2 Days Tour Package: Khor Virap, Noravank, Tatev, Nagorno-Karabakh, Sevan

Itinerary

Day 1: Khor Virap,Areni winery, Noravank, Tatev

Stop At: Khor Virap, Artashat, Lusarat Armenia
Khor Virap – Armenian monastery, built in 642, translated from Armenian means “deep hole”. Khor Virap is one of the shrines of the Armenian Apostolic Church, a place of pilgrimage. The most interesting fact of this monastery is the fact that it was built on the site of the royal prison, where Gregory the Illuminator was previously imprisoned – the patron saint and the first official head of the Armenian Apostolic Church by the Armenian king for 13 years. From the territory of the monastery there is an unusual view of the biblical mountain Ararat.
Duration: 1 hour

Stop At: Areni Wine Factory, Areni Armenia
Areni is the birthplace of winemaking. Viticulture on the territory of Armenia originated many years before our era. In Armenia, grows a lot of wild vineyard, and a large number of local varieties of grapes. And here there is the oldest winery of Armenia, where you can taste the most delicious wine from the best varieties of grapes.
Duration: 1 hour

Stop At: Noravank Monastery, Areni Armenia
Monastery Noravank is among the wonderful steep red rocks on the ledge of a meandering gorge. It was founded in the XII century on the site of ancient buildings. Complex Noravank, thanks to the magnificent creations of medieval architects and its location on the background of a beautiful landscape, leaves an indelible impression. It is one of the majestic monuments of the Armenian medieval architecture.
Duration: 1 hour

Stop At: Tatev Monastery, Tatev Armenia
Monastery Tatev is the pearl of the Armenian architecture of the Middle Ages. It is located in South Armenia in the center of the Syunik province, 315 km from Yerevan and 30 km from the city of Goris, on the right bank of the Vorotan River, near the village of Tatev with the same name. The monastery was erected in the 9th – 13th centuries and consecrated in honor of St. Eustathius, a disciple of the Apostle Thaddeus, who, like his teacher, preached Christianity and was martyred for a new faith.
Duration: 2 hours

Stop At: Stepanakert Shuka, Sasuntsi Tavit St., Khankendi Azerbaijan
Stepanakert is the capital of Nagorno-Karabakh. Stepanakert is the administrative, cultural and economic center of the republic. It is located on the eastern slope of the Karabakh mountain chain, on the left bank of the tributary of the Karkar River, Vararakn, 850 m above sea level. The heart of Stepanakert is the Veratsnund (Renaissance) area with the Presidential Palace, the parliament building, the government building and the Youth Palace. The symbol of Stepanakert, and the whole of Karabakh is the monument "We and our mountains", widely known among the people as Grandfather and Grandmother.
Duration: 1 hour

No meals included on this day.
No accommodation included on this day.

Day 2: Shushi, Gandzasar, Dadivank, Sevan

Stop At: Ghazanchetsots Cathedral, Ghazanchetsots Street, Shusha 5800 Azerbaijan
Ancient city – the fortress of Shushi for many years was the administrative, religious, cultural and educational center of one of the 15 provinces of historical Armenia – Nagorno-Karabakh. Shushi has a very rich history. After May 9, 1992, the most vivid event of the new history of the Armenian people – the victory in the Karabakh liberation war – is connected with the name of Shushi. The pride of Shushi is the church of Surb Amenaprkich (Kazanchetsots) of the 19th century, which is an example of a harmonic fusion of the monument with the environment. The church of Kazanchetsots is one of the most impressive religious buildings in Armenia, it is an excellent embodiment of the building genius of the Armenian people. It is the best possible indication of how much the strength of the Armenian building art was in the 19th century.
Duration: 1 hour

Stop At: Hunot Canyon, Nagorno-Karabakh, Shusha 375000 Azerbaijan
Visitors will have an unforgettable experience of unsurpassed beauty of the State Reserve "Hunot Canyon". From the highest point of Jdrdyuz you can see the walls of the canyon, towering 250 meters above the river Karkar in the south-west of the city-fortress Shoushi. Travellers walk along the gorge, can observe beautiful waterfalls, lush forests, caves, inhabited in the Stone Age, the ruins of the village Hunot and ancient bridges, massive mountains and river, persistently breaking through the rocks. Historical, natural and architectural wonders are collected on the territory of about 400 hectares of a wonderful nature reserve. Waterfall "Mamrot Kar" ("Mossy stone", known as "Hovanots" or "umbrella"). The source originates from the canyon and flowing down the mossy rocks, forms a waterfall in the form of an umbrella. This spectacular natural monument with a grotto in the form of an umbrella amazes visitors of all ages, and is considered a wonder of the canyon. Waterfall "Mossy Stone" is located on the bank of the river Karkar, in a cozy place, where there is also a natural swimming pool. Nearby this small miracle, tower century-old giant rocks of Hunout Hunot canyon, adding an unreal beauty. The ruins of the village Hunot. On the left bank of the river Karkar village Hunot is located, founded in the 18th century and abandoned in the 20th century. The ruins of this small village now occupy an area of almost half a hectare. Here visitors will see the ruins of old buildings and cemeteries. In 1895, the village has had 130 inhabitants, has played and has played an important role for the city of Shoushi.
Duration: 50 minutes

Stop At: Gandzasar Monastery, Aghdara Azerbaijan
Gandzasar monastery is one of the wonders of Artsakh. Situated in the Great Arank region of the state of Artsakh, on w promontory high above the west bank of the Khachen river, it overlooks the scenic village of Vank in the Martakert district. The monastery was built on the site of an ancient church, as evidenced by khachkars centuies older than the monastic complex. Gandzasar is first mentioned in mid-tenth century writings of Anania Mokatsi. On this site, Prince Hasan Jalal Dola of Lower Khachen began the construction of the great cathedral of Gandzasar. The church was completed in 1238.
Duration: 1 hour

Stop At: Dadivank Monastery, Veng Azerbaijan
In between the Karabakh and Mrav mountain ranges, on the left bank of the Trtu river, atop a small forested hill, there lies one of the most ancient holy sites of Artsakh, where the settlement of Khut once stood.
According to tradition dating from the first century, Dadi, disciple of the Apostle Thadeus, came here to spread Christianity. After he was martyred here, a monastery was built over his grave and called Dadivank in his honor; it is also known as Khutavanq, marking the location.

Duration: 1 hour

Stop At: Sevan, Armenia
And here, you reached the blue pearl of Armenia - Lake Sevan. Lake Sevan is located at an altitude of 1,900 meters above sea level in the center of the Armenian highlands, and is the largest of the Caucasus lakes. From all sides, Sevan is surrounded by mountain ranges, from where a stunning panorama of an alpine lake opens up. The lake is famous for its purest fresh water, and the clean mountain air has a beneficial effect on health.
And here you will go for a boat trip on Lake Sevan and enjoy a wonderful evening!
Duration: 30 minutes

Stop At: Monastery Sevanavank, next the Holy Mother of God Church, Sevan Armenia
At the end of the tour, you will visit the Sevanavank Monastery, which is located on the Sevan peninsula on the top of a hill, from where a beautiful view of Lake Sevan opens. The Sevanavank Monastery was built in the 9th century on the shores of Lake Sevan.
Duration: 1 minute

No meals included on this day.
No accommodation included on this day.