UNESCO world heritage objects in Armenia (6 days/ 5 nights)

Armenia is a country with a rich history, fabulous nature, dazzling sun, majestic mountains and hospitality. It is included in the list of six ancient countries that have managed to survive through the millennium. Armenia is a magical world, where history penetrates even wrinkles, where everyone has saved their unique identity, and the beauty of Armenia cannot be described, it is just to be seen.

We offer you interesting and budgetary tour packages through Armenia. You will get acquainted with the 8 UNESCO World Heritage sightseeing objects in Armenia in 6 days. Choosing our budget tour packages you will see: Haghpat, Sanahin monastery, Geghard Monastery, Etchmiadzin Cathedral, Saint Hripsime Church, Saint Gayane Church, Zvartnots Temple, Upper part of the River Azat, as well as get acquainted with Armenian nature, history and culture.

Arrival and meeting in Zvartnots airport

The weekend tour starts with a walking trip through the city. Architecture of capital is original and distinctive. Today, Yerevan is a city where there are a variety of architectural styles, with green alleys, numerous fountains. You will be able to see the sights in Yerevan: the square of France, the Opera and Ballet House, Northern Avenue, the Republic Square.

After we visit the Institute of Ancient Manuscripts - Matenadaran named after St. Mesrop Mashtots. The most ancient manuscripts are dated back to the 5th century AD and are associated with Mesrop Mashtots, who invented the Armenian alphabet.

We shall then proceed to the Grand Cascade (open-air museum). It is a 500-meter high staircase (522 steps) with fountains and flower beds, as well as an open air museum, which presents about 30 sculptures by famous masters. Inside the complex Cafesjian Center of Arts is located on 5 tiers.

Transfer to the hotel / Check in

Breakfast in the hotel

After breakfast, we go to the Armenian Monastery of Khor Virap, situated at the foot of Mount Ararat, near the border with Turkey. It is a place of pilgrimage, which is connected with the legend of Grigor Lusavorich (Grigor the Illuminator). According to church tradition, Gregory was imprisoned on the orders of King Trdat III, caught in that he professes Christianity, and was held there for 13years. Those interested can go down to the prison, which has a depth of 6 m and a diameter of 4.4 m.

Right in front of you, very, very close and in all its beauty you will see the symbol of Armenia - Mount Ararat.

After we go Noravank monastery complex, built in XIII-XIV centuries, which is located  1.5 kilometers east to the village of Areni. The complex is located on a narrow ledge winding gorge tributary of the Arpa River. The gorge is famous for its steep red cliffs, towering behind the monastery.

Then we continue the journey to the Tatev monastery (IX-XIII centuries), which is located on the edge of a gigantic canyon. Tatev was one of the most famous spiritual and educational centers of the Middle Ages. The complex can be called one of the most noteworthy places on earth. The ropeway "Wings of Tatev" (the longest ropeway in the world - 5752 m, ranked in the Guinness Book of Records) will carry us over the beautiful Vorotan gorge directly to Tatev Monastery.

Return to Yerevan

Breakfast in the hotel

After breakfast, we continue the tour to the pearl of Armenia - blue Sevan. Lake Sevan is a freshwater lake in the Armenian highlands. It is the largest lake in the Caucasus. It is guaranteed to be the largest source of fresh water in the region. We will also visit the Sevanavank - a monastery in the north-west coast of Lake Sevan. The monastery is located on a peninsula, which was once a small island.

We continue our tour to Tavush region of Armenia – to a small town-resort Dilijan, located on the picturesque banks of the river Aghstev.

The next stop will be Haghartsin Monastery, which was built in the X-XIII centuries, mostly under the auspices of the Bagratuni Dynasty. We will also visit Goshavank - monastery complex, built in XII-XIII centuries in the village of Gosh in Armenia. Goshavank is the cultural, educational and religious center of medieval Armenia. The sources referred to it as a seminary, university, and so on.

Return to Yerevan.

Breakfast in the hotel

The morning begins with a trip to Lori region of Armenia. We visit the village of Sanahin, where the monument of Armenian architecture, the church complex of X-XIII centuries is located. Since 1996 Sanahin monastery has been included in the UNESCO World Heritage List.

Mikoyan Brothers (Anastas and Artyom) Museum is also situated in the village of Sanahin. Anastas Mikoyan was a prominent politician of the Soviet era, for many years he was on the top of the Soviet regime. Artyom Mikoyan was a famous Soviet aircraft designer, head of the "Design Bureau Mikoyan." Artyom Mikoyan together with Mikhail Gurevich created a series of fighter aircraft MiG (Mikoyan and Gurevich). The first MiGs (MiG-1 and MiG-3) took part in the Great Patriotic War, the first jet aircraft MiG-9 was created after the war..

We continue the trip and visit Haghpat monastery, which is located on the south-eastern part of the village Haghpat. It was founded in 976 during the reign of Ashot Bagratuni. Haghpat was one of the most important spiritual and cultural centers. In 1996 it was included in the UNESCO World Heritage list.

Next stop will be Akhtala - 10th-century Armenian Apostolic Church monastery located in the town of Akhtala in the marz of Lori. The main church at the compound is famous for its highly artistic frescoes, which cover the inside walls, the partitions, and the bearings of the building. The fortress was built on an elevated rocky outcrop surrounded by deep canyons from three sides forming a natural protection. The walls and towers of the fortress are built of bluish basalt and lime mortar.

On the way back to Yerevan we will stop near Odzun Church - Armenian basilica constructed around the 5th–7th century in the Odzun village of the Lori Province. The first church appeared here in the 6th century. In the 8th century it was reconstructed by Hovhannes III Odznetsi who served as the katholikos between 717 and 728 and was, as his name suggests, from Odzun. This is the time the church got its current form of a pink felsite basilica with three naves.

Return to Yerevan

Breakfast in the hotel

We will visit the Tsitsernakaberd memorial complex, dedicated to the victims of the Armenian Genocide of 1915, and the Genocide Museum.

Next is the pagan temple of Garni. Garni Temple built in the 1st century by the Armenian King Tiridates I and dedicated to the God of the Sun Areg (Mihr). The temple is at the edge of a triangular cliff, which overlooks the ravine of the Azat River and the Gegham mountains.

Next stop is Geghard monastery complex (IV century), which is included in the list of World Cultural Heritage by the UNESCO. Its full name is Geghardavank, literally it is translated as "Monastery of the spear". The name of the monastery complex comes from Christ Spear (Spear of Longinus), which the Roman soldier Longinus thrust in Jesus Christ. The spear is now kept in the treasury of Echmiadzin Cathedral.

Back to Yerevan

Breakfast in the hotel

Check out

A visit to the central market in Yerevan. Dried fruits - a national treasure and the usual accompaniment to cognac. In Armenia, it seems, they can make them of anything you wish. Including watermelon, cantaloupe and even tomatoes!

Next stop is the Vernissage - the market of folk art products. Here you will find hand-made chess and backgammon made of wood, ceramic pots, made in national style, handmade ornaments, traditional musical instruments, silverware, paintings and many more things.

Next stop is the St. Ecmiadzin - the center of the Armenian Apostolic Church, where the residence of the Catholicos is located. We will visit Echmiadzin Cathedral (301-483 AD), which is included in the UNESCO World Heritage list.

We visit the ruins of Zvartnots temple, which was destroyed in the earthquake. In 2000, the ruins of the temple and the archaeological area around it are included in the UNESCO World Heritage List.

Transfer to airport

If you still have questions about the tour organization in Armenia, then it is very easy to contact us! You can order a call on the website, send an email or just SMS. We will get back to you shortly