Feast of the Exaltation of the Holy Cross - September 12 - 22, 2025

We adore thee, O Christ, and we praise thee, 
for by thy cross thou hast redeemed the world.
For God so loved the world that He gave His only begotten son, that whosoever believeth in Him may not perish, but have everlasting life.
- John 3:16
 

Arrive at Zvartnots International Airport. 
Meet and greet by SIMA Tours.
Transfer to Hotel. 
OVERNIGHT IN YEREVAN
 

Let’s start our acquaintance with the city of Yerevan by stepping through its ancient history at the Erebouni museum and Fortress, which was founded in 782 B.C. Republic Square, Sports and Concert Complex, Kievian Bridge, Bagramyan Avenue, Presidential Palace, Academy of Sciences, National Parliament, Opera Theater. Visit to Tsitsernakaberd memorial and museum to the 1915 Genocide, which is one of the most impressive monuments in Yerevan. 
Next stop is Cascade, which is a huge white staircase built on the Yerevan hillside in the 1970s, with water fountains running down the sides, all reminiscent of a natural river or stream cascading. It connects the central district to Haghtanak Park -“Victory” Park to the center of the city. The structure has escalators so that it is unnecessary to manually ascend the stairs all the way to the top. 
Visit to “MEGERIAN RUGS'' Factory & Showroom: which brings together time-honored traditions and a range of exquisite aesthetics, from organic materials, to create objects of art for modern living and you will become acquainted with the ancient craft of Armenian carpet making.
Today the lunch will be provided  at a special restaurant in Megerian Carepet Factory where you will have the opportunity to taste Armenian traditional meals with old recipes by “Araratyan Khohanots – Armenian Cuisine”.
Free evening
OVERNIGHT IN YEREVAN
Meals: breakfast, lunch
 

Dying, you destroyed our death; rising you restored our life. 
Save us by your cross, Christ our Redeemer.
FEAST OF EXALTATION OF THE HOLY CROSS
Feast of the Exaltation of the Holy Cross is the last one of the five major feasts of the Armenian Apostolic Church. It is the most important
 feast among the feasts dedicated to the Holy Cross, as it is dedicated to the history of the return of the Holy Cross from imprisonment, 
its elevation and glorification.
For Christians the Cross is God’s power and strength and pride of all prides, on which Christ’s innocent blood was shed. 
By means of the Cross Jesus proved His love towards mankind, and the Cross became for us the symbol of hope, love and salvation.

On this glorious day we will visit one of the ancient treasures of Christian history - the Mother See of Holy Etchmiadzin. It is the Vatican of the Armenian Apostolic Church, the place where Surb Grigor Lusavorich (St. Gregory the Illuminator) saw a beam of light in a divine vision, and where he built the first Mother Church of Armenia (303AD).
We will also participate in DIVINE LITURGY.
Continuing our day, we’ll make a short stop at the Churches of St. Hripsime (UNESCO) and St. Gayane. Both of them are unique for their different types of central-domed churches developed in the Early Middle Ages and became widespread in Armenia during the 7th century. 
The next visit is the ruins of the Zvartnots Cathedral… It's special for its rare construction technique that was not common during the 7th century and the methods used were considered extremely advanced
Back to Yerevan
OVERNIGHT IN YEREVAN
Meals: breakfast, lunch

Let’s head today to the north-west of Armenia towards Mt. Aragats, which is the highest peak of Armenia and the fourth highest one in the Armenian Highland. Aragatsotn Region is very famous for “Armenia Alphabet Park”. Standing next to a small pool of water and with the high Holy Cross hovering in the background lays a monument of 39 giant carved Armenian letters in stone and statues of famous Armenians. The park was dedicated to the creator of the Armenian language, Saint Mesrop Mashtots whose language he created over 1,600 years ago is still spoken today.
Saghmosavank (“monastery of the Psalms'') is located in the village of Saghmosan, on the right bank of the Kasakh River. This is one of the richest and most prominent spiritual and cultural centers of the Middle Ages.  
Next is a unique experience to make Armenian Dry Fruit in the Chir’s house. It is a fascinating process to be involved. Armenian dried fruit is especially delicious because it is made from local fruits, which are known around the world for their sweetness and richness of the taste. 
Next is St. Mesrop Mashtots Cathedral of Oshakan was founded in the memory of archimandrite Mesrop Mashtots, the creator of the Armenian alphabet, founder of the Armenian school and Armenia's first teacher. 
“Armenian Wine” Winery – as they say let’s discover Armenia in their wines with its indigenous grapes and terroir diversity. The winery creates wines which open the window to main wine in other regions of Armenia, still undiscovered. The highlight of the tour is of course the wine tasting of white and red wines.  
Back to Yerevan
OVERNIGHT IN YEREVAN
Meals: breakfast, lunch

