
Private Tour to Echmiadzin,St.Hripsime & Gayane Churches, Zvartnots Temple
Traveler rating
5.0/5
Based on 21 traveler reviews. Ratings and reviews provided by Viator and Tripadvisor.
Quick answer
Is Private Tour to Echmiadzin,St.Hripsime & Gayane Churches, Zvartnots Temple worth booking?
Private Tour to Echmiadzin,St.Hripsime & Gayane Churches, Zvartnots Temple is a 7-hour experience in Yerevan, Armenia, from $75 per person. It scores 74 out of 100 on the Outty Ranking, which we label “Strongly Recommended”, based on a 5/5 rating across 21 reviews. Cancellation is free up to 24 hours before the start time. Same-day spots are currently showing.
- Outty Ranking
- 74 / 100
- Rating
- 5/5 (21)
- Duration
- 7 hours
- From
- $75 per person
Visit churches of Echmiatsin and Zvartnots temple, which together make up a remarkable UNESCO World Heritage Site! During this 5-hour private tour you will see a series of landmarks, from Echmiadsin Cathedral to Saint Hripsime Church, Saint Gayane Church, and the 7th-century Zvartnots Cathedral. Choose one of the presented individual tours, customized it or create your private tour in Armenia with Jan Armenia Tours and Travel! Book with us & Let us show you the Land of old Legends, Biblical Stories and Ancient History!
What you get
About this experience
Visit churches of Echmiatsin and Zvartnots temple, which together make up a remarkable UNESCO World Heritage Site! During this 5-hour private tour you will see a series of landmarks, from Echmiadsin Cathedral to Saint Hripsime Church, Saint Gayane Church, and the 7th-century Zvartnots Cathedral. Choose one of the presented individual tours, customized it or create your private tour in Armenia with Jan Armenia Tours and Travel! Book with us & Let us show you the Land of old Legends, Biblical Stories and Ancient History!
What's included
Included
- Private transportation
- Hotel pickup and drop-off
- Bottled water
- On-board WiFi
- Professional guide (if the guide option is selected)
- In-vehicle air conditioning
- Professional driver
Not included
- Food and drinks
- Lunch
- Entrance fees
- Entrance fees
- Anything not mentioned in the “Inclusions” section
What you'll see and do
Armenian Apostolic Holy Church Mother See Holy Etchmiadzin
The first Christian cathedral of Echmiadzin was founded in the IV century BC, whose name means “place of the descent of the Only Begotten.” A feature of the Cathedral is that in addition to the main altar in the eastern part, there is another altar in the middle, at the site of the descent of Christ. In the right-hand boundary of the Etchmiadzin Cathedral there is the Treasury Museum, where are kept relics, church clothes, embroidered with gold and pearls, catholicos’ staffs and crosses, numerous ritual objects made of gold, silver and ivory. On the territory of the monastery complex is also the residence of the Armenian patriarch – the Catholicos of all Armenians. Also here you will see many cross-stones, of which “Amenaprakich” (1279), and the cross-stone devoted to the victims of the 1915 genocide.
60 minutes here
Saint Hripsime Church
The Temple of Saint Hripsime was founded in the 7th century by Catholicos Komitas I Aghtsetsi in the place of a sepulcher of Saint Hripsime. Since 2000 Saint Hripsime Temple has been included in UNESCO World Heritage List. Two prominent Armenian Cathlicoses are buried in the court yard of Saint Hripsime Temple. They are Catholicos Astvatsatur (1715-1725) and Catholicos Garaped II Oolnetzi (1725-1729).
30 minutes here
Saint Gayane Church
St. Gayane Temple was built in honor of St. Gayane in the VII century on the place of IV century chapel, which is one of the best monuments of Armenian architecture. The relics of Saint Gayane are kept in the southern wall of the temple, next to the altar niche. Above the western entrance, there was preserved the murals of the 17th century on the theme of the birth of Christ. Near the Saint Gayane Temple there is a special room where animals are sacrificed and stabbed from the time of St. Gregory the Illuminator. This rite is called – matah, which is customary to perform for any occasion: weddings, birth of a child, etc.
30 minutes here
Zvartnots Temple
Тhe magnificent Zvartnots Temple, which mean “Temple of Vigil Forces”, was built in the VII century. The temple was built for 20 years. Unfortunately, Zvartnots was destroyed by a powerful earthquake in the XX century and only its ruins remained. But even the ruins of this temple give us an idea of its rare and majestic beauty. Today the Zvartnots Temple is an archaeological reserve and museum founded in 1937, where you can see model-versions of the reconstruction of the temple, numerous sculptural fragments, impressive in size. The ruins of Zvartnots Temple are included in UNESCO as World Heritage Site.
