050422- Offerta di Vaggio in Armenia

TOUR DESCRIPTION
Duration
Day 1 Arrival at the Zvartnots Airport. Transfer from the airport to the hotel will take 30 minutes.
After check-in, you can have a drink or light meal in a cafe or a snack bar. (Optional and not included in the price)
Day 2 Yerevan City tour. We will begin our tour with the State History Museum of Armenia. Numerous exceptional pre-Christian and Christian artifacts are exhibited here.
Then we will have a bus tour through central streets of the city. During this tour you will get acquainted with the architectural highlights of the city, such as the Opera House, Cascade, Mother Armenia, from where you will have a nice panoramic view of Yerevan and Mt Ararat, and Tsitsernakaberd, the memorial dedicated to the victims of the Genocide in 1915. After lunch in one of the cozy open-air café’s, we will visit the Tufenkian Carpet Showroom, which exhibits the world famous Armenian carpets. Here you will have the chance to learn how to make carpets yourself.
Return to hotel. 5 hours
Day 3
Leave for Echmiadzin city. (25 km from Yerevan)
We will visit Echmiadzin Cathedral (Unesco World Heritage), the most ancient Christian church in Armenia built in 303 AD. Echmiadzin is also the residence of the Supreme Catholicos of all Armenians and the center of the Armenian Apostolic Church.
Proceed to St Hripsime and St Gayane churches which are masterpieces of architecture dating back to the 7th century. Both churches were built commemorating the two maidens, Gayane and Hripsime, who played an important role in adopting Christianity as a State Religion.
Lunch.
On the way back toYerevan visit the ruins of Zvartnots Cathedral (Church of Guardian Angels) built in the VII century.
Return to hotel. 4 hours
Day 4
Visit Khor Virap Monastery (55 km from Yerevan). This monastery complex is widely known for its fortress and underground prison where the first Armenian Saint and the establisher of Christianity in Armenia Grigor Lousavorich (Gregory the Illuminator) had been in confinement. You can also treat yourself to the most spectacular view of the glorious Mt. Ararat. Then we will continue our tour to Noravank Monastery (60 km from Khor Virap). Noravank (13th century) is famous not only for its architectural value but also for the breathtaking nature surrounding it. During this day we will make and taste the traditional Armenian barbecue in the wild nature.
Return to hotel. 7 hours
Day 5
Free day. Optional trips to:
In Yerevan – Water World, Erebouni Fortress and Museum, Yerevan Brandy Company.
Outside Yerevan – Sardarapat monument and ethnographic museum, Dilijan city.

Day 6
In the morning we will first visit Matenadaran, the museum of ancient manuscripts. 11000 completely preserved handwritten books and more than 2000 partially preserved manuscripts are the core of the Matenadaran’s collection. Then we will leave Yerevan and head for Garni Temple and Geghard Monastery (40 km from Yerevan). Garni was built in 1st century AD and was devoted to one of the Armenian Pagan Gods. Continue trip to Geghard Monastery, which was initially known simply as Ayrivank (Cave Monastery). The present buildings date back to 10-13th cc., at which time it was renamed as Geghard meaning "lance" (spear) in Armenian. On the way back to Yerevan we will taste Armenian traditional bread (Lavash), cheese and Armenian yoghurt (Matsoun) in a village. Return to hotel.
5 hours
Day 7
This day we will leave for Lake Sevan (70 km from Yerevan). En route we will go to the beautiful health resort Tsakhkadzor in the middle of the mountains. There will be the opportunity to go on top of one of the hills by an ultra modern ski lift. From there you will have a breathtaking view of the region and, with clear sky, also the biblical Mt Ararat. We continue our trip to Sevan. Lake Sevan is one of the world’s biggest mountain lakes, nearly 2000 meters above sea level. Don’t forget to take your bath suit and sun tan with you!!! We will also visit the Akhtamar Peninsula, where two ancient churches stand. Fresh fish from Sevan will be our lunch for today.
Return to hotel.
Full day
Day 8
Departure to Ashtarak city and Mt Aragats (60 km from Yerevan).
Ashtarak town ("Tower" in Armenian) is famous as a scientific center. Lunch in Ashtarak. Via Ashtarak we will head for Mt Aragats and Amberd Fortress (10-13th c.).
Amberd fortress stands at an elevation of 2300 meters above sea level on the high cape, in the canyon of two rivers high upon the southern slope of Mount Aragats. Next to the castle stands a domed church which was built in 1206 and is one of the most unique churches of its type in Armenia
4 hours


Day 9 Free day
Farewell dinner in one of the finest Armenian restaurants with Armenian folk music.
Day 10 Transfer from hotel to Zvartnots airport.
Departure.
Have a safe flight!

Tours start at 10:30 AM from hotel.
The prices include:

 9 nights Hotel accommodation in Yerevan on BB (Bed & Breakfast) Base
 Lunches (except during Yerevan City Tour) as specified in the itinerary and the farewell dinner
 Guide/Interpreter services (English and Dutch speaking)
 Entrance fees to museums and sightseeing destinations as specified in the itinerary
 Full transportation and transfers as specified in the itinerary


The prices do not include:

 International Air Fare
 Entry visa
 Insurance
 Personal expenses (telephone, mini bar, laundry etc)
 Lunch on Day 2 during Yerevan City Tour
 Beverages and dinners
 Additional tours and transfers not included in the itinerary
 Optional Tours offered in the itinerary
 Airport duties




All prices are in USD per person

HOTEL ACCOMODATION + TOUR PAX 2-3 PAX 4-7 PAX 8+
DOUBLE SINGLE SUPPLEMENT DOUBLE SINGLE SUPPLEMENT DOUBLE SINGLE SUPPLEMENT
*3 star hotel
1015 158 839 158 751 158
*4 star hotel
1121 297 945 297 858 297
*5 star hotel
1383 439 1206 439 1119 439


The prices are subject to changes due to fluctuation of US

V.V