 In the morning we’ll start with a trip to Dilijan: “A piece of Switzerland in Armenia” - Earth and sky, woods and fields, rivers, the mountains become 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, museums, and ultimately showing typical 19th century living with all its local customs and handmade wood furnishings..... We will also visit the 10-13th centuries Goshavank Monastery, nestled in the forest.
 Next is Lake Sevan – the emerald of Armenia, a blue eyed beauty under the sky. Lake Sevan is one of the largest freshwater lakes in the world, situated at an altitude of 1,897 meters above sea level. The most picturesque view of Lake Sevan is seen from the peninsula atop which Sevan Monastery (9th c.) towers over the lake. 
On our way back to Yerevan, we will visit Noraduz, the largest Khachkars (Crosses-stones) cemetery. What makes Noraduz special is that it is unique, one of a kind worldwide in its expression of art carved of stone.
Our final visit of the day is unique in its own right... the Mikayelyan Cheese Cellar, is where we will have a chance to oversee the production of Gourmet cheeses and taste a variety of wonderful flavors complimented by a glass of wine.
OVERNIGHT IN YEREVAN
Meals: breakfast, lunch
 

Driving through the fertile plains of the Ararat valley, you will reach Khor Virap Monastery – the beginning of the History of the Christian nation in Armenia, magnificently set against the towering slopes of the Biblical Mountain of Ararat. You have some quite spectacular photo opportunities before a landscape of unparalleled beauty and majesty. The monastery is the site where St. Gregory the Illuminator was incarcerated and is a pilgrimage destination for all Christian believers, as well as having had a determinate impact on the Armenia people and their history. 
As we continue through ancient wine country we will have a short stop to taste and enjoy a guided tour at the “Areni Winery.”

Next, we will take the path through the narrow gorge, revealing Noravank Monastery, nestled inside the deep red landscape of the tuf stone mountains.  
Returning to the main highway we shall start driving South to Goris.

OVERNIGHT IN GORIS
Meals: breakfast, lunch, dinner
 

After breakfast we depart for Tatev Monastery. 
Serpentine road brings us to explore Tatev Monastery (UNSECO), which provides a spectacular view of mountain ranges. 
The Aerial Tramway of Tatev - spanning 5.7 kilometers across the spectacular Vorotan River Gorge, offers a spectacular journey with breathtaking views of the river gorge below. Most importantly, it will link you to one of the jewels of Armenia's medieval legacy - Tatev Monastery as well the Tatev Aerial Tramway - the longest passenger aerial tramway in the world - is poised to be one of southern Armenia's most popular attractions. The picturesque monastery is nestled at the top of an impregnable plateau, crowned by the ramparts walls from the upper part of the territory. Afterwards, you will have time to discover the interior of the monastery which was founded in the 4th cent., becoming an important religious and educational center of medieval Armenia in 9-10th cc.  To close today’s tour, we visit the village of Khndzoresk– Prehistoric era, a cave village and exotic rock formations. This village looks like a vertical multi-storied rocky amphitheater.  

OVERNIGHT IN GORIS
Meals: breakfast, lunch, dinner

On the way back we’ll visit Karahunge 7000-year-old Observatory. 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. 
Continuing our trip we’ll drive up to Jermuk, which is a leading Armenian spa city. Once in Jermuk, Gallery of Waters is a place not to miss. There are pipes in walls and the water flows from there into stone urns and each one has various temperatures. Next is Jermuk waterfall that falls from a height of 70 meters into the gorge of Arpa River is a true miracle of Armenian Highlands. 

OVERNIGHT IN YEREVAN
Meals: breakfast, lunch
 

Today we will visit Garni, which is the rare pre-Christian pagan temple maintained in Armenia, dating back to the 1st century AD. 
It is said that music has a way of speaking without lyrics and can somehow speak directly to a person’s soul. Today’s visit will give us a once-in-a-lifetime opportunity to share and feel this language of music expressed through the DUDUK, an Armenian musical instrument which is arguably one of the most powerful of all instruments in its ability to move someone to their very core.
Today we’ll have an opportunity to follow the whole process of how one of the finest jewels of Armenian cuisine is created, “lavash” (flat bread), in a “tonir” (ground oven) and have lunch with the fresh bread made by yourself.  The preparation, meaning and appearance of traditional flat bread as an expression of culture in Armenia has been inscribed on UNESCO’s Representative List of the Intangible Cultural Heritage of Humanity.
Then we will reach Geghard (Cave monastery) (UNESCO) architectural complex (12-13th centuries), carved out of one monolithic rock. Due to the extraordinary acoustics, when the local singer begins to sing in this chamber it is hard to believe a large choir isn’t singing… be aware it is only one man…

OVERNIGHT IN YEREVAN
Meals: breakfast, lunch
 

Free Day 

September 21 is Armenia's Independence Day, a major state holiday that commemorates the day in 1991 when the Armenian SSR voted to gain independence from the Soviet Union. 

Tonight we meet for a FAREWELL DINNER in a typical Armenian Traditional Restaurant with live Armenian music and Folk Dance to celebrate our wonderful journey!

OVERNIGHT IN YEREVAN
Meals: breakfast/dinner
 

Transfer to Zvartnots Airport

HAVE A NICE FLIGHT!!!