Private Tour: Khor Virap Monastery, Echmiadzin (Mother Cathedral, St.Hripsime, St.Gayane), Zvartnots Temple

Comfortable vehicles with air conditioning (1-3 pax – sedan, 4-7 pax – minivan, 8-19 pax – minibus)

All entrance tickets included

Pick up and drop off at your hotel

Bottled water provided

Free Wi-Fi on board

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.

The 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 very 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!

Whilst travelling to Armenia, you may just be interested in seeing the world’s first Christian Cathedral church. Echmiadzin is considered to be the spiritual center of all Armenians all over the world! The word itself means a place where “the only begotten son of the God descended”.

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.

Five minutes drive away will be our next spot: the 7th century church of St. Gayane. Gayane was the nanny of Hripsime, and shared Hripsime’s tragic fate.

After this stop, you will be able to observe the first world’s first Christian Cathedral – the Holy Echmiadzin, built in 301-304. According to the legend, Jesus Christ descended on the same spot where the Dissention Altar stands today, where Gregory the Illuminator ordered to build the church.

On the way back to Yerevan, we will make a final stop at another beautiful 7th century temple, also included in the UNESCO heritage list. In fact, all of the churches included in the tour are listed on the UNESCO World’s Cultural Heritage Sites.

Starting time and place: at request

Guide service: at an additional cost

Possible languages: English, Russian. In case the tour is organized in other language, changes of the prices are possible.