Friends-Tour

Hiking on early Christian paths

Included:

Transportation: comfortable bus with air conditioning from/to Zwartnotz airport

Accommodation: 13x hotel (all rooms with private shower/WC)

Meals: Full board, two bottles (each 0,5 l) of water per day

Transfer: All transfers according to the program, ride on the ropeway

Tour guide: Qualified tour guide, 24 hours availability on site

Visit to a brandy – distillery and brandy – tasting.

Not included:

Flight, insurance, alcoholic beverages, tips.

Planned program

Meals: B = breakfast / L = lunch/lunch package / C= coffee break / D = dinner.

Day 1: Arrival

Arrival to Yerevan. Transfer to the hotel.

Day 2: City tour Yerevan

National Museum, Cascade – a giant stairway made of limestone in Yerevan, Republic Square – with a musical fountain, also known as a dancing fountain, Dinner.

Overnight stay in Yerevan (B/-/D)

Day 3: Drive to Lori Province

Drive to the village of Odzun and Odzun Church (5-7 th century), visit to the Church of Our Lady, a walk from Odzun to Kobayr, Kobayravank Monastery (11 th century) – built by the princesses of the Armenian dynasty of Kiurikians, Dinner.

Hike approx. 4 hours, overnight stay in Haghpat. (B/L/D)

Day 4: The enchanting Lori region

Sanahin Monastry (10 th century) and Haghpat Monastry (10-13 th century) – two dissimilar sisters. Beautiful hike from one UNESCO World Heritage Site to the other.

Hike approx. 3.5 – 4 hours, overnight stay in Haghpat. (B/L/D)

Day 5: Thermal spa Dilijan (approx. 1500 m)

Hike from Parz Lich (lake) to Goshavank Monastery, home to wonderful stone carvings and probably the most beautiful memorial stone with relief cross (Khachkar) in the country.

Hike approx. 3 hours, overnight stay in the hotel at Lake Sevan. (B/L/D)

Day 6: Free day at the lake

Lake Sevan – one of the largest freshwater high-altitude (alpine) lakes in Eurasia.

Overnight stay at the hotel at Lake Sevan. (B/L/D)

Day 7: Along the Silk Road

Noratus cemetery with countless cross stones, 14th century Selim (Orbelian’s, 14th century) Caravanserai – height of 2410 meters above sea level and magnificent panoramic view from Vardenis Ridge – a high mountain pass at an elevation of 3.040 m (9,973ft) above the sea level.

Overnight stay in Goris (B/L/D)

Day 8: Wings of Tatev

The ancient cave village of Khndzoresk, enchanting landscape of Vorotan Gorge, Wings of Tatev – flight with the world’s longest (5752 m) reversible ropeway to the village of Tatev with its famous monastery complex. Hike from the monastery Tatev via the hermitage to the devil’s Bridge.

Hike approx. 2.5 hours, overnight stay in Goris (B/L/D)

Day 9: Goris – Jermuk – Hermon

Today we drive to the climatic health resort of Jermuk at over 2000 m. A beautiful hike in the gorge awaits us. We will also see the reservoir of Ketschut, which is connected to Lake Sevan by an underground water channel and keeps it stable when the water level is low.

Hike approx. 3.5 hours, overnight stay in Hermon (B/L/D)

Day 10: Artabujnkh – Smbataberd – Tsaghats Kar – Eghegis – Hermon

A ride to Tsaghats Kar Monastery (10 th century) by jeep. A hike to the fortress “Castle of Smbat” Smbataberd (5 th century) – built on a narrow mountain top and protected by the Yeghegis and Artabuynk canyons to the east, south and west.

Hike approx. 3.5 – 4 hours, overnight stay in Hermon. (B/L/D)

Day 11: Wine trails

The oldest Wine Cave (6 th century BC), Monastery Noravank, Khor Virap as a pilgrimage site with the best view of Mount Ararat.

Overnight stay in Yerevan (B/L/-)

Day 12: Geghard Rock Monastery and Garni Temple

Paganism and Christianity: An exclusive acapella concert (optional) in the rock monastery of Geghard (4 th century), hike from the village of Goght to the Sun Temple of Garni (1 st century), taste of the tender bread lavash baked on request.

Hike approx. 3 hours, overnight stay in Yerevan (B/L/-)

Day 13: Armenian Vatican – Echmiadzin

Echmiadzin (4 th century) – the first Christian Church in the World (UNESCO World Heritage Site) and the Church of St. Hripsime (built in 618). Ruins of Zwartnotz Cathedral (7 th century) – UNESCO World Heritage Site with the magnificent view of the holy Mount Ararat. Visit to a Brandy Distillery, guided tour and tasting of the famous Armenian brandy, which Winston Churchill once raved about.

Overnight stay in Yerevan (B/-/D)

Day 14: Journey home

Early morning flight back from Yerevan.

Program is subject to change!
Year of travel: 2021


12/03/2021