Chirinian Travel Offers Various Tours
Classic Tours -- Extension to Karabakh -- Extension to Georgia
Classic Tours
- Day 1: Arrival in Yerevan.City Tour, visit to the new Cathedral of St. Grigor the Illuminator, the History Museum, and the National Art Gallery.
- Day 2: Visit to Matenadaran , the Institute of Ancient Manuscripts. Excursions to Garni, the Pagan Temple of 1st century and Geghard, monastic complex dated from the 7th to the 10th century.
- Day 3: Visit to Tsitsernakaberd, monument and museum of the victims of Genocid in 1915, visit to Pak Shuka, the spice market and the Vernissage, the handicraft market (open on Saturday and Sunday).
- Day 4: Visit to the Echmiadzin Cathedral, the chancery of the Catholicos, the center of Armenian Apostolic Church. Continue tour to St. Hripsimè, St. Gayanè, and St. Shoghakat Virgin Martyrs churches dated from 6th and 7th century. Proceed to the ruins of Zvartnots Temple, built in the 7th century.
- Day 5: Excursion to Khor Virab, the monastic complex dated of the 12th century , where St. Gregor the Illuminator, who brought Christianity to Armenia, was kept in jail for 13 years. From the monastery you can enjoy an breathtaking view of the biblic Mount Ararat. Continue tour to Areni village for a wine tasting in a local winery. Visit to the monastic complex of Noravank, one of the most beautiful medieval monument of Armenia dated from the 12th to the 14th century.
- Day 6: Excursion to Dzaghgatzor, valley of flowers, the monastery of Kecharis, of 11th century and continue to Lake Sevan at 2000 m above sea level. In the afternoon, visit to Haghartsin, monastic complex dated from the 9th to the 10th century.
- Day 7: Excursion to Oshakan, the resting place of Mesrob Mashdots, inventor of the Armenian alphabet, and Ashtarak, to Karmravor church of 7th century and Saghmosavank monastery of 13th century. Lunch in the countryside with a traditional Armenian family with national food tasting and the possibility to see the “lavash” baking, the national bread. In the afternoon, proceed to Amberd fortress, of 7th century.
- Day 8: Departure from Yerevan
Extension to Karabakh
- Day 1: Departure for Sissian via Jermuk, the thermal zone, visit Areni Village and Noravank monastery (if not included in Classic Tour). Visit to Shaki falls, Karahundje Stone hang. Overnight in Sissian or Goris.
- Day 2: Departure for Tatev, medieval complex of 9th century. Continue tour Khnzoresk, the abandoned cave village, that offer an impressive view of the houses carved into the hill slope. Proceed to Artzakh (Nagorno Karabakh) the Armenian enclave. Overnight in Stepanakert.
- Day 3: Visit Stepanakert, capital city of Karabagh, and the museum of Artzak local tradition. Continue to Shushi and visit to Khnatsakh fortress and church and to the monastery of Amaras of the 7th century. Overnite in Stepanakert.
- Day 4: Departure from Stepanakert to the monastery of Ganzassar of the 12th century and to Dadi Vank. Continue to Skhtorashen villane to see the 2000 years old tree. Proceed to Yerevan via Lachin. Overnight in Yerevan.
- Day 5: Departure from Yerevan
Extension to Georgia
- Day 1: Visit to Haghpat, the biggest monastic complex of Armenia, Sanahin monastery, both founded in the 10th century , and Odzun monastery. In the afternoon, cross the Georgian border and arrive in Tbilisi, capital city of Georgia. Overnite in Tbilisi.
- Day 2: City Tour of Tibilisi, Metekhi church, where you can enjoy a superb view of the old city and the Abanotubani district, the area famous for the sulphur baths and 19th century Georgian buildings. Walk to Narikala fortress, the Sioni Cathedral of the 5th century,and Anchiskhati church of 6th century. Visit to the Museum with its fine jewels and gold collections and the Art Museum with its interesting icons collection.
- Day 3: Departure for Mtskheta, the old capital city of Georgia, founded in the 2nd millenium b.c. Visit to the Monastery of Jvari of the 6th century, and to the Svetitskhoveli Cathedral, of the 11th century, both listed in the Unesco heritage. Proceed to Aragvi river valley and arrive at Kazbegi. Visit to Gergetl Sameba church, beautifully located up the hill. In the afternoon, proceed to Gudauri, 2100 m. above the sea level. Overnight in Gudauri.
- Day 4: Departure to historic town of Gori, famous for its huge fortress and as birthplace of Stalin. Visit to the museum and in the afternoon visit to the central square where the monument to Stalin is located. Continue tour to Uplistsikhe, the cave city, dated from the 12th to the 9th century B.C. where is located a big hall for pagan rituals and a church of the 11th century. Arrive in Tbilisi and overnight.
- Day 5: Departure from Tblisi