Group Tour | Echmiadzin (Hripsime, Gayane, Mother Cathedral), Zvartnots
Traveler rating
4.5/5
Based on 2 traveler reviews. Ratings and reviews provided by Viator and Tripadvisor.
Quick answer
Is Group Tour | Echmiadzin (Hripsime, Gayane, Mother Cathedral), Zvartnots worth booking?
Group Tour | Echmiadzin (Hripsime, Gayane, Mother Cathedral), Zvartnots is a 4-hour experience in Yerevan, Armenia, from $42 per person. It scores 63 out of 100 on the Outty Ranking, which we label “Solid Choice”, based on a 4.5/5 rating across 2 reviews. Cancellation is free up to 24 hours before the start time. Same-day spots are currently showing.
- Outty Ranking
- 63 / 100
- Rating
- 4.5/5 (2)
- Duration
- 4 hours
- From
- $42 per person
On this tour you will head out of the city to visit the archaeological site of the 7th century ruins of the UNESCO listed Zvartnots, its remaining columns set against a magnificent backdrop of the snowy peaks of Mount Ararat. We continue on to Armenia’s Holy City of Echmiadzin, the former capital, where we plan to visit the UNESCO listed Echmiadzin Cathedral. • Visit the ruins of the 7th century temple Zvartnots • Admire the beauty of Holy City Echmiadzin • Opportunity to visit UNESCO World Heritage Sites • Get acquainted with the history and religion of Armenia • See a piece of the cross on which Christ was crucified
What you get
About this experience
On this tour you will head out of the city to visit the archaeological site of the 7th century ruins of the UNESCO listed Zvartnots, its remaining columns set against a magnificent backdrop of the snowy peaks of Mount Ararat. We continue on to Armenia’s Holy City of Echmiadzin, the former capital, where we plan to visit the UNESCO listed Echmiadzin Cathedral. • Visit the ruins of the 7th century temple Zvartnots • Admire the beauty of Holy City Echmiadzin • Opportunity to visit UNESCO World Heritage Sites • Get acquainted with the history and religion of Armenia • See a piece of the cross on which Christ was crucified
What's included
Included
- Professional guide
- Bottled water
- All Fees and Taxes
- In-vehicle air conditioning
Not included
- Lunch
- Hotel drop off
What you'll see and do
Saint Hripsime Church
Hripsime church, one of the finest works of Armenian architecture of the classical period, a variant of the concentrical domed composition, stands on a slight elevation, at the eastern edge of Echmiadzin City. This kind of composition is characteristic only of the Christian countries of the Transcaucasus. Its expressive silhouette, seen from afar, stands up sharply against the background of an emerald-green valley dominated by the snow-capped Mt. Ararat.
30 minutes here
Saint Gayane Church
The Church of Saint Gayane is a 7th-century Armenian church in Vagharshapat (Etchmiadzin), the religious center of Armenia. It is located within walking distance from the Etchmiadzin Cathedral of 301. St. Gayane was built by Catholicos Ezra I in the year 630. Its design has remained unchanged despite partial renovations of the dome and some ceilings in 1652. Gayane was the name of an abbess who was martyred with other nuns by Tiridates III of Armenia in the year 301, and subsequently made a saint of the Armenian Apostolic Church. In 2000, Saint Gayane Church was listed in the UNESCO World Heritage Sites along with historical churches of Vagharshapat.
30 minutes here
Armenian Apostolic Holy Church Mother See Holy Etchmiadzin
“We shall come and erect here A well of purest light!” These are the lines to begin both the quatrain of one of the Armenian Catholicos Sahak Dzoroporetsi (677-703) and our tour to this unique complex, consisting of several churches of the residence of the Catholicos and the ruins of the Zvartnots temple. Echmiatsin is a small spiritual capital filled with silence and history. The first stone was laid in 303 and since then the cathedral has undergone significant changes, redevelopments and restorations, yet remained the main sacred place for all the Armenians and an important point of visit for Christians. Relics such as the right hand of Saint John the Baptist, the Holy Lance and the three particles of the cross upon which Jesus Christ was crucified are kept here. The name translates literally as “The Descent of the Only Begotten”. According to legend, the first patriarch Grigor the Illuminator had a dream of Christ descending from heaven with a fiery hammer in his hand and indicating the place for the cathedral to be built. Everything from the bell-ringing to rose bushes and quiet alleys of gardens with dense trees through which the tops of the churches are visible, is saturated with harmony and tranquility. The Echmiatsin complex comprises three more churches built in memory of the holy martyrs, namely Saint Gayane, Saint Hripsime and Saint Shoghakat.
