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. After the check-in, 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 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. 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.
Overnight: Hotel in Yerevan
Meals: Dinner
After breakfast at the hotel, you will be transferred to Erebuni airport in Yerevan. Heliskiing to Mt. Aragats, the highest mountain in Armenia. Return to Yerevan. Have dinner and overnight in Yerevan.
Overnight: Hotel in Yerevan
Meals: Breakfast / Lunch / Dinner
After breakfast at the hotel, you will go to Erebuni Airport for heliskiing to Aragats. When back in Yerevan, the day continues with a tour around Megerian carpet factory, followed by dinner at the factory’s traditional Armenian restaurant. Established in 1917 in New York, the Megerian Museum offers an opportunity to view the intricate process of carpet weaving and enjoy a display of antique rugs and carpets.
The tour concludes with a visit to Vernissage, which is one of the largest craft markets in the region. Here we can find some of the best traditional arts and crafts, souvenirs, and antique objects, such as traditional dolls, paintings, woodwork and ceramic, carpets, old photo cameras and other equipment, as well as Armenian brand new and antique jewelries made of silver and bronze. You will have dinner in a traditional Armenian restaurant and overnight in Yerevan.
Overnight: Hotel in Yerevan
Meals: Breakfast / Lunch / Dinner
After breakfast at the hotel, you will be transferred to Erebuni airport. Go heliskiing to Geghama mountain range (with the highest peak Azhdahak 3597m). After enjoying the skiing experience, you will fly to Jermuk, a resort town in the South of Armenia. Dinner and overnight in Jermuk.
Overnight: Hotel in Jermuk
Meals: Breakfast / Lunch / Dinner
After breakfast at the hotel, go heliskiing to Mt. Ishkanasar with an altitude of 3550m and return to Jermuk in the evening.
Overnight: Hotel in Jermuk
Meals: Breakfast / Lunch / Dinner
On the 6th day of your tour, you will 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. On the way back to Yerevan, you will have a stop in Areni village, where you will enjoy some wine-tasting at the Areni winery. Afterwards, continue the trip to Karahunge, known as the Armenian Stonehenge. A prehistoric archaeological site, it is a large circular area of 223 stones, thought to be an astronomic observatory.
After lunch in Yeghegnadzor, drive to 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. Return to Yerevan and have an overnight there.
Overnight: Hotel in Yerevan
Meals: Breakfast / Lunch / Dinner
After the breakfast at the hotel, you will be transferred 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. After lunch, you will drive to Tsaghkadzor, a resort town on the slopes of Mt. Teghenis and Armenia’s destination for winter sports. The name of the town means “Valley of flowers”, due to the rich nature of the area. While in Tsaghkador, you will visit Kecharis, a monastery complex from 11th-13th centuries which was completely reconstructed in 2001. You will also have the opportunity to ride the Tsaghkadzor ropeway up the mountain slopes and have an opportunity to ski on the 30 km-long ski ways.
Overnight: Hotel in Yerevan
Meals: Breakfast / Lunch / Dinner
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