Private Tour to Lake Sevan, Dilijan, Goshavank and Haghartsin monasteries

Take trip to Lake Sevan; the largest lake in Armenia and the Caucasus region. It is one of the largest freshwater high- altitude lakes in the world. Lake Sevan is situated in the central part of the Republic of Armenia, in the Gegharkunik Province, at the altitude of 1,900 m (6,200 ft) above sea level. The total surface area of its basin is about 5,000 km2 (1,900 sq mi), the lake itself is 940 km2, and the volume is 34.0 billion m3. It is fed by 28 rivers and streams.

At the northwestern shore of Lake Sevan on a peninsula you will see a monastic complex Sevanavank. Initially the monastery was built at the southern shore of a small island. After the artificial draining of Lake Sevan the water level fell about 20 metres, and the island transformed into a peninsula. The monastery of Sevanavank was founded in 874 by Princess Mariam, the daughter of Ashot I(who became a king a decade later).

Heading to Dilijan. Mild climate and gorgeous nature made this town well known as a beautiful resort. Passing by the city, visit the famous Sharamberyan Street. Dilijan usually is called Little Switzerland by the locals.

Haghartsin Monastery was built between the 10th and 13th centuries (in the 12th under Khachatur of Taron); much of it under the patronage of the Bagratuni Dynasty.

Then we will continue our tour to Goshavank which is a 12th- or 13th-century Armenian monastery located in the village of Gosh. Goshavank was erected in the place of an older monastery once known as Nor Getik, which had been destroyed by an earthquake in 1188. Mkhitar Gosh, a statesman, scientist and author of numerous fables and parables as well as the first criminal code, took part in the rebuilding of the monastery. At Goshavank, Mkhitar Gosh founded a school. One of its alumni, an Armenian scientist by the name of Kirakos Gandzaketsi wrote The History of Armenia. The architect Mkhitar the Carpenter and his disciple Hovhannes also took an active part in the building of the monastery. The complex was later renamed Goshavank and the village named Gosh in his honor.

The monastery of Haghartsin, together with Goshavank, may become part of a natural site based on the state protected area of Dilijan National Park, an important forest in north-eastern Armenia.