Things to do in

Lusarat

Khor Virap Monastery is located about an hour’s drive away from the capital Yerevan, and offers an amazing view of Armenia’s defining symbol – the majestic Ararat. Khor Virap translates as deep dungeon, and it was built on the place of the former royal prison, located on the historical site of Artashat. The Monastery is also one of the most sacred spots for Armenians around the world. This tour will also take you to the Areni Cave (Bird’s Cave). In 2008, archeologists discovered several of the world’s oldest artifacts, including a leather shoe and a winery here. The site, overlooking Arpa River near the town of Areni, is claimed to date back to the Early Bronze Age. It contains evidence of elaborate burial rituals and agricultural practices. Another place that can’t be missed is Noravank. It is one of the gems of medieval Armenian architecture, nestled high among the stunning brick-red cliffs at the end of the Gnishik Canyon. Afterwards, you will be given the chance to taste and even purchase Armenia’s renowned Areni wine, made from the oldest grape variety in the whole world. The wine is available in several wineries in the town of Areni itself. You will also taste the most famous dishes of traditional Armenian cuisine.

Khor Virap monastery is located about an hour’s drive away from the capital Yerevan, and offers an amazing view of Armenia’s defining symbol: the majestic Ararat. “Khor Virap” translates as “deep dungeon”, and was built on the place of the former royal prison, located on the historical site of Artashat. It was this very prison in which they detained Gregory the Illuminator, the first Armenian Catholicos, for an entire 13 years. Your fantastic tour will introduce you to the exotic Pagan history of Armenia, before later introducing you to the development and spread of Christianity in the country. Your first stop will be Garni Temple (77 A.D.), which is the only standing heathen temple in the whole post-Soviet area. The temple is home to the Roman bath house with its mysterious mosaic which is made out of 30,000 pieces of natural stones, as well as the ruins of the royal palace which date back to the 3rd century A.D. The monastic complex of Geghard is another historical site included in this tour. Translated to “Monastery of the Holy Lance”, it refers to the lance with which Longinus pierced Jesus as he was still hanging on the cross. The complex is a representation of 13th-century Armenia, which is considered to be the golden age of the country’s architecture. The most astonishing part however is the virtue of the architect, who cut the church right into the solid rock whilst also considering all the rules of Armenian architecture. On your way to the temple, there will be another short stop at the Charents Arch where you will be given the chance to enjoy one of the best moments of your trip to Armenia: a picturesque view of the Biblical Mount Ararat.

The tour will start at 09:30 AM with a pick-up point from your hotel. The day’s itinerary includes visits to Khor Virap Monastery, Areni Winery and Noravank Monastery situated deep in the Noravank Canyon. Once you get to Khor Virap, you will stop to admire and take photos of the spectacular view of Mount Ararat, the national symbol of Armenia. You will then continue to the winery in the village of the Areni, where you can try delicious Armenian wine and take a few bottles with you. Due to its charming medieval architecture and magnificent landscape, the Noravank Complex is a must see when in Armenia.  

Visit Armenia’s oldest and most well-known historical landmark, Mount Ararat. This private half-day tour takes you to the closest spot possible at Khor Virap Monastery for spectacular views of the snow-capped volcano. Located about an hour’s drive away from Yerevan, the monastery offers an amazing view of the majestic Mount Ararat. Explore Khor Virap and learn about the region’s history as a royal prison. This was the very prison where Gregory the Illuminator, the first Armenian Catholic, was held for 13 years. It’s no surprise that the monastery serves as one of the most sacred spots in Armenia.   Discover more of Armenia’s sacred spots with a stop at Saint Hripsime Church, built on the sepulcher of the nun Hripsime and one of the oldest churches in the world. A short 5 minute drive away is the 7th-century church of Saint Gayane. From here visit the world’s first Christian Cathedral, the Holy Etchmiadzin. Built in 301-304, legend says that Jesus Christ descended here, where Gregory the Illuminator ordered to build the church. On the way back to Yerevan, the tour will conclude with a final stop at another beautiful 7th-century temple.

Although there are various historical landmarks in Armenia, the oldest and most well-known is probably the Biblical Mount Ararat. This tour promises spectacular views from the closest spot possible. The Khor Virap Monastery is located about an hour’s drive away from the capital Yerevan, and offers an amazing view of Armenia’s defining symbol – the majestic Ararat. The Monastery is one of the most sacred spots for Armenians around the world. Another place that cannot be missed whilst in Armenia is Tatev Monastery, which once was the educational and spiritual center of Armenia. It’s built on a high plateau in the Vorotan River gorge, and is surrounded by breathtaking mountains and dense forests. You can reach it by riding the world’s longest cableway, the Wings of Tatev. During your ride, you will enjoy a spectacular view over one of the most beautiful spots in Armenia (if not in the world). As the finishing touch of this tour, you will be given the chance to taste and even purchase Armenia’s renowned Areni wine. Made from the oldest grape variety in the whole world, the wine is available in several wineries in the town of Areni itself.

