Your tour starts at 10:00 AM from the local partner's head office in Yerevan. Drive to western Armenia, where your first stop is St. Echmiadzin, the main Armenian Apostolic Church. The Cathedral of Echmiadzin was founded at the beginning of the fourth century and is one of the oldest churches in the world. According to the legend, the church was built in the place where the apparition of Jesus Christ was seen to Gregory the Illuminator in a dream. Your next stop is St. Hripsime's Church, one of the famous ecclesiastical buildings in the city of Echmiadzin. This is the perfect example of cross-cupola churches in Armenia. The Treasures of Echmiadzin Museum is situated in the southeast section of the Cathedral. Unique holy relics and religious art are now housed in the museum.  Your last stop is Zvartnots Temple, which is a result of skillfulness and brave creativity of Armenian architects of the 7th century. At the end of your tour, return to the Yerevan city center.

Discover the world’s first Christian cathedral and the holy land of Armenians accompanied by an expert local guide. Learn how to cook traditional dolma in a cooking master class. Meet your guide in Yerevan and hop on your comfortable tour vehicle to head to Echmiadzin. Begin your tour by visiting the 7th-century Zvartnots Cathedral, the first of many UNESCO heritage sites on the tour. Explore St. Hripsime church, constructed in 618 A.D. on the sepulcher of a Christian nun who fled from the Roman Empire. Take part in a master cooking class and learn to make dolma. Head to the Echmiadzin Cathedral, and visit the museum of Christian relics, including pieces of the Holy Cross and Noahs' Ark, as well as the spear which wounded Jesus.

Visit Armenia’s oldest and most well-known historical landmark, Mount Ararat. This private half-day tour takes you to the closest spot possible at Khor Virap Monastery for spectacular views of the snow-capped volcano. Located about an hour’s drive away from Yerevan, the monastery offers an amazing view of the majestic Mount Ararat. Explore Khor Virap and learn about the region’s history as a royal prison. This was the very prison where Gregory the Illuminator, the first Armenian Catholic, was held for 13 years. It’s no surprise that the monastery serves as one of the most sacred spots in Armenia.   Discover more of Armenia’s sacred spots with a stop at Saint Hripsime Church, built on the sepulcher of the nun Hripsime and one of the oldest churches in the world. A short 5 minute drive away is the 7th-century church of Saint Gayane. From here visit the world’s first Christian Cathedral, the Holy Etchmiadzin. Built in 301-304, legend says that Jesus Christ descended here, where Gregory the Illuminator ordered to build the church. On the way back to Yerevan, the tour will conclude with a final stop at another beautiful 7th-century temple.

After departing from Yerevan, you will make your way to one of the country’s most renowned landmarks: the beautiful Lake Sevan. Merely an hour’s drive from the capital city of Yerevan, Sevan is situated at the height of 1,900 meters above sea level and surrounded by a vast chain of mountains. The tour begins by climbing a flight of stairs to the Sevan Peninsula, a pleasant morning workout that will compensate itself with an unforgettable panoramic view of the lake from above. You will also visit the monastery of Sevanavank, which was built by the princess Mariam to honor the life of her deceased husband in the 9th century. Sevanavank is also home to one of the most beautiful Amenaprkich (all savior) Khachkars of Armenia. Next, you will travel to the North of Armenia, where you will be surrounded by beautiful nature. Passing through the city of Dilijan, you will make a stop at the monastery of Gosh-Goshavank. The last destination during this trip will be the monastery of Haghartsin, which dates back to the 10th-14th centuries. The name is translated as “the play of the eagle”. The scenery is somewhat similar to a stunning work of art, with both the monastery and the nature surrounding it providing a breathtaking view.

This tour will introduce you to the exotic Pagan history of Armenia, and explain the later development and spread of Christianity in the country. Garni Temple (77 A.D.) is the only standing heathen temple in the whole post-Soviet area. The temple stands on a high plateau overlooking the Azat River gorge. It is also home to the roman bath house with its mysterious mosaic, made out of 30,000 pieces of natural stones, as well as the ruins of the royal palace, dating back to 3rd Century A.D. The monastic complex of Geghard is another historical site included on this private tour. The complex is a representation of 13th Century Armenia, which is considered to be the Golden Age of the country’s architecture. The most astonishing part is that this church is cut out solid rock. Whilst travelling to Armenia, you may also be interested in seeing the world’s first Christian Cathedral church. Echmiadzin is considered to be the spiritual center of all Armenians all over the world. You will also visit the St. Hripsime Church. This amazing building has stood since its construction in 618 A.D, making it one of the oldest standing churches in the world. Five minutes drive away will be your next stop at the 7th Century Church of St. Gayane. On the way back to Yerevan, you will make a final stop at another beautiful 7th Century temple, also included in the UNESCO heritage list.

