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Home , Amberd, Aragatsotn Province, Dashtadem Fortress, Kamsarakan, Kecharis Monastery, Marmashen

Armenia is a small country that connects Europe to Asia. It was one of the major powers, the third largest state in the Near East, after the and Parthia over 2000 years ago. Now is the modern country with nice and talented people, ancient history, thousands of historical monuments, rich culture, traditional hospitality, delicious and healthy food, beautiful nature and safe environement.

2/102 H.Hakobyan str., , Tel. +374 10 27 64 91, +374 98 49 80 01, [email protected]

Tour Program,

Duration/ Day Time Itinerary Hours Wednesday - - Arrival, transfer from the airport to the hotel 0.5

"Hin Areni" wine factory (tour and tasting), - Ropeway, Thursday 09:00 Khndzoresk 13-14

Dilijan (old town), national dishes master class and active leisure in Yenokavan Friday 09:00 village (zipline, rope park, paragliding, horseback riding, rock climbing 11-12 etc.)* Saturday 10:00 , , lavash baking 4-5

Tsaghkadzor (Kecharis, Ropeway - one station), Lake Sevan Sunday 10:00 (, boat trip) 7-8

Alphabet Alley, Aragats (Lake Kari), , traditional holiday cooking in Monday 09:00 7-8 Armenian village garden , (old town, black fortress, popular fish farm-restaurant), Tuesday 10:00 9-10 Marmashen

Wednesday - - Transfer from the hotel to the airport, departure 0.5

Single The per person price in case of accommodation at: occupancy 3* hotel 635 €

4* hotel 757 €

5* hotel 1156 €

* Optional: activities are paid on spot according to the price list.

The price of the program includes: ● Hotel accommodation in Yerevan (7 nights); ● 7 breakfasts at the hotel; ● Full transportation service (comfortable air-conditioned minibus or bus); ● Professional guide service, speaking Armenian, Russian, English; ● Soft drinks and cakes during trips; ● Entrance fees to the historical and cultural attractions; ● Insurance of the vehicle and passengers.

Additional information: ● The unused portions of the itinerary are not refundable. ● Instead of hotels the participants of the program can choose to be placed in high-quality apartments in the center of Yerevan. In this case the price of the program decreases and is subject to additional discussion. ● In case of additional services, besides theones listed in the program, the price is subject to additional discussion.

*Amsterdam-Yerevan-Amsterdam ticket price about 300 euro.

*The tour program can be changed on Your request. ●

2/102 H.Hakobyan str., Yerevan, Tel. +374 10 27 64 91, +374 98 49 80 01, [email protected]

Areni village The village of Areni is in Vayots Dzor region. This sunny village is famous for its best wine assortments. Due to its specific flavor and delicate taste "Areni" wine has its respectful place among the best Armenian wines. The visit to the wine factory of the village will serve a good testimony to the above mentioned. The St. Astvatsatsin church built by skillful architect and sculpture Momik is in Areni village, too.

Tatev monastery Among the architectural pillars of Zangezour the monastery of Tatev doesn't have its rivals. This used to be wealthiest medieval monastery in Armenia. Besides being a religious center Tatev was also the important strategical center of Syunik king-dom. Being situated on a naturally defended place has always been an impregnable fortress for alien. In non-stable political conditions the several secret ways in the territory of the fortress led the way to the canyon and served as a link between the monastery and external world.

Tatev Ropeway Church bells were ringing loud in Tatev on October 16 of 2010, heralding the launch of a program to revive a medieval monastic complex and the opening of an aerial tramway called Wings of Tatev. The 5.7-kilometer ropeway was built within 11 months, passes through a deep gorge of the River Vorotan and over hills covered with lush forests. The tramway is supported by three towers between its two terminals. One terminal is on a hill overlooking the village of Halidzor and the other is near Tatev Monastery, on the road to Tatev village. Two cabins operate at once, traveling in opposite directions.

Khndzoresk Khndzoresk is located at a distance of 8 km from . The village is famous for its natural stone carpets. Old Khndzoresk is situated on the two slopes of the mountainous valley. There were no flat areas on those slopes for building settlements and for this reason people used caves. During the national liberation movement of Syunik (1722 - 1730) due to its inaccessible geographical position Khndzoresk served as a stronghold for Syunik. 2/102 H.Hakobyan str., Yerevan, Tel. +374 10 27 64 91, +374 98 49 80 01, [email protected]

Dilijan

Dilijan entices people with its unforgettable beauty and mild climate. The city stretches on the banks of Aghstev river, surrounded with mountains and forests. Dilijan has the fame of a health resort. The warm sun, fresh air and natural spas have great healing influence on people. Dilijan is also rich in interesting architectural monuments.

Yenokavan

Surrounded by the picturesque forests of , functioning in the area of Yenokavan (Lastiver) village, which is famous for its spectacular views of mountains and gorges, “Yell extreme park” stands for a unique place of active rest. As numerous chances of spending nice time with family or friends one should pay a special attention to the cable park, the giant swing, paintball, mountain cycling, archery, rock climbing, paragliding, park of barriers, campaigns with jeeps, etc. “Yell extreme park” is irreplaceable also, for those, who love horse riding. More than 40 horses will accompany you through the foliage forests of . One of the most favorite things for the visitors of the entertainment complex is flight with zipline: the runway of the zipline is consisted of 5 runways.

