Announcement posted on the website of ESCAPE DUBAI
http://www.meetup.com/Escape-Dubai/ (membership required)
Armenia – Yerevan & Around – Weekend Escape
25 spots available, 4 spots remaining as of 27 January 2012
If you are joining us on this trip. Please RSVP and fill in the questions. Do not book your flight yet.
Introduction:
Armenia is as old as time itself. It is the only country remaining from a 3,000 year old map of Anatolia. It became the world's first Christian country more than 1,700 years ago!
Situated at a cultural, historical, and religious intersection and located at the crossroads between Europe and Asia, in the southern Transcaucasus. There are too many things to be seen and experienced. The world's oldest churches, monasteries and boundless natural beauty.
It is only a 3 hour flight from here!
Trip dates: Friday March 9th – Sunday March 11th
Itinerary:
Day 1 – Friday March 9th – Yerevan Explored.
Our flight will arrive in Yerevan at 10:00 AM. Upon arriving we will be transferred to our hotel in Yerevan and we will start our 1/2 day tour of the city. During this tour we will visit such places as:
Erebuni Museum – The museum built in 1975 to coincide with 2750th anniversary of Yerevan. It houses the remains of the fortress of Erebuni. That was built in 782 B.C. by the Urartian king Argishti the first
Tsitsernakaberd – The memorial-complex to the victims of the Armenian genocide towers over Tsitsernakaberd hill
Matenadaran – One of the world's most ancient libraries
Once the tour is done we'll be back in our hotel to check in and rest.
Everyone is invited to a group dinner at a local restaurant for a taste of real Armenian food and drink.
How to spend your night is up to you. There are plenty of options from outdoor cafes, to casinos and clubs; the city has it all.
Day 2 – Saturday March 10th – Around Yerevan
The morning of our second day will be spent at leisure.
Just before noon we will start our day's touring of the historical places just outside of Yerevan.
Garni Temple – Built in the year 100, this is a unique survived example of heathen culture in Armenia. It is dedicated it to the God of Sun.
Geghard Monastery. Geghard monastery is the unsurpassable masterpiece of the 13th century Armenian architecture. The complex is rich in subtle sculptural embellishments and many striking khachkars (cross-stones).
Day 3 – Sunday March 11th – Departure
The morning will be spent at leisure
By noon we will be transferred to the airport & back to the UAE
Flights: Flight are to be book on your own
www.flydubai.com
Dubai to Yerevan
Flight Number – FZ – 715
Date and Time: March 9th at 06:45
Yerevan to Dubai
Flight Number: FZ – 716
Date and Time: March 11th at 13:35
Cost:
$450 per person based on twin sharing
$530 per person based on a single room
This cost includes:
Airport transfers to and from the hotel
English speaking guide to all tours to all of the mentioned above
Private transportation to all of the mentioned above
Daily breakfast at the hotel
Accommodation in the center of Yerevan
Group dinner, on the first night
Entry fees to all sights visited
The cost excludes:
International flight (see above)
Travel insurance ? 04 /211 2623 ? Al Naboodah Travels(Dubai) approx. 95 dirhams
Any meals / drinks not mentioned in the itinerary
Visa fees
VISA Information:
It is everyone's own responsibility to contact the Armenian Embassy in Abu Dhabi to get their own visa:
Contact Number: 02 4444196
Call them between 10:00AM – 12:00PM
Location: Abu Dhabi behind the American Embassy
The cost of the visa is 30 dirhams, with the exception of Indian nationals it is 270 dirhams
We inquired about the below nationalities only:
India
Philippines
Jordan
Lebanon
USA
Canada
E.U. Nationals
You will need to bring the following with you to the embassy:
NOC, passport sized photograph, passport and you can fill in the application form in the embassy.
Nationals from Egypt and Syria need a special invitation from Yerevan and the process seemed complicated. Please contact the embassy for details
The above information is very general. Everyone needs to call the embassy for clear information regarding their own visa.
E-VISA
Many nationalities can apply for the visa online without having to go to the embassy.
Here is the link if you feel like giving it a go:
http://www.armeniaforeignministry.com/eVisa/
Regardless of how you apply, make it as early as possible to avoid last minute surprises.
Here is a video advertisement of Armenia:
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Mg28XEMd2sQ&feature=related