90 minutes here · Admission included
Zvartnots Temple
On our way to Yerevan after the excursion to Echmiatsin, we offer our guests another destination point. Zvartnots - “Temple of the Vigil Angels” (translated literally), is included in the UNESCO heritage list and is unique with its architecture and preserved details. Until the beginning of the 20th century, the ruins of the temple were known only from written sources; shortly afterwards, however, the temple was excavated from under clay layers and restored. It is a vivid example of Armenian architecture of antiquity today. We guarantee unique photos and a wonderful completion of the tour.
45 minutes here · Admission included
Where it starts and ends
Meeting point
Yerevan
Traveler pickup is offered from centrally located hotels in Yerevan
Hotel pickup
Pickup is available for selected locations. Pickup begins about 30 minutes before departure.
Ends at
The ending point of this tour is just 4 min. walk from Republic Square of Yerevan.
Before you book
- Cancellation
- For a full refund, cancel at least 24 hours before the scheduled departure time.
- Languages
- ru, en
- Ticket
- Mobile Only
- Runs on
- Sun
- Group size
- Up to 30 travelers per booking
- Operated by
- Spinnaker Travel Armenia DMC
Know before you go
- Wheelchair accessible
- Infants and small children can ride in a pram or stroller
- Public transportation options are available nearby
- Suitable for all physical fitness levels
Photos
Traveler reviews
2 verified traveler reviews for Group Tour | Echmiadzin (Hripsime, Gayane, Mother Cathedral), Zvartnots. Ratings and reviews provided by Viator and Tripadvisor.
Nice excursion. Watch out for the schedules of the Treasure Museum
Nice excursion, we went there on a Sunday morning and could see the monasteries during services. Etchmiazine was the penultimate stop, we had time on site but at the time we were there the treasure museum was closed.
via Tripadvisor (translated)
Good to know
- Duration
- 4 hours
- Free cancellation
- Up to 24h before
- Minimum age to book
- All ages
- Availability
- Bookable today
- Runs on
- Sun
- Hotel pickup
- Available for selected locations
- Booked in 30 days
- 1
- Verdict
- Solid Choice
Why this scores 63
The Outty Ranking is a weighted composite. Here is how this experience performed on each component.
Group Tour | Echmiadzin (Hripsime, Gayane, Mother Cathedral), Zvartnots: questions travelers ask
Practical detail on this experience, plus the wider planning questions for Yerevan.
How much does Group Tour | Echmiadzin (Hripsime, Gayane, Mother Cathedral), Zvartnots cost?
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Prices start at $42 per person. The final price depends on the date, the time slot and the number of travelers, and peak weekends in Yerevan usually price higher than midweek mornings. Live pricing and remaining availability are confirmed on the booking screen before you pay.
How long does Group Tour | Echmiadzin (Hripsime, Gayane, Mother Cathedral), Zvartnots take?
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Plan for about 4 hours from start to finish, not counting travel to the meeting point. Most travelers leave another 30 minutes on either side so the rest of the day in Yerevan is not rushed.
Is Group Tour | Echmiadzin (Hripsime, Gayane, Mother Cathedral), Zvartnots worth it?
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It holds an Outty Ranking of 63 out of 100, which we label "Solid Choice". That score blends traveler sentiment (4.5/5 across 2 reviews), the depth of that review evidence, recent booking momentum, value for money against comparable last minute in Yerevan, and how flexible the cancellation terms are.
Can I cancel or reschedule Group Tour | Echmiadzin (Hripsime, Gayane, Mother Cathedral), Zvartnots?
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Yes. Cancel free up to 24 hours before the start time for a full refund. Inside that window the booking is non-refundable, and no-shows are not refunded.
