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 – Museum of History)

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

Founded in 1919 by National Assembly of Armenia, the museum has a national collection of 400000 rare objects and artefacts representing the culture and history of Armenia from prehistoric eras to modern times.
Overnight: Hotel in Yerevan
Meals: Breakfast / Lunch / Dinner

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

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 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 to 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. You will have the opportunity to enjoy your evening by visiting one of the biggest shopping malls and activity centres in Yerevan.
Overnight: Hotel in Yerevan
Meals: Breakfast / Lunch / Dinner

Day 4: Yerevan – Sevan – Dilijan – Goshavank – Dilijan

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 is the Monastery of Sevanavank. After lunch in Sevan, continue the day with an overnight trip to Dilijan.

This includes a city tour in the old town of Dilijan, complete with craftsmen’s workshops, galleries, and museums. Then, visit the 12-13th century Monastery of Goshavank located in the village of Gosh. Dinner and overnight in Dilijan.
Overnight: Hotel in Dilijan
Meals: Breakfast / Lunch / Dinner

Day 5: Dilijan – Gyumri – Saghmossavank – Ashtarak – Yerevan

The program includes a road trip from Dilijan to Gyumri, the second-largest city in Armenia. The city is home to many historical museums, such as Dzitoghtsyan Museum of Folk Life and National Architecture. Housed in a 19th-century historical building, the museum contains collections related to both history and the everyday life of the city, as well as paintings and other works of art.

The tour around the city includes the Cathedral of the Holy Mother of God of Gyumri which is a 19th-century church, known as the Cathedral of the Seven Wounds of the Holy Mother of God. After lunch, take the tour to Saghmossavank Monastery which overlooks the gorge of Kasakh River.

Your trip continues to Ashtarak, a town where you will be taking part in a Master class; the preparation of “Sujukh”, the traditional Armenian sweet with walnut filling. Return to Yerevan.
Overnight: Hotel in Yerevan
Meals: Breakfast / Lunch / Dinner

Day 6: Yerevan – Etchmiadzin – Zvartnots – Vernissage

In the morning, your first stop is Etchmiadzin, the centre of the Armenian Apostolic Church and Mother See of Holy Etchmiadzin. The Cathedral of Etchmiadzin 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 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.

Back in Yerevan, the tour continues with a visit to 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 jewellery made of silver and bronze.
Overnight: Hotel in Yerevan
Meals: Breakfast / Lunch / Dinner

Day 7: Departure

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