60 minutes here · Admission not included
Where it starts and ends
Hotel pickup
Pickup is included for all travelers. Pickup begins about 10 minutes before departure.
Options you can book
8-15 travelers, without guide
PRIVATE TOUR: St. Hripsimeh and Gayaneh churches, Echmiadzin Mother Cathedral, Zvartnots temple Duration: 6 hours Car, Minibus Pickup included
3-6 travelers, with a guide
Private Tour to Echmiadzin,St.Hripsime & Gayane Churches, Zvartnots Temple, with a guide Duration: 6 hours Car, Minivan Pickup included
1-2 travelers, with a guide
Private Tour to Echmiadzin,St.Hripsime & Gayane Churches, Zvartnots Temple, with a guide Duration: 6 hours Car, Sedan Pickup included
7-15 travelers, with a guide
Duration: 6 hours Car, Minibus 7-15 travelers, with guide: PRIVATE TOUR: St. Hripsimeh and Gayaneh churches, Echmiadzin Mother Cathedral, Zvartnots temple Pickup included
4-7 travelers, without guide
Private Tour to Echmiadzin,St.Hripsime & Gayane Churches, Zvartnots Temple, without guide Duration: 6 hours Car, Minivan Pickup included
1-3 travelers, without guide
Private Tour to Echmiadzin,St.Hripsime & Gayane Churches, Zvartnots Temple, without guide Duration: 6 hours Car, Sedan Pickup included
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
- Tue, Wed, Thu, Fri, Sat, Sun
- Group size
- Up to 15 travelers per booking
- Operated by
- Jan Armenia Tours
Know before you go
- Specialized infant seats are available
- Public transportation options are available nearby
- Suitable for all physical fitness levels
Photos






What travelers are saying
Outty’s summary of the themes that recur across 21 traveler reviews. Written by us, not quoted from reviewers.
The guide
8 mentionsTravelers single out the guide as the reason the experience works.
Knowledge and storytelling
6 mentionsReviewers describe the commentary as informative rather than scripted.
Organization
3 mentionsPickup, timing, and logistics are described as running smoothly.
Traveler reviews
21 verified traveler reviews for Private Tour to Echmiadzin,St.Hripsime & Gayane Churches, Zvartnots Temple. Ratings and reviews provided by Viator and Tripadvisor.
Great day trip from Echmiadzin🇦🇲
We really enjoyed this excursion from Echmiadzin. The places we visited were beautiful and peaceful,Our driver Sasun was very kind and helpful throughout the day. This tour is perfect for everyone!
Response from the operator: Thank you for your lovely feedback! We’re delighted you had such a pleasant experience and felt well looked after throughout the day. It was a pleasure to have you with us, and we truly appreciate your recommendation!
via Tripadvisor
Temples and monasteries
If you like history and temples, old buildings it is a geeat short trip just outside of Yerevan. Since it was a private tour, we spent as much time at a place as we wanted. We did not have to wait for other people. We liked the old temple ruins best. Most of the places were free, no entrance fee. Great short trip altogether.
Response from the operator: Thank you for sharing your experience! We’re so glad you had an enjoyable day and appreciated the freedom and relaxed pace of the tour. Your kind feedback means a lot, and we’d be delighted to welcome you again!
via Tripadvisor
Good experience
The driver was very kind and professional. The car was clean and new.
Response from the operator: Thank you so much for your kind words! We're thrilled to hear that you had a positive experience with our driver and enjoyed the clean, new car. Your feedback means a lot to us, and we hope to serve you again soon!
via Tripadvisor
Sight seeing by car to historical Armenian Christian sites.
The best and most kind driver I have ever had. Thank you to Ara. He was extremely knowledgeable and respectful to all of my questions and places I wanted to see. God bless you.
Response from the operator: Thank you for your kind words! We're delighted to hear that your experience was enjoyable and that all your questions and requests were met with care and respect. We look forward to welcoming you again in the future!
via Tripadvisor
Amazing tour with amazing people
Today, we enjoyed an unforgettable tour of Armenia, thanks to our amazing guide, Jasmina Barseghyan, and our skilled driver, Ara Melkonyan. Jasmina's vast knowledge and warm personality made each moment special, as she shared insights into Armenia's rich history while connecting with us personally. Her professionalism was evident as she expertly managed the itinerary, balancing highlights with our interests. From ancient monasteries to stunning landscapes, her enthusiasm was infectious. Ara provided smooth and safe driving through diverse terrains, always punctual and friendly, which added comfort to our journey. Together, they created a warm atmosphere, making us feel like we were exploring Armenia with friends. This experience perfectly blended professionalism and heartfelt hospitality, and I highly recommend it to anyone wanting to discover Armenia's beauty!
