Arrival in Land of NOAH. At Zvartnots International airport you will be welcomed and assisted through immigration and customs by Santa Maria Tours representative, then escorted to your hotel.
Overnight: Hotel in Yerevan.

After breakfast at the hotel, your guide meets you at the lobby to start off your trip with a city tour in Yerevan, the capital of Armenia and the largest city of the country. As one of the oldest capitals in the world, Yerevan was founded in the 8th-century BC and was known as Erebuni. Visit some of the main streets of Yerevan such as Baghramyan and Mashtots Avenues, as well as Abovyan Street which still showcases century-old houses and historical buildings. Then, head to the Victory Park, from where a panoramic view of the city and the majestic Mt. Ararat opens. From the park, continue your walk through the Cascade, an architectural complex of a massive staircase with fountain terraces to the Opera and Ballet Theater. The Cascade also houses Cafesjian Center for the Arts, which offers a rich collection of Armenian and international contemporary art, including a selection of artwork from the personal collection of its founder Gerard L. Cafesjian. After lunch, visit the Museum of History of Armenia located on the Republic Square. Founded in 1919 by the National Assembly of Armenia, the museum has a national collection of 400,000 rare objects and artifacts representing the culture and history of Armenia from prehistoric eras to modern times. Visit the Armenian Genocide Memorial and Museum in Tsitsernakaberd, dedicated to the memory of 1.5 million Armenians perished during the first genocide of the 21st century. One of the Yerevan landmarks, Tsitsernakaberd has become a pilgrimage destination since 1967.

Overnight: Hotel in Yerevan

Meals: Breakfast

The day starts with a visit to Matenadaran, an outstanding repository of Armenian manuscripts. Located on Mashtots Ave., the museum is named after Mesrop Mashtots, the creator of the Armenian Alphabet, and houses over 23000 treasured pieces of manuscripts and scrolls.
The program also includes a trip to the pagan Temple of Garni, one of the most visited historical sites of Armenia. Built in the 1st century AD, the Temple of Garni managed to survive the destruction of all pagan temples following Armenia’s adoption of Christianity in 301. Following to sever damage by earthquakes, the temple was reconstructed. Situated on a cliff, the temple overlooks a spectacular view of the Geghama Mountains and the gorge of Azat River. After lunch in Garni village and an opportunity to participate in the preparation of the traditional Armenian bread, called lavash, the trip continues to the medieval Geghard Monastery, located deep within Azat Valley and founded by Saint Gregory the Illuminator. It’s worth to mention that Geghard is a UNESCO World Heritage Site since 2000. Return to Yerevan and have a rest.
Overnight: Hotel in Yerevan
Meals: Breakfast

Start this day by visiting Khor Virap Monastery, right on the foot of the biblical Mt. Ararat. The legend of this monastery is associated with St. Gregory the Illuminator, who was imprisoned here for 13 years. The trip will continue to Yeghegnadzor, where you can have lunch and then visit the Noravank Monastery located in a narrow gorge of Armagu River. A gem of the Armenian medieval architecture, the 13th-century monastery is the masterpiece of Master Momik. Continue the trip to the medieval Monastery of Tatev. To go there, you will ride the world’s longest reversible ropeway passing over the Vorotan Gorge. In the 13th-15th centuries, Tatev used to be the center of the Armenian science and arts, and you will be able to see what has remained of the University of Tatev. Spend the night at the rustic Armenian town Goris.
Overnight: Hotel in Goris
Meals: Breakfast

After breakfast drive to Karahunge or Zorats Karer, also known as the Stonehenge of Armenia. A prehistoric archaeological site, Karahunge is a large circular area of 223 stones, thought to be an astronomic observatory. Continue the trip to the Orbelians’ Caravanserai, one of the oldest inns Silk Road travelers used throughout centuries. Then continue the ancient Silk Road to Lake Sevan, to the Blue Pearl of Armenia. At an altitude of 1900 m above sea level, it is the largest sweet water lake in Armenia and the Caucasus region. Located up on the cliffs of a small peninsula, stands the Monastery of Sevanavank. You will have your lunch on the shore of Lake Sevan. Continue the trip to Dilijan, known as Armenia’s Switzerland, where you will spend the night.
Overnight: Hotel in Dilijan
Meals: Breakfast

In the morning you will have a tour in the old districts of Dilijan will include Sharambeyan Street, enjoy the craftsmen’s workshops, art galleries, and museums. Visit Haghartsin Monastery, recently restored by a Muslim Sheikh from the United Arab Emirates. The monastery is easily accessible through paved roads and has a large parking area, a gift shop, bakery, and other facilities. Continue the day by visiting another two medieval monasteries, Haghpat and Sanahin, both from the 10th-12th centuries and listed in the UNESCO World Heritage Sites. The Monastery of Haghpat has a unique building depicting the high level of development of the medieval Armenian architecture.
Overnight: Hotel in Gyumri
Meals: Breakfast

The day will start with a city tour in Gyumri, the second-largest city in Armenia. The city is home to many historical museums, such as the Dzitoghtsyan Museum of Folk Life and National Architecture. Housed in a 19th-century historical building, the museum contains collections related to both history and the everyday life of the city, as well as paintings and other works of art. You will have lunch at the famous “Cherkezi Dzor” restaurant in Gyumri. Continue the trip to Ecthmiatsin, the center of the Armenian Apostolic Church and Mother See of Holy Etchmiatsin. The Cathedral of Etchmiatsin was built in the early 4th-century by St. Gregory the Illuminator and King Tiridates, following the adoption of Christianity as the state religion of Armenia. In Etchmiadzin, the tour continues to St. Gayane and St. Hripsime Churches of the 7th-century, both listed as UNESCO World Heritage Sites.
Return to Yerevan for rest and overnight.
Overnight: Hotel in Yerevan
Meals: Breakfast

After Breakfast, time to bid farewell to your Tour director and new found friends as you transferred to Zvartnots International airport for your return flight.
Meals: Breakfast