Feast of the Transfiguration of Our Lord - Vardavar - July 23 - August 2, 2025

On arrival at Zvartnots International Airport our representative will be waiting to welcome you at meeting point. Transfer to your hotel, check in and relax in comfortable rooms with full facilities.
OVERNIGHT IN YEREVAN
 

Our trip through Armenia begins today in Yerevan - the capital, one of the most ancient cities in the world - Erebouni Fortress which was founded in 782 BC. We will start from Erebouni museum located at the top of Arin-Berd hill. You will also have a chance to discover this ancient fortress.
Afterwards, we will stop by the eternal flame and memorial symbolizing the Armenian Genocide in 1915 – Tsitsernakaberd. It is dedicated to preserving the memory of the Armenian Genocide and to honoring 1.5 million innocent Armenian victims who went through the horrors in the beginning of the 20th century. 
While we are driving we see many of the other remarkable landmarks in Yerevan as: Sports and Concert Complex, Kievian Bridge, Bagramyan Avenue, President’s Palace, Academy of Sciences, National Parliament, Opera Theater. 
“MEGERIAN RUGS'' Factory & Showroom which brings together time-honored traditions and a range of exquisite aesthetics to create objects of art for modern living and you will become acquainted with the ancient technology of Armenian carpet making. Today the lunch will be provided in a special restaurant part of Megerian Carpet Factory which is one of the opportunities to taste the Armenian traditional meals with old recipes by "Araratyan Khohanots'', chief Artavazd Sarukhanyan.
Today’s last visit is to the Cascade - Gerard Cafesjian Sculpture Garden. The Cafesjian Center for the Arts is dedicated to bringing the best of contemporary art to Armenia and presenting some of the best of Armenian culture to the world. 
Free evening
OVERNIGHT IN YEREVAN
Meals: breakfast, lunch
 

Let’s head today to the north-west of Armenia towards Mt. Aragats, which are the highest peaks in Armenia and the fourth highest ones in the Armenian Highland.

Aragatsotn Region is very famous for “Armenia Alphabet Park”. Standing next to a small pool of water and with the tall 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, which he created over 1,600 years ago and is still spoken today.
Saghmosavank (“Monastery of the Psalms'') is located in the village of Saghmosavan, on the right bank of the Kasakh River. This was one of the richest and most prominent spiritual and cultural centers of the Middle Ages.  After that we'll drive up towards Amberd Fortress which was used as a summer residence for kings. The castle (along with some sections of the wall) were built in the 7th century. Nearby is one of the other Medieval Armenian churches - St. Astavatsatsin (St. Mother of God). 
Then we’ll walk on the shores of amazing mountainous Lake Kari. Lake Kari a small crystal-clear lake, nestled close to southern peak of Mt. Aragats at a height of 3207m and covered mostly by snow and ice. 
Next visit is the Nairian farm & laboratory of local cosmetics situated on the slope of Mount Ara, in a charming village called Aragyugh. Let’s walk through the experimental gardens and learn about the process that goes into growing medicinal herbs and plants. 
Today there is an opportunity to visit one of the best wineries in Armenia - ARMENIA WINE which is the icon of modern Armenian winemaking. In constant pursuit of improvement, at the winery they strive to balance ancient traditions with the newest technology.  We will have the opportunity to taste and enjoy a variety of Armenia wines: Armenia White Dry, Armenia Red Dry and Armenia Pomegranate Semisweet served with cheese and meat platers. 
Back to Yerevan and free time
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.
Next is an enjoyable walk down to the Garni Canyon where one cannot help admiring the volcanic basalt formations and natural beauty. It’s like a “Symphony of stones'' – one of the most dramatic scenes in Armenia. 
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).  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
 

The Feast of the Transfiguration of Our Lord Jesus Christ is 
one of the five main “Tabernacle” feasts of the Armenian Apostolic 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.
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 Surp 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 Sts. Hripsime and Gayane (UNESCO). 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 more commonly used name of this feast is “Vardakas” or “Vardevar”. The 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 get involved and enjoy yourself.... 
Good luck!!!

