Description
Day 1: Yerevan
Breakfast at the hotel. Training begins at 10.00 in Edgar Ganjumyan’s studio.
1st lesson – chanting
2nd lesson – history of Armenian art
3rd lesson – national dances
After classes you will have lunch in one of the restaurants with national cuisine.
After meal, you will have a City tour in Yerevan with a visit to the depository of ancient manuscripts Matenadaran. During the tour you will feel the Armenia. And after visiting “Ararat” factory and tasting Armenian cognac, you will learn the taste of Armenia.
Return to the hotel. Free evening.
Day 2: Sevan – Dilijan
In the morning after the breakfast at 10 am you will have 3 classes of chanting, dancing and history of Armenian art.
After lunch you will have a trip to the pearl of Armenia – lake Sevan. You will have a chance to visit Sevanavank monastery and then on the shore of the lake will taste delicious fish caught directly from the lake. After all this, there is a trip to Armenian Switzerland- Dilijan city. You will have a chance to get acquainted with ancient city of Dilijan and visit Haghartsin monastery, which is located among forests of Dilijan National Park. Return to Yerevan.
Day 3: Khor Virap – Noravank- Areni
Breakfast at the hotel. Transfer to Ganjumyan studio for classes of chanting, dancing and history of Armenian art.
After lunch, we are heading to the monastic complex of Khor Virap, which is considered to be the origin of Christianity in Armenia. The ancient fortress is located on a hill, from where the majestic view of the biblical mountain Ararat opens. In past here was the historic city of Artashat, one of the ancient capitals of Armenia. Khor Virap is one of the shrines of Armenian Apostolic Church and a place of pilgrimage of all Christians.
Another sightseeing place that we will visit is Noravank monastery. In translation from Armenian “Noravank” means new monastery. The monastery was built in 13th century among beautiful red rocks. The monastery of Noravank is known for its two-storied church St. Astvatsatsin. Medieval Armenian architects and sculptors showed all their skill and talent in decorating the walls of the church of St. Astvatsatsin. Being above the gorge, where the monastery is located, you will feel in heaven, where by extending a hand you can touch the sky.
The tour will finish with tasting Armenian wine at Areni winery. Return to Yerevan.
Day 4: A museum day in Yerevan
Breakfast at the hotel. Then you will have 3 classes of chanting, dancing and Armenian art history. After classes, you will have lunch in a restaurant. Then you will visit a couple of museums of Yerevan: Parajanov museum and National Gallery. Sergei Parajanov is a great director who created the new language of cinema, an artist whose art has no analogues in the world art. In the museum you will see all the heritage of Parajanov – collages, drawings, installations, ceramics, dolls, sketches for films, as well as all those things and personal items that reveal to us Sergei Parajanov as a person with an uncommon personality. Then there is an excursion to the National gallery of Armenia, where you will get acquainted with the best collection of Armenian artists. The exhibition presents Armenian painting of the IV-XX centuries: its development, style diversity, as well as the work of individual masters.
You can spend the evening in Mezzo jazz club, where the best jazz man of Armenia perform.
Day 5: Amberd – Saghmosavank – Armenian Alphabet Monument
After classes, we are heading to Amberd – a historical complex on the slope of Mount Aragats. There is a castle of the 7th century and a church of the 11th century in Amberd complex. The fortress is located at an altitude of 2300 meters above sea level. You will also visit Saghmosavank monastery, located above a high gorge by the Kasakh River, in a very picturesque place near Amberd. In the homeland of the creator of the Armenian alphabet Mesrop Mashtots, you will see Armenian Alphabet Monument . After a busy day, we suggest tasting wine at the Voskevaz winery.Return to Yerevan.
Day 6: Garni – Geghard – Aya Maria
In the morning, after breakfast, there is a trip to the historical and holy places of Armenia: Garni and Geghard. Garni was a former summer residence of Armenian kings. The Garni Temple is the only pagan monument on the territory of Armenia. It is believed that it was dedicated to the pagan god of the Sun. Breathe clean air of Armenian mountains and enjoy majestic views of Armenian nature.
Our other destination is Geghard monastery. The monastery was founded in the 4th century on the site of a sacred spring, originating in a cave. According to legend, the founder of the monastery was St. Grigor the Illuminator. The monastic complex is a part of UNESCO World Heritage. Some temples of the monastic complex are completely carved inside the rocks. There are numerous carved in walls and detached khachkars on the territory of the monastery.
On the way back, we will visit “Aya Maria” tourist center, where you will have a chance to bake lavash in the tonyr and participate in an interactive program, during which you can show your already acquired skills of chanting and traditional dancing. Return to the hotel.
Day 7: Yerevan
Depending on time of your departure, we advise you to visit Vernissage – open air fair of folk craftsmen. Here you will see a variety of souvenirs and, of course you can buy and take back home with you a piece of warm Armenia. At the appointed time, transfer to the airport.
- Accommodation in 3 * 4 * 5 * hotels
- All transfers
- Excursions according to the program
- Classes of chanting, dancing and history of Armenian art
- Guide services during excursions
- Meals according to the program
- Tasting cognac and wine
- Entrance tickets to Garni, Parajanov Museum and the National Gallery
- Workshop of baking lavash
- Interactive programs in “Aya Maria”