Itinerary

Day 1

The day will start with a greeting and prayer. Today you will get to know the country through its historical city Yerevan, capital of Armenia. In Matenadaran manuscript museum, the history will come alive through manuscripts which have been preserved through innumerable invasions and wars. You can enjoy spectacular views of Yerevan during a stroll through Victory Park above the city. Erebuni museum will host us to show the development of historical Erebuni of Urartu Kingdom into modern Yerevan. You can stroll among the ruins and get to see the history through many artefacts and descriptions in the museum.
The most thrilling and exciting place to see is Khor Virap, the symbolic and pilgrimage place for Christians. It is in a deep pit under the quaint church, with Mt. Ararat looming in the background that Gregory the Illuminator was entombed for for thirteen years for preaching Christianity in the early 4th century. Today you can descend into the pit turned sacred chamber and feel the power of the belief and the presence of God. After Gregory emerged from the pit and cured the ailing King, Armenia became the first country in the world to officially convert to Christianity.

Day 2

After the morning prayer at 9.00 we will set out for the Monastery of St. Hripsime, where the virgin Hripsime, a 3rd century follower of Christ was martyred. The monastery has the shrines of the holy virgins. Other witnessing places for saint virgins' martyr to visit are St. Gayane and St. Shoghakat Churches (16th-17th centuries). After lunch we will move to St. Echmiadzin Mother See, the spiritual and administrative center of the Armenian Apostolic Church. Here we will see the innumerable treasures and relics at the Holy See Museum and the residence of the All Armenian Patriarch. Meeting with clergy will be arranged. We will also see the architectural masterpiece of the ruins of Zvartnots Cathedral (also known as “Place of Angels”), where the once glorious cathedral stood during 7-10th centuries. After dinner we will most likely enjoy the company of an interesting Armenian personality.

Day 3

The day will begin with a pilgrimage to the shrine of the Armenian alphabet on the outskirts of Yerevan. We will see a famous church in Oshakan on the grave of St. Mesrop Mashtots, the founder of Armenian alphabet. The 36 beautiful letters, known also as the “God-given 36 soldiers” are a very important symbol of Armenia's advanced culture. A lecture or meeting will be held at Dpratun, a center next to the church. Visits or walks to other small churches and chapels are also possible in Oshakan. The lunch nearby a medieval bridge will set the mysterious tone of the day. After lunch, three charming churches will be waiting for us, namely Tsiranavor, Karmravor and Spitakavor. All of them are devoted to the mother of God.

Day 4

Exploring the marvelous complex of Geghard (one of the best Pilgrimage destinations of Armenia and included in the UNESCO World Heritage List) provides for a memorable day. , It is here that the Holy Lance with which our Lord was wounded was kept for five centuries. The complex is amazingly and intricately carved into a cave. The visit stimulates all your senses: other miracles to see, hear and feel are the healing water spring inside the church, the angel-like echoes of singing in the chambers, and the soft light filtering through the architectural details. Geghard is an inspirational place for isolating and immersing into oneself for prayer! After a packed lunch near the river Azat, we will travel to Garni village to visit some old churches and the classical ancient temple above the breathtaking Garni gorge. On the way back to Yerevan, we will be hosted by the parish of Jrvezh, a small village near Yerevan. There we will enjoy discussions, interesting stories, film watching, singing and a traditional dinner.

Day 5

Today we will view the fantastic monasteries in the area of Alaverdi, namely Odzun, Sanahin and Haghpat. To get to Odzun we will have a breathtaking upward tour to the mountain top hosting the church which is considered one of the finest Armenian cupola'd basilicas (6th century). Then the tour will take a direction to the 10th century architectural embodiments, the complexes of Sanahin and Haghpat (both of which are inscribed into the UNESCO World Heritage list). The complexes are rich in khachkars. The one that stands out is the miraculous Amenaprkich Khachkar in Haghpat. Before enjoying dinner in Vanadzor (one of Armenia's resorts) we are most likely to be hosted by children of a benevolent project “Zangakatun”. The possible meeting with an official from Diocese of Gougark will conclude the day.

