Today you will arrive at the airport and be met by your private driver. He will then transfer you to your hotel, the Alexander. You then have the remainder of your evening at leisure.

Exeter Services: Airport Transfer

Hotel: Alexander Hotel

This morning you will meet your driver and guide in your hotel lobby and set off on a full day tour of this historic city. You will begin at Republic square where you will see Mashtots Avenue, the Opera House, the statue of “Mother Armenia”, the statue of Alexander Tamanyan – the architect of Yerevan, the Academy of Sciences, the President’s Residence and the Parliament Building. You will then continue in to the State History museum of Armenia that paints an integral picture of the history and culture of Armenia from prehistoric times until today.

You will then continue to Tsitsernakaberd memorial complex, dedicated to the victims of Armenian Genocide before arriving in Ejmiatsin, the centre of Armenian Christianity. Here you will visit the Main Cathedral, a UNESCO World Heritage site and the spiritual centre of all Armenians. You will also see the 7th century St. Hripsime church. After breaking for lunch you can visit the open-air museum of Zvartnots Temple. You will then drive to the Kotayk region. Here you will visit the Garni pagan temple and museum as well as the nearby ramparts and other monuments such as the ruins of the palace complex, bathhouse and famous round church. The whole complex is erected on a triangular plateau. The Temple, called “the Temple of Sun” is dedicated to the heathen god “Mihra”.

Next you will visit Geghard cave monastery, partially hewn in rock. This spectacular site, included on the UNESCO World Heritage List, has a unique history. Dating back to the pagan times, this is the place where the Lance, piercing the side of Christ when he was on the cross, was kept. You will then drive back to Yerevan where you have the remainder of your evening at leisure.

Exeter Services: Private Vehicle, Driver & Guide (8 Hours)

Hotel: Alexander Hotel

This morning you will meet your guide and driver in your hotel lobby and depart for the Lori region via Ashtarak town. On the way you can stop at the monuments dedicated to the letters of the Armenian Alphabet and the Holy Cross Monument, constructed as a symbol of 1711 years of Armenian Christianity. You will then stop near Sanahin bridge, which is one of the famous engineering constructions of medieval Armenia. You will then enjoy lunch at a local restaurant in the Lori region. Following lunch continue the drive towards the Haghpat Monastic complex. Enjoy a tour of this historic monastery that is also a UNESCO-protected historic monument and a true masterpiece of medieval religious architecture. You will then drive back to Yerevan where you have the remainder of your day at leisure.

Exeter Services: Private Vehicle, Driver & Guide (8 Hours)

Hotel: Alexander Hotel

This morning you will meet your driver and guide in your hotel lobby and set off for Matenadaran, the institute and museum of medieval manuscripts. You will then continue to the Ararat Region. Here you will find the Khor- Virap monastery. Khor Virap is a monastic complex and a pilgrimage site with a beautiful location at the foot of Mount Ararat. According to the legend it is here that Armenia’s patron saint, St. Gregory the Illuminator, was imprisoned for 12 years by the pagan king before curing him of a disease and converting him to Christianity. You will then continue to the Vayots Dzor region where you will visit Noravank Monastery with its beautiful architecture set against a backdrop of idyllic scenery. You will then enjoy lunch at a local restaurant near the monastery before continuing to the Ararat Brandy factory where you will enjoy a tasting of their famous brandy. You will then move on to Vernissage open-air market- here you can find souvenirs and handmade crafts starting from Soviet times to the modern day; hand-made crafts of all themes and colors. You will then be driven back to your hotel where you have the remainder of your day at leisure.

Exeter Services: Private Vehicle, Driver & Guide (8 Hours)

Hotel: Alexander Hotel

This morning you will check out of your hotel and meet your driver in your hotel lobby. He will then transfer you to the nearby airport where you will meet your onward flight home.

Exeter Services: Airport Transfer