3 days / 2 nights

Diversity of historical  monuments,  majestic  views   of biblical Ararat and red cliffs in Noravank,  unforgettable sights of beautiful nature of  Vayots Dzor and Syunik, and hiking tours with experienced guides!
Program is valid from 2 pax.

Day  1: Yerevan – Khor Virap – Noravank – Sisian

In the morning  we  proceed to Syunik region. But before it we  will see some important touristic attractions:  Khor Virap (meaning “deep pit”), the monastery located in the Ararat valley, where a beautiful  view over Ararat Mount  opens. The monastery was host to a theological seminary and was the residence of Armenian Catholicos. Khor Virap’s notability as a monastery and pilgrimage site is attributed to the fact that Gregory the Illuminator was initially imprisoned here for 14 years by King Tiridates III. In the year 301, Armenia was the first  country in  the world to be declared a Christian nation.

The next destination  of our tour is Noravank  monastery  located in the gorge among the tall, sheer, brick-red cliffs. The  monastery complex is  best known for Surb Astvatsatsin  (Holy Mother of God) church. It is considered a medieval architectural masterpiece.

After lunch we will go to  town of Sisisan. In Sisisan we will visit the center of  “Sisian ceramics “ founded by Vahagn Hambardzumyan and Zara Gasparyan in 2004.

Vahagn  and Zara offer two master classes for tourists: pottery and paining  on batik technology. Tourists  are offered coffee and tea after classes.  They can get the  scarves made by themselves. But what about  clay bowls,  it takes them   48 hours to  get dry, after which  if desired, the completed product can be delivered  to Yerevan. At  “Sisian ceramics” you  can also buy  pottery,  jewelry and batik works made by masters.

Transfer to a local hotel for night.

Day 2: Sisian –  Tatev – Khndzoresk

After breakfast you will drive to Halidzor where you take a ropeway ride to the Tatev monastery.

“Wings of Tatev”, the longest reversible cableway in the world (5752 m) recorded in the Guinness Book of Records, is the aerial tramway to the natural and historic treasures of Syunik, the shortest, most picturesque and impressive route to Tatev Monastery.

Twelve minutes of unforgettable flight above the ravine of the fierce Vorotan River and you are at the Tatev  monastery. The Tatev Monastery is a 9th century historical monument, a pearl of  Armenian architecture, one of the oldest spiritual centers and largest university of  medieval Armenia.

In Tatev we are offering  Tatev Monastery Tour:

Take an hour-long guided tour of the Tatev Monastery Complex, one of the oldest monasteries in Armenia.   During the tour visitors learn about the mysteries and legends of the 9th century monastery. Guests will learn about the medieval lifestyle of the monks and the surrounding villagers and how the  monastery acted as an important medieval stronghold.   At the end of the tour visitors will visit the Tatev  village market where they can browse for  Armenian sweets and handmade crafts.

After  the monastery  tour we  will go to Khndzoresk. Old Khndzoresk is situated on the two slopes of the mountainous valley. It is famous for its beautiful canyon and ancient caves.

Here in Old Khndzoresk our tourists  will have Cave Dwelling Tour.

This guided walking tour includes a visit to the caves, churches and natural springs and other sites  that make  up the old cave village of Khndzoresk. Along the way , a local guide will  relate stories from the abandoned village , where people lived in cave homes until the middle of the 20- th century. Visitors also visit the small museum next to the suspension bridge to see a modest reconstruction a typical cave home.

Transfer to Yeghegnadzor for overnight in a local hotel.

Day 3: Areni –Yerevan

After breakfast we are going to discover  the Wine Route in Areni. We will visit some famous wineries where you feel the deep taste of famous Armenian wines.

Return to Yerevan.