Harissa Festival 2019

Harissa Festival 2019

Many people make sure that the history of Harissa origin goes back to 1915 when the Turkish government was massacring Armenians, trying to solve Armenian question by a genocide.
A small town in Armenia named Musaler was fighting for 40 days in order not to be killed and when the chicken was nearly over people put Korkot (a special type of wheat) together with chicken to survive. Armenians survived and the fantastic dish named Harissa became a traditional Armenian dish!
Harissa Festival is one of the tastiest festivals happening in Armenia. It has become a custom to celebrate the victory of the courageous people of Musaler in 1915 and just tasting the best harissa in the world.

Itinerary

Day 1: Arrival - Transfer to the hotel - Yerevan city tour

Pass By: Yerevan, Yerevan
Our guide will meet you at the Airport. After that you will be transfer to the Hotel. Check-in.

Pass By: Yerevan, Yerevan
After check-in we will visit to Tsitsernakaberd: The Armenian Genocide Museum-Institute and the monument, memorializing the victims of Armenian genocide. Our short tour will continue to the Republic Square, North Avenue, Opera House, Cascade Complex, Mother Armenia monument.

Meals included:
• Dinner
Accommodation included: Ani Central Inn 4* Hotel

Day 2: Garni Temple - Geghard Monastery - Arch of Charents – Musaler – Yerevan.

Stop At: Garni Temple, Geghard Monastery Road H3, Garni Armenia
Take trip to Garni. This Pagan Temple was built in the Ist century AD. It is the only temple that remains from the Pagan times in Armenia. It was devoted to the God of the Sun Mihr, and was a gift to the queen. In 1679 it was destroyed by earthquake. In the 1975 the Temple was restored.


Duration: 1 hour

Stop At: Geghard, Geghard, Kotayk Province
We will continue our tour to Geghard. This medieval monastery being partially carved out of the adjacent mountain, surrounded by cliffs. It is listed as a UNESCO World Heritage Site. While the main chapel was built in 1215, the monastery complex was founded in the 4th century by Gregory the Illuminator at the site of a sacred spring inside a cave. The whole complex is awash with detailed sculptures, Cliffside monks’ cells, and many striking stone crosses (khachkars), elaborately etched into the rock faces.
Duration: 1 hour

Stop At: Charent's Arch, Garni Armenia
Afterward you will see Charents Arch that is located on the road to Garni and is used as a spectacular place to view Mt. Ararat and its valley.
Duration: 30 minutes

Stop At: Musaler, Musaler, Armavir Province
Return to Yerevan.
Before unforgettable evening, you must have rest to be able to be present at the launch of the harissa festival.
After your rest, we can go to the village Musaler. All night long, you can see how the harissa are cooked on top of the Musaler. All around you will see people dancing and singing.

Duration: 4 hours

Stop At: Yerevan, Yerevan
Return Yerevan for overnight.
Duration: 30 minutes

Meals included:
• Breakfast
• Dinner
Accommodation included: Ani Central Inn 4* Hotel

Day 3: Harissa Festival – Zvartnots Catedral - Ejmiadzin: Hripsime – Gayane - Mother Cathedral-Yerevan.

Stop At: Musaler, Musaler, Armavir Province
We go to Musaler to participate in the second part of the festival․Today will also comprise of Armenian national dances, music, songs, games alongside a memorable Ethnographic performance.
And most importantly, you will finally taste the most delicious harissa cooked all night.

Duration: 3 hours

Stop At: Zvartnots Temple, Vagharshapat Armenia
After festival, we will explore the magnificent Echmiadzin Mother Cathedral; visit the churches of St. Gayane and St. Hripsime and Zvartnots Catedral.
Duration: 3 hours

Meals included:
• Breakfast
• Dinner
Accommodation included: Ani Central Inn 4* Hotel

Day 4: Lake Sevan – Sevanavank - Dilijan - Haghartsin Monastery.

Stop At: Lake Sevan, Lake Sevan, Gegharkunik Province
Lake Sevan is situated in the central part of the Republic of Armenia, in the Gegharkunik Province, at the altitude of 1,900 m (6,200 ft) above sea level. The total surface area of its basin is about 5,000 km2 (1,900 sq mi), the lake itself is 940 km2, and the volume is 34.0 billion m3. It is fed by 28 rivers and streams.
Duration: 2 hours

Stop At: Monastery Sevanavank, next the Holy Mother of God Church, Sevan Armenia
Drive to Sevanavank, a monastic complex located on a peninsula at the northwestern shore of Lake Sevan, the largest lake in Armenia and the Caucasus region. It is one of the largest freshwater high- altitude lakes in the world.
Duration: 1 hour

Stop At: Dilijan, Dilijan, Tavush Province
Heading to Dilijan. Dilijan usually is called Little Switzerland by the locals. Mild climate and gorgeous nature made this town well known as a beautiful resort. Walking in the Sharambeyan Street, Old Town Dilijan.
Duration: 1 hour

Stop At: Haghartsin Monastery, Dilijan Armenia
Last place to visit will be Haghartsin Monastery (13th-century) located near the town of Dilijan. It was built between the 10th and 13th centuries (in the 12th under Khachatur of Taron); much of it under the patronage of the Bagratuni Dynasty.
Duration: 2 hours

Meals included:
• Breakfast
• Dinner
Accommodation included: Ani Central Inn 4* Hotel

Day 5: Market Visit: GUM and Vernissage. Departure

Stop At: Vernissage Market, Northern Avenue 6/2, Yerevan 0013 Armenia
A visit to traditional food market – GUM, and handmade and jewelry market Vernissage in Yerevan. Vernissage is a big open air market (I would say gallery) which offers traditional Armenian jewelry, souvenirs, handicrafts and many other items. Here one can get bags, t-shirts, hats with typical Armenian pattern. Even we Armenians often shop here. Visiting Vernissage is a full day free excursion which brings you one step closer to Armenian culture and traditions. Even if you leave the place with empty hands (which is hardly possible :) at least you will get a good handle on the country's culture.
GUM Market is completely devoted to dried and candied fruits, nuts, spices and sujukh.

Duration: 3 hours

Meals included:
• Breakfast
No accommodation included on this day.