Yerevan - Khor Virap - Noravank - Areni - Goris

Khor Virap - Today promises to be a long yet captivating journey! It is dedicated to exploring Southern Armenia, blending the enchantment of Armenia’s finest medieval architecture with breathtaking landscapes. The first stop is at Khor Virap Monastery, a highly popular destination in Armenia for several reasons, primarily because it is where St. Gregory the Illuminator was imprisoned for 13 years before healing King Trdat III of an illness. This led to the conversion of the king and Armenia into the first officially Christian nation in the world in the year 301. Its location, near the closest point to biblical Mount Ararat within Armenian borders, offers a magnificent view of the mountain, the national symbol of Armenia.

The journey continues south through the agricultural heartland of Armenia, the Ararat Plain, offering fantastic views of fruit orchards and endless vineyards at the foothills of Ararat Mountain. As soon as the Ararat Valley is passed, the untamed beauty of Southern Armenia can be experienced - surreal red rocks providing an eerie echo, with honey-colored villages nestled between them.

Noravank Monastery - The next stop is the Monastery of Noravank, an architectural gem nestled among brick-red cliffs, just above a deep gorge. It’s the only place where a bas-relief depicting Father God with almond-shaped eyes, looking far ahead, can be seen.

Areni - Visit Areni, the village of winemakers. A tour of the world-class archaeological site, the cave complex Areni-1, reveals the oldest winery in the world (6100 years old)!

Goris - Overnight in Goris

Goris - Khndzoresk Cave Town - Tatev Monastery (Longest cable car in the world) - Karahunj - Yerevan

Goris - Explore Goris town, one of the most beautiful towns in Armenia. It’s a town surrounded by orchards where the houses share the same unique architecture with red tile roofs. View the old Goris cave town from the viewpoint.

Tatev Monastery - By riding the world’s longest aerial tramway (5.7 km), the miraculous Tatev Monastery, a formidable monastic complex founded in the 9th century, is reached. It’s the largest monastery in Armenia, located on a rocky peninsula more than 100 meters above the Vorotan River.

Karahunj - On the way, visit Karahunj, known as the “Armenian Stonehenge,” the oldest observatory in the world, which is 7500 years old. There are 223 vertically standing stones, 84 of which have holes. The ancients used them as telescopes to gaze at the stars.

Khndzoresk Swinging Bridge - Afterwards, hike in Old Khndzoresk cave village, frozen in time with thousands of caves, where people lived until the early 20th century.

• Breakfast at the hotel in Goris
• In-vehicle air conditioning
• Hotel accommodation in Goris (1 night)
• English speaking tour guide

• Lunch and dinner
• Entrance fees (Areni Cave, Areni Winery, Cable car ticket to Tatev)

• Explore some of the most ancient and majestic secluded Christian places of worship nestled in the solitude of forested mountain landscapes, alongside deserted troglodyte settlements preserved from ancient times.
• Experience the longest aerial tramway on the globe, the “Wings of Tatev,” a Swiss-engineered marvel extending 5.7 kilometers, offering views of the 9th-century Tatev fortress monastery.
  _ Discover the world’s most venerable winery in Areni, dating back 6100 years.
• Journey to Karahunj, the Armenian equivalent to Stonehenge, yet predating its British counterpart by 1500 years.

If you cancel at least 6 full day(s) before the scheduled departure time, you will receive a full refund.
If you cancel between 2 and 6 day(s) before the scheduled departure time, you will receive a 50% refund.
If you cancel within 2 day(s) of the scheduled departure, you will receive a 0% refund.