3 days in Armenia/ Garni, Khor Virap, Noravank, Lake Sevan – Kotayk, Armenia

EXPERIENCE

Day 1: Another must see place in Armenia is Khor Virap. It is where Grigor Luisavorich (St. Gregory the Illuminator) was imprisoned for 13 years before curing King Trdat III of a disease. This caused the adoption of Christianity in Armenia in the year 301.
In fact, the name Khor Virap means “deep pit”, named after the prison where St. Gregory the Illuminator was held.
The next stop will be Monastery Noravank, which dates back to XIII—XIV centuries. The complex includes the 1339 St. Astvatsatsin (“Burtelashen”) sepulchre-church, St. Stepanos Nakhavka and gavit, the St. Grigor Church and Stepanos Orbelian Sepulchre, the remains of medieval chapels and residential quarters and a modern office and hall.
In the end of our trip you have an opportunity to taste armenian wine in Areni winery.

Day 2: The first stop of our trip will be the Arch of Charents from where a breathtaking view opens to Ararat, probably the most stunning view of the mountain. From this place it seems that Ararat is not on the ground, but is “hanging down” from the sky. The Arch was named in honour of Armenian poet Yeghishe Charents. From here, we will continue our tour to the pagan temple Garni, built in the 1st century AD by the armenian king Trdat. The temple Garni is the only monument connecting with the era of paganism and Hellenism, dedicated to the sun god Mithra. The temple is built according to the rules of the classical Greek architecture and looks very similar to the famous temple of Athens in Greece. There is the bathhouse not far from the palace built in the 3rd century AD and has the features specific to the Roman baths of that time.

The next destination of the tour will be the Monastery Geghard, which was built in the 4th century by The First Armenian Catholicos – Gregory the Illuminator. Initially it was called Airivank (cave monastery), then was renamed Geghard, which means <>. The name of the monastery originates from the spear of the Roman soldier who pierced the body of Jesus Christ. Now the spear is presented in the museum of Echmiadzin.

Day 3: Our wonderful tour will take you to the famous mountain-ski resort – Tsaghkadzor. Translated from Armenian the word “Tsakhkadzor” means the Gorge of Flowers. Indeed, the gorge, the mountains, snow tops, rapid rivers, picturesque valleys are covered with a flower carpet. In the north-western part of Tsakhkadzor one can find the 11th century monastic complex of Kecharis.

The last destination during this trip will be “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.

HIGHLIGHTS

Admire the breathtaking view of Ararat moiuntain
Taste Armenian wine
Explore the only pagan temple in Armenia

Discover more exciting & fun things to do in Kotayk