Day 1: Yerevan

Upon arrival in the Armenian capital, we will transfer from the airport to our hotel for accommodation.

Day 2: Yerevan - Lake Sevan - Folklore Performance in Tsakhkadzor

After breakfast, we will travel towards Lake Sevan, a vast and elevated lake (2000 meters above sea level) resembling a sea, surrounded by the rugged peaks of the Caucasus Mountains. Along its shores, we'll find villages, churches, and historical remnants, including intricately carved Khachkars, stone crosses that are artistic, national, and religious expressions of Armenians. We will enjoy a boat ride on this beautiful lake and then proceed to the Dilijan area, known as the "Switzerland of Armenia," with its unique open-air museum preserving 19th-century houses. After the tours, we will settle in the ski resort town of Tsakhkadzor and attend our first performance at the dance festival held in the Syunik Province.

Day 3: Lake Sevan - Folklore Day

On this day, we will immerse ourselves entirely in the folklore theme and meet with international dance groups participating in the special dance festival. We will join a special workshop with a local dance group to learn local Armenian dances and possibly participate in a workshop for international dances as well. After the interesting meeting, the members of the group will have rehearsals for the evening performance, while the rest will explore one of the beautiful viewpoints overlooking Lake Sevan. We will stay and have dinner in Tsakhkadzor, where, of course, we will also attend the special dance festival held in the ski resort town.

Day 4: Tsakhkadzor - Selim Mountain Pass - Caravanserai - Jermuk

This morning, we bid farewell to the ski resort town and the folklore festival, cross Lake Sevan, and we will proceed to the Selim Pass, a historic mountain pass rising impressively to 2,740 meters above sea level. From there, we will visit the ancient "Caravanserai," built in 1332 by Prince Chesar Orbelian, which served as a key point on the Silk Road. We will also visit a Jewish cemetery dating back to the 13th-14th centuries, discovered in the village of Yeghegis in 1996 by Bishop Abraham Mkrtchyan. Continuing our journey, we will head to the famous spa town of Jermuk, where we will explore the town, taste mineral water from the abundant springs known for their healing properties against digestive, kidney, and diabetes diseases, and admire the impressive 68-meter-high waterfall. We will stay overnight in Jermuk.

Day 5: Jermuk - Noravank - Mount Ararat - Yerevan

This morning, we will travel to the secluded 13th-century Noravank Monastery, nestled among red rocks. From there, we will visit a special local winery and continue to the site considered by many as the Armenian Stonehenge, Zorats Karer. We will then proceed to Hor Virap, a fascinating border point between Armenia and Turkey located near the Turkish side of Mount Ararat, a sacred place for Armenians, physically within Turkey's eastern borders. We will experience the special encounter with the breathtaking summit of Mount Ararat and hear the ancient stories and explanations of the presence of the remains of Noah's Ark. After the tours, we will return to the capital city of Yerevan to meet with a local folklore group, stay overnight, and have dinner.

Day 6: Yerevan

After breakfast, we'll travel to the religious capital of Armenia, Etchmiadzin - the oldest city in Armenia and the seat of the Patriarch of all Armenians. We will visit the remains of the Zvartnots Cathedral, whose name in Armenian means "Angels' Meeting." The cathedral was destroyed in an earthquake in the 10th century. Both of these sites are listed as UNESCO World Heritage Sites. We will then visit the 7th-century Amberd Fortress, situated at an altitude of 2300 meters at the foot of Mount Aragats (the highest peak in Armenia at 4091 meters). Amberd is one of the historical structures built in Armenia during the medieval period that has survived to this day. After the tours, we'll return to the hotel to welcome the Sabbath.

Day 7: Yerevan

We'll take advantage of the Sabbath for rest and tours in the capital city of Yerevan. We will visit the History Museum of Armenia, which presents the history and culture of Armenia from ancient times to the present day. We'll wander through the squares and characteristic streets of the city, and in the evening, we'll attend an Armenian folklore performance. Overnight stay and breakfast in Yerevan.

Day 8: Yerevan 

This morning, we bid farewell to Armenia after getting to know its charming capital, Yerevan. We'll stroll through its streets and squares, soaking in the special atmosphere of the city. We will visit the famous Cascade Complex, an art and gallery complex. We'll also visit Yerevan's famous brandy factory and taste some of the finest brandy. We'll explore the memorial site of the Armenian Genocide that occurred between 1915 and 1918. This encounter sheds light on the parallels between Armenian history and ours, providing an emotional experience on this day. A visit to the Matenadaran Museum will introduce us to one of the largest collections of ancient manuscripts in the world. There, we can find manuscripts in Armenian, Greek, Hebrew, Latin, Persian, and more.