Amberd Fortress

On this tour you will visit Amberd, a fortress on the southern slope of Mount Aragats, founded in the 7th century. Next up is Lake Kari at the height of 3250 m on the slopes of Mount Aragats, the highest point of Armenia (4090 m). Up next is the stop for Armenian Dry Fruit production and tasting. Visit Saghmosavank, 13th century Armenian monastic complex, unique due to its frescoes with biblical themes and the perfect harmony with environment – vertical cliffs of Kasakh gorge. There comes the Alley of Armenian Letters (Alphabet Alley), that was built on the slopes of Mount Aragats in honor to the 1600th anniversary of the creation of Armenian alphabet. This monument is unique not only in Armenia, but all around the World.

The excursion starts at 11:00 at the location you specified 1 point One of the significant and famous Monasteries of ancient Armenia is the Hovhanavank Monastery. Located in the same name village, in the Aragatsotn region. For a long time in the medieval church, which dedicated to John the Baptist, were kept such significant relics as the Shroud, in which Jesus Christ was shrouded and the Nail which pierced His right hand (the relics now keeping in the Etchmiadzin Cathedral). 2 point The next attraction is the equally famous Saghmosavank Monastery, which is also located in the same name village and Aragatsotn region. The cross-domed Church in ancient centuries was famous for its library, where created thousands of manuscripts and were stored (currently manuscripts now stored in the Matenadaran). Near the Monastery there is an amazing high gorge above the Kasakh River, from where opens a magnificent view of the beautiful nature, and where you will have the opportunity to take beautiful memorable photos. 3 point After the research of the Monasteries we will drive to the famous Monument of the Armenian Alphabet. The Monument was built in 2005 in honor of the 1600th anniversary of the creation the national Armenian alphabet by Mesrop Mashtots. Located in an open area, on the road to Mount Aragats, in the Aragatsotn region. There you will have a great opportunity to take a walk in the fresh air and take a memorable photos near the first letter of your name. 4 point Final point of our amazing tour will be the Amberd Fortress. The fortress is probably the most famous and majestic castle which left from Ancient Armenia and which many centuries served as an outpost of this region. Built in the 7th century, the fortress is located at an altitude of more than 2000 meters, halfway to the highest mountain Aragats. Near the castle is also a small Church, built in 1026. The castle was destroyed in the 13th century by the invasion of the Mongols and reached us only in the form of majestic ruins. This is a very interesting place for exploring, walking in the fresh air and, of course, for memorable photos on the background of massive ridges and fantastic nature.

Mount Aragats is a four peaked volcano massif in Armenia. Its northern summit, at 4.090 m above sea level, is the highest point in the Armenian Highlands. In the slopes of Mount Aragats there is Lake Kari (Stone Lake). It is located 3.190 m above the sea level and has a perimeter of 1.150 m. The lake appeared from ice formations. It is surrounded by snow most of the time and that is why water is rather cold. On the way we will visit the Armenian Alphabet Monument. The complex was built in 2005, on the 1600th anniversary of the creation of Armenian alphabet. The complex includes sculptures of 39 letters of Armenian alphabet. All the letters and statues are made of Armenian tufa. Armenian alphabet was created by Mesrop Mashtots in 405 in order to make the Bible accessible to Armenians and spread Christianity. The last destination will be the fortress of Amberd. It is a 7th-century fortress located 2.300 meters above sea level on the southern slopes of the Mount Aragats. The name translates to "fortress in the clouds" in Armenian. The site includes a rich variety of buildings (church, chapel, baths, walls, gates, etc.), in a spectacular position defined by good natural defenses.

After hotel pick-up, head to the Aragatsotn Province to see the treasure of Armenian. First you will visit Saghmosavank. It’s a 13th century monastery located on the right bank of the Kasakh River. Overall, its excellent location provides additional beauty and comeliness to the monastery. Also, you will visit Armenian Alphabet Monument. The complex includes sculptures of 39 letters of Armenian alphabet, as well as monuments to the great Armenian thinkers. All the letters and statues are made of Armenian tufa. Later we'll drive towards Amberd, a 10th-century fortress, located 2,300 meters above sea level, on the slopes of Mount Aragats and at the confluence of the Arkashen and Amberd rivers. Driving back to Yerevan. Afterwards you will visit Vernissage, a large open-air exhibition-market in Yerevan, where you will find anything and everything. Enjoy your stay in our country.