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From: €432
Guaranteed departure: March 25 - April 1, 2013 (8 days)
 Easter is the most important Christian festival. The Christians believe that Jesus was the son of God. At Easter time Christians remember the last week of Jesus' life.One belief is that Easter got its name from the Goddess of Spring called Eostre who some people worshipped long before Jesus was born. At that time it was thought that the sun died in winter and was born again in spring when days would lengthen and the sun’s power would return. In Europe, Eostre was honoured as the bringer of spring.
SPEND THE HOLY WEEK IN ARMENIA! The last week of Lent is known as Holy Week. It is when Christians remember the last week of Jesus' life and is the most important time in the Christian year.
Itinerery in brief Day 1 – March 25 Arrival in Yerevan.Transfer to hotel Day 2 – March 26 Yerevan City Tour Day 3 – March 27 Yerevan - Lake Sevan - Dilijan National Park - Dilijan Old Town - Goshavank Monastery - Yerevan Day 4 – March 28 Yerevan - Garni Pagan Temple of the Sun - Geghard Monastery - Yerevan. Day 5 – March 29 Yerevan - Mount Ararat - Khor Virap Monastery - Wine tasting in Areni village - Noravank - Yerevan. Day 6 – March 30 Yerevan - Amberd Castle - Saghmosavank - Yerevan Day 7 – March 31 “EASTER SUNDAY” Yerevan - Echmiadzin Cathedral - Ruins of Zvartnots - Yerevan Day 8 – April 01 Transfer to airport. Departure Rates in EURO per person in DBL room occupancy:
*Other hotels are availabe upon request. Join our group of 20 PAX:
 The rates include:Accommodation ( 3* hotel in Yerevan) Full transportation Multi-lingual professional tourist guide Breakfast at the hotel Entrance fees The rates do not include: Lunches, dinners Flights Travel insurance Visa to Armenia Detailed Itinerary
Day 1. Arrival in Zvartnots International Airport. You are met by your Tour Guide and immediately begin your unique journey in Armenia. Transfer to the
 hotel. Check-in. Rest Time.Day 2.
Yerevan is the pink “pearl” of Armenia, the capital of this ancient country. This beautiful European city is mostly built by different shades of the local pink stone called tuff quarried in Armenia. Founded in 782B.C. Yerevan is reputedly one of the oldest cities in the world to have been continuously inhabited.
We start our exploration with the Republic Square with it magnificent buildings enhanced by singing fountains. Walking down the Abovyan Street, one of the oldest streets in Yerevan which was on the Great Silk Road, Northern Avenue, Opera House. Visiting the colosal Monument of Cascade. A visit to the “Covered” Bazaar known as “Pak Shuka” on Mashtots Avenue. It’s a real museum of food.
Have a fascinating journey through the Armenian glorious history with a visit to the History Museum of Armenia, one of the best museums in the world. The museum represents an integral picture of the history and culture of Armenia from prehistoric times (one million years ago) till our days. Here you can find the world’s oldest leather shoe (5500years old) found only 3years ago!
Get acquainted with the rich spiritual and cultural life of ancient Armenia at Matenadaran, a unique Research Institute and Museum of ancient and medieval illustrated manuscripts. Marvel at the illuminated pages of some of those manuscripts within their glass cases.
Overnight in Yerevan.
