Jeep Tour in Armenia 7 Days / 6 Nights
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.
Overnight: Hotel in Yerevan.
After breakfast at the hotel, 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 a 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 program also includes 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. Conclude the day by a visit to the legendary Armenian Brandy Factory that started its production in 1887 in 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 Yeghegnadzor, where you can have lunch and then visit 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. The program includes a stop by Areni village, where you will enjoy some wine-tasting at Areni Winery. Afterward, the tour will take you to the Yeghegis State Sanctuary, a national park. After a picnic lunch, visit Smbataberd, an X-XI century monastery built on top of a cliff. Spend the night in Yeghegis village.
Overnight: Hotel in Yeghegis
Meals: Breakfast
Passing through the historical Orbelian Caravanserai, the road will take you 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. You will have your lunch on the shore of Lake Sevan. After lunch in Sevan, continue the trip to Dilijan, known as Armenia’s Switzerland, where you will have a tour in the old districts of Dilijan will include Sharambeyan Street, enjoy the craftsmen’s workshops, art galleries, and museums. Then, you will visit the Dilijan National Park, one of the four national parks in the country. Located in the northeastern Tavush Province, the area is known for its forests, rich biodiversity, springs, natural and cultural monuments, and an extensive network of hiking trails. You will have an overnight in Dilijan.
Overnight: Hotel in Dilijan
Meals: Breakfast
The day will start with a trip to the Northern province of Lori, where you will be visiting another two medieval monasteries, Haghpat and Sanahin, both from the 10th-12th centuries and listed in the UNESCO World Heritage Sites. The Monastery of Haghpat has a unique building depicting the high level of development of the medieval Armenian architecture. The trip continues to Gyumri, the second-largest city in Armenia. The city is home to many historical museums, such as the Dzitoghtsyan Museum of Folk Life and National Architecture. Housed in a 19th-century historical building, the museum contains collections related to both history and the everyday life of the city, as well as paintings and other works of art. The tour around the city includes the Cathedral of the Holy Mother of God of Gyumri which is a 19th-century church, known as the Cathedral of the Seven Wounds of the Holy Mother of God. Spend the night in Gyumri.
Overnight: Hotel in Gyumri
Meals: Breakfast
After the breakfast at the hotel, visit Amberd, a 7th-century medieval fortress, located on the slopes of Mount Aragats. The fortress was constructed as a defense against invading Arabs in the 7th and 8th centuries. You may have your lunch in Ashtarak, a town close to Yerevan. The day will conclude with horseback riding in Ashtarak. Return to Yerevan for overnight. You will also drive to the Lake Kari, located at the heights of Mount Aragats, at an altitude of 3,185 m above sea level. The water of Lake Kari is mostly melted snow and ice. On the way back to Yerevan, visit Saghmossavank Monastery, located at the gorge of Kasakh River. Return to Yerevan for overnight.
Overnight: Hotel in Yerevan
Meals: Breakfast
After Breakfast, time to bid farewell to your Tour director and new found friends as you transferred to Zvartnots International airport for your return flight.
Meals: Breakfast