The tour starts early in the morning at 7:00 am. After breakfast, you'll be on the road. The first destination is Khor Virap which is the closest stop to mount Ararat. Then, you'll continue the trip to Areni Wine Factory. After some wine tastings and even some shopping, you'll head to Halidzor village where you'll hop on the longest cable car in the world covering a distance of almost 6km. While enjoying breathtaking views from above Vorotan gorge, you''ll reach Tatev monastery complex, which is one of the largest monasteries in Armenia. Then, you'll return to Halidzor village with cable car again and continue the tour to Noravank monastery, the only only place where you can see father God's face carved. Enjoy lunch with fantastic views of red cliffs and then return to Yerevan.

Join this private tour to immerse yourself in Armenia's heavenly sites. In the morning, you will be picked up from your hotel in Yerevan, in order to uncover three magical structures and panoramas of the country. Enjoy your first exploration on the list: Khor-Virap Monastery. One of the most visited pilgrimage sites in Armenia which held a saint in a hole for 13 long years. Also here, you will be gifted a unique opportunity to have a closer look at splendid Mount Ararat, together with an ancient Monastery in the foreground.   Later, continue your exploratory mission to the Monastery of Noravank, located in the magnificent Amaghu gorge, which attracts visitors with a fascinating view over the canyon and exceptional architectural solutions. Afterwards, you will depart to the province of Syunik to take the longest cable car in the world and reach Tatev Monastery – the masterpiece of Armenia. This is an absolutely mind-blowing beauty, with an ancient religious complex and divine natural surroundings.

Although there are various historical landmarks in Armenia, the oldest and most well-known is the Biblical Mount Ararat. This tour promises spectacular views from the closest spot possible. The Khor Virap Monastery is located about an hour’s drive away from the capital Yerevan, and offers amazing views of Armenia’s defining symbol – the majestic Ararat. The site is also one of the most sacred spots for Armenians around the world. Another place that cannot be missed during your time in Armenia is Noravank. It is one of the gems of medieval Armenian architecture, nestled high among the stunning brick-red cliffs at the end of the Gnishik Canyon. Here you will see the one and only depiction of God the Father in Armenia, which is just as astonishing as the face of Jesus Christ that appeared on the dome of the Church’s narthex. This tour will also take you to the Bird’s Cave. In 2008, archaeologists discovered several of the world’s oldest artifacts here, including a leather shoe and a winery. The site, overlooking the Arpa River near the town of Areni, is claimed to date back to the Early Bronze Age (around 5,000-6,000 years ago). It also contains evidence of elaborate burial rituals and agricultural practices. Finally, you will be given the chance to taste and even purchase Armenia’s renowned Areni wine. Made from the oldest grape variety in the whole world, the wine is available in several wineries in the actual town of Areni itself, which you will make a stop at before finishing the trip.

See where some of the world's oldest artifacts have been uncovered at Areni-1 cave with this tour from Yerevan. Admire views of Mount Ararat at Khor Virap and Noravank monastery. Visit a charming old Areni winery and try some traditional Armenian cuisine. Meet your guide and enjoy views of Mount Ararat as you drive to Khor Virap monastery. Walk through a monastery that was initially built as a prison. See where the first Armenian Catholicos, Gregory the Illuminator, was imprisoned. Head to Areni-1 cave where archeologists discovered several of the world's oldest artifacts, including a leather shoe and a winery. Explore the site which overlooks the Arpa River near the town of Areni and is thought to date back to the Early Bronze Age. Continue to Noravank to marvel at medieval Armenian architecture. Experience the beauty of this place that is nestled high among brick-red cliffs in Gnishik Canyon. Have the chance to try the oldest grape variety in the world at an old Areni winery.

Get picked up from your hotel in Yerevan and head to Khor Virap, a well-known Armenian pilgrimage site associated with Gregory the Illuminator, the founder of the Armenian church who was imprisoned there for 14 years. Admire the panoramic view of the Mt. Ararat, a famous national symbol and the highest mountain of the Armenian Highland. Learn about the architecture, history, and legends of Khor Virap from your professional guide and gain a deeper understanding of Armenian culture and national heritage. Continue on to Areni and go on a tour of the local winery. Have a walk through the vineyards and taste a range of organic wines. Take advantage of the chance to order or purchase the organic products. Next up is a visit to the ancient Areni Cave 1. Filled with high chambers and huge stalactites and stalagmites, Areni Cave is a significant archaeological site dating back to the Chalcolithic period between 4500 and 3400 BC. Marvel at a hidden place occupied by humans thousands of years ago. Learn how the site was used for ritual purposes related to mortuary activities, and how the dry environment together with the stable temperature provided excellent conditions for the preservation of organic materials. Let your experienced guide lead you along well-maintained boardwalks into the cave's narrow chambers and discover the site deep inside the cave of the world’s oldest presently known wine pressing installation, dating back to around 4000 BC, and the oldest leather shoe, dated approximately to 3600 BC. Check out the colony of cave weta, large insects unique to Armenia, just inside the entrance to the cave. After your spelunking adventure, head to Soth to see Noravank, a UNESCO World Heritage Site that is one of the greatest Medieval monasteries of Armenia. Absorb the beautiful architecture and learn about the birthplace of one of the famous architecture and manuscript schools in medieval Armenia. Head back to Yerevan after a day full of exploration between 6 pm and 7 pm.