Day 1; Tbilisi – Sanahin Monastery – Mikoyan Brothers Museum

Start your journey from Tbilisi to, Armenia.The first stops of the tour will be the medieval monasteries of Sanahin and Hagbat. Sanahin. Both are listed as UNESCO Heritage Sites, It is one of the magnificent masterpieces of medieval Armenian architecture engaged in the spiritual ambiance of Sanahin, contemplating its role as a cultural and educational hub in medieval Armenia. Learn about the intricate carvings that tell stories of faith and devotion, and gain insights into the architectural techniques that define this architectural gem. Next stop is the modern history. We will visit the Mikoyan brothers house museum. The Anastat and Artem Mikoyan brothers had their role in the times of the USSR. Artem was an aviator, the author of famous MIG fighters. We can see the service car of Anastas and the famous MIG-21 fighter jet. . You will also visit 19th century Aramyants’ castle, one of the few survived castle mansions in Armenia. Mikael Aramyants was an oil producer, who was from Akhtala. He lived and ran his business in Baku and Tbilisi. He built his mansion in swiss style from 1903 to 1906 years and planted cypress trees in front of the castle. Many famous and remarkable persons stayed there, such as Catholicos of All Armenians from 1893 to 1907 Mkrtich Khrimyan or more known as Khrimyan Hayrik (Khrimyan father) or writer Hovhannes Tumanyan. Both of these persons played a huge role in saving the orphans and refugees of Armenian Genocide in Ottoman Empire. The castle had a very tangled and dramatic history after and was in danger of collapse as was in an emergency situation. Currently it is under restoration, so we will be able to look at it only from the outside. Today we will have an overnight stay in one of the cozy guesthouses in Lori province – Sanahin or Odzun. You will have the opportunity to have a homemade dinner, surrounded by mighty mountains and dark forests.

Overnight: Hotel in Odzun
Meals: None
Duration: 8-9 hours
KM: 235 km

Day 2; Odzun Monastery – Stepanavan Dendropark – Lori fortress

Today we keep our way to Yerevan. But before that we will visit the Odzun Basilica – One of the most beautiful and impressive basilicas in Armenia.  After that we will drive to visit the Lori Castle․ The fortress built by the King of Lori Davit Anhoghi dated to 1005 – 1020 years A.D.The castle was an important trading hub and an outpost to Ani – the capital and central kingdom of Bagratuni. It had a population of 10,000 people during XI – XIII centuries. Southern from the fortress, near the village Gyulagarak we will visit the Stepanavan dendropark or Sochut Dendropark officially. Established by Polish forest engineer Edmund Leonowicz in 1931, the park consists partly of natural forest and partly by planted trees and flower alleys. The most remarkable trees there are the pines,  spruces and of course the giant sequoias. Returning to Yerevan

Overnight: Hotel in Yerevan
Meals: Breakfast
Duration: 5-6 hours
KM: 88 km

Day 3; Yerevan walking City Tour

We plan this day for you to learn more about the capital city of Armenia – Yerevan. 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. Next, visit the History Museum of Armenia, where you will learn about the origins of Armenia. After that continue your walk through the Cascade, an architectural complex of 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.

Overnight: Hotel in Yerevan
Meals: None
Duration: 3-4 hours
KM: 30 km

Day 4; Free Day

Take a break and walk around the city, visit a museum or shopping mall, have dinner or a drink in one of the best local bars and restaurants. Ask your tour guide for recommendations.

Overnight: Hotel in Yerevan
Meals: Breakfast

Day 5; Sevanavank – Red deer center – Goshavank & Haghartsin – Tbilisi

After breakfast in the hotel, take the road to the Blue Pearl of Armenia – Sevan, is the largest lake of the Caucasus and Armenia at an altitude of 1900 m above sea level. At the shore of a small island is located the Monastery complex of Sevanavank. And next stop is the Haghartsin Monastery. The Haghartsin monastery complex of the 13th century in Dilijan, was restored by an Islamic Individual from the United Arab Emirates and Goshavank Monastery, where an Armenian thinker, scholar and monk Mkhitar Gosh lived and worked.  Today the complex is reachable by paved road with a large parking area, a gift shop, bakery and other facilities on site. One of the most remarkable of his works is the “Datastanagirk” – a prototype of a modern criminal codex, where he speaks about human rights, equality and civil values. This will be our final stop in Armenia. Drive back to Tbilisi.

Overnight: None
Meals: Breakfast
Duration: 7-8 hours
KM: 260 km