Private Tour from Yerevan Khor Virap Areni winery and Noravank Monastery

Private Tour from Yerevan Khor Virap Areni winery and Noravank Monastery

Any trip to Armenia will be incomplete without visiting these historical sites which are some of the most beautiful places Armenia has to offer. We have put together a lovely package for you that will take you on an exploration to the South of Armenia, where you will get an opportunity to witness and hear about Armenia's pre-Christian history as well as find out the wonderful story about the spread of Christianity in Armenia. We offer high-quality, Air-Conditioned transportation that picks you up from the hotel, all driven by professional licenced drivers, well versed with the route. Guides provided by us are also professionals with a good deal of experience up their sleeves. Get a chance to see the historic place from where Christianity spread in Armenia, explore the canyon leading to Noravank, hear the story behind the establishment of one of the strongest religious centres of South Armenia, explore the cave that once housed the world's oldest shoe, and drink authentic Armenian wine.

Itinerary
This is a typical itinerary for this product

Stop At: Khor Virap, Artashat, Lusarat Armenia

Our first stop is at the Khor Virap monastery. According to the legend, St. Gregory the Illuminator was imprisoned here in the basement for 13 years without food or water before the spread of Christianity in Armenia. The monastery is facing the biblical mountain Ararat, on which Noah's Ark sat, with the best and nearest view you can ever see. Once there, you will have the chance to enter the very same pit in which St Gregory was sentenced to die before being pardoned by King Trdat, who declared Christianity as a state religion, making Armenia the first Christian country in the world.

Duration: 1 hour

Stop At: Noravank Monastery, Areni Armenia

Noravank is one of the must-see tourist destinations in Armenia, founded by Bishop Hovhannes, who moved the bishopric of Syunik to Noravank in 1205. During the two centuries that followed, the monastery flourished thanks to the growing influence and wealth of the ruling Orbelian clan of kings, who bequeathed many riches on the church, and establishing it as the official center of the Armenian Apostolic Church in historic Syunik region, while also commissioning many additions to the monastery complex.

The compound has two churches, St. Astvatsatsin (completed in 1339), dedicated to the Holy Virgin Mary and St Karapet, dedicated to St. John the Baptist, which was built in 1216-1227. The tomb of Momik, the architect of the complex is also seen in the complex, among other tombs and Armenian Cross-stones. The view of the mountains and the canyon is breathtaking.

Duration: 1 hour

Stop At: T'rchuneri (Bird) Cave, Highway, At the Entrance To Noravank Canyon, Areni Armenia

We will also explore the world-famous Areni-1 cave, which shot to global fame after the world's oldest shoe was found in it.The Areni-1 shoe, which it is famously called, is a 5,500-year-old one-piece leather-hide shoe, the oldest piece of leather footwear in the world known to contemporary researchers. This cave also has deposits of the oldest wine-making tradition in the world, which go back to 6100 years. Evidence of wine production from the Chalcolithic period, found in the cave suggest that this place has been used for wine fermentation since ca. 4200-3800 BC.


Duration: 1 hour

Stop At: Hin Areni Winery, Areni Armenia

After exploring the famous historical sites on the route, we stop at the famous Hin (old) Areni Winery for a factory tour and degustation of Armenian wines. Areni has an ancient history of winemaking and one cannot skip tasting the amazing wines made here. Those who don't drink will appreciate the guided tour, before heading back to Yerevan.

Duration: 1 hour 30 minutes