Arrival – Yerevan Walking City Tour

Arrival in the Land of NOAH. At Zvartnots International Airport, you will be welcomed by the representative of Santa Maria Tours, and then escorted to your hotel. Shortly after, your guide will meet you at the lobby to start the city tour in Yerevan.

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. Next, visit the History Museum of Armenia, where you will learn about the origins of Armenia. After that continue your walk through the Cascade, an architectural complex of 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: None
Duration: 3-4 hours
KM: 30 km

Geghard Monastery – Garni Temple – Stone Symphony

Start this day by visiting 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 the pagan temples following Armenia’s adoption of Christianity in 301. Following severe damage by earthquakes, the temple was reconstructed in the mid-20th century. Situated on a cliff, Garni 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 mentioning that Geghard has been a UNESCO World Heritage Site since 2000. After cultural monuments, we still have monuments of nature to visit. The basalt column in the gorge of the Azat river, called “Symphony of stones”, the details of it’s appearance we will learn during the visit.

Overnight: Hotel in Yerevan
Meals: Breakfast
Duration: 5-6 hours
KM: 75 km

Free day

Overnight: Hotel in Yerevan
Meals: Breakfast

Echmiadzin – Zvartnots Cathedral– Departure

Today you’ll start the trip by visiting the 4th largest city in Armenia, Echmiadzin. Before 1945 officially it was admitted as Vagharshapat. Nowadays the city is best known as the center of the Armenian Apostolic Church “Mother See of Holy Etchmiadzin” and as the location of its Cathedral. The Cathedral of Etchmiadzin was built in Ancient Armenia, in the early 4th century and was following the adoption of Christianity as a state religion by King Tiridates. On the way back to Yerevan you’ll stop at the Zvartnots Cathedral. The latter was built in the 7th century and this is the oldest and largest aisled tetraconch church in historical Armenia. The Cathedral was destroyed in an earthquake in the 10th century, but in spite of this it was reconstructed in the 1940s. Thanks to this restoration, Zvartnotss’ ruins are a touristic place to visit.

Transfer to the airport and departure.

Overnight: None
Meals: Breakfast
Duration: 4-5 hours
KM: 33 km