Day 1/ Arrival - Yerevan City Sightseeing tour
Meet and greet at Zvartnots International Airport. Transfer to the hotel. After a short reset at the hotel, we will have a walk in the pink city of Yerevan. This ancient city is 29 years older than Rome. We will start walking in the most pleasant Republic Square with Government Buildings, History Museum and Marriot Hotel surrounding it. Walking up one of the oldest streets in Yerevan – Abovyan Street – we will appear in the richest avenue in Yerevan – the Northern Avenue with many brand shops, luxurious cafes and restaurants. Our next stop – the Opera and Ballet house and the Swan Lake – face the Northern Avenue. Every winter the Swan Lake transforms into a jolly outdoor ice rink where people of all ages try to learn ice skating. Next is Cascade Monument. Inside the Cascade, underneath the exterior steps, are seven escalators that rise along the length of the complex. There are also exhibit halls connected to some of the landings along the escalators which compose the Cafesjian Museum of Art. Then we will go to the Park of Freedom. Here the whole city seems to be at our hand. Winter Park is our next stop. It is one of the greatest entertainment centers to visit during winter. The visitors will have a chance to visit Mr. Clause, meet elves and reindeers or just enjoy the beautiful installations and sculptures scattered throughout the park. There are cafes, ice rink and slides for the entertainment for both adults and children. Overnight at the hotel in Yerevan. (B/-/-)
Day 2/ Yerevan – Garni Temple – Stone Symphony – Tsaghkadzor – Yerevan
After breakfast at the hotel, on the way back to Yerevan we will explore the top tourist attractions of Armenia and make the first stop at Garni Temple, where we will enjoy the astonishing view to the gorges all around.Garni is a pagan temple built in 1st century, the only survival of the Hellenic epoch in the whole territory of the Caucasus. We will enjoy the view of “Symphony of stones” from the top. Proceed to the magnificent monastic complex Geghard, which is inscribed in UNESCO World Heritage Site. After we will drive to ski resort Tsaghkadzor enjoying the winter scenery there and the brightly shining snow. Then we will visit a beautiful monastery called Kecharis. It is a medieval monastery complex build in the early – mid ages nearly in the 1050s. It includes 4 churches, courtyard, 2 chapels and many khachkars (cross stones). It’s a perfect place for thinking about life, nature and everything. Skiing and snowboarding in the high mountains have never been as attractive as that is in Tsaghkadzor. The mountains in Tsaghkadzor are an ideal place for skiing and snowboarding for both beginners and amateur sportsmen. The beginners will have an instructor to help them. And the 2900 meters ropeway will make you feel in the air high above the half white, half brown trees, and snow-white rocks and mountains, and the modern handmade sights of attraction, and will make you fully enjoy your vacation, forgetting all the troubles in the world. Drive Back to Yerevan. Overnight at the hotel in Yerevan. (B/-/-)
Day 3/ Yerevan – Lake Sevan – Dilijan – Haghartsin – Lake Parz - Yerevan
After breakfast at the hotel, we will have a short drive to the pearl of Armenia, Lake Sevan, which has a unique combination of great size, high mountain location, and comparatively “soft water”. Lake Sevan is one of the greatest freshwater high-mountain lakes of Eurasia. It is located at about 2000 meters above the sea level. (Optional* lunch tasting barbeque from Sevan trout). We will then explore the summer residence of the Favorite Armenian King Ashot the Iron (Ashot Erkat) – Sevanavank Monastery (9th century). Drive to Dilijan. Have an evening walk in the wonderfully forested region of Dilijan to enjoy the 19th century appearance of the town. This wonderfully forested region is rich in mineral waters. Some of them are compared with Wichi in France and Davos in Switzerland. Dilijan is “the Switzerland of Armenia.” Visit Haghartsin Monastery (10-13th c.c.) proudly located in the luxurious nature. This monastery has its special place in the culture and architecture of Armenia.” Our next stop will be Lake Parz, which formed by springs. The length is 300 m, the width – 100 m. Average depth is 3 m, approximate – 10 m. The lake is surrounded by forests. Water in the lake is transparent, a little greenish. As the forests are very close to the shoreline, the massive trees, leaning to the lake, are reflected in the water. The name “Parz lich” literally means “clear lake”. Overnight at the hotel in Yerevan. (B/-/-)
Day 4/ Departure
After breakfast transfer to Zvartnots International Airport. Departure. (B/-/-)
See you soon!!!