OVERNIGHT IN YEREVAN
Meals: breakfast, lunch
 

We’ll depart Yerevan this morning and travel south, through the plains of Ararat to visit Khor Virap Monastery- the beginning of the History of Christianity in Armenia, magnificently set against the towering slopes of Biblical Mount Ararat.
The monastery is the site where St. Gregory the Illuminator was incarcerated and is a place of pilgrimage for many Armenian Christians. We also aim to visit the site of Noravank Monastery. Situated on a hill overlooking a twisted gorge, this is not only a place of breathtaking beauty, but also an architectural delight, that dates from the 13th and 14th centuries. 
Our Jeep tour takes you places to explore, and leaves you with unforgettable memories of the landscapes and wildlife of Vayots Dzor. 
Learn about the red rock geology of the area, admire the most iconic and historic structure such as Noravank Monastery while taking in the breathtaking panoramic views of the monastery and the Noravank Canyon.
Close by is the village of Areni, famed for its wine and surrounded by a landscape of towering peaks and we’ll have time to sample some of the local produce of this delightful mountain community․ 
Returning to the main highway we shall start driving south to Goris.
OVERNIGHT IN GORIS
MEALS: Breakfast, lunch

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.  On this day we will also travel to Khndzoresk village an ancient village in the caves, a truly awe-inspiring scenery.
OVERNIGHT IN GORIS
MEALS: Breakfast, lunch
 

We’ll depart this morning and travel north, which is passing via one of the principal routes of the “Great Silk Road” – Vardenisyan (Selim) Pass, linking the southern region of Vayots Dzor to the eastern region of Gegharkunik. 
After we have another stop in one of the ancient Orbelian's Caravanserai from 14th century. Continually on the way, you will admire a splendid view of the area. 

Not far from Hayrivank Monastery on the shore of Lake Sevan is the settlement of Noraduz famous for its khachkars (crosses-stones) cemetery. There are about 900 khachkars of various styles and epochs there. Noraduz Cemetery became one of the most visited and popular sights of the Gegarkunik region because there is one of the largest collections of Armenian khachkars. The prominent feature of the majority of khachkars is the cross with a solar disk under it.
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.
Our next stop is 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…
OVERNIGHT in DILIJAN
MEALS: Breakfast, lunch
 

“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.....
Dilijan National Park is one of the four national parks of Armenia. 
Goshavank Monastery and Cross Stones are remarkable due to their special type of handcraft work, called as "needle-made"- the pride of Armenian architecture. 
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. This gorgeous view to Lake Sevan is opened from the peninsula atop which Sevan Monastery which is nicely nestled, dating to the 9th century. 
Back to Yerevan
OVERNIGHT IN YEREVAN
MEALS: Breakfast, lunch
 

Visit to “NOY” ARARAT Brandy, Wine Factory:“…one does not drink brandy, one derives pleasure from it.” , Tour and testing
Today you will enjoy a tour of the most enigmatic of cities, visiting the remarkable Matenadaran Library and Research Institute of Armenia which houses about 23000 rare manuscripts. This is one of the richest depositories of manuscripts and books in the world. The history of the Matenadaran dates back to the creation of the Armenian 
Alphabet in 405. 

Later this afternoon we will stroll through the ‘Vernissage’, the bustling open air handicraft market. The Vernissage is the perfect place to get a little taste of Armenia and a unique scenario to witness the fusion between national traditions with contemporary taste You can find almost anything in this weekend open market Vernisage. In just a few blocks, you will see, besides art, carpets, old collections of coins and medallions, jewelry, music, books, carved wood, lace, embroidery, ceramics, posters, food, tools, parts for electronics and even pets. It is open year round.

Today you say goodbye to Armenia. Still you will carry a lot of amazing memories with you back home.

EVENING: FAREWELL DINNER IN A TYPICAL ARMENIAN RESTAURANT WITH LIVE NATIONAL MUSIC AND DANCE
OVERNIGHT IN YEREVAN
MEASL: breakfast, dinner
 

TRANSFER TO AIRPORT

Have a nice and safe flight!!!