Garni, Geghard, Echmiadzin and Zvartnots Private Tour
Description
"Echmiadzin Cathedral (literal translation: The descent of the Only Begotten) is the center of the Armenian Apostolic church originally built in the early 3rd century BC and a number of sources also state that Etchmiadzin is the oldest official Christian church in the entire world. This is your chance to visit and explore such a unique and one-of-a-kind place in the world! The church of St. Hripsime is dedicated to one of the 40 virgins who escaped from the Roman empire. Saint Gayane Church is a three-nave domed basilica named yet after another one of the virgins who escaped from Rome and where later made a saint of the Armenian Apostolic Church. The ruins of Zvartnots Tample represent a truly unique - 3 storied circular domed architectural masterpiece. Geghard Monastery or Ayrivank is an important architectural, historical and religious sight in Armenia.
Tour Options
Itinerary
You will visit the St. Hripsime church, which was built on the sepulcher of a Christian nun Hripsime who fled from the Roman Empire and was killed in Armenia. This amazing building has stood upright from the day of its construction since 618 A.D, making it one of the oldest standing churches in the world.
The Mother Cathedral of Holy Etchmiadzin serves as the spiritual center of the Armenian Apostolic Church. The cathedral is a symbol of Armenian national identity and heritage, reflecting the country's deep-rooted Christian tradition.
5 minutes drive away is the next stop: the 7th century church of St. Gayane. Gayane was the nanny of Hripsime, and shared Hripsime’s tragic fate.
We will make a stop at another beautiful 7th century temple, also included in the UNESCO heritage list. According to legend, the name "Zvartnots" means "celestial angels," inspired by the belief that angels once watched over the temple.
The monastic complex of Geghard, a UNESCO World Heritage site, is another historical site included in this private tour. The name "Geghard" derives from the spear (geghard) that is said to have pierced the side of Jesus Christ, which was housed in the monastery for many years. Geghard Monastery is considered one of the most significant religious sites in Armenia. The most astonishing part is that this church is cut out right into the solid rock.
Garni Gorge is a stunning natural attraction located in Armenia, near the village of Garni. It is also known as the "Symphony of Stones" due to its unique rock formations that create a beautiful symphony of colors and shapes. * The visit to the Symphony of Stones is subject to weather conditions.
This tour will introduce you to the exotic Pagan history of Armenia, and show the later development and spread of Christianity in the country. Garni Temple (77 A.D.) is the only standing heathen temple in the whole post-Soviet area. The temple stands on a high plateau overlooking the Azat river gorge. It is also home to the roman bath house with the mysterious mosaic, made out of 30,000 pieces of natural stones, as well as the ruins of the royal palace, dating back to 3rd century A.D.
Charents Arch, overlooking the Ararat Valley, offers visitors breathtaking views of Mount Ararat and the surrounding landscape, creating a perfect backdrop for memorable photos.
Highlights
What's included
Traveller Ratings
Important Information
- Infants and small children can ride in a pram or stroller
- Service animals allowed
- Public transportation options are available nearby
- Specialized infant seats are available
- Suitable for all physical fitness levels
Reviews(27)
Perfect booking process. Contacting them was easy through the portal or WhatsApp. All questions regarding the tour were answered more or less immediately. Our driver Rafael was punctual to the minute in front of our hotel and safely chauffeured us through the day with his relaxed and considerate driving style. The car was very well-maintained, air-conditioned, and we had ample time for sightseeing at the stops. Thank you very much!
Vielen Dank für Ihre freundliche Rückmeldung und dass Sie sich für Yerani Travel entschieden haben! Wir freuen uns sehr, dass Sie mit der Organisation, der Kommunikation und dem Ablauf Ihrer Tour zufrieden waren. Ihr positives Feedback bedeutet unserem Team sehr viel und motiviert uns, weiterhin einen zuverlässigen und hochwertigen Service zu bieten. Wir hoffen, Sie bald wieder in Armenien begrüßen zu dürfen! Mit freundlichen Grüßen Das Yerani Travel Team
This time, I asked for a driver, not a guide. The driver, Mr. Armand, was very kind and taught me a lot about Armenia. We didn't have a common language, so we communicated through apps, but we had no problem communicating. They also adjusted the length of stay in each place based on the situation, so it was very helpful to see the sights smoothly! (^^) Thank you very much.
