Noratus Cemetery
Noratus is most famous for its cemetery, the oldest part of which includes more than 800 khachkars (stone crosses), carved between the 9th-17th centuries.The cemetery is spread over a seven hectare field containing almost a thousand khachkars each of them depicting unique ornamentation. The majority of the khachkars are covered by moss and lichen. Several tombstones in the cemetery depict carved scenes of weddings and farm life. Adjacent to the old cemetery a new modern cemetery has been built separated by a long fence. Nearby the cemetery in the village there is the Holy Virgin church built in the ninth century. One of the khachkars from the cemetery was donated to the British Museum in 1977 by Catholicos Vazgen I.
SevanavankLake Sevan is the largest body of water in Armenia and the Caucasus region. Its is also one of the lagest freshwater high-altitude lakes in the world. It is considered the "jewel" of Armenia and is "recognized as a national treasure" in the country. Sevan was recognized as being a major potential water resource in the 19th century. Set 1900m above sea level, Lake Sevan covers 940 sq km, and is 80km long by 30km at its widest. The lake supports a healthy fish population, including ishkan, crayfish, sig, ets.
The most famous cultural monument in Gegharkunik province is the Sevanavank monastery. Initially the monastery was built at the southern shore of a small island. After the artificial draining of Lake Sevan, which started in the era of Joseph Stalin, the water level fell about 20 metres, and the island transformed into a peninsula.According to an inscription in one of the churches, the monastery of Sevanavank was founded in 874 by Princess Mariam, the daughter of Ashot I (who became a king a decade later). At the time, Armenia was still struggling to free itself from Arab rule.
Tsaghkadzor is a spa town. It is one of the most popular health resorts in Armenia, located north of the capital Yerevan in the Kotayk Province. Surrounded with alpine meadows, the town is situated on the southeastern slope of Mount Teghenis, at a height of 1841 meters above sea level. Tsaghkadzor is surrounded by the Tsaghkunyats mountain range from the west, and the town of Hrazdan from the east.
Tsaghkadzor literally means valley of flowers or flower canyon in Armenian. The name of Tsaghkadzor is associated with the name of the nearby Tsaghkunyats Mountains, located to the west of the town.
The Kecharis Monastery is one of the significant religious complexes of Eastern Armenia located in Tsaghkadzor. Here is the House-museum of Brothers Orbeli, which is dedicated to the Armenian scientists Ruben, Levon and Joseph Orbeli who were native of Tsaghkadzor. One of the popular sights of this wonderful place is ski lift mechanism with height 2819 meters.
The Tsakhkadzor Ropeway is located on a slope of Teghenis Mount. From the height of 2819m, where the speed chairlift will take you in 32 minutes, all Armenia is visible at a glance – in clear weather, it offers a breathtaking view of Mount Ararat.
| Start | 10:00 |
|---|---|
| Destination | Noratus cemetery, Tsaghkadzor, Ropeway, Lake Sevan |
| Duration | 10-11 |
* The unused portions of the itinerary are not refundable.
