Arrival at Zvartnots International Airport – Transfer to the hotel – overnight in Tsaghkadzor

Tsaghkadzor ski resort (Kecharis monastery – rope way) – overnight in Tsaghkadzor

Tsaghkadzor, is a spa town and urban municipal community, as well as one of the most popular health resorts in Armenia, located north of the capital Yerevan in the Kotayk Province. According to the 2011 census, the town has a population of 1,256, down from 3,350 reported in the 1989 census. Currently, the town has an approximate population of 900 as per the 2016 official estimate.

Kecharis Monastery is a medieval Armenian monastic complex dating back to the 11th to 13th centuries, located 60 km from Yerevan, in the ski resort town of Tsakhkadzor in Armenia. Nestled in the Pambak mountains, Kecharis was founded by a Pahlavuni prince in the 11th century, and construction continued until the middle of the 13th century. In the 12th and 13th centuries, Kecharis was a major religious center of Armenia and a place of higher education. Today, the monastery has been fully restored and is clearly visible from the ski slopes.

City tour in Yerevan: Republic Square - Cascade - Statue of Mother Armenia – "Megerian carpet" factory-museum – overnight in Yerevan

Breakfast at hotel. Yerevan is the capital and the biggest district of Armenia; one of the most ancient cities in the world. It is 2.793 years old. The name of the city refers to Erebuni Fortress of Urartu. In 1918 it became the 14th in history capital of Armenia. Yerevan is 900-1400 meters above sea level. The image of today’s Yerevan is formed according to Alexander Tamanyan’s plan of 1924 – the city, build in accordance with the unified plan of church architecture. Free time for shopping and sightseeing.  Yerevan is famous as a pink city and calls visitors with its humble and at the same time splendid landscapes. One of the famous tourist attraction is    Cascade Monument which was the main symbol of the cities 2780th anniversary with the equivalent number of stairs. Mega scale staircase is 500 meters high and 50 meters wide. A panoramic view from the monument opens up breathtaking city view with Opera House, Mount Ararat, Swan Lake, Republic Square, and Abovyan Avenue. If it is a weekend, visit Vernissage, the biggest souvenir market in Yerevan. In the center you can find many restaurants, cafes and shops.

The Megerians, originally from Armenia, since 1917 in the United States engaged in the purchase, sale, repair and restoration of elegant handmade carpets. «Megerian Carpet» in Yerevan has a large impressive exhibition hall, where foreign guests, as well as local residents can make their purchases. Visitors and guests can observe the production of carpets, which includes coloring threads with the help of vegetable colorants, weaving, cutting, finishing, etc. There are exquisite antique carpets and carpets from the personal collection of the Megerian. Enjoy unforgettable impressions that will be remembered for a long time!

Amberd Fortress – Alphabet alley – overnight in Yerevan

Amberd Fortress. The principal architectural features of medieval fortress-building have found their reflection in this fortress. Having been built on a naturally well-defended cape, Amberd has for long time served as an important military fort. Next to this secular edifice there is a church built in 1026 by the duke Vahram Pahlavuni.

Alphabet Alley is located in the village of Artashavan, at the east side bottom of Mt. Aragats. It was erected in 2005 to the 1600 anniversary of creation of the Armenian alphabet by the design of the famous Armenian architect Jim Torosyan. The monument is an interesting demonstration of the stone carvings of 39 Armenian letters. The Armenian alphabet has been used to write the Armenian language since the year 405 or 406 and is still used to present Armenian language in written form. It was devised by Saint Mesrop Mashtots, an Armenian linguist and ecclesiastical leader, in order to make the Bible accessible to Armenians and spread Christianity. Originally it contained 36 letters and had been completed in the Middle Ages.

Transfer to the airport – Departure