The Soul of Armenia Tour8 Days | Yerevan, Garni, Geghrad, Khor Virap, Noravank, Karahunj, Tatev, Khndzoresk, Noratus Cemetery, Sanahin etc.

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. 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.
Continue to Khndzoresk - The historical cave village, located on the steep slope of a gorge. It consists of natural and manmade caves. Since many of the dwellings were carved out over and around each other, a complex system of ropes and ladders were required for people to reach many corners of the community. Right up until the 20th century Khndzoresk Cave Village was the biggest village in Eastern Armenia. Drive to mountain spa town Jermuk for overnight.

After breakfast, continue exploring Armenia with Selim Pass Caravansary, also known as Orbelian's Caravanserai, located at a height of 2410 meters above sea level. The Caravansary was built in 14th Century and was one of the major points of Armenian Silk Road. After crossing the pass, you will visit the medieval cemetery – Noratus. Here you can see khachkars – Armenian cross-stones from medieval centuries. Khachkars keep unique symbols and represent amazing skillfulness of medieval Armenian craftsmen. Since 2010, khachkars, their symbolism and craftsmanship are inscribed in the UNESCO list of Intangible Cultural Heritage.
Our final stop today is Sevanavank Monastery. It stands on a narrow rocky peninsula, in the northwest part of the Lake Sevan – one of the largest freshwater alpine lakes in Eurasia. The road passes through the coastline of the lake, surrounded by beautiful nature. Lake Sevan attracts many locals and tourists throughout a year. Reach Dilijan for overnight.

After breakfast start exploring northern part of Armenia – the region of Lori.
Today you will visit two UNESCO World Heritage Sites: the monasteries of Sanahin and Haghpat.
Dating from 10th to 13th centuries, both monasteries were important centers of learning. Sanahin was famous for its school of illuminators and calligraphers. Haghpat beautifully overlooks the Debed River Canyon. The monasteries of Sanahin and Haghpat combine elements of Byzantine Church architecture and traditional building styles of the region. Drive back to Yerevan. Overnight at the hotel.

After breakfast at the hotel drive towards Amberd, the 7th century fortress on the southern slopes of the Mount Aragats, far away from the hectic cities. The name Amberd is translated as “fortress in the clouds". Most of the parts of the fortress were ruined during the invasions of Seljuks and Mongols in 11th and 13th centuries. Nevertheless, it attracts many visitors from all over the world. Next stop is the village Oshakan, well known as the site of the grave of Mesrop Mashtots, the inventor of the Armenian alphabet. Drive back to Yerevan. Overnight at the hotel.

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