –WEDNESDAY - Breakfast Served - CHECK OUT
Time to return to the capital – Yerevan.
On the way back we have more sightseeing - 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”; Ashtarak – where you can find numerous churches or various ancient buildings at every turn; Oshakan -being most widely known as the last resting place of  Mesrop Mashtots; Lunch and  traditional table/lavash making: “Eat thy bread with joy”;with a local family, where you will experience the true hospiatlity of the Armenian people and taste "lavash" which you can bake yourself, if you choose to.
CHECK IN
OVERNIGHT in YEREVAN

DAY 9 – OCTOBER 11 – THURSDAY - Breakfast Served
Matenadaran - Depository and Museum of ancient manuscripts.
We will travel to Garni, the location of the rare pre-Christian pagan temple maintained in Armenia. Later on, we will reach the Geghard cave monastery, an architectural complex (12-13th c.), carved out of one monolithic rock. With the participation of the Saghmos (Psalm) choir, we’ll have another chance to experience the ancient hymns and feel the extraordinary acoustics of the upper chamber. A visit to Geghard is truly a spiritual experience. Lunch in Geghard
OVERNIGHT in YEREVAN

DAY 10 – OCTOBER 12 – FRIDAY – Breakfast Served
FREE DAY in Yerevan
Use this time to explore the city on your own!
EVENING:  Farewell Party Dinner with Armenian traditional cuisine, along with Armenian folklore live music

DAY 11 – OCTOBER 13 – SATURDAY  
TRANSFER
HAVE A NICE FLIGHT!

**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 – 10 night

• 6 night in Yerevan
• 1 night in Sevan
• 1 night in Vayk
• 1 night in Dilijan
• 1 night in Lori

Full transportation and transfers in Armenia as specified in itinerary
Meals as indicated - Breakfast, 8 x Lunch, 5 x 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

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