Private Tour to Garni Temple, Geghard Monastery, Echmiadzin Cathedral, Zvartnots

What's included

What you'll see and do

1. Charent's Arch

   Charents Arch is located near Yerevan, between the pagan temple of Garni and Geghard Christian monastery complex in the village of Vokhchaberd. At first glance, the Arch seems to be the most ordinary and unremarkable, but coming closer, passing to the platform inside the arch and looking at the panorama, everything becomes clear – this is the best place to admire the great and sacred mountain of Ararat, to be in unity with it and enjoy the beautiful scenery.

   30 minutes here

2. Garni Temple

   The pagan temple of Garni was built in the second half of the 1st century by King Trdat III. This is the only pagan temple, which has been preserved on the territory of Armenia. After the adoption of Christianity it became the summer residence of Khosrovadukht, sister of King Trdat III. It was destroyed in 1679 by an earthquake. Parts, fragments of graceful columns and wall stones were spread around the temple. It is supposed that the temple was dedicated to Mithra, the God of the Sun. The temple of Garni is included in UNESCO World Heritage List.

   60 minutes here · Admission not included

3. The Monastery of Geghard

   Geghard Monastery is one of the greatest medieval architectural structures in Armenia. Geghard is completely hollowed out in a cave, it is also called a “cave monastery”. This monastery was founded in the 4th century AD. in place of the sacred spring, originating in the cave. The name of the monastery complex Geghard (spear) comes from the Langin’n spear, which pierced the body of Jesus Christ on the cross. At the moment this spear is kept in the museum of Etchmiadzin. The monastery complex Geghard is included in UNESCO World Heritage List.

   60 minutes here

4. 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

5. 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

6. 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

7. 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

Options you can book

• 8-15 travelers, without guide

  PRIVATE TOUR: Garni Temple, Geghard Monastery, Echmiadzin Mother Cathedral, Zvartnots temple Pickup included

• 1-2 travelers, with a guide

  Private Tour to Gani Temple, Geghard Monastery, Echmiadzin Cathedral, Zvartnots, with a guide Pickup included

• 4-7 travelers, without guide

  Private Tour to Gani Temple, Geghard Monastery, Echmiadzin Cathedral, Zvartnots, without guide Pickup included

• 1-3 travelers, without guide

  Private Tour to Gani Temple, Geghard Monastery, Echmiadzin Cathedral, Zvartnots, without guide Pickup included

• 7-15 travelers, with guide

  PRIVATE TOUR: Garni Temple, Geghard Monastery, Echmiadzin Mother Cathedral, Zvartnots temple Pickup included

• 3-6 travelers, with a guide

  Private Tour to Gani Temple, Geghard Monastery, Echmiadzin Cathedral, Zvartnots, with a guide 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

Traveler reviews

7 verified traveler reviews for Private Tour to Garni Temple, Geghard Monastery, Echmiadzin Cathedral, Zvartnots. Ratings and reviews provided by Viator and Tripadvisor.