Where else can you celebrate Christmas, not in Armenia? Christmas in Armenia is a very important holiday. After all, Armenia was the first country to adopt Christianity, a country where spirituality permeates the air, where the mountains on all sides surrounding country, as if in the frame envelop the divine energy! Armenia adopted Christianity as a state religion, in 301 ad, but she managed to keep it almost unchanged. If You want to learn about Armenian traditions and history of the country, to attend a Christmas mass in the main Cathedral of Echmiadzin and visit the traditional Christmas fair, this winter tour is specially for You!

Day 1, January 2 (Tuesday): Arrival in Yerevan

• Arrival to «Zvartnots» International Airport. Our guide will meet you at the airport. Transfer to the hotel in Yerevan.

Day 2, January 3 (Wednesday): Yerevan — Geghard — Garni   — Yerevan

• Breakfast at the hotel.
• Visiting the monastery Geghard (12 – 13th centuries). It is a unique monastery complex, where the temple is completely carved in the rock. The name «Geghard» literally «the monastery of the spear» is due to the fact that in this place Christian relic — the spear, which, according to tradition, a Roman soldier had pierced the crucified Jesus with was kept (now kept in the Museum of Echmiadzin).
• Trip to Garni — Symphony of Armenian architecture. It is the only surviving pagan temple in Armenia. Built in the Hellenistic style in the 1st century by the Armenian King Trdat I and dedicated to the God of the Sun Mithras.
• Lunch in Garni at the restaurant above the gorge of the Azat river and demonstration baking «lavash» — traditional Armenian bread in the tonir (oven in the ground).
• Return to Yerevan. Transfer to the hotel. Free time.

Day 3, January 4 (Thursday): Yerevan — Sevan — Tsaghkadzor — Yerevan

• Breakfast at the hotel.
• Drive to Lake Sevan, which is the pearl of Armenia and the largest freshwater basin in Eurasia and the second largest Alpine lake in the world. Sevan is situated at an altitude of 1900 meters above sea level. Visiting Sevanavank monastery (9th century).
• Trip to the ski resort Tsaghkadzor.
• Lunch in Tsakhadzor.
• A trip to the Tegenis mountain slope, where you can climb the height of 2851 meters by cable car, and if you like, can ski and snowboard, also enjoy healing air, fabulous landscapes and, of course, Armenian cuisine.
• Visiting the architectural complex of the monastery Kecharis, which is the highlight of the city, and consists of three churches and three chapels dating back to the 11th century.
• Return to Yerevan. Transfer to the hotel. Free time.

Day 4, January 5 (Friday): Yerevan — Hripsime — Zvartnots — Echmiadzin — Yerevan

• Breakfast at the hotel.
• Panoramic tour round Yerevan city — the ancient capital of Armenia, which is 29 years older than Rome. Tour Itinerary: «Mother Armenia» monument offers a nice overview of the whole city, the Opera House, Republic  Square, «Cascade» architectural complex, the Museum of Contemporary Art named Cafesjian, the monument to the hero of «David Sasuntsi» Armenian epos.
• Trip to Echmiadzin town. Visiting the Church of St. Hripsime (7th century). The church was built in 618 on the site of an ancient pagan temple, where Saint Hripsime had been tortured and killed.
• Visit the beautiful and majestic ruins of Zvartnots Cathedral (9th century) — temple of Vigil Forces, Heavenly Angels Church.
• Lunch.
• Excursion to Echmiadzin Cathedral (4th century) — the center of Armenian Apostolic Church. This is one of the oldest Christian churches in the world, the residence of the Supreme Patriarch and Catholicos of all Armenians.
• Participation in the festive Christmas evening liturgy, which is called the Liturgy of Christmas Eve. On this day, believers light a candle in the church and carry it home to illuminate the house and prepare for the feast of the Nativity of Christ.
• Return to Yerevan. Festive Christmas dinner.
• Transfer to the hotel. Free time.

Day 5, January 6 (Saturday): Yerevan — Khor Virap — Wine Factory «Areni» — Noravank — Yerevan

• Breakfast at the hotel.
• Tour to Khor Virap monastery (literally translated as «deep dungeon») (7 – 17th centuries). You will see the underground pit where the first Patriarch of Armenian Apostolic Church St. Grigor Lusavorich (Saint Gregory the Illuminator) languished in prison for 13 years. The monastery is located 50 km away from Yerevan on the Armenian – Turkish border. You will enjoy the wonderful view of the Biblical Mount Ararat.
• Excursion to the winery in Areni village, where wine from local grapes is produced (wine tasting).
• Trip to Noravank monastery (9 – 13th centuries) is one of the most magnificent medieval monuments of Armenia, located on the ledge of narrow winding gorge with rare red rocks. This is truly a masterpiece of Armenian architecture.
• Lunch.
• Return to Yerevan. Transfer to the hotel. Free time.

Day 6, January 7 (Sunday): Transfer to the airport. Departure.

The price is per person on basis of DBL/TWIN occupancy and includes all taxes and duties.

To find out the cost of the tour for groups of more than 6 people, Contact Us!

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