Individual / BJNI-TSAGHKADZOR

Program:

• Surb Astvatsatsin Church (11th century)
• Bjni fortress (9th c.)
• Bjni drinking mineral water 
• Ropeway in Tsaghkadzor
• House-Museum of  Brothers Orbeli
• Monastery complex of Kecharis in Tsakhkadzor (11-13 centuries)

The first stop of our tour is in Bjni, which famous for its mineral waters and a number of cultural and historical monuments. Here we will see Surb Astvatsatsin church  (Holy Mother of God) (11th century) and the cross-domed Surb Sarkis church, as well as the Bjni fortress surrounded by impregnable rocks. The exact time of the construction of the fortress is unknown. It has been mentioned since the early Middle Ages. At the entrance to the fortress we will see a secret passage leading to the Hrazdan River. It was of essential importance for the provision of population with water and food.

Then we will go to the mineral waters of Bjni. The source of natural water is a mineralized hydrocarbonate-chloride, sodium-magnesium healing mineral water, in which toxic elements are within the normal range. Bjni driking mineral water is considered an analogue of the popular Essentuki-17 mineral water.

The next stop of the tour is the resort-town Tsaghkadzor. In Tsaghkadzor we will have free time, we will rest and have dinner in the pavilion, those who wish can  travel by ropeway.

In Tsakhkadzor we will also visit the house-museum of the Orbeli brothers.

On the way back we will visit the Monastery Complex Kecharis (Ejaris, Kecharuyk, Darachichak Monastery, etc.) in Tsakhkadzor. The monastery is harmoniously connected with the surrounding nature. It consists of four churches, a gavit-porch, chapels and about three dozens of khachkars (cross-stones) dated back to the 11th-17th centuries. The monastery complex was established by the efforts of  Princes Pahlavuni and Proshyan (Khaghbakyan) in the XI-XIII centuries. Kecharis was one of the major cultural and spiritual centers of medieval Armenia. Talented politicians and philosophers Grigor Magistros Pahlavuni, Prince Vasak Khaghbakyan, architect Vetsik, monk and poet Khachatur Kecharetsi and others lived and worked here. Kecharis was also one of the manuscript centers: several dozens of Armenian manuscripts written and copied here have been preserved.

Departure: 09:00

Arrival: 20:30

Departure place: Hakob Hakobyan str. 1

Total distance: 180 km

1 person - 45.000 AMD,

2-3 persons - 35.000 AMD,

4-10 persons - 25.000 AMD,

11-20 persons - 15.000 AMD,

21-30 persons - 9.000 AMD