Tour program Dates Destination Duration/ Hours December 26, Arrival at 12:35 (flight ME 275), transfer from the airport to the hotel 0.5 Saturday December 27, Observing tour in Yerevan 2-3 Sunday Visiting Yerevan brandy factory "Ararat" 1 December 28, Garni temple, Geghard monastery 4-5 Monday December 29, Echmiadzin (St. Hripsime and St. Gayane churches, Mother Cathedral), 4-5 Tuesday Zvartnots temple December 30, Ashtarak city, Oshakan village 4-5 Wednesday December 31, Tsaghkadzor (Kecharis monastery, ropeway*), lake Sevan (Sevanavank 6-7 Thursday monastery) January 1, Free day - Friday January 2, Transfer to the airport, departure at 13:35 (flight ME 276) 0.5 Saturday Without guide With guide The total price of the program 110 USD per 160 USD Per Person person The prices include: √ transportation service (comfortable air-conditioned car corresponding to the number of pax); √ 2 way airport transfer; √ driver service; √ professional guide service, in case you choose this option; √ soft drinks; √ entrance fees to the historical and cultural attractions; √ insurance of the vehicle and passengers. The prices do not include: √ stay and meals of the guests; √ Tsaghkadzor rope - way ticket during the tour to Tsaghkadzor (two way cost – 5USD per person). Itinerary St. Grigor Lusavorich Church St. Gregory the Illuminator Cathedral in Yerevan was solem- nly consecrated in 2001. It was built on the occasion of 1700th anniversary of Christianity in Armenia and symbolically seats 1700 people. The church is in a large park next to one of the central streets of Yerevan. Vardan Mamikonyan monument Vardan Mamikonian, also known as Saint Vardan, was an Armenian military leader, a martyr and a saint of the Armenian Church. Vardan Mamikonian, a member of the Mamikonian family, is revered as one of the greatest military and spiritual leaders of Christian Armenia in the 5th century. Major Armenian churches are named after Saint Vardan . A major equestrian statue representing him is located in the Armenian capital Yerevan. Lovers’ Park Located on the nicely-paved and tree-lined Baghramyan Avenue, Lover’s Park is a year-round open getaway. Japanese traditional landscaping has been a major source of inspiration for the park’s design project. One of the highlights of the park is the stone compositions and sculptures, which feature decorative lighting at night. There are benches in the park, honoring the 60th anniversary of the UK Queen Elizabeth II’s reign. Also, you can find a very unique bench of conciliation in the park. Circle Gardens This is one of the most favorite parks of the youth, visited by a large number of students, which is due to the park’s location close to some of Yerevan’s most popular universities, including the famous State University of Yerevan. It's the longest park of Yerevan, stretching along the territory called "Small Center" The park teems with nice cafes, gorgeous, kid-friendly attractions and rides. Of great interest is the park’s majestic fountain and the artificial lake. Sasuntsi Davit monument In the centre of the square, surrounded by the Railway Workers’ Cultural Centre, a cinema and residential blocks, stands the statue of Davit Sasuntsi, a mythological hero of the Armenian folk epic poem. The sculptor was Yervand Kochar. From generation to generation, from century to century, people have handed down tales of Davit's deeds, his gigantic strength. The episode of the crucial battle when Davit, unwilling to shed the blood of the enemy soldiers, challenged their leader Msyrmelik, ruler of the Arab caliphate of Msyr, to a duel and defeated him, is particularly enthralling. Yerevan Brandy Company ARARAT brandies produced by Yerevan Brandy Company embody the Legend itself, the spirit of Armenia, its cultural and historical heritage and the craftsmanship of the Armenian people. ARARAT is the most famous and successful brand of Armenian brandy in the world. We are pleased to invite you to get acquainted with the history of brandy making in Armenia, follow its production phases and enjoy the delicious taste and flavor of different kinds of ARARAT brandies just from the first hand. 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 palace 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 Armenian architecture. 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 Jesus Christ's side, was kept in this monastery for many centuries. Due to its construction Geghar- davank serves the best place for singing spiritual songs. The complex is rich in subtle sculptural embellishments and many striking khachkars (cross-stones). St. Hripsime St. Hripsime church is the one of the famous ecclesiastical buildings in the city of Echmiadzin. This is the developed and perfect example of cross-cupola churches in Armenia. The church is notable with its architectural simplicity and loftiness. The tomb of the Christian martyr Virgin Hripsime is in the sacristy of the church. St. Gayane Not far from the Echmiadzin Cathedral against the back- ground of white peaks of Ararat one can see the silhouette of the cupola of St. Gayane church. The church was built in the 7th century and belongs to the domed-basilica style. Accor- ding to the legend this church was constructed over the tomb of Virgin Gayane, who was martyred for preaching Christia- nity. Cathedral of Echmiadzin The center of Armenian Apostolic church- St. Echmiadzin is located 20 km far from Yerevan. The Cathedral of Echmia- dzin was founded at the beginning of the forth century and is one of the oldest churches in the world. According to the le- gend the church was built in the place where apparition of Jesus Christ was seen to Grigory the Illuminator in the dream. The interior of the church is covered with frescoes created by Hovnatanyan family. The residence of the Catholicos and the Theological Academy are situated near the Cathedral. Zvartnots This marvelous temple is a result of skillfulness and brave creativity of Armenian architects of the 7th century. Having been built on several columns it could survive only till the 10th century. When in the beginning of the 20th century this site was being excavated many specialists could hardly accept its reconstruction model designed by famous Armenian archi- tect Toros Toramanyan as it was difficult to believe that such a huge and complicated construction could have been built those days. Oshakan, Tomb of St. Mesrop Mashtots Oshakan village has been a holy place since the 5th century, when in 440 due to the duke Vahan Amatuni's efforts the creator of Armenian alphabet Mesrop Mashtots was buried there and a small church was built over his tomb. In the 19th century a bigger church bearing the name of St. Mesrop Mashtots was constructed in the place of the old one. Every year many first class schoolchildren learn the first letter of the alphabet in this church after an oath at the tomb of St. Mashtots. 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 Kotayk region, 50 kilometers North from Yerevan, on the eastern slope of Teghenis Mountain and is surrounded with virginal woods and alpine meadows. Kecharis Kecharis monastery is in the north-western part of Tsakhka- dzor. It was built in 11-13th centuries. The monastery consists of four churches and a half-destroyed mausoleum of Grigorius Pahlavuni, 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 fresh-water lakes. It is about 1900 m above sea level. The lake is of volcanic origin and is surrounded with mountains of 3000 m and higer. 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. 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 prin- cess Mariam. The silhouette of the churches against the bac- kground of the turquoise lake and blue sky casts unexplainable impression on the visitors. .