6 days in Armenia: Garni, Tatev, Echmiadzin, Sanahin, Haghpat

Day 1 Visit the only Pagan temple and the unique cave monastery in Armenia

1. 1

   Garni Temple

   1 hour Admission ticket not included

   The pagan temple Garni was 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.

2. 2

   The Monastery of Geghard

   1 hour

   The monastery 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.

Day 2 Admire the promenant Medieval architectural jewels and take a ride on the world's longest non-stop ropeway

1. 1

   Noravank Monastery

   1 hour

   Monastery Noravank 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.

2. 2

   Tatev Monastery

   2 hours

   One of the famous monuments of medieval Armenian architecture - Tatev Monastery was built in the 9th-13th centuries. In translation from the old Armenian (grabar) "tatev" means "give wings". Indeed, located at a great height, it seems that Tatev stretches upward to the sky. The walls seem to be a natural extension of the rock that raises it so high.

3. 3

   Wings of Tatev

   30 min Admission ticket not included

   Thanks to the construction of the Wings of Tatev, the longest cable car in the world (5.7 km), the complex has become one of the most visited places in Armenia.

Day 3 Enjoy the mountain view, visit the highest fortress

1. 1

   Kari Lake

   40 min

   In the slopes of Mount Aragats there is Lake Kari (Stone Lake). It is located 3.190 m above the sea level and has a perimeter of 1.150 m. The lake appeared from ice formations. It is surrounded by snow most of the time and that is why water is rather cold.

2. 2

   Armenian Alphabet Monument

   30 min

   The complex was built in 2005, on the 1600th anniversary of the creation of Armenian alphabet. The complex includes sculptures of 39 letters of Armenian alphabet. All the letters and statues are made of Armenian tufa. Armenian alphabet was created by Mesrop Mashtots in 405 in order to make the Bible accessible to Armenians and spread Christianity.

3. 3

   Amberd Fortress

   1 hour Admission ticket not included

   It is a 7th-century fortress located 2.300 meters above sea level on the southern slopes of the Mount Aragats. The name translates to "fortress in the clouds" in Armenian. The site includes a rich variety of buildings (church, chapel, baths, walls, gates, etc.), in a spectacular position defined by good natural defenses.

Day 4 Visit the "Blue Pearl" of Armenia and feel yourself in paradise

1. 1

   Monastery Sevanavank

   1 hour

   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.

2. 2

   Haghartsin Monastery

   1 hour

   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. There are stunning khachkars, a sundial on the wall of St Gregory, a ruined gavit and a refectory with stunning arched ceiling.

Day 5 Get acquainted with the history of Christianity in Armenia

1. 1

   Echmiadzin Monastery

   1 hour

   The word “Echmiadzin” means a place where “the only begotten son of the 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.

2. 2

   Saint Gayane Church

   30 min

   This is a 7th-century Armenian church in Vagharshapat (Etchmiadzin), the religious center of Armenia. It is located within walking distance from the Etchmiadzin Cathedral of 301. St. Gayane was built by Catholicos Ezra I in the year 630. Its design has remained unchanged despite partial renovations of the dome and some ceilings in 1652.

3. 3

   Saint Hripsime Church

   30 min

   This is a seventh century Armenian Apostolic church in the city of Vagharshapat (Etchmiadzin), Armenia. It is one of the oldest surviving churches in the country. The church was erected by Catholicos Komitas to replace the original mausoleum built by Catholicos Sahak the Great in 395 AD that contained the remains of the martyred Saint Hripsime to whom the church is dedicated. The current structure was completed in 618 AD. It is known for its fine Armenian-style architecture of the classical period, which has influenced many other Armenian churches since. It was listed as a UNESCO World Heritage Site along with other nearby churches, including Etchmiadzin Cathedral, Armenia's mother church, in 2000.

4. 4

   Zvartnots Temple

   45 min Admission ticket not included

   The temple is one of the brightest landmarks of medieval Armenian architecture, constructed in the 7th century. All these churches and the temple are listed on the UNESCO World’s Cultural Heritage Sites.

Day 6 Feel the harmony of the nature and stones

1. 1

   Haghpat Monastery

   1 hour

   The monastery of Haghpat, founded by Queen Khosrovanush (wife of the Armenian King Ashot III) in AD 976, consists of one narthex, two corridor-sepulchers, a refectory, a scriptorium, the Chapel of Hamazasp, a belfry, several chapel-tombs and cross-stones (khachkars)․ Is placed on UNESCO's World Heritage List

2. 2

   Monastery of Sanahin

   1 hour

   Sanahin used to be the administrative centre and family burial place of the Kyurikyan Bagratids (10th and 11th centuries), as well as the Episcopal residence for the diocese (until the 11th century). The Sanahin monastery contains 3 churches, narthex, scriptorium, belfry and academy. Haghpat and Sanahin Monasteries are placed on UNESCO's World Heritage List.

3. 3

   Odzun Church

   40 min

   Odzun Church is an Armenian basilica constructed around the 5th-7th century in the Odzun village of the Lori Province of Armenia. From the northern and southern sides of the temple there are arched galleries – a rare feature of Armenian temples architecture. There are a number of khachkars around the temple.