Day 1: Arrival

Arrival in Land of NOAH. At Zvartnots International airport you will be welcomed and assisted through immigration and customs by Santa Maria Tours representative, then escorted to your hotel.
Overnight: Hotel in Yerevan.

Day 2: City Tour in Yerevan (City tour – Matenadaran – Victory Park)

After breakfast at the hotel, your guide meets you at the lobby to start off your trip with a city tour in Yerevan, the capital of Armenia and the largest city of the country. As one of the oldest capitals in the world, Yerevan was founded in the 8th-century BC and was known as Erebuni.

Visit some of the main streets of Yerevan such as Baghramyan and Mashtots Avenues, as well as Abovyan Street which still showcases century-old houses and historical buildings. Then, head to the Victory Park, from where a panoramic view of the city and the majestic Mt. Ararat opens. From the park, continue your walk through the Cascade, an architectural complex of a massive staircase with fountain terraces to the Opera and Ballet Theater.

The Cascade also houses the Cafesjian Center for the Arts, which offers a rich collection of Armenian and international contemporary art, including a selection of artwork from the personal collection of its founder Gerard L. Cafesjian. The program also includes a visit to Matenadaran, an outstanding repository of Armenian manuscripts. Located on the Mashtots Ave., the museum is named after Mesrop Mashtots, the creator of the Armenian Alphabet, and houses over 23000 treasured pieces of manuscripts and scrolls.

After lunch, visit the Victory Park in Yerevan, located at the top of the Cascade and dedicated to the victorious participation of Soviet Armenia to World War II. The park is a forested area with an artificial lake, an amusement park, cafes, as well as the statue of Mother of Armenia and the military museum. The park will open an amazing view of the city and Mt. Ararat.
Overnight: Hotel in Yerevan
Meals: Breakfast

Day 3: Geghard – Garni – Megerian Carpet Factory – Yerevan Mall

A trip to the pagan Temple of Garni, one of the most visited historical sites of Armenia. Built in the 1st-century AD, the Temple of Garni managed to survive the destruction of all pagan temples following Armenia’s adoption of Christianity in 301. Following to sever damage by earthquakes, the temple was reconstructed. Situated on a cliff, the temple overlooks a spectacular view of the Geghama mountains and the gorge of Azat River.

After lunch in Garni village and an opportunity to participate in the preparation of the traditional Armenian bread, called lavash, the trip continues to the medieval Geghard Monastery, located deep within Azat Valley and founded by Saint Gregory the Illuminator. It’s worth to mention that Geghard is a UNESCO World Heritage Site since 2000.

Back in Yerevan, the program includes a tour around the Megerian carpet factory, established in 1917 in New York, as well as the museum to view the intricate process of carpet weaving and enjoy a display of antique rugs and carpets.
Overnight: Hotel in Yerevan
Meals: Breakfast

Day 4: Sevan – Sevanavank – Tsakhkadzor

Start the day by visiting Lake Sevan, the Blue Pearl of Armenia. At an altitude of 1900 m above sea level, it is the largest sweet water lake in Armenia and the Caucasus region. Located up on the cliffs of a small peninsula stands the Monastery of Sevanavank. After lunch in Sevan, continue the day with a trip to Tsakhkadzor, one of the most visited resort towns in Armenia.

Located in a picturesque valley, the name of the town speaks for itself and translates into “Valley of flowers.” A ropeway with 5 stations takes you to an unforgettable journey through the mountains and the valleys.
Overnight: Hotel in Yerevan
Meals: Breakfast

Day 5: Khor Virap – Etchmiatsin – Zvartnots

Start this day by visiting Khor Virap Monastery, right on the foot of the biblical Mt. Ararat. The legend of this monastery is associated with St. Gregory the Illuminator, who was imprisoned here for 13 years. Then, continue your tour to Etchmiatsin, the center of the Armenian Apostolic Church and Mother See of Holy Etchmiatsin.

The Cathedral of Etchmiatsin was built in the early 4th century by St. Gregory the Illuminator and King Tiridates, following the adoption of Christianity as the state religion of Armenia. You will have the opportunity to attend the Easter Mass and then enjoy a traditional Armenian Easter meal in Etchmiatsin. While in the city, the tour continues to St. Gayane and St. Hripsime Churches of the 7th-century, both listed as UNESCO World Heritage Sites.

On the way back to Yerevan, stop by the ruins of Zvartnots, which in archaic Armenian means “dedicated to the angels”. Built in the 7th-century, Zvartnots is the oldest and largest aisled tetraconch church in historical Armenia. The Cathedral was completely ruined in an earthquake in the 10th-century but was reconstructed in the 1940s.
Overnight: Hotel in Yerevan
Meals: Breakfast

Day 6: Free Day

Breakfast in the hotel. Free day.
Overnight: Hotel in Yerevan
Meals: Breakfast

Day 7: Departure

After Breakfast, time to bid farewell to your Tour director and new found friends as you transferred to Zvartnots International airport for your return flight.
Meals: Breakfast