Inspiring Armenia - 5

Day 1.

Arrival in Yerevan - Transfer to the hotel

2nd half of the day

Free time

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Day 2. (from 10:00 ~ to 17:00)

1st half of the day

Yerevan Brandy Factory* - Yerevan City Tour

Plunge into the holiest of holies of the Armenian brandy industry, try several types of truly noble drink, be initiated into the craft's secrets, meet with angels in the heart of Yerevan, and learn a lot of interesting things – about the secret connection between Stalin and Churchill, how kosher cognac is made, the rebirth of the Erivan fortress, nominal barrels, toasts, and much more – you will never be able to if you miss an excursion.  Do you enjoy French cuisine with chocolate? In Russian, with a squeeze of lemon? Or, as the Armenians would say, with cold delicious peaches? But keep in mind what Maxim Gorky said: "It's probably a lot simpler to climb Mount Ararat than it is to ascend from the Ararat plant's cellars."

The tour starts at Armenia's capital, which has recently celebrated its 2800th anniversary. The journey will begin in Republic Square, the city's geographic core. After that, we'll go to the station plaza, where one of Yerevan's emblems, the monument to David Sasunsky, is located. He was the hero of the medieval Armenian epic. After that, we'll go up to Victory Park, which gives a stunning panoramic view of the city and biblical Ararat, passing via the Ring Boulevard. 

2nd half of the day | Lunch

Mother Cathedral of Holy Echmiadzin - St. Hripsime - St. Gayane Churches - Yerevan

In the very heart of Vagharshapat – one of the most significant cultural and religious centers of Armenia, like the Vatican in the center of Rome – the Holy Mother See of Etchmiadzin is located. It is not only the spiritual capital of the Armenians but also the first Christian church in the world! As you know, in 301 Armenia was the first in the world to proclaim Christianity as the state religion, and in the same year, the foundation stone of the future temple was laid during the reign of King Trdat III.

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Day 3. (from 10:00 ~ to 18:00)

1st half of the day

Yerevan - Garni Fortress - Symphony of Stones - Geghard Monastery

We suggest going across time and space, from paganism to Christianity, from the pagan temple of the Sun God in the first century to the "cave monastery" Geghardavank, which name derives from Longinus' spear. The Roman centurion pierced the corpse of Jesus Christ on the Cross with this spear, and the Apostle Thaddeus transported its point to Armenia, along with many other relics. This shrine was once kept in the Geghard monastery complex (which means "spear" in Armenian), but currently, it is kept at the Etchmiadzin museum.

2nd half of the day | Lunch

Lake Sevan - Sevanavanq - Yerevan

The pearl of Armenia - Lake Sevan! Coming to Armenia and not visiting Sevan, not admiring its enchanting beauty, not visiting the churches on the top of the Sevan peninsula, not swimming (or, if it's not the season, at least washing with lake water), not tasting Sevan fish cooked over coals and crayfish kebab made from crayfish necks is at least criminal. It is worth noting that this is the largest lake in the Caucasus, as well as one of the largest high-altitude fresh lakes on Earth, second only to Lake Titicaca in terms of freshwater resources.

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Day 4. (from 10:00 ~ to 19:00)

1st half of the day

Yerevan - Khor Virap Monastery

It is no coincidence that the monastery of Khor Virap ("Deep Dungeon") is considered the most sacred place in Armenia – after all, it was in the prison here that Gregory the Illuminator, who later baptized our country, languished for 14 years. It was here that by the power of faith, by the power of his prayer, he was able to resist death, and then gave Armenia a "new life" - this is how the adoption of Christianity as the state religion will be called after 301. Separately, it's worth noting that a beautiful view opens from Khor Virap: this is the closest point from the symbol of Armenia, the biblical Mount Ararat - only 7 km!.

2nd half of the day | Lunch

Areni Winery - Noravank Monastery - Yerevan

Red rocks, the picturesque Amagu gorge, and the unique Noravank monastery complex on the top of the mountain, stunning, right? The bas-relief of one of the churches depicts God the Father himself! With His right hand, He blesses the Crucifixion, and with His left He holds Adam's head with a dove hovering over it, symbolizing the Holy Spirit. Panoramic photos taken from a bird's-eye view will remind you of this exciting journey for a long time.

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Day 5.

1st half of the day

Free time

We recommend visiting Vernissage and Central Market. (The vernissage is open every day, but only a small part. The main most part works on Saturday-Sunday).

2nd half of the day