ARMENIA
TRIP HIGHLIGHTS
Explore this stellar destination that entraps every inch of you through its never-ending list of
charismatic tourist attractions in Armenia Like : Garni – Geghard , Stone lake – Amberd , Tsaghkadzor – Sevan – Dilijan , Haghpat – Sanahin – Sadakhlo , Tbilisi & lots more fun. ew nations have histories as ancient, complex and laced with tragedy as Armenia. And even fewer have a culture that is as rich and resilient. This is a destination where you will be intrigued by history, awed by monuments, amazed by the landscape and charmed by down-to-earth locals. It’s not an easy place to explore – roads are rough, transport is often hard to navigate and those who don’t speak Armenian or Russian may find communication difficult – but travelling here is as rewarding as it is revelatory.
LOCATION
TRIP OVERVIEW
Day 1 : Arrival to Armenia and City tour
Arrival. Meet the local guide at the airport. Transfer to hotel. Check-in. After some refreshments we will start our tour in Yerevan. We will have a familiarization tour of the capital. The first stop would be in the Victory Park, at Mother Armenia monument, from where you will behold a panoramic view of the city. After which we will visit the “Museum under the open air” monument of Cascade to see many nice statues from different artists all over the world. Our trip will be concluded in the Verisage open air flee market, where people will be able to buy many Armenian souvenirs.
Overnight in the city Yerevan.
Day 2 : Garni – Geghard
In the morningwe will drive east of Yerevan and visit a unique medieval monastery of Geghard which was included in the list of UNESCO world heritage sites. Some chambers of the monastery were carved out of solid rock and possess exceptional acoustics. Here we will listen to the choir performance inside the chamber. We will then continue towards Garni village where we will visit a pagan temple from 1st century AD – the only one remaining from pre-Christian period in Armenia. The temple is located on a triangular cape overlooking the deep canyon of Garni. If the weather permits, we will take the jeeps the canyon of Garni to see amazing volcanic rock formations called "Symphony of Stones". (Optional) Armenian lunch at the private house in Garni.
Return back to Yerevan free time for shopping.
Overnight in the city Yerevan.
Day 3 : KhorVirap and Noravank
The road leads through the plains of Ararat. Lying in the shadow of biblical Mt. Ararat, where Noah's Ark landed, this piece of the land in Armenia has always been vital for the agriculture of the country. According to tradition, this was the place where Noah first planted a vine after he descended from the Ark. Driving past the farms all of a sudden an attractive picture of KhorVirab Monastery appears, resting on a lonely hill. Weather permitting, we will have an exceptional view of Mt. Ararat from here!
Driving via the picturesque gorge we will reach Noravank Monastery, which is
situated on the hill of the twisted gorge, among the freakish plumb rosy cliffs.
Noravank Monastery, really the place of breathtaking natural beauty, provides great opportunities for taking pictures. This site is special with its exceptional intricate carvings of exterior with swastikas. Indian style lunch in Armenian restaurant near the Noravank monastery. Driveback to Yerevan. Free time for shopping Overnight in the city Yerevan.
Day 4 : Stone lake – Amberd
This day will be dedicated to the exploration of the area of Mt. Aragats (4090), the highest mountain in Armenia. This mountain is an extinct volcano and is sometimes referred to as “sea of stones”. It is also the biggest mining place of tuff stone, a volcanic stone of various colors. Tuff is a major building material in the areas around the mountain and Yerevan. We will stop near Lake Kari (3200 m). Near this lake we will see a unique monument of pre-historic time, called “Vishapaqar” (dragon stone).
These are big ancient stones, which were put near sources of water, as part of the
worship of the water.Here at the altitude of 2300m, on a high cliff surrounded with deep gorges of rivers lies medieval Amberd fortress. Take a pleasant walk around the fortress admiring a great view to the Kasakh gorge. Late lunch in Indian restaurant at the city Yerevan.
Transfer back to Yerevan.
Day 5 : Tsaghkadzor – Sevan – Dilijan
Morning transfer to the resort town Tsaghkadzor. In the resort we fly with the ski lift to the slopes of the mountain Teghenis to have a nice walk inside the forest. Continue to "blue eye of Armenia" – lake Sevan. This fresh water lake of volcanic origin is situated at an altitude about 6.500 feet. Its crystal – clear transparent water changes color several times during the day. It is turquoise in direct sunlight, then turns a greenish shade, and finally becomes gray by the evening. Sevan has always been famous for its fish, especially trout, a part of the tribute Armenia paid to its conquerors. Indian style lunch in the restaurant at the lake.
Next stop is at"Switzerland of Armenia" resort town Dilijan. Here we will visit a museum-street of the town of Dilijan, which still preserves 19-century houses. After which we will visit towood-carver who still makes Armenian crossstones – an ancient tradition still surviving to our days.
We will visit the treasure of the forests, the ancient 10th century Monastery complex Haghartsin. Legend tells that stones inside this monastery complex are speaking with those people who would believe in this.