Response from the operator: Thank you for sharing such a heartfelt review! We're so happy to hear that you had an unforgettable experience exploring Armenia, with a perfect balance of rich history, stunning landscapes, and personal connections. We're glad the journey was comfortable and enjoyable from start to finish.
via Tripadvisor
Good to know
- Duration
- 7 hours
- Free cancellation
- Up to 24h before
- Minimum age to book
- All ages
- Availability
- Bookable today
- Runs on
- Tue, Wed, Thu, Fri, Sat, Sun
- Price range
- $75 to $267
- Hotel pickup
- Included for all travelers
- Booked in 30 days
- 7
- Verdict
- Strongly Recommended
Who runs this experience
Operated by Jan Armenia Tours, who run 21 experiences we rank across 1 city, with an average Outty Ranking of 64.9.
See everything Jan Armenia Tours runsWhy this scores 74
The Outty Ranking is a weighted composite. Here is how this experience performed on each component.
Private Tour to Echmiadzin,St.Hripsime & Gayane Churches, Zvartnots Temple: questions travelers ask
Practical detail on this experience, plus the wider planning questions for Yerevan.
How much does Private Tour to Echmiadzin,St.Hripsime & Gayane Churches, Zvartnots Temple cost?
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Prices start at $75 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 Private Tour to Echmiadzin,St.Hripsime & Gayane Churches, Zvartnots Temple take?
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Plan for about 7 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 Private Tour to Echmiadzin,St.Hripsime & Gayane Churches, Zvartnots Temple worth it?
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It holds an Outty Ranking of 74 out of 100, which we label "Strongly Recommended". That score blends traveler sentiment (5/5 across 21 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 Private Tour to Echmiadzin,St.Hripsime & Gayane Churches, Zvartnots Temple?
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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 Private Tour to Echmiadzin,St.Hripsime & Gayane Churches, Zvartnots Temple suitable for kids and families?
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Yes, all ages are welcome. Families should still weigh the 7-hour running time, and strollers are easier on the earlier, quieter departures.
How far in advance should I book Private Tour to Echmiadzin,St.Hripsime & Gayane Churches, Zvartnots Temple?
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Around 7 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 7-hour experience runs outdoors or after sunset.
Where does Private Tour to Echmiadzin,St.Hripsime & Gayane Churches, Zvartnots Temple 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 Private Tour to Echmiadzin,St.Hripsime & Gayane Churches, Zvartnots Temple?
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Included: Private transportation; Hotel pickup and drop-off; Bottled water; On-board WiFi; and Professional guide (if the guide option is selected). Not included: Food and drinks; Lunch; Entrance fees; and Entrance fees. Always check the voucher for the final list before you travel.
Does Private Tour to Echmiadzin,St.Hripsime & Gayane Churches, Zvartnots Temple include hotel pickup?
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Yes, pickup is offered for every traveler from 107 listed pickup locations in and around Yerevan. Be ready about 10 minutes before the start time. You can also enter a custom pickup address when booking.
What languages is Private Tour to Echmiadzin,St.Hripsime & Gayane Churches, Zvartnots Temple 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 Private Tour to Echmiadzin,St.Hripsime & Gayane Churches, Zvartnots Temple?
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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 Private Tour to Echmiadzin,St.Hripsime & Gayane Churches, Zvartnots Temple wheelchair or stroller accessible?
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The operator notes: Specialized infant seats are available. If accessibility is critical, contact the operator after booking to confirm arrangements for your date.
What happens to Private Tour to Echmiadzin,St.Hripsime & Gayane Churches, Zvartnots Temple 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.
What do travelers say about Private Tour to Echmiadzin,St.Hripsime & Gayane Churches, Zvartnots Temple?
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Across 21 reviews averaging 5.0 out of 5, recurring themes include the guide, knowledge and storytelling, organization. Travelers single out the guide as the reason the experience works.
What booking options are available for Private Tour to Echmiadzin,St.Hripsime & Gayane Churches, Zvartnots Temple?
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There are 6 options to choose from, including 8-15 travelers, without guide, 3-6 travelers, with a guide, 1-2 travelers, with a guide, 7-15 travelers, with a guide. Prices and start times differ by option, so compare them on the booking screen.
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