13-Day Armenia Cultural Tour from Yerevan with Artsax and Tatev

Echmiadzin is one of the first Christian churches in the world. Here, you'll get acquainted with the adoption of Christianity in Armenia, the first Christian country in the world. This is the only 7-domed church in Armenia and the Holy Seat of all Armenians.

St. Hripsime is a unique church included on the UNESCO list. This is the first cupola-domed church of world architecture, built in 618.

St. Gayane was built in the 7th century, and the ruins of Zvartnots Temple (Temple of Angels), also from the 7th century, are worth visiting to admire the architectural talent of ancient Armenians.

Sardarapat Memorial: due to this memorial complex, devoted to the Bash-Aparan battle in 1918, the Armenians did not lose their religion and their country. Visiting this complex, you will get acquainted with the eternal and remarkable history of Armenia.

Metsamor is one of the ancient settlements of the Armenian nation. Research has proved that in the Early Bronze Age (4th-3rd millennium B.C.), Metsamor was a cradle of civilization. Almost 22,000 objects discovered during excavations are displayed in the museum situated next to the ruins of the settlement.

Khor Virap is the church where Grigor the Illuminator stayed for 13 years without any food and proved that Christianity is a very powerful religion. After that, the Armenians adopted Christianity. From here opens the wonderful view of the Armenian pride, Mt. Ararat.

Areni wine: Armenia is famous as a winemaking country, and the first grapevine was planted in Armenia by Noah after the Great Flood.

Noravank: you will appear in a wonderland, as the church complex is situated on top of the rocks and surrounded by miraculous rocks and cliffs that change their color depending on the sun rays and weather. This complex dates back to the 12th-13th century.

Jermuk welcomes you to one of the most picturesque resort areas of Armenia, famous for its hot mineral springs and picturesque gorges. It is 173 km southeast of Yerevan. A small roadside path will bring you to a picturesque waterfall. Armenia's world-famous mineral water comes from these springs. Be sure you will not get sick or tired of the long road, as along the way you will admire unique nature that changes with every meter. This is a special medical resort area where you will discover illnesses and remedies to treat them. The chemical content of Jermuk mineral water is very close to the famous Karlovy Vary water in the Czech Republic.

The Monastery of Tatev is situated in the territory of Goris in the Syunik region. This is one of the richest monastic complexes of Medieval Armenia. Its profitable strategic position and inaccessibility created suitable conditions for constructing strong buildings and ramparts in defense of the complex. This complex consists of several churches, living rooms, an oil-making reservoir, and buildings of economic importance. The stick, or swinging column, of the monastery is of great interest. It is 6 metres high and, by the strides of the detachment, moved and warned the monks about danger.

Khndzoresk is a cave village. Since the slopes have no flat spaces fit for building, people dug terraces in the rocks in such a way that the roof of the lower house served as the courtyard floor for the one above it. The tomb of Mkhitar Sparapet, a confederate of David Bek, is here. Presently, Old Khndzoresk has the status of a historical landmark under public protection.

Nagorno-Karabagh (Artsax) - every Armenian feels proud and happy when entering the historical land of Artsax. For the citizens of Armenia, entry is free, but foreigners need a visa for entry, which they can get in Yerevan or at the border. Nowadays, it is quite a safe and wonderful place for traveling. The people of Karabagh are very hospitable and proud of their origin. The area is rich in wonderful architectural, natural, and historical places.

Shoushi is considered to be the most ancient spiritual and cultural center of the Caucasus. The city is known for its strong fortress and different historical places of interest. An 18th-century mosque and St. Ghazanchetsots Church are situated here. Due to the Shushi battle for Armenian land, Artsax is reachable for Armenians.

Gandzasar Monastery has its particular place among the monuments of Artsax. It is considered one of the gems of Armenian medieval architecture. It consists of a church, hall, friary cabins, and other economic buildings. Part of the main church's architectural ornamentation is the high reliefs of the dome's polygonal drum. The monastery is built on a wooded hill named Gandzasar, from which it gets its name.

Amaras Monastery was built in the 4th century, and this is the first place where Mesrop Mashtots, the creator of the Armenian alphabet, opened the first school of Armenia.

Yeghegis is a historical city sprinkled with antiquities. Here, there is the St. Astvatsatin Basilica dating back to the 18th century, the small Church of St. Karapet from the 13th century, and St. Zorats Cathedral built in the 14th century. St. Zorats is a unique church. Its name comes from the custom of consecrating arms and horses there before battle.

Selim Caravanserai and Pass: according to the Armenian inscription on the right inside the door, Prince Chesar Orbelian and his brothers built this in 1332 during the reign of Abu Said the Second Xan. This is the best-preserved caravansary in Armenia. There is a little spring just uphill beyond the caravansary.

Lake Sevan is undoubtedly one of the most exciting sights in Armenia. It is the pearl of Armenia. This wonder is situated at almost 2,000 m above sea level. Its beauty is austere and majestic. The pure air and sandy beaches attract holidaymakers. This is the largest lake in the Caucasus and one of the highest freshwater lakes in the world.

