DAY 1 – THURSDAY, JULY 02 – Arrival at Zvartnots Airport –
Yerevan
OVERNIGHT IN YEREVAN
DAY 2 – FRIDAY, JULY 03
YEREVAN
CITY TOUR
Our
trip through the territories of Armenia begins today in Yerevan - the capital,
one of the ancient cities in the world - Erebouni Fortress which was founded in
782 BC. This is the shuttle to your first walk from the museum of Erebouni to
the top of Arin-Berd hill to discover the ancient fortress.
“I
remember and demand” April 24, 2015 … Remember again & again, but not among
ourselves, silently, in our homes, as well we will go out for the Marches,
Commemoration, and Efforts to obtain official recognition of the Genocide
especially in the 100 YEARS of Genocide.
And we will carry candles and flowers to the visiting of Tsitsernakaberd
memorial to the 1915 Genocide
Lunch
in Armenian Traditional restaurant
The
next stop is the Cascade, which is a huge white stairwell built on a Yerevan
hillside in the 1970s, with water fountains running down the sides, all
reminiscent of a natural river or stream cascading. It connects the central
district to Haghtanak Park – “Victory” Park to the center of the city. The
structure has escalators so that it is unnecessary to manually ascend the
stairs all the way to the top.
OVERNIGHT IN YEREVAN
DAY 3 – SATURDAY, JULY 04
Garni,
the rare pre-Christian pagan monument maintained in Armenia; wonderful canyon
of Garni, where one can see magnificent sheer vertical cliffs, which look
manmade.
Geghard
(Cave monastery) architectural complex in the 12-13th century cut in one
monolithic rock. We have the opportunity to see traditional table/lavash
making: “Eat thy bread with joy”.
Lunch
and LAVASH making in Armenian traditional way in “tonir” (special pit for
making Armenian Traditional Bread: LAVASH)
Return
to Yerevan and visit Matenadaran Library and Research Institute of Armenia
OVERNIGHT IN YEREVAN
DAY 4 – SUNDAY, JULY 05
Today
we embark on our Journey to the lands of ancient treasures of Christian
history… the Mother See of Holy Etchmiadzin. It's the "religious
capital" of the Armenian Church and the seat of the Supreme
Patriarch-Catholics of all Armenians. It has 4 main churches, including the
Cathedral. Built in 303AD, the cathedral is a masterpiece of Armenian classical
architecture and considered to be one of the world’s earliest Christian
churches. Admire Hripsime and Gayane Churches (7th C) named after faithful
virgins.
Lunch
in the educational & cultural center of Etchmiadzin
OVERNIGHT IN YEREVAN
DAY 5 – MONDAY, JULY 06 – Check out
Ashtarak
– where you can find numerous churches and various ancient buildings at every
step;
Oshakan
– the most famous as the last resting place of Mesrop Mashtots.
Artashavan
– New Complex of Armenian Letters: “It is difficult to express the deep feeling
Armenians have for their language, which many regard as the lifeblood of their
culture.”
Saghmosavank
Monastery perched on the edge of the precipitous gorge of the Kasakh River.
Amberd
Fortress
Driving
To Vanadzor – CAMP
OVERNIGHT IN VANADZOR
DAY 6 – TUESDAY, JULY 07
SERVICE
PROGRAM IN VANADZOR
OLD
AGE HOME – Lunch and Afternoon
CAMP
– PM (Evening Discussion)
DAY 7 – WEDNESDAY, JULY 08
SERVICE
PROGRAM IN VANADZOR
OLD
AGE HOME – Lunch and Afternoon
CAMP
– PM (Evening Discussion)
DAY 8 – THURSDAY, JULY 09
SERVICE
PROGRAM IN VANADZOR
OLD
AGE HOME – Lunch and Afternoon
CAMP
– PM (Bible Study)
DAY 9 – FRIDAY, JULY 10
SERVICE
PROGRAM IN VANADZOR
OLD
AGE HOME – Lunch and Afternoon
CAMP
– PM (Evening Discussion)
DAY 10 – SATURDAY, JULY 11
SERVICE
PROGRAM IN VANADZOR
OLD
AGE HOME – Lunch and Afternoon
CAMP
– PM (Camp-wide Talent Show)
12:30
– DEPART from VANADZOR camp
Haghpat
Monastery badarak (and Sanahin Monastery, if time permits)
Lunch
in Alaverdy
Drive
to Dilijan (referred to as, a piece of Switzerland in Armenia) continues our
journey across Armenia’s fascinating landscapes, with lush environs as well as
the site of one of Armenia’s most important resort towns and national parks. An
old town with a unique architecture and wonderfully preserved workshops. You’ll
also visit the romantic setting of the 11th century Monastery of Haghartsin.