Overnight in Dilijan city.
Day 6 : Haghpat – Sanahin – Sadakhlo
Today will be devoted to the visits to Haghpat and Sanahin monasteries, (UNESCO World Heritage Sites). The breathtaking location on either side of the canyon and fantastic scenery makes the visit to these sites a truly unforgettable experience. Lunch at the restaurant with the great view to the gorge. Cross the Border to Georgia and change Guide and Vehicle. Arrive in Tbilisi and Check-In at your Hotel.
Welcome Dinner in a traditional Georgian Restaurant or in an Indian Restaurant
Day 7 : Tbilisi – Mtskheta – Tbilisi
Today, you will discover the Georgian Capital. In Old Town, you enjoy the Views over the River Banks and the traditional Houses t the Hills around. You visit Metekhi Plateau and Rikhe Park and take the Cable Car up the Hill to Narikala Fortress from 4th century.
Walk down alongside the Botanical Garden to Tbilisi Waterfall and the Sulphur
Bathhouses. In the end you visit Rustaveli- and Agmashenebeli Avenue, Dry Bridge Market and Liberty Square.
Then you make a short drive to the Old Georgian Capital, Mtskheta (UNESCO
World Heritage) and enjoy the views over the River valley from Jvari Monastery, before you visit Svetitskhoveli Cathedral, the spiritual Centre of the Country.
Back in Tbilisi, you discover the small streets of Old Town with its Cafés,
Restaurants, Shisha- and Karaoke Bars and Handicraft Boutiques. Enjoy Leisure
Time from here.
Day 8 : Tbilisi – Ananuri – Stepantsminda – Tbilisi
Day Tour to the Greater Caucasus Mountains. On the Way, you visit Ananuri
Fortress at Jinvali water reservoir in splendid Landscape. Drive on along the
Mountains to Ski Resort Gudauri. From here, it’s a short drive to Stepantsminda / Kazbegi, to the Feet of Mt. Kazbek (5047m), which is known from ancient Greek Legends as the Place, where Prometheus was chained as a punishment for stealing Fire from Zeus.
Take 4WD Jeeps up to the Plateau below Kasbek Peak on 2200m. Here you visit
Gergeti Monastery and enjoy the views around over the snow covered Mountains.
Back to Tbilisi and Leisure Time.
Day 9 : TTbilisi – Wine Region – Tbilisi
Discover the most famous Wine Region of Georgia, where Wine is made since 8000 years. You visit romantic small Town Sighnaghi, where Georgians prefer to
celebrate Marriage.
Then, you drive to Khareba Wine Tunnel and have a Wine Tasting here. Back to Tbilisi.
Day 10 : Departure
End of services.
PACKAGE INCLUSIONS:
- Neat, clean, accommodation on Double and Triple sharing basis.
- Meal – Breakfast & Dinner (Veg meals on Fixed Menu).
- All point to point sight-seeing as per given program possible in time frame.
- All toll, tax, parking and driver allowances are included.
PACKAGE EXCLUSIONS:
- GST: 5%
- Anything not mentioned under ‘Package Inclusions’.
- All personal expenses, optional tours and extra meals
- Camera fees, alcoholic/non-alcoholic beverages, mineral water and startersEntrance at any monument/museums or any other activity fees which is not mentioned in the inclusions shall be borne by the customer on direct payable basis
- Any Entrance fees.
- Tips, laundry and phone calls.
- Anything not mentioned above.
- Any Sightseeing Which Is Not Mentioned In Above Program.
- Other expenses incurred due to bad weather, road closure, landslides etc. and anything not specified in cost included.
- Medical and travel insurance.
Terms of Payment
- 30 days or more before date of departure: 25% of total cost
- 29 – 20 days before date of departure: 50% of total cost
- 19 – 16 days before date of departure: 100% of total cost
- Extra meals or beverages.
GENERAL
- Room Service
- Newspapers
- Non-smoking Rooms
- Family Rooms
- Elevator
- Safe
- Heating
- All Spaces
Non-Smoking - Air Conditioning
- Carpeted
BUSINESS FACILITIES
- RooFax/Photocopying
MEDIA & TECHNOLOGY
- Telephone
- Radio
- Cable channels
- Flat-screen TV
BATHROOM
- Hairdryer
- Toilet
- Bathroom
- Slippers
FOOD & DRINK
- Bar
- Breakfast in the Room
- Restaurant with Dining Menu
- FSpecial Diet Meals (upon request)
- Minibar
ACTIVITES
- Hiking
- Cycling
FRONT DESK SERVICES
- 24-Hour Front Desk
- Currency Exchange
- Tour Desk
- Ticket Service
- Baggage Storage
- Concierge Service
CLEANING SERVICES
- Laundry
- Dry Cleaning
- Ironing Service
- Shoeshine
- Daily Housekeeping