Khor Virap, Noravank & Areni-1 Cave with Wine Tasting Group Tour
Description
Begin your journey at Khor Virap Monastery, where breathtaking views of Mount Ararat create an unforgettable start. Continue to Armenia’s renowned wine region and explore the Areni-1 Cave, where archaeologists discovered the world’s oldest known winery (over 6,000 years old) and a 5,500-year-old leather shoe. Visit the stunning Noravank Monastery, a masterpiece of medieval Armenian architecture set among dramatic red rock cliffs. End your day in Areni village, the heart of Armenian winemaking, with a tasting of local wines. Experience wine where it was first created and enjoy a perfect blend of history, culture, and flavor.
Tour Options
Itinerary
Although there are various historical landmarks in Armenia, the oldest and most well-known is probably the Biblical Mount Ararat. This is why our tour promises a spectacular view from the closest spot possible. 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 of the place of the former royal prison, located on the historical site of Artashat. It was this prison in which they kept Gregory the Illuminator, the first Armenian Catholicos, for a whole 13 years. Therefore, it comes as no surprise that this place is one of the most sacred spots for Armenians around the world. Likewise, it’s also the closest point to the Mount Ararat from Armenia; very often this spot becomes the number 1 reason to visit our country!
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 in 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. Built by Orbelian noblemen, it stands out among our churches as the sepulcher of this noble family, making it unique since it was absolutely prohibited to bury people inside a church since the 5th century.
The tour will take you to the Areni – 1 “Birds” Cave. In 2008, archeologists discovered several of the world’s oldest artifacts, including a leather shoe and a winery. The site, overlooking Arpa River near the town of Areni, is claimed to date mostly to the Early Bronze Age (around 5,000-6,000 years ago). It also contains evidence of elaborate burial rituals and agricultural practices.
What concerns the “finishing touch” to this tour, you will be given a 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 we will make a stop at before finishing the trip. As part of the tour, guests will taste the most famous dishes of traditional Armenian cuisine. The dishes are unique with their taste and appetizing aroma, characteristic only for Armenian cuisine.
Highlights
What's included
Traveller Ratings
Important Information
- Infants and small children can ride in a pram or stroller
- Public transportation options are available nearby
- Infants are required to sit on an adult’s lap
- Suitable for all physical fitness levels
- For security reasons the trip might be modified or cancelled in case of bad weather conditions.
Reviews(350)
The guide was so much kinder! It was a guide in English, so I could only understand it, He also taught me about the history of the places I visited, and I was able to visit various places efficiently! Lunch is not included, but it is a process that cannot be canceled, so you need to see +α.
Special thanks to Gayane 👋❤️
Absolutely enjoyable day the south part of Armenia!. The tour is well structured, the size (18 people) is perfect, the transportation and the hospitality are great. We really enjoyed the whole tour. Of course, besides the amazing places that you visit, the energy and the commitment of our guide Anastasia was at the highest level. She was full of information, but in an entertaining way, having our attention all the way from start to end. And with the skills and dedication of the driver Marat, this was the best tour we had. I highly recommend this tour to anyone visiting Armenia.
Thank you for your wonderful feedback. We’re delighted to hear that you had such a memorable experience exploring southern Armenia. It’s great to know the overall organization, comfort, and group atmosphere met your expectations. We truly appreciate your recommendation and hope to welcome you again on another journey in Armenia.
Very wonderful day trip and tour guide she very knowledgeable and professional.
Thank you for your kind feedback. We’re delighted to hear that you enjoyed the day trip and appreciated the professionalism and knowledge of your guide. We hope to welcome you again on another experience in Armenia.
Anastasia was our guide, and she was well organized, efficient, and straight to the point. She immediately inspired confidence and made the whole experience feel seamless. Marat, our driver, was also great—friendly, relaxed, and professional. The tour was absolutely worth it. The timing was perfect: not too long, with plenty of interesting places to see. The only additional cost was the entrance fee to the Birds' Cave (1,000 AMD), and there were four lunch options available (including one vegetarian option), all reasonably priced at around 4,000–5,000 AMD. On top of that, Anastasia went out of her way to help me arrange transportation from Areni to Jermuk to visit the hot springs, and she even made sure I arrived safely. 10/10 — highly recommended.
Thank you for your detailed review. We’re delighted to hear that you had such a smooth and enjoyable experience and that the overall organization, timing, and program met your expectations. It’s also wonderful to know you found the journey comfortable and well-structured, with good dining options along the way. We truly appreciate your recommendation and are especially glad that you felt well supported throughout your trip. We hope to welcome you again for another memorable experience in Armenia.
We were disappointed. The tour operator was Yerani Travel. The van was full and the seats were just big enough to fit you but not comfortable for any extended travel. They had a cooler that wasn’t cooling - so the water they handed out was warm, which was frustrating as the trip goes to the southern part of Armenia and it’s very very hot. I don’t recommend going this in summer at all actually. It’s literally torturous. The sites are amazing, but there’s definitely a lot to be walked on foot, lots of stairs and walking uphill, and in hot weather it’s anything but enjoyable. Then we were brought to a restaurant called Lchak. The food was horrible! The service too. Im from Armenia and I was ashamed that that was the food they were serving to people from other countries - while we are famous for our hospitality and great food! Then the AC broke in the van and that was our last straw - we took a cab from the last stop to go home, instead of waiting for them to get another van or drive 2 hrs in 95 degree weather with no AC. They need to do better with all the aspects of this tour. I rarely leave reviews - only when I’m really happy or really unhappy. People need to know what to expect here. Please be aware!
This tour was a fantastic value. Our guide Nektar kept us on time so we were able to enjoy all the stops fully. She adeptly handled both Russian speaking and English speaking travelers. All the sites were interesting and Nektar shared a wealth of information. Our driver was also excellent and very friendly. Everyone was made to feel very welcome.
Thank you for your wonderful feedback. We’re delighted to hear that you had such an enjoyable experience and that the day was well organized, allowing you to fully appreciate each stop. It’s great to know the experience felt welcoming and informative throughout. We truly appreciate your recommendation and hope to see you again on another tour in Armenia.
The tour overall is good. The tour guide gave enough information but she spoke very fast and was rushing all time in the tour. The pace could be slower.
Thank you for your feedback. We are glad to hear you found the tour informative. We also appreciate your comments regarding the pace, and we will take them into consideration to improve the experience for future guests.
We had a wonderful day, and this tour was one of the highlights of our trip to Armenia. The itinerary was very well organized, and the landscapes were spectacular. A special thanks to our guide, who not only explained the history and monuments but also immersed us in the heart of Armenian culture, traditions, and the identity of this extraordinary people. Thanks to her passion and expertise, we understood the country we were visiting much better. The view of Mount Ararat from Khor Virap and the visit to Noravank will remain among the most beautiful memories of our trip. We highly recommend this tour to anyone who wants to discover authentic Armenia.
Thank you for your kind feedback. We are very pleased to hear that you had such a memorable experience and appreciated the organization and cultural insight during the tour. We truly value your recommendation and hope to welcome you again in the future.
Edgar and Anastasia were super friendly! A really good and informative tour.
Thank you for your kind feedback. We are glad to hear that you had a positive and informative experience and appreciated the service during your tour. We hope to welcome you again in the future.