Garni Garni temple which towers over a triangular cape, is the unique survived example of heathen culture in Armenia. It is a blend of Greco- Roman and Armenian styles. King Trdat the First ordered building the temple in the first century A.D. and dedicated it to the God of Sun. After adopting Christianity in 301 the pagan temple lost its significance and the fortress of Garni became the summer residence of the kings. Nowadays the ruins of the royal and the bathroom with a stunning mosaic work can be found near the temple.

Geghard Geghard monastery is the unsurpassable masterpiece of the 13th century . Some of the churches of the complex are masterfully hewn in a huge rock. From the outset the complex was called Ayrivank (cave monastery), later it was renamed Geghard (lance), as the lance used by the roman soldier to sting Christ's side, was kept in this monastery for many centuries. Due to its construction Geghardavank serves the best place for singing spiritual songs. The complex is rich in subtle sculptural embellishments and many striking (cross-stones). 2/102 H.Hakobyan str., Yerevan, Tel. +374 10 27 64 91, +374 98 49 80 01, [email protected]

Lavash baking

You will have a good opportunity to participate in lavash baking procedure (traditional Armenian bread) as well as in the process of making cheese, after which you can taste them together with a home- made local wine.

Tsaghkadzor Tsaghkadzor city ("Valley of flowers") is considered to be one of the most popular winter resorts of Armenia. It is one of the places of our mountainous country, where the beauty of the nature appears with its whole variety. Tsaghkadzor is situated in region, 50 kilometers North from Yerevan, on the eastern slope of Teghenis Mountain and is surrounded with virginal woods and alpine meadows.

Kecharis is in the north-western part of Tsakhkadzor. It was built in 11-13th centuries. The monastery consists of four churches and a half-destroyed mausoleum of Grigorius , who financed building the monastery.

Lake Sevan The fascination and the pearl of mountainous Armenia is Sevan Lake, which is one of the world's greatest high altitude freshwater lakes. It is about 1900 m above sea level. The lake is of volcanic origin and is surrounded with mountains of 3000 m and higher. The beautiful landscape and the crystal water serve nice preconditions for excellent rest.The lake is also famous for its peninsula and medieval church complex built in 874.

2/102 H.Hakobyan str., Yerevan, Tel. +374 10 27 64 91, +374 98 49 80 01, [email protected]

Sevanavank A marvelous scene opens in the north-western part of Sevan Lake, where the peninsula towers over the transparent surface of the lake. Sevanavank monastery was built on the peninsula in 874 by the order of king Ashot Bagratuni's daughter princess Mariam. The silhouette of the churches against the background of the turquoise lake and blue sky casts unexplainable impression on the visitors.

"Armenian alphabet monument"

"Armenian alphabet monument" is located in the village of , at the east side bottom of Mt. Aragats. It was erected in 2005 to the 1600 anniversary of creation of the Armenian alphabet by the design of the famous Armenian architect Jim Torosyan. The monument is an interesting demonstration of the stone carvings of 39 Armenian letters. The Armenian alphabet has been used to write the since the year 405 or 406 and is still used to present Armenian language in written form. It was devised by Saint Mesrop Mashtots, an Armenian linguist and ecclesiastical leader.

Aragats The highest peak of the Republic of Armenia is the (4095 m). This four-peaked giant is the most favourite mountain of climbers. On the way to the southern peak the best stop is at Kari Lich (Stone Lake), which is at the height of 3250m. On the top one opens the most attractive scene: the silhouette of green valleys from one side, the eternal snow and silver lakes from other sides and the Biblical Mount Ararat far in the fog of Ararat Valley.

Amberd

The principal architectural features of medieval fortress-building have found their reflection in this fortress. Having been built on a naturally well-defended cape, Amberd has for long time served as an important military fort. Next to this secular edifice there is a church built in 1026 by the duke Vahram Pahlavuni. 2/102 H.Hakobyan str., Yerevan, Tel. +374 10 27 64 91, +374 98 49 80 01, [email protected]

Gyumri

Gyumri is located in the north-western part of Armenia, in the middle of Shirak valley, 126 km far from Yerevan. From the ethical point of view it is the most colorful city in Armenia. The local traditions are deeply rooted here, national spirit is reflected in everything. Walking along the streets of old Gyumri one still seems to hear the voice of the smiths' hammers, it seems that a cart will appear from the street corner and the carter will call to show around the city. The old houses, a part of which fortunately resisted the devastating earthquake in 1988, speak of the high architectural achievements of the city.

Marmashen On the picturesque bank of river there is the magnificent monastery Marmashen built by Duke Vahram Pahlavuni. It is a huge complex, the construction of which started in 986 and finished in 1029. The main church is a domed hall. The facades of the church are elaborated with triangular niches, which endow the edifice with special liveliness. The survived eastern and northern walls of the second church, which is adjacent to the main church, prove that both with its composition and architectural details it is the smaller dupli-cation of the main church.

Dashtadem Dashtadem fortress is located in a homonymous village near Talin town. It appears to be one of those medieval fortresses of province, that were built for protecting from attacks. The base of the fortress was founded during Urartian period. The citadel was built by princes, who carried out large-scale construction works in the province. After the fall of Bagratouni Kingdom of Armenia most of the territory went under the control of Seljuq sultans. At the end of the 12th century the governor of capital - Sultal ibn Mahmoud, built pyramids with a semi-circular and polygonal plan there, and he left an Arabic script about it.