Pilgrimage Tour in Armenia

Program

Sample Pilgrimage Tour in Armenia – 11 Days

Day 1: Yerevan

• Arrival in Yerevan.
• Meeting at the airport and transfer to the hotel.
• Welcome dinner.
• Sightseeing tour of Yerevan.
• Free time.

Day 2: Echmiadzin – Zvartnots

• Breakfast.
• Departure to Echmiadzin, the spiritual center of the Armenian Apostolic Church and the seat of the Catholicos of All Armenians.
• Visit to Etchmiadzin Cathedral and the ancient churches of Saint Hripsime and Saint Gayane.
• Continue to the ruins of Zvartnots Cathedral, one of Armenia’s most remarkable early medieval religious monuments.
• Return to Yerevan.

Day 3: Garni – Geghard

• Departure to Geghard Monastery, one of Armenia’s most important medieval monasteries, partly carved directly into the surrounding rock. Its name is associated with the Holy Lance, traditionally believed to have been brought to Armenia by the Apostle Thaddeus.
• Continue to Garni Temple, Armenia’s best-preserved monument from the pre-Christian period.
• Walk through the Azat Gorge to see the impressive basalt formations known as the Symphony of Stones.
• Lunch with a traditional lavash-making experience, where guests can see how Armenian lavash is baked in a tonir.
• On the way back to Yerevan, an optional stop at the picturesque Azat Reservoir.
• Return to Yerevan and free time.

Day 4: Khor Virap – Noravank – Areni – Karahunj – Goris

• Departure through the Ararat Valley to Khor Virap Monastery, closely associated with Gregory the Illuminator and Armenia’s adoption of Christianity. On clear days, the monastery offers magnificent views of Mount Ararat.
• Continue through the red-rock landscapes of Vayots Dzor to Noravank Monastery.
• Arrival in Areni and lunch.
• Visit to Areni-1 Cave, an important archaeological site where evidence of early winemaking and an ancient leather shoe were discovered.
• Visit to a local winery for a tour and wine tasting.
• Continue south towards Goris, with a stop at the ancient archaeological site of Karahunj (Zorats Karer).
• Arrival in Goris in the evening.

Day 5: Khndzoresk – Tatev – Yeghegis

• Breakfast.
• Departure to the historic village of Khndzoresk, with a walk across the suspension bridge and a visit to the old cave settlement.
• Continue towards Tatev, travelling across the spectacular Vorotan Gorge by the famous Wings of Tatev cable car.
• Visit to Tatev Monastery, one of the most important medieval spiritual and educational centers of Armenia.
• Continue through the mountain landscapes of southern Armenia towards Yeghegis.
• Overnight in Yeghegis.

Day 6: Noratus – Lake Sevan – Dilijan

• Breakfast.
• Departure towards Lake Sevan.
• Visit to Noratus, home to one of Armenia’s largest collections of historic khachkars.
• Continue along Lake Sevan and visit Hayravank Monastery and Sevanavank Monastery, standing above the lake.
• Time to enjoy the landscapes of Lake Sevan.
• Continue to the mountain resort town of Dilijan.
• Overnight in Dilijan.

Day 7:  Dilijan – Haghartsin – Goshavank

• Breakfast.
• Walk through Dilijan, surrounded by the forested mountains of Dilijan National Park.
• Continue through the forests to Haghartsin Monastery, an important medieval monastic complex dating mainly from the 10th–13th centuries.
• Lunch at a local guesthouse.
• Visit to Goshavank Monastery, known for its architecture and finely carved khachkars.
• Return to Dilijan.
• Overnight in Dilijan.

Day 8: Dilijan – Akhtala – Haghpat

• Breakfast.
• Departure to the northern region of Lori.
• Visit to Akhtala Monastery, particularly known for its remarkable medieval frescoes.
• Lunch.
• Continue through the landscapes of the Debed Gorge to Haghpat Monastery, one of Armenia’s most important medieval monastic complexes.
• Overnight in Haghpat.

Day 9:  Haghpat – Sanahin – Odzun – Ardvi – Yerevan

• Breakfast.
• Some additional time in Haghpat before continuing to Sanahin Monastery, another major medieval religious and cultural center of northern Armenia.
• Continue through Lori to the village of Odzun and visit Odzun Church.
• Visit the nearby village of Ardvi, known for its historic church, khachkars and religious heritage.
• Return to Yerevan in the evening.

Day 10: Hovhannavank – Saghmosavank – Amberd – Oshakan

• Breakfast.
• Departure towards Mount Aragats, the highest mountain in present-day Armenia.
• Visit to Hovhannavank and Saghmosavank monasteries, dramatically located on the edge of the Kasagh Gorge.
• Stop at the Armenian Alphabet Monument.
• Continue up the slopes of Mount Aragats to Amberd Fortress, a medieval fortress overlooking the surrounding highlands.
• Traditional Armenian lunch.
• On the way back to Yerevan, visit Oshakan, where the church and tomb of Mesrop Mashtots, creator of the Armenian alphabet, are located.
• Return to Yerevan in the evening.

Day 11:  Yerevan

• Breakfast.
• The final day is dedicated to Yerevan.
• Visit to the Matenadaran, Armenia’s museum and repository of ancient manuscripts.
• Lunch.
• Transfer to Zvartnots International Airport.

 Tour Price: on request

The tour price includes:

• Accommodation in a 3* hotel with double occupancy
• Meeting and transfers Airport-Hotel-Airport
• Comfortable transport
• Guide services
• Entrance tickets to the indicated museums and cultural centers, including the cable car in Tatev
• Breakfast at the hotel
• Welcome Dinner
• Lunches
• Four dinners
• Master class on baking lavash
• Wine testing

The tour price does not include:

• Flight to Yerevan and back
• Other dinners
• Additional alcohol outside the program
• Excursion to the Yerevan Brandy Factory – 20$
• Insurance – recomended