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

Echmiadzin – Zvartnots Cathedral

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.

Overnight: Hotel in Yerevan
Meals: Breakfast
Duration: 4-5 hours
KM: 33 km

Khor Virap, Noravank, Areni 1 Cave

On the 3rd day the road will take you to Khor Virap, located in Armenia, which is a monastery with a very close concern with the adoption of christianity in Armenia in 301 CE. We will learn the history, the legend  about the place and the christianity in Armenia. This is one of the primary visiting sites in Armenia with the panorama view of the Ararat Mountain. The legend of this monastery is associated with St. Gregory the Illuminator, who was imprisoned here for 13 years. For lunch you will stop in one of the best places in Areni village. After driving to the Noravank Monastery, known for its brick-red cliffs, located in a narrow gorge of Amaghu River. This monastery is an example of the ornate architecture of the 13th century. The sculptor of the biggest portion of Noravank is Momik, who also carved a number of religious Armenian monuments known as “khachkars”. On the way back to Yerevan, you’ll stop in Areni 1 cave, also known as a “Birds’ cave”, where the oldest human shoe dating back to 3,900 BC and oldest winery were excavated.

Overnight: Hotel in Yerevan
Meals: Breakfast
Duration: 7-8 hours
KM: 260 km

Matenadaran Museum – Vernissage – Departure

The 4rd and last day of our program includes a visit, 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. Besides, we will have a walking tour in Vernissage and in Victory Park, where the statue of Mother of Armenia stands. 

Transfer to the airport and departure.

Overnight: None
Meals: Breakfast
Duration: 3-4 hours
KM: 13 km