Day 1: Arrival – City tour – Parajanov Museum – National Art Gallery

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. 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.

Continue the day by a visit to the legendary Armenian Brandy Factory that started its production in 1887 in Yerevan. Then visit the Museum of Sergey Parajanov, known for its rich collection of artworks representing Parajanov’s unique art and literary talent. Then visit Photo Atelier Marashlyan, the first photo studio specialized in photo sessions with traditional Armenian costumes from different regions of historical Armenia.

Have dinner at a traditional restaurant with a rich program of folk music and dances. After lunch, visit the National Art Gallery located on Republic Square. Founded in 1921, the Gallery is comprised of several wings exhibiting collections of Armenian fine arts from the middle ages to the contemporary eras.
Overnight: Hotel in Yerevan.
Meals: Lunch

Day 2: Geghard – Garni – Megerian Carpet

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. The journey continues with 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. End the day with a stroll in the historical streets in Yerevan.
Overnight: Hotel in Yerevan
Meals: Breakfast / Lunch

Day 3: 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. In the morning, your first stop is 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.

In Etchmiadzin, 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, the tour will 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 / Lunch

Day 4: Lake Sevan – Sevanavank – Noratus

After breakfast, you will travel to 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. You will have your lunch on the shore of Lake Sevan.

The trip will continue to Noratus village, most famous for its ancient cemetery and the collection of Khachkars dating from the 9th to the 17th centuries. There you will have an opportunity to see the preparation of different types of traditional Armenian cheese. Return to Yerevan. New Year Gala dinner in Yerevan.
Overnight: Hotel in Yerevan
Meals: Breakfast / Lunch / Dinner

Day 5: Tsaghkadzor Winter Resort – Vernissage

After breakfast, you will drive to Tsaghkadzor, a resort town on the slopes of Mt. Teghenis and Armenia’s destination for winter sports. The name of the town means “Valley of flowers”, due to the rich nature of the area. While in Tsaghkador, you will visit Kecharis, a monastery complex from 11th-13th centuries which was completely reconstructed in 2001. You will also have the opportunity to ride the Tsaghkadzor ropeway up the mountain slopes and have an opportunity to ski on the 30 km-long ski ways.

Back to Yerevan, you visit Vernissage, which is one of the largest craft markets in the region. Here we can find some of the best traditional arts and crafts, souvenirs, and antique objects, such as traditional dolls, paintings, woodwork and ceramic, carpets, old photo cameras, and other equipment, as well as Armenian brand new and antique jewelries made of silver and bronze.
Overnight: Hotel in Yerevan
Meals: Breakfast / Lunch

Day 6: 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