Спасибо большое за ваш отзыв. Мы очень рады, что поездка с водителем Арманом прошла для вас комфортно и приятно. Обязательно передадим ему ваши добрые слова. Будем рады видеть вас снова!
Excellent tour. The guide was highly knowledgeable and gave us an in depth overview of the history behind the sights. It was also a plus that there was a separate driver besides the guide.
Thank you for your kind feedback. We are delighted to hear that you enjoyed the tour and appreciated the in-depth historical insights provided by the guide. It is also wonderful to know that having a separate driver contributed to a more comfortable and well-organized experience. Your satisfaction is very important to us, and we truly appreciate you taking the time to share your thoughts. We look forward to welcoming you again in the future.
Srbuhi (Sana), my guide, was very professional, polite and well informed. My driver, Suren, was also professional and drove safely through areas that had snow in the ground. He was cautious which was welcomed. The pace of the tour was just right to allow full enjoyment of the sites we visited. I am deducting one star since I was a bit disappointed at the head office that wouldn't arrange for the return of my hat that was left in the car. I didn’t think it would be such a big deal to have someone drop it off at my hotel on their way to another tour. Perhaps, as a regular traveler, I was expecting for a bit more post-tour customer service. I bought a new hat😃
Dear Mike, thank you for your thoughtful review. We’re very happy to hear that you enjoyed the tour and appreciated the professionalism and care throughout the experience, especially during the snowy conditions. We’re sorry for the inconvenience regarding your hat. As we mentioned previously, it was kept safely at our head office so you could collect it at your convenience. Nevertheless, we appreciate your feedback and will certainly take your remarks into consideration. We hope to have the pleasure of welcoming you again in the future.
We had a great tour and visited some wonderful sites. Our driver, Arsen, was excellent and drove us around safely and comfortably throughout the trip. Sana, our guide, was fantastic, she spoke English very well and was extremely knowledgeable and thorough in her explanations. Together they made the experience enjoyable and seamless. I would highly recommend both of them anytime.
Thank you very much for taking the time to share your feedback. We are delighted to hear that you had a great tour and enjoyed visiting the sites. It is wonderful to know that the driver provided a safe and comfortable journey and that the guide’s knowledge, clear explanations, and professionalism contributed to a smooth and enjoyable experience. Your kind recommendation is truly appreciated and motivates our team to continue delivering high-quality service. We hope to have the pleasure of welcoming you again on another journey in the future.
Our driver Benik was super friendly and helpful, he accompanied us safely and with a very comfortable car throughout our journey, tour that allows you to see many more things than others, beautiful places full of tradition. I recommend this tour to everyone given the stops along the way and the professionalism of the staff and our driver in particular. Super recommended!!
Thank you very much for sharing your experience. We are pleased to hear that the tour allowed you to see many wonderful places rich in tradition, and that your journey was safe and comfortable throughout. It is very rewarding for us to know that you appreciated the itinerary, the planned stops, and the professionalism of our staff. Your recommendation means a great deal to us and encourages us to continue providing high-quality service. We hope to have the opportunity to welcome you again in the future for another memorable journey.
Amazing guide Ani and driver Narek, wonderful sights not on the standard tours, and all not far from Yerevan.
Dear Peter, Thank you for your lovely review! We’re happy to hear that you enjoyed the unique sights and had a great experience with the guide and driver. We look forward to welcoming you on another tour soon!
We had a wonderful tour with Mihael! The view of Garni Temple was absolutely stunning, and Mihael’s explanations made it even more special. Friendly, knowledgeable, and perfectly organized — highly recommended!
Busy day but worth it as so many wonderful things to see! The lunch venue with amazing views was a highlight.
Dear Joanne, We’re so glad to hear you enjoyed such a full and memorable day. It’s wonderful that the lunch with its views was a highlight for you, and we’ll be happy to welcome you back for more adventures in Armenia!
The tour was fantastic. Driver Tigran has been great. He helped us in everything. He recommended us good for the food and the sense of circuitry seemed phenomenal.
Dear Paloma, Thank you very much for your feedback. We’re glad to hear that you found the excursion fantastic and appreciated the organization as well as the meal recommendations. We’ll be happy to welcome you back for more adventures in Armenia!
