Armenia Travel and Tourism

  Armenia

Garni,  Gyumri,  Vanadzor,  Yerevan

Description: Itinerary

Day 1
Early morning arrival in Yerevan. Assistance at the airport and transfer to your hotel. Check in and breakfast. Late morning ss tour of Yerevan, the capital of the Republic of Armenia, with its well-designed buildings, squares and streets, open coffee houses and wealthy museums. The tour begins with a drive from the Republic Square ' the heart of the city, a significant site for all major celebrations and the location of many impressive buildings, such as History Museum, National Art Gallery, major ministries and the House of Government. Continue to the Panorama Ground affording a dramatic view of Yerevan with Mount Ararat on the background. Visit to the Matenadaran housing a superb collection of manuscripts from the 5th until 15th centuries. Also visit the Genocide Memorial and the Museum of Erebouni with the remains of over 2780 years old fortress.This evening enjoy Welcome Dinner with Mrs. Nellie Malkhasian ' our GM (B,D)

Day 2 (if week-end)
Morning walking tour of Abovian Street ' one of the oldest blocks downtown Yerevan, visit 13th c. Katoghike Church. Continue to visit 'Art Vernisage' - the open-air weekend fair, exhibiting modern paintings. It is located in one of the city parks, once a favorite meeting point of all well-known artists and a beloved place of the world famous painter Martiros Saryan. Presently, the monument of the painter stands in the middle of the park. It is here that one can meet with the contemporary painters of Armenia, talk to them, and buy paintings if so wished. This evening enjoy your dinner in one of the best local restaurants, located nearby the famous Cafesjian Museum Foundation, which possesses Fernando Botero's "Cat". (B,D)

Day 3 (if week-end)
After breakfast we will visit Handicrafts' Vernisage. It is here that one can find wood carvings, silver and stone jewelry, metal works, ceramics and pottery, carpets and other works of decorative and fine arts, which represent various traditional crafts as well as paintings. The majority of people selling at the 'Vernisage' are the artists, who create the works with their own hands, often right on the spot. Continue to visit the Cathedral of St. Gregory the Illuminator where we can also be present at the Sunday service if so wished. Enjoy some free time wondering leisurely around the city center. Dinner at the Restaurant Belajio. (B, D)

Day 4
Check out for 2 nights/3 days journey around Armenia. First we will travel to the South of Armenia and visit Khor-Virap monastery - once a royal prison for early Christian preachers in pagan Armenia and the site from where the light of Christianity spread all over Armenia. A majestic view of Mount Ararat opens from here. Thereafter continue to visit the Noravank Monastery (10-14th cc.) - a small splendid monastic complex hidden in the pictorial reddish mountains - like a wild flower, or a white dressed bride in the heart of the rocks. The monastery was once the site of the royal princes and a school of famous stonemasons. We recommend an open air BBQ in a nearby grotto in the picturesque canyon of Arpa River as well as a walking tour in the vicinity. Late noon visit to the "Ginetoon" winery and an opportunity to taste the local wines and buy some if so wished. Take off and drive via the famous Selima Pass ' the road that played an important role on the Silk Route - the busiest trade route of the past! It existed since the 2 nd c. BC and for centuries was an important trade link between East and West, thus becoming a great incentive for the development of Armenia's culture and economy and an impulse to appearance of new towns and development of the existing ones. Stop by the medieval Caravan Serai for a brief visit and photography. Continue in the direction of Lake Sevan - the pearl of Armenia's mountains. Time permitting visit to Noradouz ' medieval cemetery of 'Khachkars' ' unique masterpieces of Armenian stonemasonry. Arrive at your Hotel in Sevan, check in and brief rest. Dinner and o/n here. (B,L,D)

Day 5
The next morning we will check out and leave to visit the 9th c. Sevan Monastery, located on the lake peninsula (once an island). Continue touring in the direction of the spa town of Dilijan: a small picturesque town, hidden into the forests, which has preserved its vivid style of architecture, that differs with its wooden elements from what we see in the rest of Armenia. We offer you to explore the "Museum Quarter" of the town preserved from the 19th c. Thereafter we will have family hosted lunch in Dilijan and continue to visit Haghartsin ' one of the brilliant samples of Medieval Armenian ecumenical architecture. Time to leisurely explore the site and enjoy walking in the Natural Reserve. Take off and head in the direction of Vanadzor. Check in at the hotel here and brief rest. Walking tour of Vanadzor - time permitting. Dinner and overnight. B,L,D)

Day 6
After breakfast at the hotel in Vanadzor we check out and head to Alaverdi, where we will visit two absolutely magnificent monasteries - Sanahin and Haghpat, both listed as World Heritage Sites and protected by UNESCO. After a break for lunch at one of the local restaurants nearby Vanadzor, continue to Yerevan. Arrive and check back at our hotel. Dinner and overnight at our hotel in Yerevan. (B,L,D)

Day 7
Visit the National Art Gallery, which houses a rich collection of paintings and sculptures of Armenian, Russian and European artists. Afterwards, continue exploring Yerevan and visit the Persian Blue Mosque (17th century), the central vegetable and fruits market where one can also find Armenian shoojooks, alanis, and other types of traditional candy bars. Lunch at one of the local restaurants in Yerevan. Leisure time to visit the museum (s) of choice. Dinner on own. (B,L)