Lake
Sevan
OVERNIGHT IN SEVAN
DAY 12 – MONDAY, JULY 13
Visit
to Lake Sevan – the emerald of Armenia, a beauty under the sky. Lake Sevan is considered
to be one of the biggest lakes in the world with sweet water situated at an altitude
of 1,897 meters above sea level. Gorgeous view to Lake Sevan is opened from the
peninsula atop which Sevan Monastery is nicely nestled, dating to the 9th century.
Vazgenyan
Theological Seminary
Lunch
in Sevan
Noraduz
“Forest of Khachkars – Cross Stones”
Passing
Selim Caravansaray we will reach Goris
OVERNIGHT IN GORIS
DAY 13 – TUESDAY, JULY 14 – Check out
The
Aerial Tramway of Tatev – spanning 5.7 kilometers across the spectacular
Vorotan River Gorge, offers a spectacular journey with breathtaking views of
the river gorge below, but most significantly, it will link you to one of the
jewels of Armenia's medieval legacy – Tatev Monastery as well the Tatev Aerial
Tramway – the longest passenger aerial tramway in the world, poised to be one
of southern Armenia's most popular attractions. Arriving to the picturesque
monastery nestled at the top of an impregnable plateau, crowned by the ramparts
walls from the upper part of the territory. After you will have time to
discover the interior of the monastery which was founded in the 4th cent.,
becoming an important religious and educational center of medieval Armenia in
9-10th C.
Lunch
in the foothills
On
your return, you have a very attractive stop in Khndzoresk, a cave village and
exotic rock formations. This village looks like a vertical multi-storied rocky
amphitheater.
Troglodytic
dwelling at Khndzoresk – Prehistoric era. Winding road leads your pleasant
ascent.
Noravank
Monastery nestled inside the deep red landscape of the stone mountains.
Khor
Virap Monastery - magnificently set against the towering slopes of Mount Ararat
OVERNIGHT IN YEREVAN
DAY 14 – WEDNESDAY, JULY 15 – Check out
FREE
TIME IN YEREVAN UNTIL 2 PM
Meet
with Navasard Srpazan and the young people of his community
Organize
Dinner/Outing with other groups from our Diocese
OVERNIGHT IN YEREVAN
DAY 15 – THURSDAY, JULY 16
Service
at FAR Children’s Center
OVERNIGHT IN YEREVAN
DAY 16 – FRIDAY, JULY 17
11:00
– FAR Children’s Center
Tumo
Center for Creative Technologies
OVERNIGHT IN YEREVAN
DAY 17 – SATURDAY, JULY 18
Sardarapat
Memorial Complex and Museum of Ethnography
Hyeortyatz
Children’s Center
OVERNIGHT IN YEREVAN
DAY 18 – SUNDAY, JULY 19
FREE
TIME to explore Vernisage
EVENING
– Say goodbye to Armenia at the
FAREWELL DINNER in a classic Armenian Restaurant with live Armenian music and
Folk Dances, capping off your journey with unforgettable memories.
OVERNIGHT IN YEREVAN
DAY 19 – MONDAY, JULY 20 – Check out
TRANSFER TO AIRPORT
