Day Itinerary
6 Activities
Day 5
208 mi
Capitals, caves and a cemetery.
Today is one of the most fulfilling days! You will see some of Armenia's largest cities, enter a unique cave, and visit Lake Sevan and a medieval cemetery located on its shores.
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1.7 mi
5 min
10:001 hr
Areni Caves
Nature Preserve
Open Details
There is a unique cave complex (at an altitude of about 1080 m above sea level) with many ancient finds. Several cultural layers have been discovered in the cave, including a complex of the Copper Stone Age (Eneolithic) with earthen structures dating back to 4200-3500 BC. The earliest cultural layer refers to the VI-V millennium BC, and the latest to the XII-XIV centuries.
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47.2 mi
1 hr 20 min
12:2045 min
Artashat
Historic Site
Open Details
This ancient city has the second name "Armenian Carthage". It appeared thanks to the famous general Hannibal, who was forced to flee from Carthage and stayed for a while at the court of King Artashes. He liked the place so much that he advised the king to build his capital here. Artashat or Artaxata is translated as the joy of Artashes, the city appeared on the map in 176 BC. The capital settled on nine hills at the foot of Mount Ararat, the city was at the crossroads of trade routes, so it quickly became one of the prosperous cities of ancient Armenia. Now these nine hills are a pilgrimage site. Believers and tourists from all over the country visit the site daily as this is where Khor Virap Monastery is located. In ancient times there was a prison for the most dangerous criminals. The most famous prisoner of this prison was St. Gregory the Illuminator who preached Christianity. He was imprisoned by King Trdat III of Armenia. The prisoners were put into the pits, which were 6 meters deep and 4.5 meters wide. In one of such pits Grigor Illuminator was imprisoned for 13 years. Afterwards he became the Catholicos of All Armenians. After his release from prison in 301, Armenia became the first state-level Christian country.
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8.4 mi
20 min
13:251 hr
Ancient Dvine
Historic Site
Open Details
A large crafts and trade city, the capital of Armenia from the 5th to the 9th century. It was built by the king of Greater Armenia Khosrov III in 335. The name comes from Middle Persian and means "hill". Since the 4th century this was the residence of the Armenian kings of the Arshakid dynasty. After the liquidation of the Armenian kingdom in 428, Dvin became the residence of Persian and, since 702, Arab rulers of the region of Arminia, which includes, in addition to the Armenian lands, Kartli, Arran and Bab al-Abvab (Derbent). Having become the capital of the state, Dvin soon became one of the most populous cities in Asia and rivaled many cities of the world at that time in its wealth.
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19.2 mi
1 hr
15:2530 min
Garni Temple (Գառնու տաճար)
Open Details
Garni museum complex is located on a small plateau above the Azat river gorge and includes the ruins of an ancient fortress, pre-Christian temple of god Mitra (the only one survived in Caucasus), royal bath and some palace buildings.
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66.1 mi
1 hr 40 min
17:4030 min
Noratus Cemetery
Historic Site
Open Details
On the last day, before leaving or flying away, it is worth a trip here as well. To Lake Sevan. But there is a lot to see here, besides the lake. For instance, this medieval cemetery. The oldest cross stones in the cemetery are dated 10th century, by the way.
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57.3 mi
1 hr 20 min
19:401 hr
Indian Mehak Restaurant And Bar
Open Details
Be sure to visit the best place in Yerevan with Indian food before you go home or on another route before you fly out!
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