Exploring the South: Khor Virap – Areni – Noravank – Selim – Dilijan
The road leads through the plains of Ararat. Lying in the shadow of Biblical Mt. Ararat, where Noah’s Ark landed, this piece of the land in Armenia has always been vital for the agriculture of the country. According to tradition, this was the place where Noah first planted a vine after he descended from the Ark. Driving past the farms all of a sudden an attractive picture of Khor Virab Monastery appears, resting on a lonely hill. Weather permitting we will have an exceptional view of Mt. Ararat from here! Driving via the picturesque gorge we will reach Noravank Monastery, which is situated on the hill of the twisted gorge, among the freakish plumb rosy cliffs. Noravank Monastery, really the place of breathtaking natural beauty, provides great opportunities for taking pictures. This site is special with its exceptional intricate carvings of exterior. En route we will stop in Areni village famous for wine production. Here we shall visit a small, family-owned winery and try the wine produced here. Following Silk Road we then continue via Selim pass, stopping en route at a medieval caravanserai. Then we will drive to Yeghegis village, where we will visit the Jewish cemetery, which is one of the few places of Jewish presence in Armenia. Visit Noratuz – Cross Stone field, where we have more than 700 cross stones. Dinner and overnight in Dilijan.