Day 3. We tour around the Lake Sevan, a huge mountainous lake which takes up almost 5% of Armenia's surface area. It’s one of the most beautiful alpine lakes in the world situated at 1900m above sea level . On a
 clear and sunny day, the water is often deep turquoise color. The Russian poet Maxim Gorky poetically described the lake, “The Lake Sevan is like a genuine piece of sky dropped down from heaven into the mountains”. Then we continue to Dilijan National Park. Many poets used to say, "If there are woods, mountains, streams and mineral waters in paradise, it must be like Dilijan”. As a climatic balneal health centre of medium-mountain zone, Dilijan is characterized by mild, moderate warm summer, sunny warm winter and dry warm weather during the whole year. Due to its forested mountains and mild climate, Dilijan is named "Armenia's Little Switzerland". Take a stroll in the most beautiful part of the town, Old Dilijan Complex on historic Sharambeyan street. Here we experience the town as it was in the 19th century. We continue our journey through Dilijan National Park, a protected area renowned for its serene lakes, picturesque hill trails and peaceful villages. We visit Goshavank fairy-tale monastery set amidst flower-filled meadows. Here you’ll see the most beautiful Armenian stone-cross from 1291, an exquisite needlework masterpiece. Back to Yerevan. Overnight.Day 4. Leaving the frantic pace of the city we are heading towards Garni Pagan Temple, the only Hellenistic Temple in the Caucasus. The Pagan Temple of Garni is the only pagan temple currently standing in Armenia. Gracing the hillside the pagan temple was dedicated to the God of Sun, Mithra. It was built in 77A.D. Proceed to Geghard Monastery (UNESCO) carved out of a huge monolithic rock. Geghard is an incredible ancient Armenian monastery, partly carved out of a mountain. It is said that the Holy Lance that pierced the body of Christ was kept here. The architectural forms and the decoration of Geghard's rock premises show that Armenian builders could not only create superb works of architecture out of stone, but also hew them in solid rock. Back to Garni village. Visiting a local house in Garni village. Traditional Armenian bread-lavash making in tonir (underground earth-stove). Overnight in Yerevan.
 Day 5. Early morning departure from Yerevan. The first stop of our trip is Khor Virap, the most sacred pilgrimage destination in Armenia not only because it’s the only place in Armenia where you’ll get the best view of the biblical Mount Ararat within Armenian borders, but this is where St. Gregory the Illuminator was imprisoned for 13 years by the King Tiridates III for preaching Christianity. Guided by the remote majesty of biblical mount Ararat, we explore the site, its underground chambers, elegant chapels and are captivated by the ascetic atmosphere of the site. We continue to the south driving through the agricultural heart of Armenia, Ararat Plain offering a fantastic scenery of fruit orchards, endless vineyards at the foothills of Ararat Mountain where the Noah’s ark landed. As soon as the we pass the Ararat Plain we can experience the untamed beauty of Southern Armenia - surreal red rocks providing an eerie echo, honey-coloured villages sandwiched between them. Our next stop is the Monastery of Noravank, an architectural gemstone nestled among brick-red cliffs, just above a deep gorge. It’s only here where you can see a bas-relief with the representation of Father God with almond-shaped eyes. Later we’ll drive back to Areni village, the cradle of viticulture! This is where world’s ancient winery was found (about 6000years old). Winery tour and wine tasting. Overnight in Yerevan.Day 6. After breakfast we are off to the Mount Aragats (4,090m). On the slopes of the mountain over 1000 historical monuments can be found. The first stop of our trip is “the Monastery of the Psalms” (Saghmosavank, 13th c.) perched on the edge of picturesque Kasakh gorge. Walking in the village. Visiting the house of an artist who creates amazing works of art. Acclimatizing gradually as we ascend the beautiful countryside, we reach Amberd Castle (“a Castle in the Clouds”, a fitting name given to it because of its elevation, 2300m) on the southern slope of the Mount Aragats. Breathtaking views of the castle and citadel, snow covered peaks of Aragats, sun scorched grasslands dressed in wildflowers combine to provide an unforgettable experience this morning. On the way we can visit high-mountain camps of friendly Yezidi people who tend their sheep under the towering peaks of Aragats. We will discover the traditional way of life of these people of the mountains, visiting their tents, trying fresh cheese and yogurt. Overnight in Yerevan.
 Day 7. Today we embark on our journey to the lands of ancient treasures of Christian history…Vatican city of Armenia, Holy Echmiadzin with its world’s earliest Christian churches included in the list of UNESCO World Heritage Sites. Visit Echmiadzin Mother Cathedral. It was originally built by Saint Gregory the Illuminator in 301-303A.D., when Armenia became the first officially Christian state in the world. It’s the most luxurious Armenian cathedral covered by stunning frescoes painted in the 18th century. Continue to St. Hripsime and St. Gayane churches built in 7th century. These churches are considered masterpieces of early medieval Armenian architecture. On the way back to Yerevan visit the Ruins of Zvartnots Cathedral. The remnants of Zvartnots, even in ruins, are a majestic sight... In Yerevan we visit Vernisage Arts & Crafts Open Air Market, the biggest in the Caucasus, where you can buy all kinds of artwork, carpets and rugs, jewelry and other typical Armenian souvenirs. Overnight in Yerevan.Day 8. Transfer to airport. Departure.
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