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. Afterwards, your guide meets you at the hotel lobby to start your trip with a city tour of Yerevan, the capital and the largest city of Armenia. You will visit the Museum of History of Armenia located on Republic Square. Founded in 1919 by National Assembly of Armenia, the museum has a national collection of 400000 rare objects and artefacts representing the culture and history of Armenia from prehistoric eras to modern times. The city tour also includes a visit to Urartian Erebuni Fortress, an archaeological site opened to the public in 1968 on the occasion of the 2750th anniversary of the city of Yerevan. As one of the oldest capitals in the world, Yerevan was founded in the 8th century BC and was known as Erebuni. Built in 782 BC, Erebuni Fortress is turned into a historical site with outdoor and indoor museums, with a massive collection of artefacts, jars, glass, agate beads, bronze bracelets, and many other objects. Afterwards, visit main streets of Yerevan such as Baghramyan and Mashtots Avenue, as well as Abovyan Street which still showcases century-old houses and historical buildings. Next, visit the Victory Park, from where a panoramic view of the city and the majestic Mt. Ararat opens. Then, 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 the 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.
Overnight: Hotel in Yerevan
Meals: Breakfast

A trip to the pagan Temple of Garni, one of the most visited historical sites of Armenia, is organized. 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 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 has been a UNESCO World Heritage Site since 2000. After returning to Yerevan, you will visit the Settlement of Shengavit, which is one of the most important archaeological sites of early Bronze Age in Armenia. The basic settlement consists of four archaeological and cultural layers, which are late from Neolithic, early, middle and late Eneolithic eras. Since 2000, several archaeological excavations have shown that the settlement was surrounded by a high wall, built with rough stones and an underground, tiled tunnel to the river and the tombs spread outside.
Overnight: Hotel in Yerevan
Meals: Breakfast

The tour starts at the Erebuni Fortress to get acquainted with the history of the foundation of Yerevan. Take a tour to the archaeological museum which displays interesting artefacts from other ancient settlements on the territory of Yerevan. Afterwards, the tour continues to the ruins of Zvartnots Cathedral and the remains of the winery. Next stop is the fortress-city of Metsamor, famous for its archaeological findings. During excavations, different cultural layers were found dating to different ages and periods. The site includes a Historical and Archaeological Museum. Then, visit Sardarapat, an important historical site and a monument dedicated to the Armenian victory at the battle of Sardarapat, as well as a visit to the Museum of the History of Ethnography and Liberation Movement History Museum. Return to Yerevan.
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 continues to Etchmiadzin, the centre of the Armenian Apostolic Church and Mother See of Holy Etchmiadzin. The Cathedral of Etchmiadzin 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 carries on to St. Gayane and St. Hripsime Churches of 7th century, both listed as UNESCO World Heritage Sites. Afterwards, the tour takes you to the mystical Bird’s cave in Areni village, where archaeologists recently found the oldest leather shoe and a 6000-year old winery. This will be followed by a stop at Noravank, an 8th-century monastery, well hidden in mystic red cliffs. At the end of the day, rest at a hotel of your choice in the town of Goris.
Overnight: Hotel in Goris
Meals: Breakfast

Following breakfast in Goris, the day starts with a trip to Khntsoresk, a now uninhabited cave town where the caves were the homes of the village population up until 60 years ago. There, you will also be visiting and crossing the famous swinging bridge of Khntsoresk. The next stop of the day is at Tatev Monastery, a masterpiece of medieval Armenian architecture and the site of the longest cable ropeway in the world, extending over the stunning gorge of Vorotan. The trip continues with a stop at the mystic Zorats Karer or Karahunj, known as “Armenia’s Stonehenge”, a prehistoric site, known as one of the oldest astronomical observatories of the world. Take to the road to Hermon village for an overnight stay.
Overnight: Hotel in Hermon
Meals: Breakfast

Right after breakfast at the hotel, you visit the ancient Oreblians Caravanserai, a historic inn on the Silk Road, where travellers used to stay overnight. The tour continues to Noratus cemetery that boasts the largest cluster of amazing, old khachkars (stone crosses). The next destination is Lchashen with its royal tombs, excavated in the 1950s and the ruins of a Bronze Age fortress and an Urartian settlement. Afterwards, the tour continues to Lake Sevan, 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. Return to Yerevan.
Overnight: Hotel in Yerevan
Meals: Breakfast

On the 7th day, pay a visit to St. Gevork Church in the village of Mughni. The church is built with two unusual colours of stone: a darker grey tufa and an apricot-coloured tufa. Travel through the Alphabet Valley with its stone sculptures of every single letter of the Armenian alphabet. Then, on the slopes of Mount Aragats, visit an ancient fortress, Amberd. The name of the fortress means ‘fortress in the clouds’ and refers to its high location (2300 meters above sea level). At the peaks of the mountain, continue your sightseeing by a stop at Lake Kar (Stone lake), another wonder of nature, mostly formed of ice and snow.
Overnight: Hotel in Yerevan
Meals: Breakfast

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