Hiking Tour Program for 7 Days
Day 1
Meeting at the airport. After a brief rest at the hotel, guests will embark on a tour of Yerevan city that includes stops at Republic Square, Victory Park, Mother Armenia, Gafesjian Center for the Arts, The Cascade, a carpet factory, Opera House And Tsitsernakaberd Armenian Genocide Memorial. (Note: Arrival day activities will be adjusted as needed according to the itinerary of the traveler).
Meals: Lunch, Dinner
Hotel Accommodations: in Yerevan
Travel Distance: 70 km (44 miles).
Day 2
Breakfast in the hotel. Visiting the Monasteries(IX c.) on Sevan peninsula.
A trip by car to a village on the western shore of Lake Sevan 12 km from the town of Gavar. In the north-east of the village, on the shore of Lake Sevan, on a rocky promontory stands Hayravank (IX-XII cc.), overlooking the biggest necropolis cross-stone in Noradouz. Visit caravanserai XIII century. Climbing to the castle Smbataberd (1,8 km – 1 hour). A walking tour (8 km – 4 hour). Then drive to Jermuk.
Meals: Lunch, Dinner
Hotel Accommodations: Jermuk
Travel Distance: 180 km (115 miles).
Day 3
Breakfast in the hotel. Explore Jermuk then drive to the ancient stone observatory Zorats Karer (Karahunj, II millennium BC), located in Sisian, which combines Bronze Age monuments and is a prehistoric observatory. Then the trip continues by car to Tatev Monastery (1530m) – the spiritual and cultural center of medieval Armenia, which is famous for its university (XIV- XVcc). (8 km hiking near Tatev) Descending to Khndzoresk village (8 km – 4 hour), the panorama of cave town «Old Khnodzoresk». Dinner and overnight at a hotel in Goris.
Meals: Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner
Hotel Accommodations: Goris
Travel Distance: 170 km (110 miles).
Day 4
Breakfast in the hotel. Visiting Monastery Noravank. One of the masterpieces of medieval Armenian architecture – Noravank the religious center of Syunik province, was built in XIII-XIV centuries by architects Siranes and Momik and is known for its laced stone Hiking in Noravank (8 km – 4 hour). Visit Areni village which is famous for its wine-making. A trip to Ararat Valley. A visit to Khor Virap Monastery («Deep dungeon»). The gorge is known for its tall, sheer, brick-red cliffs, directly across from the monastery. Back to Yerevan.
Meals: Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner
Hotel Accommodations: Yerevan
Travel Distance: 270 km (180 miles).
Day 5
Breakfast in the hotel. Visiting Garni castle (3 BC-13 AD) – the summer residence of Armenian kings, seeing the pagan temple of Sun built by Armenian king Trdat Arshakuni (Arshakid) in 77. Lunch .Walking down to the canyon of Azat river (8 km – 4 hour). Walking along the river and visiting the ancient stony bridge of III c. BC. Seeing the «Symphony of Stones» which is naturally formed by volcanoes. Visit Geghard monastery. Lunch in Garni village Family hosted lunch. Back to Yerevan.
Meals: Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner
Hotel Accommodations: Yerevan
Travel Distance: 80 km (45 miles).
Day 6
Breakfast in the hotel. A trip to one of 12 old capitals of Armenia – Echmiatsin (Vagharshapat) and the First Cathedral of Saint Echmiatsin, church of Saint Hripsime (VIIc). St Echmiatsin is believed to be the first Christian church in the world, founded by Gregory the Illuminator in 303 A.D. It is the Holy Seat and the centre of the Armenian Apostolic Church, with the Residence of the Catholikos of All Armenians. The road leads to the architectural-sculptural memorial complex of the Sardarapat built in honor of the 50th anniversary of the Armenian people’s victory over Turkish invaders in 1918. Armenian Ethnography Museum. Overnight at the hotel in Yerevan.
Meals: Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner
Hotel Accommodations: Yerevan
Travel Distance: 130 km (81 miles).
Day 7
Departure.
