OCTOBER 5 – OCTOBER 15, 2009

During this tour we recommend that you be involved in some of the highlights of Armenia's culture,
agriculture and historical treasures, as well as to be active in the reviving and
celebrating of the rich Armenian harvest, customs and traditions.

DAY 1  - October 5 - MONDAY
Arrival at Zvartnotz International Airport – Meeting and assistance of Tour Guide in the airport and tranfer to 
the Hotel in Yerevan, Check – in, unpack, rest

DAY 2  - October 6 - TUESDAY - 9.00 – 10.00 – BREAKFAST SERVED
YEREVAN CITY TOUR - 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; Republic Square, Yerevan State University, Mesrop Mashtots avenue, Yerevan Brandy Factory:  “…one does not drink brandy, one derives pleasure from it.” Let's do it in one of the oldest brandy factories of Armenia - "ARARAT"; LUNCH IN YEREVAN – Armenian Traditional Restuarant

DAY 3 - October 7 - WEDNESDAY - 9.00 – 10.00 – BREAKFAST SERVED
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;
Ashtarak – where you can find numerous churches or various ancient buildings at any step; Oshakan -being most widely known as the last resting place of  Mesrop Mashtots; 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”;  LUNCH  and  traditional table/lavash making: “Eat thy bread with joy”;with a local family,  where you will  experience the true hospiatlity of Armenian people and to taste that "lavash" which you'll bake on your own. Isn't it tastier?

DAY 4 – October 8 - THURSDAY - 9.00 – 10.00 – BREAKFAST SERVED
Visit to Lake Sevan – the emerald of Armenia, a beauty under the sky.
Sevan is considered to be one of the biggest sweet water lakes in the world, situated at an altitide of 1,897 meters above sea level. A gorgeous view of Lake Sevan is visable from the peninsula atop which Sevan Monastery is nicely nestled dating to 9th century; LUNCH IN SEVAN; We continue  our way to  Dilijan – a piece of Switzerland in Armenia 10-13th centuries Goshavank Monastery

DAY 5 – October 9 - FRIDAY - 9.00 – 10.00 – BREAKFAST SERVED
Matenadaran - Depository and Museum of ancient manuscripts;
The sightseeing day begins  with visiting Garni pagan temple 1st century AD, with royal bath of roman mosaic dating to 3rd century AD and  Geghard  Monastery – Cave monastery – architectural complex in the 12-13th century-cut in one monolithic rock  - LUNCH IN GARNI

DAY 6 – October 10 - SATURDAY - 9.00 – 10.00 – BREAKFAST SERVED
The tour begins with visiting the heart of the Armenian Apostolic Church – Holy Etchmiadzin.Visit to  Etchmiadzin, the center of Armenian Apostolic Church (301- 303 AD), and the Holy See of the Supreme Catholicos, Museum, Churches  of  St. Hripsime and Gayane churches;  LUNCH
Vernissage – outdoor market featuring hand made arts and crafts

DAY 7 – October 11 - SUNDAY - 9.00 – 10.00 – BREAKFAST SERVED - CHECK OUT
The day is full of events - Harvest Festival and Winemaking!!!  
Food, Music and Fun! You’ll find it all at the Harvest Festival of the Vayots Dzor region. So witness, and even take part in the 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 the ancient time, 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.
Khor Virap Monastery, presenting us with some spectacular photo opportunities, not only on the way, but also when you climb up the nearest rock to see the border of Armenia and present Turkey.
Noravank monastery (9th – 14th centuries): “Human-and-nature-created wonders”;  the main area
of the Harvest Festival. LUNCH in the ancient refectory of Noravank.
After, driving to the village of Arphi's winery, continue the fertile event of winemaking.
CHECK IN, Dinner, Overnight in Goris

DAY 8   - October 12 - MONDAY -  9.00 – 10.00 – BREAKFAST SERVED
Today there is so much to see and do.  Let’s start. Enjoy a shorter walk today in the town of Sisian to Karahunge- 7000-year-old Observatory, the “twin” of the English Stonehenge but more ancient; clouded in mystery, the ancient stone circle of Karahunge is an amazing feat of engineering and the most important pre-historic site in Armenia, but beyond its archeological significance and possible astronomical role, Karahunge  also holds a mystical charm. Karahunge continues to enthrall the imagination and captivate the heart of every visitor.Tatev: here they created and passed on a remarkable monastery, leaving behind a piece of their eternal spirit for centuries to come; LUNCH/PICNIC
Rest and Dinner: National Musical Instruments and National songs.
During this performance take special note of the DUDUK (a simple double-reed wind instrument) which may surprise you as it's also quite capable of a wide range of melodies, including rhythmic dance tunes. It may very well be because of this wide range of expression, combined with the depth and power of its sound, that the duduk has truly become a part of everyday life in Armenia.
Overnight in Goris

DAY 9 – October 13 - TUESDAY - 9.00 – 10.00 – BREAKFAST  SERVED- CHECK OUT
Return to YEREVAN; LUNCH on the way
 CHECK IN - Free Time

DAY 10 – October 14 - WEDNESDAY - 9.00 – 10.00 – BREAKFAST SERVED
FREE DAY in Yerevan
Use this time to explore the city on your own!
OPTIONAL
Armen Carpet Factory  and Show room: which brings together a time-honored tradition and a range 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 soil, such as luscious fresh and dried fruits, flavorsome vegetables and delicacies; Famous Grand Candy Store - where you can taste “PONCHIK” - the unique Armenian Doughnut; “Veratsnund” Art Show Room
EVENING:  Farewell Party Dinner with Armenian traditional cuisine, along with Armenian folklore live music

DAY 11 – October 15 - THURSDAY
TRANSFER

**Itinerary is subject to change at any time

OPTIONAL

• PERFORMANCES: concerts; Armenian traditional dancing and singing and etc.

Price includes: 
Full transportation and transfers in Armenia as specified in itinerary
Breakfast, Lunch/Dinner
Entrance fee to all sightseeing destinations;
Tour guide
Hotel accommodation based on double occupancy (8 night)
Hotel accommodation in Goris (2 night)

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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