IRAN PROGRAM 1

AQUARIUS TRAVEL PROGRAM FOR ARMENIA + IRAN FOR WEB SITE

DAY 1      Arrival in Yerevan. Custom formalities. Meeting at the airport and transfer to the hotel. Check-in. Rest.           

Yerevan Sightseeing Tour

After breakfast full day sightseeing tour of Yerevan including the Republic Square, the Opera House, the Parliament, the Cascade as well as the monument ‘Mayr Hayastan’ (Mother Armenia) with a panoramic view of Yerevan and Mount Ararat. Visits to:  Erebuni – archaelogical museum of ancient Yerevan and ruins of the fortress of Erebuni founded in 782 b.C. by the Urartian King Argishti I. Visit to Matenadaran – institute of ancient manuscripts. Lunch in a local restaurant. In the afternoon visit to Tsitsernakaberd – Memorial and Museum of the Armenian Genocide of 1915. Dinner in a city restaurant or in hotel. Overnight in Yerevan.

DAY 2     Yerevan – Echmiadzin Tour + Garni – Geghard Tour

After breakfast departure for Echmiadzin – the holy seat of the Supreme Patriarch – Catholicos of all Armenians. Armenia was the first country to adopt Christianity as a state religion in 301 AD. The Cathedral was built in 303 on the site of a pagan temple after the adoption of Christianity. Visit UNESCO Heritage Sites St. Hripsime Church (7th cent) and ruins of the cathedral of Zvartnots (7th cent). Return to Yerevan. Continue to bronze age Garni Village to visit the 1st century Pagan Temple of Garni located in a picturesque position and in perfect harmony with the pure nature. Then visit the UNESCO Heritage site Geghard Monastery  (13th century) carved into solid rock. Lunch in the village with lavash (Armenian bread) bakers. Watching and assisting Armenian women bake lavash in tonir (well-stove) and tasting it with home-made cheese and herbs. Return to Yerevan. Dinner in a city restaurant or in hotel. Overnight in Yerevan.

DAY 3     Yerevan – Khor Virap – Noravank – Goris Tour

After breakfast at hotel drive towards the south to visit the historic Monastery of Khor Virap (Deep Pit), an important pilgrimage site close to the Turkish border where St. Gregory the Illuminator has been imprisoned for 13 years before the official conversion of Armenia to Christianity in 301 A.D. From the monastery you can enjoy a breathtaking view of majestic snow-peaked Biblical Mount Ararat and the vast Ararat valley. Continue to Vayots Dzor Region to visit Noravank Monastery – the jewel of medieval Armenian architecture set in a marvelous canyon and built in a perfect harmony with the surrounding nature. Lunch in a restaurant. Continue the tour to the south of Armenia. In late afternoon stop at Karahunj/ Zorats – Qarer, one of the biggest and oldest astronomical observatories in the world dating back to the 5th millennium BC. Arrival in hotel in Goris. Dinner and overnight.

DAY 4     Goris – Tatev – Meghri : Armenian-Iranian Border – Maku  Tour

Breakfast at hotel, check-out. Departure to  Monastery of Tatev arriving there with the longest in the world ropeway (5700m). The Monastery is considered one of the biggest and longlasting monastic and cultural – educational complexes of Armenia set in a perfect natural context. Continuation towards the Armenian-Iranian border. Arrival, custom formalities, change vehicle, meeting with guide and transfer to Maku.
Lunch during the visits. Visit to the Monastery of St Stephan (14th, 16-17 th cc). Arrival in hotel in Maku and check-in. Dinner and overnight in hotel in Maku.

DAY 5     Maku – St Thaddeus – Tabriz

Breakfast at hotel. Hotel check-out. Panoramic visit of Maku. Departure and visit of Monastery of St Thaddeus – 5th, 12 -13 th cc.  Lunch during the visits. Arrival in Tabriz. Hotel check-in. Dinner and overnight in Tabriz.

DAY 6     Tabriz Sightseeing Tour

Breakfast at hotel. Sightseeing tour of Tabriz City. Visit of archaeological Museum. Continue with the visit of Bazar – authentical open air market.  Sightseeing includes also the visit to Blue Mosque. Lunch. After lunch departure to Kandovan, visit of the  cave houses excavated in teh rocks. Return to Tabriz. Dinner and overnight in hotel.

DAY 7     Departure to home country

Hotec check-out. Transfer to airport. Departure.