Celebrate Easter according to Armenian traditions

Easter in Armenia

Each year we organise an unforgettable trip to Armenia, which offers you a unique opportunity to celebrate the Holy Easter Week in the oldest Christian country in the world. Also, during this trip, you will delve deeper into the origins of the Armenian nation and its history.
Since 301 AD, the Christianity was adopted as the country’s national religion. In addition, in Armenian, the Easter is called "Zatik".
Join this journey and have an opportunity to visit the Good Friday ritual worship and experience highlights of the Easter celebrations. The communion will be received at the end of the Mass, which means for the faithful Christians and Armenians the end of the Holy Week and forty days of the Great Lent. In the same evening, the families and friends gather for dinner. Therefore, the traditional Armenian table consists of colorful eggs, fish dishes, accompanied by rice with dried fruits inside, vegetables and without forgetting the Armenian red wine, which you will definitely enjoy!

Compose Your Excursion
By Yourself

ITINERARY

Day 1 Yerevan
Arrival at Zvartnots International Airport. Welcome by the local guide and transfer to the hotel for check-in and leisure time.

Day 2 Yerevan City Tour: The History Museum - Megerian Carpet Factory

It is Palm Sunday – the beginning of the Holy week, but also an anticipation of Easter with the commemoration of the triumphal entry of Jesus into Jerusalem. The palm branches are blessed and shared among the people.
Meeting with the guide in the lobby of the hotel.
The day will start with a discovery of the treasures of the Armenian Capital - Yerevan. In the morning, we will visit the History Museum of Armenia, which shows the cultural facts about Armenia since the Stone Age. Later, we will visit Megerian Carpet Factory, in order to get acquainted with the mystery of the creation of Armenian handmade carpets. After having lunch, Yerevan will invite us to a nice stroll through the city, where we will see the subway - Yerevan Metro, Abovyan Street, which is one of the oldest streets in Yerevan, and the "Singing Fountains" in the Republic Square. The best time to see those dancing fountains is in summer with its delightful colours.
Overnight at the hotel.

Day 3 “Holy Monday” Yerevan - Hovhannavank - Saghmosavank - Amberd - Yerevan
The trip will continue by driving to the Aragatsotn Province. Upon arrival, our first visit will be to Hovhannavank Monastery, it is the St. Hovhannes Karapet Cathedral (St. John the Baptist), dating back to the 4th century. This masterpiece is located on the edge of the picturesque Kasagh Gorge. About 5 km away is the Saghmosavank Monastery from the 13th century. In the afternoon, we will visit the partially destroyed Amberd Fortress from the 11th century and its Church Vahramashen.
Overall, we will return to Yerevan and leisure time.

Day 4 “Holy Tuesday” Yerevan - Khor Virap - Areni - Noravank - Goris
On Holy Tuesday, the Church commemorates the Parable of the Wise and Foolish Virgins, which is taken from the Holy Gospel of Matthew (Matthew 25, 1-13). Hence, ten children come to the altar, five of them hold lighted candles, symbolizing the Wise Virgins, while the other five with extinct candles symbolize the Foolish Virgins. The evening prayer is a preparation for the Lord's coming.
Today, the direction will be to the south of the country. The first stop will be in Ararat Region in order to visit the Khor Virap Monastery, which is situated on the Armenian-Turkish border. Afterwards, the traditional Armenian wine will be waiting for us in Areni (Armenian Bordeaux). The route will continue to the Noravank Monastery (13th century). It is one of the architectural wonders of Armenia, inscribed on UNESCO World Heritage List. Here, we will have a coffee break in a picturesque restaurant located inside a cave.
In the evening, we will arrive in Goris and leisure time.

Day 5 “Holy Wednesday” Goris - Khndzoresk - Tatev - Goris
This morning will be dedicated to the discovery of Khndzoresk Village and its artificial caves. In the afternoon, we will arrive in Tatev, here is the new and longest ropeway in the world, "Wings of Tatev", through which we admire the magnificent panoramic views of the mountainous and the overwhelming landscapes of Vorotan Gorge. Also in Tatev, we will praise one of the country's religious gems - Tatev Monastery of the 9th century, which was formerly a great intellectual center and academic university.
In the evening, we will have a walking tour in the Old Town of Goris. Overnight.

