Ski in Armenia
Country: Armenia
City: Yerevan & Tsaghkadzor
Duration: 8 days / 7 nights
Best time to go: all year round
Itinerary:
Day 1: Arrival / Yerevan City Tour / Brandy Factory
Arrival at Zvartnots International Airport. Meet and greet to Yerevan.
Start exploring Yerevan which is also named “Pink City” for buildings with pink color which gives the stone “tufa”. It’s an old and ancient city therewith considered also a modern and splendid city. Start your tour from Republic Square which was build 1950s by the project of Tamanian 20 years of after his death. Walking through the Northern Avenue, which is the modern part of the capital and considers to be the heart of Yerevan. Afterwards we are next to Opera House and Swan Lake where we can have photo stop. Continue to Cascade monument which is an open-air museum. Climbing up the stairs you will enjoy the fascinating view of Yerevan. Walking through memorial park and stop by the Mother Armenia Monument. Our journey will continue to the Yerevan Brandy Factory and a degustation of Ararat brandy. You will find out the secret of the legendary Armenian cognac, feel its rich aroma and have some degustation. Overnight at the hotel in Yerevan.
Day 2: Yerevan / Khor Virap/ Noravank / Yerevan
After breakfast sightseeing tour to the cradle of civilization to Khor Virap Monastery which is located very close to the Biblical Mount Ararat and border with Turkey. The importance of Khor Virap Monastery is connected with Grigor Illuminator who has been imprisoned with the church for 13years for disseminating Christianity all over Armenia. Drive to Vayots Dzor region to visit Areni winery. Here Sightseeing at Noravank Monastery (13th c.) which is surrounded by mountains covered by red stones. The beauty of the surrounding mountains one can only see with his/her own eyes, as description can never give the real beauty. Overnight at the hotel in Yerevan.
Day 3: Yerevan / Vernissage / Garni / Geghard / Tsaghkadzor
After breakfast visit Vernissage flea market which offer many kinds of national souvenirs, jewelry and many traditional items. You can also visit Dalma Garden Mall for some shopping. Departure to Geghard Monastery (13th c.) – a monastery which is hewn out from a cave. The monastery had been originally named Ayrivank meaning “the Monastery of the Cave”. The name commonly used for the monastery today, Geghard, or more fully Geghardavank meaning “the Monastery of the Spear”. The monastery is also included in the UNESCO World Heritage list.
Continue our journey to Garni Pagan Temple from 1st c. The temple was built by Armenia King Tiridates and was dedicated to the God of Sun Mithra. Garni is the only Hellenistic temple existing nowadays in Armenia. The stairs of the temple are made huge and high which means that every human being climbing up the stairs is condescending to God of Sun. Transfer to Hotel in Tsaghkadzor and overnight.
Day 4: Acquaintance with Tsaghkadzor
Breakfast in the hotel. Visit to Kecharis Monastery (11-13). In 1033, Grigor Magistros built a church of St. Gregory the Illuminator in the monastery. It has a spacious vaulted hall, which is surmounted by a wide dome. Next trip to the ski area. The city has numerous rental points for skis and other sports equipment, as well as sports equipment. In the evening, return to the hotel. Overnight at the hotel.
Day 5: Ski Resort
Breakfast in the hotel. Spend all day at the ski station. Tsakhkadzor is the most famous and largest ski resort in Armenia. The ski center in Tsakhkadzor is located on the picturesque slopes of Mount Teghenis. The upper point of skiing is 2819 m, from where a stunning view opens on Ararat and the lake. Sevan!!! Overnight at the hotel.
Day 6: Snow Mountains
Breakfast in the hotel. Transfer to the ski station. Ski, snowboard and sleigh rides. Trails of three levels: black, red and blue. The maximum length of the route is 8 km. The overall elevation difference is 853 m. In Tsaghkadzor there are a variety of trails that will appeal to professionals, extremes and beginners. In January, the temperature drops to 3 degrees below zero. Overnight stay at the hotel.
Day 7: Yerevan
Return to Yerevan. Free day
Day 8: Departure
Transfer to the airport. Departure home!
