2 day tours from Yerevan/ Echmiadzin, Khor Virap, Dilijan – Armavir Province, Armenia

EXPERIENCE

Day 1: The first destination of the tour will be St. Hripsime church, which was built on the grave of a Christian nun, who preached and spread Christianity in Armenia. The next spot is 7th century church of St Gayane.
Later you will visit the world s first Christian Cathedral – Echmiadzin. The word Echmiadzin means a place where the only begotten son of God descended . According to a legend, Jesus Christ descended from heaven and indicated the spot for a church to be built. Echmiadzin is the residence of the Supreme Catholicos of all Armenians and the center of the Armenian Apostolic Church.

The last destination of our tour is one of the brightest landmarks of medieval Armenian architecture the magnificent Zvartnots Temple constructed in the 7th century. All these churches and the temple are listed on the UNESCO World s Cultural Heritage Sites.

Day 2: During this tour you will visit The Jewel of Armenia or the Geghama Sea – Lake Sevan, which is one of the largest high-mountainous freshwater lakes in the world. In the northwest part of Sevan Lake, on a narrow rocky peninsula, there stands one of the most prominent examples of medieval Armenian architecture Sevanavank Monastery. It was founded in 874 AD by princess Mariam. The remnants of the monastery that was constructed in the 9th century include only two temples Surb Arakelots and Surb Astvatsatsin, standing among numerous khachkars. The church buildings were constructed from black tuff, which probably gave the monastery its name Sevanavank – the Black Monastery .

The next destination of our tour is Armenian Switzerland – Dilijan. It is said that if there were forests, mountains and mineral springs in Paradise, the Paradise would be similar to Dilijan. In 13 km northeast of Dilijan in a cozy place one can find Monastery complex Haghartsin (‘Dance of the Eagles ). It was built between the 10th and 13th centuries and has three churches: one named for Gregory the Illuminator; another for the Virgin Mary (Surp Astvatsatsin); and the third for St Stephen (Stepanos). There are stunning khachkars, a sundial on the wall of St Gregory, a ruined gavit and a refectory with stunning arched ceiling.

HIGHLIGHTS

Visit UNESCO World s Cultural Heritage Sites
Discover the story of the most ancient church in Armenia
Travel to the Little Switzerland of Armenia

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