THE AGRICULTURAL, BIOLOGICAL AND GEOLOGICAL DIVERSITY OF ARMENIA

 7 DAYS/6 NIGHTS TOUR PROGRAMME 

DAY 1: Arrival, transfer to the hotel in Yerevan. Check in and free time before dinner.Welcome Dinner and o/night.  

DAY 2: Breakfast at the hotel restaurant. Depart for brief tour of Yerevan to include Matenadaran Institute of Ancient Manuscripts (UNESCO World Heritage Sight), Memorial and Museum of Genocide, Panorama Ground and other major sites of the capital. Continue the excursion and drive in the direction of Etchmiatsin – one of the historical capitals of Armenia, which is the center of the Armenian Apostolic Church (UNESCO World Heritage Sight). Here we visit the Cathedral of Holy Etchmiatsin (301-303 AD)- the first official Christian Church, and the Museum, which exhibits a marvellous collection of relics and antique ecclesiastic object. We will also visit one of the brightest samples of ecclesiastic Armenian architecture – the Church of St. Hripsimeh (618 AD). Thereafter visit a family in Etchmiatsin Region to get familiarized with the present day life of the local farmers. Return to Yerevan for short leisure and dinner. O/n at our hotel in Yerevan. 

DAY 3:  Breakfast at the hotel restaurant. Today we will be visiting the Aragatsotn County, in particular the town of Ashtarak, known both for its cultural heritage and rich centuries long agricultural and food processing traditions. We have 2 options: see the local wine making factory or visit local Horse Farm and the Hippodrome. Lunch will be served at a restaurant located in the natural canyon of the River Kasakh. Here we will also see how the national Armenian bread 'lavash' is baked. After lunch we will visit one of the sites in Ashtarak, which represents the cultural heritage of the locality and return to Yerevan (choices are: Medieval Monastery of Ohannavank or Fortress of Amberd). Dinner at a local restaurant in Yerevan and o/n at the hotel. 

DAY 4:  After our usual breakfast at the hotel restaurant we depart from Yerevan. We will have an expert from the Academy of Sciences of Armenia escorting us today for a full day tour of Lake Sevan and Dilijan. First we will visit the Dilijan Region – one of the main resorts in Armenia, which is surrounded by very old in history natural woods. Many wild ancestors of berries and fruit trees are found here. Then we proceed back to Lake Sevan for lunch. After lunch we will have some free time to explore the peninsula and the high altitude wild flora of the lake. Return to Yerevan for dinner and o/n. * Alternative choice is to stay o/n at Lake Sevan.  

DAY 5: After breakfast at the hotel restaurant we depart for Fortress of Garni and Gueghard (UNESCO World Heritage Sight). En route to Yerevan we will visit one of the local canning factories or the oldest wine and cognac producing factory in Armenia. Return to Yerevan for rest or to individually explore the center of the capital and its museums or to interact with locals if so wished. Dinner at a local restaurant in Yerevan and return for o/n at the hotel. 

DAY 6:  After our usual breakfast at the hotel restaurant we will leave to visit Noravank (UNESCO World Heritage Sight) and Khor Virap. Famous Armenian BBQ picnic lunch in Noravank – enjoy it! Proceed to Yerevan En route visit one of the small natural lakes which is very popular amongst fishermen. Return to the hotel for short rest. Farewell Dinner with live folk concert at one of the most popular local restaurants. 

DAY 7: Final departure from Armenia.