5-day Armenia Small Group Tour 20255 Days | Group | Yerevan, Hayravank, Noratus, Sevanavank, Etchmiadzin, Khor Virap, Areni cave, Noravank, Garni, Geghard

Arrival in Yerevan. Private transfer to your hotel will be arranged. Check-in at 14:00. Free time.
Driving distance: 10 km

After breakfast, drive out of the city to the Holy See of Armenia, Etchmiadzin, where we’ll visit Etchmiadzin Cathedral (the residence of the Catholicos, the supreme head of the Armenian Apostolic Church) and the museum of Christian relics (UNESCO World Heritage Site). Return to explore Yerevan, one of the world’s oldest cities. Yerevan is also nicknamed the “Pink City” and impresses visitors with its grand Soviet architecture. Our first stop in Yerevan will be at the Armenian Genocide Memorial Complex on Tsitsernakaberd Hill. Next, visit the Cascade Monument, a 500-metre high, 50-metre wide limestone staircase with no less than 572 steps. From the top of the monument, enjoy a breathtaking city view that includes the Opera House, Opera House, Mount Ararat, Swan Lake, Republic Square, and Abovyan Avenue, all of which we will see as we walk the streets of Yerevan (~2 km walking). Our bus will then drop us off at the hotel. Free evening. Overnight at the hotel.
Duration of sightseeing tour: 6-7 hours
Driving distance: 50 km

Breakfast. At 08:00, head to Khor Virap Monastery. According to legend, St. Gregory the Illuminator (who is credited with converting Armenia to Christianity) had been kept in the basement here for 13 years for disseminating of Christianity, until King Tradt decided to adopt the new religion. The monastery’s location allows you to enjoy superb views of Mount Ararat. Drive to the Noravank complex, which is situated on a ledge of a deep, winding gorge. Noravank stands among bizarrely shaped, precipitous red cliffs. An Armenian family will host us at their house for a delicious lunch.
We will finish today’s tour by visiting the Areni Cave complex, where in 2008, an ancient wine storage and the earliest shoe in the world were discovered. Arrive in Yerevan at around 18:00. Overnight at the hotel.
Duration of sightseeing tour: 9-10 hours
Driving distance: 240 km
Meals: lunch in a family

Depart Yerevan and drive to Garni, the only pagan temple in Armenia which survived the introduction of Christianity in the 4th century. Descend Garni Gorge to explore monumental rock formations called Symphony of Stones. Our final sightseeing stop today is the monastery complex Geghard (UNESCO World Heritage Site). A cut into the rock complex consists of several churches and tombs representing Armenian medieval architecture at its zenith. The beautiful landscape of Geghard is framed by towering cliffs.
You will have a free afternoon to explore more of Yerevan. Here are our suggestions:

• History Museum;
• Souvenirs market “Vernisage”;
• Dried fruit market (GUM) located at Khoryenatsi M. str. 35, one of the best places to buy local food and snacks;
• Stroll around Kond, the oldest district in Yerevan, for those who are eager to feel the aura of a small, but old district in a modern capital.

We meet in the evening for a farewell dinner at one of the local traditional restaurants. Overnight at the hotel.
Duration of sightseeing tour: 4-5 hours
Driving distance: 80 km
Meals: farewell dinner

Breakfast, followed by hotel check out (by 12:00). Free time until your transfer to Yerevan International Airport. Departure. End of Caucasus Group Tour.
Driving distance: 10 km