After a brief rest at the hotel, guests will embark on a tour of Yerevan city that includes stops at Republic Square, Victory Park, Mother Armenia, Cafesjian Center for the Arts, The Cascade, a carpet factory, the monument to A.Tamanyan, Opera House, and Tsitsernakaberd Armenian Genocide Memorial.

(Note: Arrival day activities will be adjusted as needed according to the itinerary of the traveler.)

A biking tour to Ashtarak town located on the banks of Kasakh river gorge. On the left bank of the river once there stood a fortress with a tower.

After visiting three churches in town – Tsiranavor, Karmravor, Spitakavor and the bridge going across Kasakh river which was built in 1664, the tourists will continue the tour to Byurakan village at the foot of Mount Aragats.

Here, on the height of 1500 meters above sea level a famous observatory founded in 1946 on the initiative of academician Victor Hambartsumian, who became the first director of the observatory. It is considered to be the cradle of astronomical achievements of the Armenian nation.
Lunch.

Transfer to Lake Kari along a stony, picturesque path that winds up the sothern slopes of Mount Aragats (20 km). There is an Institute for Cosmic Ray Research at the Lake and a little higher - a meteorological station «Aragats».

Cycling down to Amberd fortress («Fortress of clouds» VII- XIIIcc.) which is located on the north-western part from Byurakan, at 2300 m. above sea level, on a high triangle cliff which is formed by rivers Amberd and Arkashen (20 km).

Supper. Even in the hottest day you can taste winter dish «khash» here. On the slopes of the Mount there are many cattle-breeder pastures, where it is possible to buy fresh matsoun, soured cream and honey of mountainous flowers.

Camping. Supper and lodging in tents.

The trip will continue to Shirak province. A visit to monastic complex Arichavank which was built during the 7 th-13 th centuries. Its main feature is that it was built from huge stones of various colors. The stones laid in staggered order formed original ornament for the walls. Its cross-shaped facades are decorated by rich carved ornament characteristic to khachkars. The monastery used to be the summer residence of Armenian Catholicoses for centuries.

A trip to Gyumri by car. Gyumri is the center of Shirak province and the second largest and economically important city of the Republic. A trip through Gyumri, site of a devastating earthquake in 1988, still rebuilding. Tourists will see the restored city, and new churches, a new residential area «Ani» and the Monument of the outstanding French singer-songwriter Charles Aznavour.

Proceeding to Karakhach pass by cars (2 272m) and from there they will continue their way by bikes up to Tashir (46km). Then they will go to Stepanavan by cars. Supper and lodging in a hotel.

Visiting Lori Berd. The town stretched on a mountain plateau of almost triangle shape, bordered by deep ravines of Miskhan and Dzoraget rivers.

A trip to Dendropark. At the Dendropark arboretum in Sotchut park, located near Stepanavan's Gyulagarak village, visitors will find more than 400 types of trees, both local and imported from all over Eurasia, all of which have taken deep root in this botanical paradise.

The road leads to Odzun village (60 km). On a sizable plateau, some 100 m. from the main village road is Odzun with its famous church dating back to the first half of the 7th century. It was built by Katholikos Hovhan of Odzun. Lunch in a peasant's house.

The trip will continue to Sanahin and Haghpat Monasteries. The architectural complexes of Sanahin and Haghpat are among the outstanding works of medieval Armenian architecture. In their artistic merits they transcend the limits of national culture. Standing on a high plateau, amidst low structures, they rise sharp against the background of steep forest-grown slopes of Bazum ridge.

Supper and overnight in a guest house in Odzun.

Biking tour to Ayrum from where a car will take the tourists to Noyemberyan and from there they will descend by bikes to the village Achajur (the name Achajur «Eye-waters» comes from the old location of the village, a geographic point at which the people lived where two streams had an eye-shaped confluence) (100 km).
Camping. Supper and lodging in tents in Ijevan.

From Ijevan the tourists will make a biking tour to Gosh village and here they will visit Monastery Goshavank (1247m) an example of 12th-13th century architecture. It was founded by the renown monk, legal scholar and fable-writer Mkhitar Gosh, the author of the first Armenian codex.The monastery played a prominent role in Armenia's religious, cultural and educational life through the Middle Ages. Here stands the famous work of sculpture of Varpet ( Master) Poghos, a masterpiece of carved stone cross - khachkar.

Ascent to Lake Goshi. Lunch.

The tourists will continue their way by a car to Haghartsin Monastery (X-XIV cc.). Haghartsin Monastery is a live example of harmony between nature and architecture. Religious and secular edifices, the royal graveyard, inscriptions on the walls and stone crosses made in VII- XIII centuries reflect the history, religious life.

The tourists will be taken to the tunnel by a car and from there they will continue by bikes to Sevan (30 km). Ancient relict Lake Sevan – «The Jewel of Armenia» or the «Geghama Sea» is one of the largest high-moutainous fresh water lakes in the world. This nature's wonder is located in the very middle of Armenian highland in a huge mountain bowl framed with picturesque peaks at the height of 1,900 m.

Supper and overnight at the Lake.

Visiting the churches on Sevan peninsula.

The biking tour will continue to the Monastery Airivank. The 9 th–12 th-century Airivank Monastery is located on the western coast of Lake Sevan in the village of the same name. The khachkars which are scattered all over the territory give special picturesqueness to the temple.

Not far from Airivank Monastery on the shore of Lake Sevan tourists will see the settlement of Noraduz famous for its big khachkar cemetery. There are about 900 khachkars of various styles and epochs there. This is one of the largest collections of Armenian khachkars. Fish lunch in Martuni (1900m). Camping. Supper and lodging in tents.

Going through Sulem pass (2400m) by car and visiting Caravanserai. Descending to Getap village by bikes. Visiting wine factory where the tourists will taste wine. Swimming in mineral waters in Eghegnadzor.
Lunch.

Proceeding to Noravank Monastery (85 km). Built in place of an ancient cloister, it grew in the reign of Princes Orbelian of Syunik. In the 13th-14th centuries the monastery became a residence of Syunik bishops. According to legend, Noravank housed a piece of the True Cross stained with Christ’s blood. Supper and lodging in the tents near «Vardges cave».

Continuing the trip by bikes to the village Chiva then the car will take the tourists to the Monastery of Khor Virap (meaning «Deep dungeon»). The monastery stands before the snowcapped flanks of Mount Ararat offering a spectacular view of the mountain, the national symbol of Armenia. The monastery is several hundred meters away from the border between Armenia and Turkey, on the higher, left bank of Arax river.

It is where Grigor Lusavorich (St. Gregory the Illuminator) was imprisoned for 13 years.
To this day you can visit the underground chamber he was imprisoned, located in the St. Gevorg Chapel apart from the main church.

Back to Yerevan (30 km). Walking around the city. Supper and overnight in the hotel.

Before departing from Armenia, this eight-day tour concludes with visits to the Matenadaran where ancient Armenian manuscripts are stored and exhibited, Vernissage crafts and flea market, and the Yerevan Brandy Company for a tour and brandy tasting.

(Note: Departure day activities will be adjusted as needed according to the itinerary of the traveler.)