Day 8
After breakfast take off for full day trip to Aragatsotn Region. First we will visit Ashtarak ' the town of hundred and one church, and explore the Medieval Monasteries of Saghmosavank and Ohanavank as well as admire the breathtaking beauty of the picturesque canyon of the River Kasakh. Break for lunch at "Ashtaraki Dzor" Restaurant located in the River Kasakh gorge. Continue to visit the Fortress of Hamberd - the fascinating castle of Armenian Princes of the 7th -13th c. Half of the tour will be covered by bus, and then we offer a comfortable walk (20-30 min) in the gorge of Hamberd River, where we will have an opportunity to explore the exceptional geological monument "Basaltic Sun" and a few other natural landmarks. Late evening return to Yerevan. This evening enjoy cocktail party hosted by Sergey Paradjanov Museum and proceed for dinner at one of the nearby restaurants. Return to hotel for o/n. (B,L,D)

Day 9
Today we will explore the city of Echmiatsin ' one of the ancient capitals of Armenia and presently the Holy See of the Catholicos of all Armenians. The town is known throughout the world for its architectural monuments - the Church of St. Hripsime (618 AD), the Zvartnots Cathedral (640-660 AD) and the Holy Echmiatsin or Mother Cathedral built in 301-303 AD. The tour also includes visit to the museum inside the Mother Cathedral. Thereafter, drive back to Yerevan and have lunch en route. Continue to visit the House Museum of Yervand Kochar-one of the greatest sculptors and a well known artist of the 20th century. Dinner at one of the restaurants in the city center. (B,L,D)

Day 10
Today we explore the Fortress of Garni and the Gueghard Monastery, North-East from Yerevan. Garni village is one of the ancient centers of Armenian civilization and was once the summer residence for the Armenian Royalty. Here we visit the mighty fortress of Garni of the 2nd - 1st cc BC, the splendid Hellenistic Pagan Temple, built in the 1st c. AD, as well as the bath-house with a rare 3rd c. mosaic floor. Thereafter, we continue to visit the astonishingly nice Monastery of Gueghard (or Holy Spear), built in the 13th cc into the side of a solid rock formation. The site has an ascetic atmosphere and is rich in tradition, history, architecture and is surrounded with extraordinarily striking landscape. In the afternoon we will enjoy the hospitality of a farm house owner and have lunch with them. Return to Yerevan and visit the House Museum of Martiros Saryan. Farewell dinner at one of the restaurants in the city center (accompanied with life folk music performance). (B, L, D)

Day 11
Transfer to the airport for final departure.

Highlights:
* Echmiadzin (or Echmiatsin)- the first official Christian Church - UNESCO World Heritage Sight
* Garni - Pagan Temple dating back to the Hellenistic period in Armenia
* Gueghard cave monastery - UNESCO World Heritage Sight
* Selim Caravanserai
* Matenadaran - UNESCO World Heritage Sight
* Haghpat Monastery - UNESCO World Heritage Sight

At "Princess Maneh", in order to put your tour together, we use the best "ingredients":

The Transport: "Princess Maneh" use the best coaches available in the country. Our drivers not only know the country and its mountainous landscape perfectly well but are trustworthy and highly professional as well.

The Hotels & Restaurants: "Princess Maneh" maintains excellent relations with all the major hotels in Armenia, in all categories. As for the restaurants, we have carefully selected the best restaurants in each town assuring you of quality and variety.

The Guide: We know that a guide can make or break a tour, this important link between the tourist and the country has to be efficient. Our guides are all chosen for their culture, knowledge of the country and experience. They speak your language fluently (Russian, English, French, German, Italian and Portuguese).

If you do not have a clear idea about your project in Armenia, let "Princess Maneh" guide you. We offer a wide range of tour itineraries to the most outstanding sites in Armenia, which can be adapted to meet your requirements. If you plan to travel with friends, in small groups or with families our experienced staff are able to design and arrange a tailored itinerary in order to suite each and every individual requirement. Alternatively, you may wish to choose one of our custom tours listed bellow: Classical Armenia, Artistic and Cultural Highlights, Christian Pilgrimage Tours, Adventure and Exploration, History & Archaeology, and other special interest itineraries.

Princess Maneh 's resources will always be made available for the provision of local speakers, as well as visits to universities, farm houses, jewelry and carpet making factories, meetings with people of art, and many more.

See Armenia With the People Who Know it Best

Our Itineraries

Whether for FIT or those who travel with family, friends or in groups, "Princess Maneh" will recommend an itinerary that will make the visit an unforgettable and a rewarding experience.

Some of our itineraries are limited in tour size to 10 people therefore we are able to provide you with personalised service and guide you to fantastic destinations where larger groups cannot go.

The duration of a typical comprehensive and comfortable tour of Armenia is 8 - 12 days, while an itinerary that would include Georgia or Karabagh would be one of 12 - 14 days. In cases all of our itineraries cover the most important sites in countries of visit. They follow a comfortable pace, and allow time for meditation, study, and spiritual enrichment.

Please feel free to contact us for tour information and quotation or specify your group size, desired tour duration and any special feature that you wish to include and it will be our pleasure to tailor- make a special itinerary to satisfy your scope of interests.

Cost in US$: From $ 1,299.00 US ppdo for groups of 5 - 6 pax

This Program is open to American, Australian, Canadian and European Participants.

Participants Travel to Armenia Independently Or in Groups

Typically Participants Work Independently Or in Groups of 6 pax min. Max size is 20 pax

Application Process Involves:

• Other

Princess Maneh Tours of Armenia's Mission Statement: "Princess Maneh" Consultancy and Tourist Services is a full service incoming tour operator offering complete packages to the most attractive sights and architectural monuments of Armenia. Thanks to the professionalism of its staff who have more than 30 years experience in tourism business "Princess Maneh" has succeeded in imposing itself on the Armenian tourist market and is currently one of the leading tour operators. How? There is no "magic recipe", just a solid team of motivated professionals who are dedicating themselves completely to their work. See Armenia With the people who know it best!

Year Founded: 1998