Arrival – Yerevan 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, go sightseeing to the Victory Park, from where a panoramic view of the city and the majestic Mt. Ararat opens.

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.

The program also includes a visit to Matenadaran, an outstanding repository of Armenian manuscripts. Located on the 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: None
Duration: 3-4 hours
KM: 30 km

Khor Virap, Geghard & Garni Day Tour

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.

Continue the day by 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 the 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. Return to Yerevan and rest.

Overnight: Hotel in Yerevan
Meals: Breakfast
Duration: 7-8 hours
KM: 160 km

Etchmiadzin & Zvartnots Day Tour – Departure

Start your tour by visiting 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.

On the way back to Yerevan, stop by the ruins of Zvartnots, which in archaic Armenian means “dedicated to the angels”. Built in the 7th century, Zvartnots is the oldest and largest aisled tetraconch church in historical Armenia.

The Cathedral was completely ruined in an earthquake in 10th century but was reconstructed in the 1940s. Today, the ruins of Zvartnots stand as an awe-inspiring site with the majestic Mt. Ararat on their backdrop.

Finally, it’s time to bid farewell to your tour director, guide, and new friends as you are transferred to Zvartnots International Airport for your return flight.

Overnight: None
Meals: Breakfast
Duration: 4-5 hours
KM: 42 km