Western Armenia, loosely defined as those parts of Historic Armenia which were under the rule of the Ottoman Empire, or sometimes more concretely defined as the six Armenian vilayets of the Ottoman Empire were virtually completely depopulated of Armenians during centuries of persecution, kidnappings of Armenian girls, massacres, and finally the Armenian Genocide. The Armenian history and presence in these parts of Anatolia stretched back for over 3,000 years and ever since the genocide Turkish government has allowed - through neglect and deliberate policy - most traces of the Armenian presence to be destroyed and lost, while simultaneously preventing Armenians from returning or reclaiming their old homes and monuments. Dozens of Armenian dialects were lost, as the dispersed Armenian survivors learned the standardized Constantinople dialect of Armenian in order to be able to understand one another.
Day 1
Arrival to Yerevan , meeting at the airport transfer to hotel. Half day city tour. Visits to Museum of History of Armenia, Tsiternakaberd - Monument and Museum devoted to the Genocide of Armenians in 1915.
Day 2
Drive to Garni - the Pagan Temple, Geghard Monastery. Departure to Sevan Monastery, 8-9 th cc., Architectural masterpieces: Haghpat - monastery complex of the 10-13 th cc., Sanahin, monastery complex, 10-13 th cc.
Day 3
Avaverdi -Batumi - Kars Breakfast at hotel. Drive to Batumi, cross the boarder of Georgia and Turkey.Kars.
Day 4
Drive to Ani, the old capital of Armenia. After lunch we will drive to see Mt. Ararat.
Day 5
After breakfast departure for Van. Muradiye Waterfall visit and Van City Sightseeing.
Day 6
After breakfast visit Akhtamar Church then departure to Mush. Lunch then visit of Sarp Church
Day 7
After breakfast departure to Erzurum. Visit of Churche and twin minaret then lunch. Departure to Kars
Day 8
After breakfast departure for Kars City Tour and visit Kars Castle
Day 9
After breakfast drive to Georgia-Armenian border Sadakhlo; Continue our way to Haghartsin Monastery (10th century).
Day 10
Visit to Yerevan Brandy Company, tour with visits to distillation workshop, barrel-making workshop, aging workshop, bottling workshop, museum, video hall, bar and shop, tasting 3 kinds of brandies
Day 11
Free time in Yerevan. Gala dinner with folk music and dances. Departure
