Sheep Shearing Festival

Itinerary

Day 1: Arrival to Zvartnots International Airport. Transfer to the hotel.

Stop At: Hotel Silachi in Yerevan, Armenia
Our guide will meet you at the Airport. After that will be transferred to Hotel. Check-in.Free time.
Duration: 12 hours

No meals included on this day.
Accommodation included: Yerevan, Silachi Hotel

Day 2: Yerevan - Sheep Shearing Festival - Goris

Stop At: Goris Rock Forest, Goris, Syunik Province
Driving to Syunik Region village Khot. The purpose of sheep shearing festival is to make traditions and culture, local products of the regions of Vayots Dzor and Syunik more recognizable, also to promote the development of tourism in regions of Armenia.The festival embraces sheep shearing competition, national live music, dances,tiprope, sports activities, exhibition-sale where producers of Vayots Dzor and Syunik present their products. During last year’s festival participants had an opportunity to help themselves from the placed stalls tasting Armenian traditional dishes.
Overnight in Goris.

Duration: 6 hours

Meals included:
• Breakfast
Accommodation included: "Goris" Hotel in Goris city.

Day 3: Khndzoresk - Tatev Monastery - Karahunj (Zorats stones) - Hermon

Stop At: Khndzoresk Swinging Bridge, Yerevan
Breakfast at the Hotel.
Khndzoresk located to the right of Goris - Stepanakert highway, on the steep slopes of Khor Dzor (Deep Gorge), from which, according to tradition, it got its name. Khndzoresk is widely famous for its canyon with picturesque rock formations and ancient cave settlement. The artificial caves, some of which are currently used as stables and warehouses, used to be inhabited till the 1950s. The 160-meter long swinging bridge weight 14 tons and connects the two banks of the village, the so-called old and new Khndzoresk. The amazing thing about the bridge is that it was constructed by the residents of the village, with their own hands and no machinery was used for the construction, and even for the transportation of materials (they used horses).

Duration: 2 hours

Stop At: Tatev Monastery, Tatev, Syunik Province
We will go to one of the jewels of the region – Tatev monastery (IX – XVIII). From a small chapel Tatev turned into a regional center, one of the world largest educational centers, along with the Bologna and Sorbonne University. Tatev monastery combines impressive architecture and an unforgettable natural beauty. Also there is the longest reversible aerial tramway in the world.

Duration: 2 hours

Stop At: Karahundj (Armenia's Stonehenge), Sisian, Syunik Province
Going to Karahunj or Zorats Karer. Zorats Karer is 3, 500 years older than England’s Stonehenge and 3, 000 years older than the Egyptian pyramids. The total area of the observatory is 7 hectares. According to the scientist’s findings, a temple consisting of 40 stones built in honor of the Armenians’ main God, Ari, meaning the Sun, is situated in the central part of Carahunge. Besides the temple, it had a large and developed observatory, and also a university that makes up the temple’s wings.
Overnight in Hermon.

Duration: 1 hour

Meals included:
• Breakfast
Accommodation included: "Lucy Tour" Hotel in Hermon.

Day 4: Hermon - Noravank - Areni Winery - Khor Virap

Stop At: Noravank Monastery, Areni, Vayots Dzor Province
Breakfast at the Hotel.
Heading to Noravank, a monastery of XIII century, situated among amazing sheer rocks on the bench of a twisty gorge. This is the only monastery where we may find a unique sculpture of Father God.

Duration: 1 hour

Stop At: Hin Areni Winery, Areni, Vayots Dzor Province
Afterwards we will continue our tour to Armenian Wine Village Areni. This village is very famous with its red wine. Visit the wine factory of the village where we will have wine degustation.
Duration: 1 minute

Stop At: Khor Virap, Lusarat, Ararat Province
Take trip to Khor Virap Monastery (IV-XVIII th cc.). This monastery is very prominent because of its history: Gregory the Illuminator, who introduced Christianity to Armenia, has been imprisoned here about 13 years as at that time there was a prison in the place of the monastery. Here we can enjoy the spectacular view of the sacred Ararat Mountain - an immortal symbol of Armenia.
Return to Yerevan. Overnight.

Duration: 1 hour

Meals included:
• Breakfast
Accommodation included: "Silachi" Hotel in Yerevan

Day 5: Garni Temple - Geghard Monastery - Arch of Charents - Yerevan

Stop At: Garni Temple, Garni, Kotayk Province
Breakfast at the Hotel.
Take trip to Garni. This Pagan Temple was built in the Ist century AD. It is the only temple that remains from the Pagan times in Armenia. It was devoted to the God of the Sun Mihr, and was a gift to the queen. In 1679 it was destroyed by earthquake. In the 1975 the Temple was restored.
Lavash(Armenian Bread) baking ceremony and degustation.
This traditional flatbread is made with flour, water, and salt, and its thickness depends on how thinly it’s rolled out. Toasted sesame or poppy seeds — or both — are sometimes then sprinkled on top before baking. Traditionally, the dough is rolled out flat and slapped against the hot walls of a clay oven where it then cooks. Watch a demonstration on how lavash is made and take the opportunity to try your hand at preparing and baking it. Then, once it’s ready, enjoy a tasting: savoring it with local cheese and green vegetables.

Duration: 2 hours

Stop At: The Monastery of Geghard, Geghard, Kotayk Province
We will continue our trip to Geghard a medieval monastery being partially carved out of the adjacent mountain, surrounded by cliffs. It is listed as a UNESCO World Heritage Site. While the main chapel was built in 1215, the monastery complex was founded in the 4th century by Gregory the Illuminator at the site of a sacred spring inside a cave. The whole complex is awash with detailed sculptures, cliffside monks’ cells, and many striking stone crosses (khachkars), elaborately etched into the rock faces.
Duration: 1 hour

Stop At: Charent's Arch, Garni, Kotayk Province
Afterward you will see Charents Arch that is located on the road to Garni and is used as a spectacular place to view Mt. Ararat and its valley. Overnight in Yerevan.

Duration: 30 minutes

Meals included:
• Breakfast
Accommodation included: "Silachi" Hotel in Yerevan

Day 6: Markets GUM and Vernissage. Transfer to the Airport. Departure.

Stop At: Vernissage
Breakfast at the Hotel. Check out.
A visit to traditional food market – GUM, and handmade and jewelry market Vernissage in Yerevan.
Transfer to the Airport. Departure.

Duration: 2 hours

Meals included:
• Breakfast
No accommodation included on this day.