Multi Cultural Trip - 10 nights/11 days

According to the 2011 Census, more  than 98 per cent of the total population of 3 million is ethnically Armenian. Minority groups in the republic include Yezdis (1.2%), Russians (0.4%), Assyrians (0.1%), Kurds (0.1%).
Other minorities included Ukrainians, Greeks (usually called Caucasus Greeks), Georgians, Belarusians and Jews.
 

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
 

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. 
Free evening in Yerevan
OVERNIGHT IN YEREVAN
MEALS: Breakfast/Lunch
 

Today we embark on our Journey to the lands of ancient treasures of Christian history…the Mother See of Holy Etchmiadzin (UNSECO) It’s the “religious capital” of the Armenian Church and the seat of the Supreme Patriarch-Catholics of all Armenians. It has 4 main churches, including the Cathedral. Built in 303 AD, the cathedral is a masterpiece of the Armenian classical architecture and considered to be one of the world’s earliest Christian churches. 
Then we will continue our trip to Aknalich, one of the villages of Yazidis.
Yazidis in Armenia are Yazidis who live in Armenia, where they form the largest minority. Recognized as an ethnic group in Armenia,  Several religious Yazidi temples exist in Armenia, including the world's largest temple Quba Mere Diwane in Aknalich, 
On the way back to Yerevan we will visit to 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 III (r. 641-661 CE), Zvartnots is the oldest and largest aisled tetraconch church in historical Armenia.
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. 
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: “Eat thy bread with joy”.
Master Class of Traditional Armenian bread “lavash” being baked in tonir (ground oven). The preparation, meaning and appearance of traditional 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… 
Afterwards we’ll drive towards Lake Sevan - the emerald of Armenia. This is one of the planet’s largest high-alpine lakes. On arrival we will visit the lakeside churches of St. Arakelots (Apostles), which along with its neighbor the church of St. Astvatsatsin (Mother of God), present a spectacularly picturesque scene overlooking the lake itself. 
Drive to 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. Occupying an area of 240 km²,
We’ll also visit the Monastery of Haghartsin  (10-13th cc) 
A few Armenian villages are home to communities of Russian Molokans, and today we will visit one of them - called Lermontovo, Fioletovo Village. 
 Molokans - Russians who were exiled to eastern Armenia from the Russian countryside’s because of their faith, in the early 19th century. Tsar Nikolai I, exiled to the Caucasus those Russians who did not accept the Russian Church.
Aside from Lermontovo, Fioletovo, the Molokans also live in Yerevan and Dilijan and they number about 5000 in Armenia. We will meet one of the families and will have a great chance to drink a good tea from Russian SAMOVAR – which has almost 300 year history.
The Molokans – adding ethnic color to a homogeneous Armenia. 
OVERNIGHT IN DILIJAN
MEALS: Breakfast/Lunch
 

We’ll depart this morning and travel south, 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. 
Not far from Airivank Monastery on the shore of Lake Sevan is the settlement of Noraduz famous for its big 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.
After we will visit great unique place for excellent cheese experience. Mikayelyan Family Farm, where you will  have a chance to see the Gourmet cheeses production (Master Class) and will taste variety of  Chesses and wonderful flavors   with glass of wine, here you will feel the spirit of Armenian Family.
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. 
After we will continue our trip to Yeghegis Village and we will stop to the Jewish cemetery - is a unique witness to the existence of Jewish communities in medieval Armenia.
OVERNIGHT IN YEGHEGIS
MEALS: Breakfast/Lunch
 

Returning to the main highway we shall start driving south to Goris.
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 Goris this morning and travel Noravank.  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. 
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, before returning in Yerevan.
Through the plains of Ararat we will 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. 
Back to Yerevan
OVERNIGHT IN YEREVAN
MEALS: Breakfast/Lunch
 

During this day we’ll see one of the most beautiful mountains in Armenia Mt. Aragats. There are four summits between South and East summits the crater wall is broken, and a stream flows down to the village of Aragats. A sharp ridge descends south from the South summit. Between the other summits are high saddles with sweeping views.  
After 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. 
We’ll visit the medieval fortress of Amberd which is a fortress complex with a church built on the slopes of Mt. Aragats at 2,300 meters above sea level in the 11-13 c.c. The church is slightly down the hill from the fortress, nearer to where the two streams join.
Next stop is Saghmosavank Monastery (Monastery of the Psalms) – is a 13th century Armenian monastic complex, situated atop the precipitous gorge carved by the Kasagh river. Their silhouettes dominate the adjacent villages and rise sharp against the background of the mountains crowned by Mount Aragats.
Today there is an opportunity to visit one of wineries of 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. The visit of winery will be with testing and enjoying of variety Armenia wines … 
Armenia white dry, Armenia Red dry and Armenia Pomegranate Semisweet served with cheese and meat platers. 
Back to Yerevan
OVERNIGHT IN YEREVAN
MEALS: Breakfast/Lunch

MUSEUM AND SHOOPING DAY IN YEREVAN
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
Visit to “MEGERIAN RUGS” Factory & Show room: 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.
Visit to “NOY” ARARAT Brandy, Wine Factory:  “…one does not drink brandy, one derives pleasure from it.” Just let's do it in one of the oldies factories in "NOY" Yerevan Brandy factory, Tour and tasting
Free time in Yerevan, use to explore city by yourself.
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.
FAREWELL DINNER IN A TYPICAL ARMENIAN RESTAURANT WITH LIVE NATIONAL MUSIC AND DANCE

OVERNIGHT IN YEREVAN
MEALS: Breakfast/Dinner
 

Transfer to AIRPORT, Departure
Have a nice and safe flight!!!