Musa Ler(Musa dagh) was situated on the Mediterranean coast, on the territory of historical Armenia. The event that has come to symbolize the people of Musa Ler with its unique Armenian culture, history and language unfolded during the bloody year of 1915 when Turkish plan of ethnic cleansing of Armenians was started. Armenians have been announced to leave their homeland, but the population of Musa Ler ignored deportation edict issued by Young Turk regime and chose to resist against Turkish troops and decided to climb the mountain and organize self-defense. The 4300 inhabitants of Musa Ler for 53 days repelled onslaughts by Turkish armies. They were starving without food and water, they were out in the rain for days and in order to warm themselves and not to lose the presence of mind and courage they were dancing to the music of zurna and drum.

And Musa Ler resisted and the death was weak against the immortal heroes of Musa Ler. They noticed warships in the sea and French sailors sighted a banner the Armenians had tied to a tree on the mountain emblazoned with the words: "Christians in Distress: Rescue." French and British naval ships evacuated 4,200 people from Musa Ler to Port Said in Egypt. The Armenians were allowed to return after World War First to their homeland in the newly formed Syria, but in 1939 Musa Dagh Armenians abandoned their villages for second and final time, when Turkey annexed the region. Many of them were resettled in Lebanon, in the village Aynchar, and many others settled in Armenia, in the village of Musa Ler. The people of Musa Ler, wherever they are in the world, always remember their history, culture and language. Every year on the anniversary of the heroic stance on the mountain, descendants of the Musa Ler pay tribute to the fallen and celebrate the victory every year on the third Sunday of September. Only once a year one can see forty cauldrons boiling Harisa, a traditional food of Musadaghians. People are up all night until sunrise, preparing this delicious meal made from wheat and red meat under beating of drums.

Day 1. 13.10.13/Arrival(40km)

Arrival to Yerevan, 
Meeting at "Zvartnots" International airport,
Transfer to the hotel,
Check-In Support, 
Leisure time,
Evening walking tour round the center of Yerevan
Overnight at the hotel (Yerevan)

After breakfast at the hotel meet your tour guide and start city tour round  Yerevan. The contemporary capital of Armenia is 13^th and is one of the oldest cities in the world founded in 782 BC. During tour visit Erebouni Museum of the History of the Foundation of Yerevan which stands at the foot of the Arin Berd hill, on the top of which the Urartian Fortress Erebouni has been constructed. The next visit is Yerevan History Museum which throws light on the history of the city beginning from ancient times up to our days. Visiting Tsitsernakaberd Memorial Complex dedicated to the memory of the 1.5 million Armenians who perished in the first genocide of the 20^th century, at the hands of the Ottoman Empire.  Return to the hotel. Overnight at the hotel (Yerevan).

Breakfast at the hotel. Excursion to Echmiadzin(Armenian Vatican). The Cathedral of Echmiadzin(303) is the official residence of Armenian Catholicos. At the Museum of the Mother Cathedral you will see a number of  reliquaries:  the Holy Lance (Geghart) which pierced the side of Christ; the relics of Noah's Ark in a reliquary that was created in 1698; "Khotekerats Sourp Nishan" reliquary with the relic of Jesus Christ's wooden cross (914-929); the cross of King Ashot Yerkat with it chest, one of the oldest processional crosses in existence. Continue the tour to Zvartnots(7th century)- a Temple of Vigil Forces. Return to Yerevan. Leisure time. Visiting one of the national dance schools in Yerevan. Here you will learn one of Armenian national dances and will dance with the group. Overnight at the hotel(Yerevan).

Breakfast at the hotel. Continue the tour to Musa Ler village. Here you will participate in the Festival of Musa Ler. Every year on the anniversary of the heroic stance on the mountain, descendants of the Musa Ler pay tribute to the fallen and celebrate the victory every year on the third Sunday of September. Only once a year here you can see forty cauldrons boiling Harisa, a traditional food of Musadaghians. People are up all night until sunrise, preparing this delicious meal made from wheat and red meat under beating of drums. Everyone is dancing national dances and singing heroic songs as the Musadaghians did in 1915. Overnight in the tents at the village.

In the morning participation in Harisa tasting process and in the official part of the Festival of Musa Ler. Drive to Yerevan. Leisure time. Evening tour to Ashtarak town. Tour round the historic monuments of Ashtarak town: Tsiranavor basilica Church (5th century), Karmravor(7th century), Spitakavor(7th century), St. Sargis(1281) Churches as well as the Ashtarak Old Bridge(13-18th centuries) and at last  you will visit Perj Proshyan's house-museum in Ashtarak. Hear you will participate in a performance about national Armenian Holydays, in the program: national instruments, dances, songs, games, rituals, and light entertainments. Return to Yerevan. Overnight at the hotel(Yerevan).

After breakfast at the hotel trip to the "Armenian Pearl" - Lake Sevan which is the 2^nd high-altitude lake in the world with its sweet and astonishingly blue water. Visiting Sevanavank Monastery Complex(9th century) on the Sevan peninsula. The Monastery is comprised of Sourb Arakelots (Holy Apostoles) and Sourb Astvatsatsin (Holy Mother of God) Churches, both cross-shaped and quite similar in appearance.Then you will visit the popular Hayravank Monastery(9-12^thcenturies). The church, a quatrefoil central cross, is a "peripherial" example of Armenian architecture in siunik Region in the 9th-10th centuries. Drive to famous Cross-Stone "Forest"(cemetery 9-15^th centuries) in the village of  Noratus. In the same village visit khachkar's carver workshop, where the guests will be able to watch the process of khachkar carving and will be given explanations about Armenian Cross Stone's symbolism. Continue tour to the city of Dilijan. Walking tour round Old Dilijan with visiting  Dilijan Branch of National Museum of Folk Art after V. Sharambeyan. Trip to Goshavank(12-13^th centuries) and Haghartsin(10-13^th centuries) Monasteries which became cultural and religious centers of the region in the 20th century. Return to Yerevan. Overnight at the hotel(Yerevan).

Breakfast at the hotel. Check out from the hotel. Tour to Khor Virap(4-18^th centuries) Monastery the importance of which is connected with Gregory the Illuminator, who introduced Christianity in Armenia. On the way to Khor Virap Monastery you can enjoy the spectacular view of the sacred Ararat Mountain - an immortal symbol of Armenia. Then excursion to Noravank(13-14^th centuries) Moanstery Complex situated among amazing sheer rocks on the bank of a twisty gorge. After that you'll enjoy your dinner in a grotto with a spirit of mystery and antiquity. On your way back you will visit Areni village. The village of Areni is famous also for its excellent wine, which you are welcome to taste in the factory. In the cave of Areni you will have a chance to be in the world's oldest winery. The 6000 years old winery has been found in the cave recently. Archeologists have unearthed the oldest wine-making facility, using biochemical techniques to identify a dry red vintage of the winery. In the same cave there  has also been found  the world's oldest leather shoe(5500 years old). Return to Yerevan. Transfer to the airport 3 hours before flight. Support in airport check-in. Weepy parting. Departure.

Tour package includes: 

• All transfers by program
• Accommodation in 3* hotel in DBL room
• Breakfasts
• High-qualified guide-interpreter in your preferred language
• All entrance tickets
• Professional friendly driver
• Comfortable mini bus with climate-control system
• 24-hours tourist support
• Souvenirs as presents from SacVoyage

• Air ticket
• Visa to Armenia
• Medical insurance(1.2$ per day)
• HB Supplement is 80 EUR
• FB Supplement is 160 EUR