Holy Thursday
The denomination of Holy Thursday in almost all Christian denominations indicates the Thursday preceding Easter Sunday.

Breakfast at the hotel.

Proceed for Yerevan city tour - We will start the tour with the capital of Armenia: Yerevan. For ages this city has been known as a “pink city” because of the colour of the stone it has been built with. So we will visit Republic square, Mashtoc Avenue, the House of Opera and Ballet after Aram Khachatryan, the park “Cascade”.

Then we will visit the Manuscript Museum of Armenia, which is called Matenadaran; here all ancient Armenian and World Manuscripts are kept.

Saint Anne Church, Yerevan. Armenian Apostolic Church, inaugurated in 2015 in the central district of Yerevan, Armenia, next to the 13th-century Katoghike Church.

In the Armenian Apostolic Church, we experience the impressive foot washing ceremony, where clergy, following tradition and as an expression of Christian humility, wash the feet of men or young boys. In the evening, we will temporarily attend the "extinction of the lights" ceremony.

The Cascade is both an architectural feat and a cultural hub in Yerevan. It consists of a series of massive, white steps ascending up a hillside, offering panoramic views of the city and Mount Ararat. The complex was originally conceived as a monumental architectural project but was only partially completed. The Cascade is adorned with various statues and modern art installations, creating a unique blend of classical and contemporary aesthetics. At the top of the Cascade, there's a garden and an outdoor museum, providing space for cultural events and exhibitions. The area has become a popular gathering place for locals and tourists alike, serving as a venue for art displays, concerts, and social activities.

Dinner at local restaurant.

Good Friday is the Friday before Easter in the Christian calendar. On this day, Christians commemorate the passion and crucifixion of Jesus Christ. This anniversary is observed with special practices and rites by the faithful of many Christian denominations.

Breakfast at the hotel.

We will visit the Haghartsin Monastery. It is a 12th-century monastery located near the town of Dilijan in the Tavush Province of Armenia. The church is topped by a conical dome on an octagonal drum. Towards the end of the second half of the 12th century, a small blue basalt church and a portico were added to the complex. In 1244, a small church dedicated to
Saint Stephanos was also built, which is a miniature replica of the main church of Saint Gregory.

Then we will drive to Dilijan. Walking along the Sharambeyan Street, which is one of the oldest streets of the city, we may buy souvenirs and see the life of the small city. During the walk you will breathe the clean mountain air.

At the local house, where we will meet Amalya Hakhverdyan, who has founded and developed her own small business in Dilijan, we will participate in a cooking master class. Dyeing Easter eggs is a popular tradition in many cultures. Dyeing Easter eggs can be a fun and creative activity for the whole family and tourists, which also produces beautiful and colourful
decorations for the Easter holiday.

We will drive to Lake Sevan which is one of the largest lakes in the world. It stands out with its sweet and astonishingly blue water. Here we can enjoy the breathtaking scenery of the beautiful lake. Then we will visit Sevanavank Monastery which is situated on Sevan Peninsula. There are 2 monasteries actually; one of them is destroyed but the other stands still. They
have been built in the Middle Ages, around 10th century.

Return to Yerevan.

Holy Saturday is the liturgical day in which the Christian worship celebrates the Lord Jesus Christ in the mystery of his
descent into Hell.
On Holy Saturday, Armenian churches fill with faithful for Vespers and participation in the annual Vigil. During the vigil, fire is blessed and the Paschal candle, symbolizing the light of Christ, is lit. The Paschal vigil lasts throughout the night. Fire, as a fundamental symbol in Christian liturgy, is the supreme expression of the triumph of light over darkness, warmth over cold, and life over death.

Breakfast at the hotel.

Take trip to Khor Virap Monastery (4-18th cc.). This monastery is very prominent because of its history; Gregory the Illuminator, who introduced Christianity to Armenia, has been imprisoned there about 13 years as at that time there was a prison in the place of the monastery. Here we can enjoy the spectacular view of the sacred Ararat Mountain - an immortal symbol of Armenia.

We will continue our tour to Noravank - a monastery of XII century situated among amazing sheer rocks on the bench of a twisty gorge. This is the only monastery where we may find a unique sculpture of Father God.

On our way back we will visit village Areni which is considered to be an important centre of wine production industry. You are welcome to taste local wines.

Continue the tour to Areni Village and Areni Cave. The cave consists of 3 rooms, most of which are not yet explored. During the studies of the cave, metal knives, fruit seeds, grain residues, rope, pottery, clothing, grapes and dried plums attributed to the years 4200-3500 BC were found. The oldest leather shoe in the world (which is more than 5500 years old)
was found here. Here has been found the cellar which is considered to be the oldest cellar in the world (dating back over 6000 years ago).

Visit to Momik winery. "We are dedicated to providing our guests with unique wine and dine sets that we hope you will be enjoying with your family and friends very soon! Our pairings feature fresh local foods paired with our delicious wines. You'll also tour our family vineyard".

Lunch: Traditional Armenian Easter meal.

Return to Yerevan.

In the 9th to 10th centuries, a chapel was built in this area over the relics of the Apostle Ananias, which at that time was a pilgrimage site. People came from various places hoping for the miraculous relics of the saint to have healing powers. The church was renovated several times.

Easter is the main celebration of Christianity. It recalls the resurrection of Jesus, which took place on the third day after his death on the cross, as stated in the Gospels.

Breakfast at the hotel.

This morning you will be transferred to Etchmiadzin (also called Ejmiatsin), the spiritual heart of the Armenian Apostolic Church, located in the Ararat Valley. In 301 Armenia was the first country in the world to adopt Christianity as its state religion, following the conversion of King Tiridates by St. Gregory the Illuminator. In 303 the first church was built on the site
of Etchmiadzin. Visit Etchmiadzin's main cathedral as well as other beautiful and very early churches such as St. Hripsime and St. Gayane.

Lunch at the local house, where with the owner of the house, you can prepare another typical cake for the Easter table, "Gata."

Zvartnots Cathedral - Upon our return to Yerevan, we will visit the ruins of Zvartnots Cathedral, which was built between 643-652 but destroyed in the 10th century. The ruins of the cathedral were discovered in the early 20th century during excavations, and part of it has been restored. Zvartnots had an exceptional construction for the tradition of Armenian
religious architecture.

Return to Yerevan.

Visit Vernissage; a vibrant open-air market and cultural phenomenon located in the heart of Yerevan, the capital of Armenia. Vernissage gathers local artists, craftsmen, and vendors who display and sell a diverse array of handmade crafts, traditional Armenian art, souvenirs, jewellery, carpets, ceramics, and other unique items.

Breakfast at the hotel.

Take trip to Garni. This Pagan Temple was built in the 1st century AD. It is the only temple that has been preserves from the Pagan times in Armenia. It was devoted to the god Mihr, who was the god of cleanness. In 1679 it was destroyed by earthquake. In the 1975 the Temple was restored.

Then we will continue our trip to Geghard Monastery. Its name came from the legendary lance that was used to pierce the body of Christ. It has been kept here for centuries. Though the exact foundation of the monastery is unknown, the present complex was built in the mid – 13th century.

Lunch at a local house, where we will have the opportunity to observe and participate in the making of the Armenian national bread, "lavash," and Jengyalov hats. Typically baked in an underground oven called "tonir," lavash was included in UNESCO's Intangible Cultural Heritage list in 2015.

Return to Yerevan.

Breakfast at the hotel. Say goodbye to Armenia! Departure from Zvartnots International Airport.