Lavash Festival - JULY, 2024

The festival is dedicated to the famous Armenian flatbread Lavash, which was included in the UNESCO’s Intangible Cultural Heritage List in 2014. The visitors can follow the Lavash baking process, hear stories about the famous bread and participate themselves in the baking process. They will also have the ample opportunity to taste Armenian food and drinks, presented by the various restaurants and local residents, take part in the vodka distillation process, as well as to enjoy the various game competitions and theatrical performances.

Upon arrival at Yerevan Airport our representative will be waiting to welcome you at meeting point. Transfer to your hotel, check in and relax in the comfortable room with full facilities.
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. 
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.
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. 

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 22000 rare manuscripts. This is one of the richest depositories of manuscripts and books in the world. 
 “NOY” ARARAT Brandy, Wine Factory:  “…one does not drink brandy, one derives pleasure from it.” We will have a sampling as we conclude our first day.
 

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, magnificently set against the towering slopes of Biblical Mount Ararat, presenting us with some quite spectacular photo opportunities. 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. 

As we continue through ancient wine country we will have a short stop to taste and enjoy a guided tour at the “Areni Winery.” 
On our wine journey is a stop at the oldest winery in the world, located in the Caves of Areni. It is also one of the rarest and best-preserved late Chalcolithic (Copper Age) monuments in the South Caucasus, proving the historic facts of wine-production in Armenia for at least a 6000 years.
Back to Yerevan
 

OVERNIGHT IN YEREVAN
MEALS: Breakfast/Lunch
 

In Garni and Geghard, you can see many natural sights, the Azat canyon and Khosrov reserve are wonders of nature. They appear to be gigantic basalt “organ” in the rocks, where the stone symphony dies out.
Our first stop is Garni, the location of the rare pre-Christian pagan temple maintained in Armenia, dating from the 1st century AD is a splendid example of ancient architecture. 
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. 

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… 
Back to Yerevan.

Evening is free to enjoy  and explore the wine bars and restaurants on Saryan Street.

OVERNIGHT IN YEREVAN
MEALS: Breakfast/Lunch

From early morning we’ll start our travel day by visiting Arakadzotn Region - this part of Armenia, especially Mt. Aragats has always attracted the attention of travelers, tourists and geologists due to a tremendous number of historical monuments and beautiful landscapes. 
Artashavan - Field of Armenian Alphabet: “It is difficult to express the deep feeling Armenians have for their language, which many regard as the lifeblood of their culture”. 
Saghmosavank Monastery perched on the edge of the precipitous gorge of the Kasakh River. Visiting the village of Oshagan, you will see the church which is built over the grave of Mesrop Mashdots, who is the founder of the Armenian alphabet, and one of Armenia’s greatest benefactors. 
Next is visit to Chir’s house which offers a masterclass on making Armenian dried fruits, which is a really interesting and unique process.
 Today there is an opportunity to visit one of the other wineries in Armenia - producing “Armenia Wine”.  This will be one more opportunity to indulge.
Back to Yerevan and free evening

OVERNIGHT IN YEREVAN
MEALS: Breakfast/Lunch
 

In the morning we’ll start with a trip to Tsaghkunk, a village in Armenia’s Gegharkunik Province, will host an event called "Lavash Day”. 
Today there is an opportunity to follow the whole process of how one of the finest jewels of Armenian cuisine is crated in a tandoor from formless traditional table/lavash making: 
The participants can take part in various activities all day long, discover the unique customs of Armenian culture, make new acquaintances and friends. You will follow the lavash baking process, hear stories about the famous bread and participate themselves in the baking process. 
“Eat thy bread with joy”.

Afterwards we will visit 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. 
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 Haghartsin Monastery, nestled in the forest. 
Back to Yerevan and free evening.

OVERNIGHT IN YEREVAN
MEALS: Breakfast/Lunch

We embark on our journey to the land of ancient treasures of Christian history - Mother See of Holy Etchmiadzin (UNESCO) the "religious capital" and the seat of the Supreme Patriarch-Catholics of all Armenians. The story holds that the place where Noah made the fire after the flood is the site upon which the main Cathedral, one of the earliest Christian churches, was built. Nowadays, it is located in the lower chamber, underneath the main Altar of the Cathedral.
Then we will admire the Churches of Sts. Hripsime and Gayane (7th century) named after the faithful nuns, these churches are dedicated to these virgins, 3rd century followers of Christ who were martyred.
Next visit is to the Zvartnots Cathedral. The ruins of Zvartnots Cathedral are located on a flat plain within the Ararat Plateau between the cities of Yerevan and Etchmiadzin. Built in the middle of the 7th century, under the instructions of the Catholicos Nerses the III. 

On our return to Yerevan we will stop by the “PAK SHUKA” (covered market) which is an iconic and unique market of vegetables, fruit, dried fruit, etc.

OVERNIGHT IN YEREVAN
MEALS: Breakfast/Lunch

Transfer to Yerevan Zvartnots International Airport
 

HAVE A NICE FLIGHT!!!