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Armenia
$1750
per person
Small country in the Caucasus, landlocked between Georgia to the North, Turkey to the West, Iran to the South and Azerbaijan to the East, Armenia harbors spectacular mountain landscapes. It is dominated by Mount Ararat Armenia’s national symbol, geographically located in Turkey, with an altitude of 5165 m that can be observed from most parts of southwestern parts of the country. The beauty of the landscape and the richness of its heritage bear witness to a promising future.
For the time being, this promising cultural destination is meant for specialists.
8 days / 7 nights
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Destination
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IncludedArmenia
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Not IncludedNuits en hôtel 4*Le billet d’avionDeparture TaxesAssuranceLes taxes d’aéroportPersonal GuideBreakfast
FROM OUR GALLERY
1
Day 1: Beirut – Erevan
- Flight from Beirut to Erevan
- Arrival at Erevan Airport at 21:15 via 275 K with Middle East Airlines
- Luggage pick-up
- Check-in at the hotel
- Night at the Marriott Hotel in Erevan
2
Day 2: Tour of Erevan: History Museum – Genocide Memorial – Matenadaran – Cascade
- Breakfast at the hotel
- 11:00 Visit of the History Museum of Armenia that gives an interesting overview of the country’s history. It is in this museum that you will be able to discover the oldest shoe in the world.
- 13:30 Lunch in Erevan
- In the afternoon we will visit the Genocide Memorial, perched on top of Mount Tzitzernakaberd, facing Mount Ararat, overlooking the capital.
- Then visit of Matenadaran, The Mesrop Mashtots Institute of Ancient Manuscripts, where many invaluable manuscripts, considered to be some of the oldest in the world, are kept.
- Then a visit to the Cascade architectural complex where we will have a nice stroll. The Cascade is an original monument for a city known for its original architecture. The monument is set against one of the hills or Erevan, near the “place de France” and in the perspective of the Northern avenue and Republic Square. The exterior of Cascade, in addition to stairs, has multiple levels with fountains and sculptures. The stairs, with a height of 78 meters, give walkers an unobstructed view of central Erevan and Mount Ararat and its plain.
- Night at the Hotel
3
Day 3: Erevan – Zvarnots - Edjmiatzin – Vernissage – Erevan
- Breakfast at the hotel.
- Morning departure toward Edjimiatzin, seat of the Armenian Apostolic Church. On the way, we will visit the ruins of Zvarnots Cathedral, architectural treasure of the 7th century. Continuation towards Edjimiatzin; visit of the holy sites of the Armenian Apostolic Church: The Church of Saint Hripsimie no doubt the most authentic for its fine Armenian-style architecture of the classical period, which has influenced many other Armenian churches since. It is listed as a UNESCO World Heritage Site. Its majestic ochre stone silhouette stands on the site of the mausoleum of the Martyr-Saint Hripsimie, whose nurse, it is believed, was Abbess Gayane. Then you will visit the Cathedral of Edjmiatzin.
- 13:30 Lunch in Edjmiatzin
- Return to Erevan. Discovery of the “Vernissage”. It is an open-air exhibition-market of handicraft, art, antiquities, a flea market, and much more…
- Free quarters to visit and shop at the “Vernissage”
- Option: (15 € per person) Concert of the famous Tatul Altunyan Armenian State Song & Dance Ensemble. Duration 1 hour and 45 minutes.
- Night at the Hotel
4
Day 4: Erevan – Khor Virap – Areni – Noravank – Goris
- Breakfast at the hotel and Check-out
- Departure toward the plain of Ararat dominated by the silhouette of the mythical Mount Ararat. Visit of the famous Khor Virap Monastery (17th century) that rises behind modest ramparts on a small hillock between the vineyards and the orchards fertilized by the Araxe River. The monastery is built on the site of the “Deep Pit” and named after it. It was in this pit filled of reptiles that Saint Gregory the Illuminator, the patron saint of Armenia and founder of the Armenian Apostolic Church, was thrown and imprisoned for thirteen years (288 to 301 AD).
- In the afternoon, departure towards the South, to the region of the Vayots Dzor adorned by the magnificent Noravank Monastery. On the way, we will visit the winery in Areni. The village of Areni is known for its different kinds of wine. We will do some wine tasting.
- 13:00 Lunch in Vayots Dzor
- In the afternoon visit of Noravank. The main church was built by Prince Liparit Orbelian and Bishop Sarkis between 1216 and 1223 and was substantially redesigned in 1261 under Prince Smbat Orbélian. He is represented riding horseback on one of the many sculptures that adorn this narthex, opened by a superb gate surmounted by two tympanums that are considered as masterpieces of Armenian sculpture.
- Return to Goris
- Check-in at the hotel
- Night at the hotel
5
Day 5: Goris – Tatev – Karahoundj – Erevan
- Breakfast at the hotel. Check-out.