Hayravank Temple dates back to the 9th-12th centuries. Dilijan is one of the forest-rich cities of Armenia. This resort area is famous for its unique architectural and historical sights. It is an icon of Armenia with its picturesque nature.

Goshavank was founded by the famous Armenian fabler Mkhitar Gosh in the 13th century. Here is the most famous masterpiece of carved cross-stones (khachkar). The carving is so perfect that it looks like openwork lace. The distinctiveness and richness of the church's decoration show the artistic taste and consummate skill of the craftsmen who created it.

Haghartsin: this complex was built in the 13th century, and arriving here feels like entering a miracle land, as the natural and architectural beauty is very harmonious and impressive. This sight inspired and attracted an Arab shayx so much that he donated a great sum for the reconstruction of this complex. In 2011, it was fully repaired and equipped with modern technologies for church protection.

Tsaxkadzor translates as the gorge of flowers. It has a unique beauty in each season and is known for both its winter and summer attractions. Here, there are hotels, restaurants, resorts, and guesthouses. The Olympic Training Center is used for winter and summer sports and consists of various sports facilities, including swimming pools, skating rinks, ski trails, and tennis courts. This is a world-famous winter resort. Come here for a good climate, picturesque scenery, forest-covered mountain slopes, and blossoming valleys.

Bjni village is known for its famous Armenian mineral water. Here are two churches: St. Sargis, built of pink tuff on a high rock in the 7th century, and St. Astvatsatsin, built by Grigor Magistros in the 11th century. It is assumed that the church was used to preserve manuscripts copied in the monastery. The church was restored in the 20th century.

Geghard Monastery is the only rock-carved church in Armenia and one of the masterpieces of the world, dating back to the 13th century. This church complex is built inside a huge rock, and the acoustics are unbelievably impressive. Here, you will have one of the unique opportunities of your life to get rid of all evils and bad thoughts, as listening to live Armenian spiritual songs inside this church will make you feel as honest as a little child. Each sound will touch the bottom of your heart.

Gyumri is Armenia's second-largest city and the cultural center of Armenia. This is the only place in Armenia where you can see an authentic historic Armenian city. Though this city experienced the terrible Spitak earthquake, today it is a modern city and a lovely place for everybody.

Oshakan is the place where the creator of the Armenian alphabet, Mesrop Mashtots, is buried. This is a 19th-century building, but his grave was erected in the 5th century. Here, you will be introduced to the Armenian alphabet and its creative legacy. When you get acquainted with the Armenian language, you'll realize that Armenian was the base of many languages. The Armenian alphabet is one of the most phonetic alphabets and can be used for the translation of words from any other alphabet without changing the initial pronunciation of sounds.

Letters Park: this park of Armenian letters was founded in 2005 on the slope of Mt. Aragats, the highest mountain in the Republic of Armenia at 4,090 m, and was dedicated to the 1600th anniversary of the invention of the Armenian alphabet.

Amberd Fortress is the only well-preserved fortress in Armenia dating back to the Bronze Age. The castle ruins of Amberd cover an area of 1,500 square meters. Its walls are constructed of roughly hewn basalt blocks set in place with mortar.

Harichavank is situated on the western foot of Mount Aragats on a rocky cape. According to researchers, it was founded in the 7th century. This monastery is very impressive with its architectural ornaments and huge dome. The main church was built in the 13th century. In the 19th century, the monastery became a summer residence for patriarchs. The small chapel not far from the complex, built on a piece of rock, is of great interest because during an earthquake it separated from the main rock and has survived almost unharmed to our times.

Marmashen: this church complex is situated on a picturesque plateau on the high coast of the Akhurian River. It is a huge obelisk dating back to the 10th-11th century. The complex is built of tuff limestone and makes a great impression on visitors.

Haghpat and Sanahin are architectural masterpieces of Armenia in the Lori region, the greenest region of Armenia, with its breathtaking panoramas and deep gorges. Both churches are in great harmony with nature, and it seems they are part of nature themselves. They date back to the 10th-13th century and are included on the UNESCO list of architectural treasures.

Odzun is a large, wonderful longitudinal cruciform church. It is also notable for its figural relief sculpture. It looks like a miracle in the midst of nature. This church dates back to the 13th century. It is one of the unique churches on top of the canyon, and half of it is now covered with moss, making it look like part of nature.

Vanadzor cross-stone maker studio: Armenia is world-famous for its uniquely talented architectural monuments, khachkars. You will visit one of the studios where you will get acquainted with this art in detail.

Mugni, standing on an elevation, is the architectural dominant of a vast settlement. St. Georgy Church was built in the 17th century. It is a cross-winged domed basilica. Architectural details emphasize the artistic expressiveness of the building. The finely carved decoration of the southern portal is the most interesting.