Lake Sevan, Hayravank, Noratus, Selim Pass, Jermuk, Areni

The high-mountainous Lake Sevan is the “pearl of Armenia”. Lake Sevan – located at an altitude of 1,900 m above sea level in the center of the Armenian highland, 63 km northeast of the Armenian capital of Yerevan city and is the largest of the Caucasus lakes. From all sides, Sevan is surrounded by mountain ranges, offering a stunning view of alpine lake.. The lake is famous for its purest fresh water, and pure mountain air has a beneficial effect on health.

The monastery complex Sevanavank is located on the peninsula of Sevan. In 305, it was founded by St. Gregory the Illuminator, who built the church on the place of a pagan temple. In the 9th century the princes of Syunik made Sevan a point of their suppurt. In 874 the wife of the Syunik prince Vassak and the daughter of the king Ashot Bagratuni – Mariam built here two churches – St. Arakeloc and St. Astvatcatcin. They are rich in various wood-carved capitals, a aprt of which is kept in the Armenia State Museum of History and in the Art Gallery of St. Petersburg (Hermitage). In 1869 a spiritual school opened in the complex. On the top of the mountain of the island the remnants of the church with a domed hall are preserved. The teritory of the cloister is rich in khachqars (cross-stones).

The trip will continue along the shore to reach Noratous, a village which is home to the largest collection of the Armenian Khachkars – stone steles engraved with a cross, designed to show the way to salvation. According to the legend, Hayk – the ancestor of all Armenians – ordered his people to decorate every single stone in Armenia, which is why you will see some 3000 of these decorated stones, depicting various stories from different ages. Selim Pass is a mountain pass in Armenia. It is located at an altitude of 2 500 meters. From the pass, beautiful views of the surroundings open up: a wide and spacious valley covered with green grass is crossed by babbling brooks and winding ribbon of the road. A unique panorama opens from the top of the pass.

Hayravank monastery is an Armenian architectural monument built in the 9 -13th century, in the Hayravank village, on the coastal foreland of the Sevan Lake. We are in a broken state, without the dome, the church and the courtyard are preserved. The monastery reached us in a dilapidated form, without a dome. The church and the porch were preserved.

In Jermuk travelers will see the mineral water gallery, Jermuk waterfall and the nature of Jermuk

The most picturesque waterfall in Armenia is Jermuk Waterfall located in the health resort of Jermuk. The waterfall is located at an altitude of 2000 meters above the sea level. Jermuk Waterfall is of 70 meters height and it is considered the second highest waterfall in Armenia.

Areni is popular for its wine production. In Areni wine region you will visit winery and have 3 types of Armenian wine tasting.