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Yerevan
4 Days / 3 Nights
DAY 1. YEREVAN
Arrival in Yerevan, meeting with local guide and transfer to hotel.
Accommodation.
DAY 2. YEREVAN
Breakfast in hotel.
FD City tour + Matenadaran Museum + Garni Temple + Ararat Brandy Factory + Vernissage / 7 hours.
After breakfast, your tour begins with the Yerevan city tour. You will have an opportunity to see the most important places and buildings including Republic Square, Yerevan State University, Parliament, President Palace, Academy of Sciences and Opera House and of course the Mother Armenia statue (Mayr Hayastan) with a panoramic view of the city. We will make a stop at Matenadaran – research institute, museum, and repository of the world’s most ancient manuscripts collection. It is named after Mesrop Mashtots, the inventor of the Armenian alphabet, whose statue stands in front of the building. “Armenian letter art and its cultural expressions” have been inscribed in the UNESCO Representative List of the Intangible Cultural Heritage of Humanity. Departure to pagan Temple of Garni (1st c. A.D.), which is a vivid example of Hellenistic culture on the territory of Armenia. Here the ruins of a bath (3rd c.) and a palace (2nd c. B.C.) can be seen. Garni is located near a deep canyon of Azat River. One can enjoy a panoramic view over the river gorge. Then, coming back to Yerevan, we will continue the tour by visiting famous Ararat Brandy Factory - the leading enterprise of Armenia for the production of alcoholic beverages. Its main brand name is Ararat. Walk around the ageing cellar and see how the brandy spirits are preserved, know who have private barrels and enjoy the delicate aroma of the cellar. Pass a pleasant and memorable time in the tasting hall enjoying the delicious Armenian brandy. Name of Ararat carried out Biblical Mount Ararat name where Noah’s Arch landed. We will also visit Vernissage - a big open-air market which offers traditional jewelry, souvenirs, handicrafts and many other items.
Overnight in Yerevan.
DAY 3. YEREVAN
Breakfast in hotel.
Free day to explore Yerevan on your own or to take some optional tours.
Overnight in Yerevan.
OPTIONAL: Full-day optional tour to Khor Virap (Biblical Mount Ararat) – Noravank – Wine cellar.
Visit to the Khor Virap Monastery, where Saint Gregory the Illuminator remained for 13 years in a dungeon. It is considered by the Armenian Apostolic Church a sacred place and a place of pilgrimage for the whole world. From here there is a spectacular view of the biblical Mount Ararat. We will continue the day with a visit to the Noravank Monastery. In the 12th-13th centuries, Noravank was a spiritual center of the Siunik principality. The oldest church is that of San Karapet, the atrium is notable for its bas-reliefs: the Father, the Virgin with the Christ child, and different motifs from the Bible. The treasure of the Noravank complex is the Church of the Holy Virgin. Some chapels, crypts and impeccable crosses carved in stone have also been preserved. At the end of the program we will visit a wine cellar to taste the wine made from native grapes. Return to Yerevan. Accommodation.
DAY 4. YEREVAN
Breakfast in hotel.
Transfer to airport (without guide).
Program includes:
Accommodation 3 nights.
Daily breakfasts in the hotel.
Arrival and departure transfers (arrival transfer with guide / departure transfer without guide).
Transportation and English-speaking guide service as mentioned in the program.
Entrance: Matendaran Museum, Garni Temple, Ararat Brandy Factory with degustation.
Prices upon request