Day 6 “Holy Thursday” Goris - Karahunj - Selim - Noratus - Hayravank - Sevanavank - Yerevan
Holy Thursday is the commemoration of Jesus Christ's Last Supper. It also the remembrance of the Eucharist of Jesus Christ himself. On the eve of His crucifixion on the cross, Jesus washed the feet of His Disciples, and therewith He proved the epitome of servitude. His love for people was so great, wherefore the Christians should follow Him on the same charity way. After the evening prayers, the ceremony of extinguishing the candles takes place which symbolizes Christ's betrayal and torments.
The continue of our trip will be to visit Karahunj, a few kilometres away from Sisian Town. It is one of the oldest observatories in the world (5000-5500 BC), and its megalithic constructions were erected in the Bronze Age.
After enjoying our tasty lunch on the banks of Arpa River, we will rise up to discover the Selim Caravanserai of the 14th century. Later, while enjoying the magnificent views of Selim Valley we will depart to Noratus in order to see the most important and famous Khachkars (Cross Stones). Then we will head to the western shore of Lake Sevan to visit the Hayravank Monastery of the 9th century (1920 m above sea level). Furthermore, we will continue to the Sevan Peninsula to explore the Sevanavank Monastery with its two churches settled on a hill.
In the evening, we will return to Yerevan and leisure time.

Day 7 “Holy Friday” Yerevan - Geghard - Symphony of the Stones - Garni - Yerevan
In the morning, the Good Friday celebrations begin while commemorating Jesus Christ's crucifixion and death. This day also reflects Christ's suffering endured on the cross. The evening ceremony symbolizes the burial of Christ. The symbolic of Christ's grave is being decorated with flowers and tree branches in order to be carried around the church.
At the beginning of the day, we will head to Kotayk Region, where we will discover Geghard – the cave monastery of the 13th century. Since 2000, this monastery was listed in the UNESCO World Heritage Site.
Afterwards, we will stroll to Garni Gorge in order to admire the beautiful basalt columns. Furthermore, we will visit the pagan Temple of Garni (1st century).
Overall, we will return to Yerevan and have a leisure time.

Day 8 Yerevan: Matenadaran – Tsitsernakaberd
The Holy Saturday is a day of silent prayer and meditation on Christ's death. After the evening prayer, a new day begins. This festive evening symbolizes the Lent's end.
Today will be another day to explore Yerevan. In the morning, we will start with an enjoyable visit to the Matenadaran, which preserves thousands of ancient manuscripts with their timeless charm. This building is located at the end of Mesrop Mashtots Boulevard and overlooks the whole city. After our lunch, another significant sight will be on our list, Tsitsernakaberd - the Armenian Genocide Memorial and its museum.
We will return to the downtown and free time.
Overnight at the hotel.

Day 9 “Easter Sunday” Yerevan – Zvartnots – Echmiadzin – Aknashen – Yerevan
In Christianity, Easter is an annual celebration commemorating Christ's resurrection. On the Easter day, believers greet each other with greetings words such as "Christ is risen from the dead. Blessed is the resurrection of Christ!". Among various traditional Easter foods are the hard-boiled eggs dyed in red. The Easter Season begins on Easter Day and lasts 50 days, ending on Pentecost.
After the breakfast, we will depart to Armavir Region to discover the ruins of Zvartnots Cathedral (7th century). It is the masterpiece of the Medieval Armenian architecture. Later, we will visit the Saint Hripsime Church (7th century) and the Mother Cathedral of Echmiadzin, one of the first Christian churches in the world (301-303). We will have a traditional meal in Aknashen Village and participate in the preparation of Lavash - the traditional Armenian bread.
In the evening, we will return to Yerevan. Preparations for departure.

Day 10 Return flight
Transfer to the airport. End of our services.

PRICES / SERVICES

Price per person:

990 €

Extra charge for single room:

120 €

Small group:

4-12 people

Included Services

Transport
• All transfers and transportation to the visiting places during the tour

Accompaniment
• English-speaking local guide
• Geologist (For 1 day)
• Architect (For 1 day)

Accommodation, meals and drinks
• 9 nights (comfortable hotels in double rooms)
• Full board (breakfast and dinner from the 2nd day of the tour to the 9th day (excluding drinks))
• Mineral water