Armenia Eastern Tour | Small groups | Pyala Travel - Travel Program

Day 1 arrival Yerevan

Your arrive in the Armenian capital Yerevan. Our local representative will wait for you at the airport and will bring you to your centrally located hotel.

Day 2 Yerevan / city excursion and Oshakan

Holy Thursday, the last supper, institution of the sacrament of Holy Communion, washing of the feet and Blowing of Candles

Today we will have a familiarization tour of the capital, during which you will see all the major sights of the capital, we will start our trip with a stop in the Victory Park, at Mother Armenia monument, from where you will behold a panoramic view of the city, Republic Square, the Opera house, the Cascade where you will see the statue of the world-famous sculptor Fernando Botero “The Black Cat”. Visit Matenadaran Old hands Manuscript Research institute which is one of the biggest depositories of ancient manuscripts in the world.

In the second part of the day we will leave Yerevan to visit Oshakan village, where we will have lunch with a local family during which you will witness the preparation of Armenian bread “lavash” by the women of the village.

After lunch we will visit Oshakan church, where the creator of Armenian alphabet – Mesrop Mashtots is buried. Here we will observe the Foot Washing Ceremony.

In the evening we can visit St Gregory the Illuminator Cathedral, which is currently the largest cathedral of the Armenian Apostolic church, where we will see the ceremony of Blowing of Candles.

Day 3 Yerevan / excursion Dilijian, Goshavank, Lake Sevan

Good Friday, The crucifixion and burial of the Lord

In the morning we will drive towards Dilijan resort situated among forest-covered mountains. Here we will have a stroll down the museum street which still preserves the houses of 19th century town with artisans' studios.  For those who are interested in history and medieval architecture, Dilijan holds quite a few attractions.

After Dilijan we will drive to one of the major attractions of this region – Goshavank Monastery. One the country’s medieval universities was founded at this monastery and a prominent Armenian master of cross-stones – Pogos used to work here.  

We will continue to Lake Sevan, the “Pearl of Armenia”. This fresh – water lake of volcanic origin is situated at an altitude about 6.500 feet. Its crystal – clear transparent water changes color several times during the day. It is turquoise in direct sunlight, then turns a greenish shade, and finally becomes gray by the evening. Sevan has always been famous for its fish, especially trout, a part of the tribute Armenia paid to its conquerors. Among the most interesting sites is the monastery on the rocky peninsula jutting out into Sevan. One of the churches, named Arakelots (The Apostles) is made of rough – hewn weather – beaten slabs.

Here we will take part in the celebration of Good Friday.

Day 4 Yerevan / Echmiatzin

Holy Saturday, the destruction of hell, the Divine Liturgy of Candlemas, or Lighting of the Candles (Jragalouytgs).

In the morning we will visit Vernisage craft market with a variety of hand-made souvenirs. After which the State History Museum in Yerevan. Lunch at a local restaurant.  

Then we will continue to Echmiadzin, the religious center of Armenia. The area of Echmiadzin is a UNESCO site. En route we will visit the archeological site of Zvartnots Cathedral, which is a masterpiece of Armenian architecture and the symbol of Christianity for some! We will then continue towards St. Hripsime church, dedicated to Holy Virgin Hripsime, a martyr to Christianity. We will visit the chamber where St. Hripsime is buried. 

The main Cathedral of Echmiadzin was the first official church built in Armenia. Today it is the Holy See of Echmiadzin, where the Catholicos of Armenia resides. Legend tells that it was here that Jesus Christ descended from Heaven to show where he wanted a church to be built. Echmiadzin means “The Coming of Only Begotten”.

At the main Cathedral we will observe the the Divine Liturgy of Candlemas. During the Divine Liturgy of Candlemas on the feast of Holy Resurrection or Easter the good news of Christ’s Resurrection is given and Great Lent ends.

Day 5 Yerevan / excursion Garni and Geghad

Easter: the feast of the Resurrection of our Lord Jesus Christ

In the morning we will drive east of Yerevan and visit a unique medieval monastery of Geghard which was included in the list of UNESCO world heritage sites. Some chambers of the monastery were carved out of solid rock and possess exceptional acoustics. Here we will observe the feast of the Resurrection of our Lord Jesus Christ. It begins with the celebration of the Divine Liturgy of Candlemas and turns into general solemnity on Sunday during the Easter Divine Liturgy. Jesus defeated death by His death for our salvation. On Easter hearing the good news of Resurrection “Christ has risen from the dead” we answer: “Blessed is the Resurrection of Christ”.

We will then continue towards Garni village where we will visit a pagan temple from 1st century AD – the only one remaining from pre-Christian period in Armenia. The temple is located on a triangular cape overlooking the deep canyon of Garni.

Driving back to Yerevan we will also visit the Genocide Memorial Complex and get acquainted with this sad page of Armenian history and lay flowers to the eternal flame to the memory of the victims of the Genocide.

Day 6 Yerevan / excursion Khor Virab and Noravank

In the morning we will drive towards Khor Virap monastery, which embodies the adoption of Christianity in Armenia in 301 AD, located at the foot of biblical Mt. Ararat. The road leads through the plains of Ararat, where all of a sudden an attractive picture of Khor – Virab Monastery appears. We stop to see the Complex and make photograph of Ararat Mountain.  

Then after two hours ride we enter the world of full – flowing rivers, fascinating waterfalls, caves and snowy mountain peaks of Vayots dzor Province. We pause to enjoy wine tasting at the village of Areni which is famous for its red dry wine.  

Our last visit is Noravank Monastery, which is situated on the hill of the twisted gorge, among the freakish plumb rosy cliffs. It is a place of breathtaking natural beauty providing great opportunities for taking wonderful pictures.

Farewell dinner at a local restaurant in Yerevan with the live folk music.

Day 7 depart Yerevan