Day 6

This day is the pilgrimage day in its historical meaning : we will spend the day walking and praying during the climb to Makaravank, an architectural church complex of 10-12th century. From its commanding position, the panorama of the Aghstev river valley and the flatlands of the Kour river basin open out before the observer. Further on in the day we will be fulfilled with Bible Study (can be organized also by pilgrims), prayers, and singing influenced by the magic environment. The spiritual hours will climax with the service of vespers in the church. Dinner in Vanadzor will be provided after the long walk.

Day 7

Moving to the Tavush region, the monastery of Haghartsin deep in the forests near Dilijan is waiting to astonish us with its unique harmony of nature and architecture having a secret in its walls. Lake Sevan with the ever changing colors will provide us with the perfect environment to have lunch. On the peninsula of Lake Sevan, we will visit the Sevanavank monastery. On the shore of lake Sevan it is worth seeing “the forest” of Khachkars and Hayravank monastery of the late 9th century.

Day 8

We will make a day of medieval atmosphere where each of us can fancy ourselves as an ancient Armenian queen or king. The Fortress of Amberd will be the host. Constructed in the 7th-13th centuries on the southern slopes of Mt.Aragats, it was the defense and the shelter for many noble families. To feel the power of the psalms and prayers we will visit the Saghmosavank monastery (Monastery of Psalms). Built in the 13th century, the monastery stands on the west rim of the spectacular Kasakh River Gorge. The last site to discover today is Mughni. In the spirit of the day's air of medieval time, we will move on to Ashtarak, where we will have a chance visit the Horse Riding Club.

Day 9

This day is specially designed for you to chose either you want to relax, to meet people with whom you didn't have the time or opportunity to meet, or to join us for another pilgrimage or event. You are also free to spend your time in cafes, restaurants or other amusement places that you can learn from your guides. Any suggestions are welcomed to design this day of freedom!

Day 10

Today we will visit Gyumri, Armenia's “second city” and now best known for having experienced a disastrous earthquake in 1988. Yet the town has a lot to offer tourists. One of its treasures is the historical settlement Yereruyk, an impressive basilica of the 5th century with an Iron Age cemetery close to it. Though roofless, it is one of the most architecturally important in Armenia. Next we will explore Yotverk, a 17th century church which united believers in Soviet times as the only church that did not stop functioning under that regime. After lunch, we'll travel into a gorge to see Marmarashen - one of Armenian's most interesting and beautifully situated monasteries. The meeting with the parish of St. Hakob church (meeting with youth union and with a representative from Shirak Diocese) will fulfill the day. The experience in Gyumri will be rounded out by dinner in the typical environment with local traditions.

Day 11

We start the day with prayers as usual. It will be the day of revealing the educational centers of Armenian Christian cultural heritage, namely Gladzor once having been an important university with churches of St. Stepanos (1273-79), also Varaga St. Nshan built in the 13th century and a basilica of the 5th century. Numerous Khackkars witness a key role of faith in the science progress. After lunch, we will make the breath-taking drive through the strange, red-colored iron rocks of the gorge of Eghegnadzor which leads us to Noravank (4-13th centuries). Noravank is an architectural jewel perched atop the red cliffs, which both stand out and yet still blends in with the spectacular natural environment. It is the work of Momik, a famous Armenian stone embroider. Mysterious stories as well as historical events once happened in this terrain are waiting for us. The dinner in Yerevan with the sounds of national instruments will sum up the day's impression.

Day 12

This day will be the last day in our pilgrimage program that shows you the living Christianity today, also in architecture, even after the repression of Soviet rule. The Church of St. Yerordutyun is a resemblance of once famous Zvartnots, and it is in its hall where we will meet our last lecturer or guest. The pilgrimage tour started and will finish by paying tribute to St. Gregory by visiting the new Cathedral and bowing before the relics of this great Saint. After lunch in the centre of Yerevan we will visit another newly built church in Yerevan. Our farewell dinner will be accompanied by live music and the hope to meet again.

Extra Information

Inclusions -

Accommodation for 12 days (10 nights in Yerevan and 2 nights in Vanadzor)

Exclusions -

Visa fees