Day 1: On the first day of our tour, you’ll visit Lake Sevan, often referred to as “The Jewel of Armenia” or the “Geghama Sea.” In the northwest part of Lake Sevan, you’ll find Sevanavank Monastery, a prime example of medieval Armenian architecture. Founded in 874 AD by Princess Mariam, the church buildings were constructed from black tuff, likely giving the monastery its name, Sevanavank, meaning “the Black Monastery.” Next, we’ll head to Dilijan, known as “Armenian Switzerland.” About 13 km northeast of Dilijan, in a picturesque setting, lies the Haghartsin Monastery complex, built between the 10th and 13th centuries and featuring three churches. Our final stop for the day will be Goshavank Monastery, a renowned religious and scholarly center in medieval Armenia, constructed between 1188 and the late 13th century. From here, we’ll depart for Tbilisi.

Day 2: After breakfast, we’ll embark on a city tour of Tbilisi before heading to Mtskheta and Jvari. Mtskheta, founded in the 5th century BC, is located at the confluence of the Mtkvari and Aragvi rivers. It is home to the 11th-century Svetitskhoveli Cathedral and the 6th-century Jvari Monastery, both significant monuments of Georgian Christian architecture and key to the development of medieval architecture in the Caucasus. Mtskheta, along with Svetitskhoveli Cathedral and Jvari, is a UNESCO World Heritage site. After visiting these beautiful locations, we’ll return to Armenia and spend the night in Alaverdi.

Day 3: Following breakfast, we’ll visit the monasteries of Haghpat and Sanahin, which date back to the 10th to 13th centuries, as well as the Dendropark and the Armenian alphabet monument.

Haghpat Monastery, founded in 976 AD by Queen Khosrovanush (wife of Armenian King Ashot III), includes a narthex, two corridor-sepulchers, a refectory, a scriptorium, the Chapel of Hamazasp, a belfry, several chapel-tombs, and cross-stones (khachkars).

Sanahin served as the administrative center and family burial site for the Kyurikyan Bagratids (10th and 11th centuries) and was the Episcopal residence for the diocese until the 11th century. Both monasteries are UNESCO World Heritage sites.

The Stepanavan Botanical Garden was established in 1933 by Polish engineer-forester Edmon Leonovich and features over 500 plant species. Our next stop will be the Monument of the Armenian Alphabet, created by Mesrop Mashtots in 405 to make the Bible accessible to Armenians and to spread Christianity.

Points of Interest

• Yerevan

• Hotel pickup and drop-off
• Transport by air-conditioned vehicle according to the number of participants

• Food and drinks
• Lunch
• Hotel accomodiation