The Heart of Armenia Tour5 Days | Yerevan, Garni, Geghard, Echmiadzin, Khor Virap, Areni, Noravank, Karahunj, Goris, Tatev

Arrival in Yerevan. Meet your driver at the airport. Transfer to the Hotel. Check in at noon.
After short rest, start exploring Yerevan, one of the world’s oldest cities. Yerevan is often referred to as a “Pink City” and impresses visitors with its grand Soviet architecture. Our first stop in Yerevan will be at the Armenian Genocide Memorial Complex on Tsitsernakaberd Hill. Next, we will visit the modern symbol of Yerevan – Cascade Monument. The Cascade is a giant stairway (572 steps) linking the downtown area of Yerevan with the Monument neighborhood. From the top of the monument you can capture the best panorama of Yerevan and the mountain Ararat. Continue exploring the city by walking along the beautiful streets, past Opera House, Republic Square, and Abovyan Avenue. Transfer to the hotel. In the evening enjoy a welcome dinner at a traditional local restaurant. Overnight at the hotel.

Depart Yerevan and drive to Garni, the only pagan temple in Armenia that survived Christianization of Armenia in the 4th century. Descend Garni Gorge to explore a monumental rock formation called Symphony of Stones. The next stop is Geghard Monastery (meaning "spear" in Armenian). The monastery complex was founded in the 4th century by Gregory the Illuminator at the site of a sacred spring inside a cave. Continue to Echmiadzin*. According to many scholars it was the first cathedral built in ancient Armenia. We will visit the main Cathedral (it is the residence of the Catholicos, the supreme head of the Armenian Apostolic Church) and the museum of Christian relics. Drive back to Yerevan. Overnight at the hotel.
*The site is presently under the renovation works.

At 08:00 head to Khor Virap Monastery. According to the legend, Gregory the Illuminator was imprisoned here for 14 years by King Tiridates III of Armenia. Saint Gregory subsequently became the king's religious mentor. In 301 Armenia was the first country to adopt Christianity as an official religion. The monastery’s location allows you to enjoy superb views of Mount Ararat.
Drive to the Noravank complex. The monastery offers one of the most beautiful surrounding areas in Armenia. The spare lines of the church contrast beautifully with the sharp red rock cliffs.
Continue to Areni Caves. In 2008 researchers found here the world’s oldest shoe. Visit Hin Areni winery to taste delicious local wines. Continue driving towards Goris. En-route stop at Karahunj (Carahunge) – also known as Zorats Karer. The site was inhabited from prehistoric to medieval civilizations. It consists of a prehistoric mausoleum and over two hundred large stone monoliths, eighty of which have distinctive, well-polished holes bored near their upper edge. The monument is surrounded by beautiful nature, making it an attractive journey for many tourists each year. Arrival in Goris in the evening. Overnight at the hotel.

In the morning we will visit Tatev Complex. The 9th-century monastery, standing on the edge of a deep gorge of the Vorotan River attracts many visitors each year. In order to reach the monastery, we need to ride a cable car “Wings of Tatev”, the longest aerial tramway in the world. It is included in the Guinness World Records book (5700 m. length, 12 min. duration). Tatev used to be the religious and political center of the region and the remote location of the monastery was chosen strategically, to protect the complex from the constant invasions.
Depart back to Yerevan. Arrive at around 18:00. Overnight at the hotel.

Check out from the hotel till noon. Transfer to Yerevan International Airport. Departure. End of the tour.

Economy:
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Comfort:
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Lux:
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