Wine tour: Lake Sevan, Sevanavank, Ijevan Dendropark, Makaravank Monastery, Ijevan Wine-Brandy Factory

• Lake Sevan
• Sevanavank Monastery 
• Ijevan Dendropark
• Makaravank Monastery
•  Ijevan Wine-Brandy Factory   

The first stop of the tour is Sevanavank (the 4th century), which is included in the list of UNESCO cultural heritage sites. The first church of the complex was built in 305 by Gregory the Illuminator. This monastery is also known as "Mariamashen", i.e. "built by Mariam". An inscription found on one of the churches testifies that Sevanavank was founded by Princess Mariam in 874.

The next stop is the Ijevan Dendropark, where we will have a rest and walk. The Dendropark was founded by Ludwig Sayadyan in 1962 and covers an area of 14.5 hectares. In the Dendropark there is the only bear hazel alley in the world, wild lemons and wild apple trees also grow here. There are about 700 species of plants in the Dendropark, which were well adapted to the soil and climatic conditions of Ijevan. Coniferous (133 species) and deciduous evergreens (84 species) are most richly represented here.

Then we will visit the Makaravank Monastery. This Armenian monastic complex of the X–XIII centuries  is located 3 km south-west from Achajur village, on the slope of Mount Paitatap. The complex consists of the main church,  narthex and the 2nd ancient church.

At the end of the tour we will visit the Ijevan Wine-Brandy Factory, where we will take an excursion in the factory and taste dry white and red dry wines "Sargon", semi-sweet fruit wine "Nur" and 5-year-old brandy, we will be also treated cheese here. We can buy wine and brandy here.

Departure: 09:00

Arrival: 21:30

Departure place: Hakob Hakobyan str. 1/near the Mergelyan Institute.