Two of the apostles of Jesus Christ, Bartholomew and Thaddeus, ended their days in Armenia spreading Christianity. That’s why we officially call our church the “Armenian Apostolic Church”. Years later in 301 AD Armenia was the first country officially to adopt Christianity as a state religion, And this fact helped  our country and the nation to survive and preserve its national values while fighting against foreign invaders and conquerors. We invite you to spend Holy week with the oldest Christian church and nation in the world. Easter is the most favorite and the most anticipated holiday in Armenia. Each year Armenian Apostolic Church in these days gathers in silent recollection, praying and meditating on the mystery of the passion, death and Resurrection of the Lord. The main purpose of this trip to Armenia is get acquainted with ancient culture of  the old Christian nation.

Day 1: Yerevan - City tour
Welcome to Zvartnots International Airport, Yerevan. Transfer to the hotel. Rest. After rest, a sightseeing tour of Yerevan awaits you. We will stop at the Mother Armenia statue, which is located on a hill above Yerevan.
According to our program, you will visit Matenadaran, a research institute and repository of ancient manuscripts; Cascade, a place full of beautiful and unique statues of famous sculptors (for example, Bottero's Cat).
You will see the Church of St. Grigor the Illuminator. The next point of our tour is the Erebuni Fortress Museum. Erebuni Fortress was built in 782 AD by King Argishti I. We will complete our program for this day by visiting the Tsitsernakaberd memorial complex dedicated to the victims of the Armenian Genocide of 1915. Dinner at a national tavern. Return to the hotel.

Day 2: Yerevan– Garni – Geghard – Yerevan
Breakfast at the hotel. Departure for the region of Kotayk. Arrival at the monastery of Geghardavanq (XII-XIII centuries), which is a unique architectural construction partially carved out of the adjacent mountain, surrounded with cliffs. It is listed as a UNESCO World Heritage Site.
Proceeding to Garni village, a summer residence of Armenian kings. Visit to the Temple of Garni which is the only pagan temple in Armenia that survived the Christianization of the country in the early 4th century. A master-class of national bread “lavash” cooked in tonir, an underground oven.
Return to Yerevan. Welcome dinner in a restaurant with national cuisine. Overnight.

Day 3: Yerevan – Khor Virap – Noravanq – Yerevan
Breakfast at the hotel. Departure for the region of Ararat, toward to the Armenian-Turkish border. Visit to the monastery of Khor Virap (XVII century), that stands before the snowcapped slopes of Mount Ararat offering a spectacular view of the mountain. Here Grigor Luisavorich (St. Gregory the Illuminator) was imprisoned for 13 years before curing King Trdat III of a disease, after which, in 301, Armenia adopted Christianity as a state religion.
Proceeding to the region of Vayotz Dzor (gorge of pain). Visit to the monastery of Noravank (XIII-XIV centuries) located in a gorge known for its high sheer brick-red cliffs. The monastery is famous for a magical sculpture where God is represented in a human aspect.
On the way back you will have a stop in Areni village for tasting Armenian wine.
Return and overnight in Yerevan.

Day 4: Yerevan – Etchmiadzin – Zvartnots – Sardarapat – Yerevan
Breakfast at the hotel. Departure to the Armavir region, the western part of Armenia. On this significant day for all Christians, we will go to Echmiadzin, the administrative and religious center of the Armenian Apostolic Church and the Holy See of the Catholicos.
Visit to the Mother Cathedral of Echmiadzin (IV century). The Cathedral is one of the most ancient Christian churches in the world. The word “Echmiadzin” is translated from Armenian as “Here the Only Begotten descended”. The etymology of the word is associated with the vision of St. Gregory Lusavorich, according to which Jesus descended from heaven with a golden hammer in his hand, showing the place where the first Christian church should be built after the adoption of Christianity as a state religion. You will have a chance to participate in the Easter Liturgy in the Mother Cathedral of Echmiadzin. You will also see the Church of St. Hripsime. According to legend, Hripsime was one of those virgins who escaped from the Roman Empire and were martyred in Armenia because of their Christian faith. This church with its charm and triumphant manifestation is a mirror of the perfection of Armenian religious architecture. The program also includes a visit to the Sardarapat Museum.
On the way back you will see the ruins of Zvartnots (temple of angels), built in the 7th century by Catholicos Nerses III, who is known as Nerses the Builder for his construction activities. The ruins of the cathedral, destroyed by a terrible earthquake in the 10th century, were excavated only at the end of the 20th century by Toros Toramanyan. Even the ruins attract many tourists with their artistic design and beauty. Return to Yerevan.
Dinner with typical Easter dishes at a local restaurant.

Day 5: Yerevan - Goshavank - Haghartsin - Sevanavank - Yerevan
After breakfast - departure to Dilijan in the Tavush region, which is called the Armenian Switzerland. Here we will see the monasteries of Goshavank and Haghartsin.
Then our tour continues to Gegharkunik, and we arrive at Lake Sevan - the blue pearl of Armenia. Visiting the churches of St. Astvatsatsin and the monastery of Sevanavank (9th century), built on a peninsula (at first it was an island, but later the island became a peninsula due to the decrease in water in Lake Sevan). Lunch of freshly caught fish from the lake itself.
Return to Yerevan.

Day 6: Yerevan - Ashtarak - Amberd - Yerevan
Breakfast at the hotel. After breakfast, a trip to the town of Ashtarak. A visit to the early Christian churches of Tsiranavor (5th century) and Karmravor (7th century). A trip to Mount Aragats, the highest point in Armenia (4090 m). A visit to the Amberd fortress (10th – 12th centuries), located at an altitude of 2300 m above sea level. Return to Yerevan. Dinner at a national restaurant.

Day 7: Yerevan
Breakfast at the hotel. Free day in the city

Day 8: Yerevan - Zvartnots airport
Transfer to the airport for your flight home.

The program price includes:

• Transfers
• Accommodation in 4* and 5* hotels (7 nights)
• Excursions according to the program
• Guide services (6 days)
• Meals (breakfasts, lunches - 6 lunches
• Festive dinners (2 dinners)
• Entrance tickets to museums
• Wine tasting according to the program
   

The tour price does NOT include:

• Air ticket
• Dinners and alcoholic drinks
• Guide on free days
• Lunch on free days