The word “Echmiadzin” means a place where “the only begotten son of the God descended”. According to a legend, Jesus Christ descended from heaven and indicated the spot for a church to be built. Echmiadzin is the residence of the Supreme Catholicos of all Armenians and the center of the Armenian Apostolic Church. From here we will continue to the magnificent Zvartnots Temple constructed in the 7th century. All these churches and the temple are listed on the UNESCO World’s Cultural Heritage Sites. Our next stop will be the pagan temple Garni, built in the 1st century AD by the armenian king Trdat. The temple Garni is the only monument connected with the era of paganism and Hellenism, dedicated to the sun god Mithra. Not far from the temple is situated the Monastery Geghard, which was built in the 4th century by The First Armenian Catholicos - Gregory the Illuminator. The name of the monastery originates from the spear of the Roman soldier who pierced the body of Jesus Christ. Now the spear is presented in the museum of Echmiadzin. Our last destination is Khor Virap monastery, from where a spectacular view opens on the mountain Ararat. In fact, the name Khor Virap means “deep pit”, named after the prison where st. Gregory the Illuminator was imprisoned for 13 years. You can still climb down the pit using a narrow ladder in order to experience its atmosphere.

First you will drive to the Sardarapat Memorial - located in the Armavir region, which was called Sardarapat up until 1932. It was built in 1968, on the 50th anniversary of the 1918 Sardarapat battle victory. The Sardarapat Memorial is a symbol of pride and survival; it marks the place of Armenia’s successful last-ditch effort to save the nation from obliteration at the hands of the Turks. The Memorial is also home to two museums; the Sardarapat Battle Museum and the State Ethnography Museum, where you can observe Armenia’s cultural evolution. Then stop at Ejmiatsin, considered the spiritual center of Armenians all over the world. This daily tour will include a visit to St. Hripsime Church, constructed in 618 A.D and therefore one of the oldest standing churches in the world. Just a 5-minutes drive away is your next spot: the 7th Century Church of St. Gayane. On the way back to Yerevan, you will make a final stop at another beautiful 7th Century temple, also included in UNESCO's heritage list.

Visiting Armenia doesn’t count until you pay a visit to Etchmiadzin. This tour will give you a chance to get acquainted with the peculiarities of Armenian Christianity, its rich history and heritage. The first destination of the tour will be St. Hripsime church, which was built on the grave of a Christian nun, who preached and spread Christianity in Armenia. The next spot is 7th century church of St Gayane. Later you will visit the world’s first Christian Cathedral - Echmiadzin. The word “Echmiadzin” means a place where “the only begotten son of God descended”. According to a legend, Jesus Christ descended from heaven and indicated the spot for a church to be built. Echmiadzin is the residence of the Supreme Catholicos of all Armenians and the center of the Armenian Apostolic Church. The last destination of our tour is one of the brightest landmarks of medieval Armenian architecture – the magnificent Zvartnots Temple constructed in the 7th century. All these churches and the temple are listed on the UNESCO World’s Cultural Heritage Sites.

During our 5 days we will hike Armenian mountains on moderate trails with duration of 3 - 7 hours hike per day and get familiar with the Armenian historical and religious monuments, ancient culture and national cuisine. We will visit memorials, markets, temples, monasteries and many more to learn about Armenian history. During our 4th day we will reach Alaverdi and spend overnight there. The town is located at the only direct rail link between Armenia and Georgia. Day 1 / Airport pick up and drive to your hotel / City Tour(Visit Erebuni fortress which is an Urartian fortified city) / walking tour / Lunch / back to your hotel Duration: 7 hours Day 2 / Yerevan - Echmiadzin - Hike from Garni village to Garni temple(distance - 4km; duration 2-3 hours) - Lunch - Geghard cave monastery - drive back to Yerevan Duration: 8 hours Day 3 / Yerevan - Drive to Khor virap monastery -Hike from Gnishik village to Noravank monastery(distance - 13km; duration 5-6 hours) - Lunch - drive back to Yerevan Duration: 10 hours Day 4 / Yerevan - Drive to Lake Sevan - Visit Sevanavank monastery - Dilijan - Hike Goshavank Monastery to Parz lake(distance - 8km; duration 3-4 hours) - drive to Alaverdi- o/n in Alaverdi Day 5 / Hike from Sanahin to Haghpat(distance - 10km; duration 4-5 hours)- Lunch - Drive to back to Yerevan - farewell dinner / Airport drop off Duration: 12 hours

During this tour you can appear in the most famous pilgrimage site of the Armenian Apostolic Church - Monastery Khor Virap, which is directly connected with the adoption of Christianity in Armenia. It stands before the snowcapped flanks of Mount Ararat offering a spectacular view of the mountain, the national symbol of Armenia. It is where Grigor Luisavorich (St. Gregory the Illuminator) was imprisoned for 13 years before curing King Trdat III of a disease. This caused the adoption of Christianity in Armenia in the year 301. In fact, the name Khor Virap means “deep pit”, named after the prison where St. Gregory the Illuminator was held. You can still open climb down the pit using a narrow ladder in order to experience its atmosphere.