- Departure toward Tatev
- Discovery of the Tatev Monastery: This building was at an earlier period the religious center of the Syunik Province. Perched atop a cliff on a remarkable site, it is one of the largest monasteries in Armenia. It is located over the deep valley of the Vorotan River. Using the aerial tramway “Wings of Tatev”, the longest in the world, you can reach the monastery in 12 minutes. This aerial tramway christened “Wings of Tatev” launched on October 16, 2010, links the villages of Halidzor to the Complex of the Tatev Monastery over the Vorotan River Gorge. It is a 5 750 meter cableway between Halidzor and Tatev Monastery, and offers an exceptional view over the the Vorotan River Gorge.
- 12:30 Lunch
- Departure toward Sisian to discover the observatory of Karahundj. Scientific research have established that Karahundj is one of the oldest observatories in the world. The large monoliths with holes in them are aligned in a way to allow watching stars. Such observatories exist in Europe, such as the Stonehenge observatory in England.
- Return to Erevan
- Check-in and night at the hotel
6
Day 6: Erevan – Geghard – Garni – Erevan
- Breakfast at the hotel
- In the morning, departure toward Geghard. Stopover halfway to Geghard at the Arch of Charents for the wonderful view of Mount Ararat.
- Then visit of the troglodytic monastery of Geghard (spear in English) listed as a UNESCO World Heritage Site. Once, the spear of the roman soldier that which had wounded Jesus at the Crucifixion was kept at the monastery as one of the most precious relics of the Aremenian Apostolic Church.
- Optional: Geghard Choral, for sacred choral in the monastery with wonderful acoustics, for a total of 100 euro.
- Continuation toward Garni
- Departure to visit the Citadel of Garni, which is the only Hellenistic era monument on the Armenian territory, famous for its pagan temple. Visit of the temple. This temple is dedicated to the pagan Sun God Mithra.
- 13:00 Lunch
- In the village of Djrvej, we will discover the way to prepare the Armenian bread “Lavash” in a village house.
- Return to Erevan
- Night at the hotel in Erevan.
7
Day 7: Old Dilijan – Goshavank – Lake Sevan – Erevan
- Breakfast at the hotel
- Departure to Dilijan, and visit of the “old town”. The city of Dilidjan is a weather station and a mountain thermal resort. The therapies used are the pure forest air and the “Dilidjan” mineral water. The city is not only famous for its therapy and rest resorts, but also for its numerous historic monuments.
- Then we go toward Goshavank. Visit of the monastery complex of Goshavank, known by the name of Nor Getik. It was founded in the 12th century by the monarch and lawmaker Mkhitar Ghosh author of the first Armenian Codices.
- Return to Lake Sevan
- 13:30 Lunch near Lake Sevan
- Lake Sevan is the largest lake in Armenia and one of the largest mountain lakes in the world. It is located at an altitude of 1 950 meters. The Armenians call it the “Blue Pearl”. The severe and original beauty of Lake Sevan stays in your mind for a long time. Then visit of the two churches on the peninsula Surb Arakelots (Holy Apostles) and Surb Astvatsamayr (Holy Mother of God).
- Optional: Half-hour Boat ride on Lake Sevan!!!! 40 euro total
- Return to Erevan
8
Day 8: Erevan
- Breakfast at the hotel
- We continue to discover the city of Erevan and its different districts.
- The Cathedral of Saint Gregory the Illuminator, the Blue mosque, the fruit market (in Goum district midtown).
- The consecration of The Cathedral of Saint Gregory the Illuminator took place on September 23rd, 2001, on occasion of the 1700th anniversary of the proclamation of Christianity as a state religion of Armenia.
- Free quarters
- 20:15: transfer to Erevan Airport
- 22:15 departure to Beirut, via 276 H – “Middle East Airlines”
Starting 1750 USD per person ( Price based on 10 persons)
The price includes:
- Air ticket on “Middle East Airlines” BEY/ERV/BEY
- Transfer airport/hotel/airport in Armenia
- The services of a French speaking guide for the whole circuit and for the visits mentioned on the agendaDay 3-7
- Accommodation in double rooms with breakfast at the hotel
- Half-board – 6x lunch except departure day, one dinner in Goris
- Entry tickets to the sites, tourist monuments and museums mentioned on the agenda
- Entry to the aerial tramway of Tatev
- Lavash preparation in the village of Djrvej
The price does not include:
- Alcoholic beverages and personal expenses
- Dinners, except dinner in Goris
- Porters
- Half-hour boat ride on Lake Sevan- 40 euro total
- Spiritual music concert in Geghard, 25 minutes- 100 euro total
- Concert of the famous Tatul Altunyan Armenian State Song & Dance Ensemble.- 15 euro per person
- Tips
The best time to go to this country would be the beginning and the end of the summer months - end of May to end of-June and end of-September to early.-October. During these periods, the heat comparatively less and the weather is comfortable and still and better suited for exploration.