Is Group Tour | Echmiadzin (Hripsime, Gayane, Mother Cathedral), Zvartnots suitable for kids and families?
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Yes, all ages are welcome. Families should still weigh the 4-hour running time, and strollers are easier on the earlier, quieter departures.
How far in advance should I book Group Tour | Echmiadzin (Hripsime, Gayane, Mother Cathedral), Zvartnots?
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Around 1 people booked this in the last 30 days, so popular slots go early. Two to three weeks ahead is comfortable in shoulder season, while summer weekends and holidays in Yerevan can sell out a month out. Same-day spots do open up when other travelers cancel, so it is worth checking if you are already in town.
What should I bring or wear?
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Bring photo ID, your booking confirmation on your phone, a refillable water bottle and comfortable shoes. Dress for the weather in Yerevan and add a light layer if any part of the 4-hour experience runs outdoors or after sunset.
Where does Group Tour | Echmiadzin (Hripsime, Gayane, Mother Cathedral), Zvartnots start and how do I get there?
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The exact meeting point and directions are on your voucher once you book, and they sit in central Yerevan within reach of public transport. Arrive 15 minutes early: late arrivals are treated as no-shows by most operators.
What are the best things to do in Yerevan?
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On Outty we rank every Yerevan experience on the same 0 to 100 scale, and alongside this one the highest scorers right now include Group Tour: Lake Sevan (Sevanavank), Dilijan (Goshavank, Haghartsin), Group Tour: Khor Virap, Garni temple, Geghard, Lavash baking, Group Tour: Garni pagan temple, Geghard monastery, Lake Sevan, Sevanavank. The city page groups everything into most popular, highest reviewed, last minute and family-friendly so you can build a day around what actually delivers.
When is the best time to visit Yerevan?
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Booking patterns follow the same curve: prices and queues climb in peak weeks, while shoulder season gives you better availability on the top-ranked experiences and more room to change plans.
How many days do you need in Yerevan?
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Three full days covers the headline sights without sprinting. A workable rhythm is one anchor experience each morning, such as this one, an unhurried afternoon in a single neighborhood, then a food or nightlife booking in the evening. Five days lets you add a day trip outside the city.
Do I book through Outty or through the operator?
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Outty ranks and explains the experiences, then hands you to Viator to complete the booking with the operator directly. The price is the same as booking on Viator yourself, and Outty earns an affiliate commission on the referral, which is how the rankings stay free to read.
What is included in Group Tour | Echmiadzin (Hripsime, Gayane, Mother Cathedral), Zvartnots?
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Included: Professional guide; Bottled water; All Fees and Taxes; and In-vehicle air conditioning. Not included: Lunch; and Hotel drop off. Always check the voucher for the final list before you travel.
Does Group Tour | Echmiadzin (Hripsime, Gayane, Mother Cathedral), Zvartnots include hotel pickup?
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Yes, pickup is offered, or you can meet at the start point instead from 87 listed pickup locations in and around Yerevan. Be ready about 30 minutes before the start time. You can also enter a custom pickup address when booking.
What languages is Group Tour | Echmiadzin (Hripsime, Gayane, Mother Cathedral), Zvartnots offered in?
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It is offered in Russian and English. Pick your language when choosing a date and time, as not every departure runs in every language.
Will I get instant confirmation and a mobile ticket for Group Tour | Echmiadzin (Hripsime, Gayane, Mother Cathedral), Zvartnots?
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Confirmation is sent by the operator after booking, usually within 48 hours; if it is not confirmed you are not charged. Mobile tickets are accepted, so you can show the voucher on your phone.
Is Group Tour | Echmiadzin (Hripsime, Gayane, Mother Cathedral), Zvartnots wheelchair or stroller accessible?
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The operator notes: Wheelchair accessible; and Infants and small children can ride in a pram or stroller. If accessibility is critical, contact the operator after booking to confirm arrangements for your date.
What happens to Group Tour | Echmiadzin (Hripsime, Gayane, Mother Cathedral), Zvartnots if the weather is bad?
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It generally runs rain or shine, so dress for the forecast in Yerevan. Standard cancellation terms apply: free cancellation up to 24 hours before the start.
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