Group tour: Khor Virap, Areni Cave, Noravank, Winery
Overview
Comfortable vehicles
Small groups (up to 19 pax)
Free Wi-Fi on board
Pick up at your hotel in the city center upon request
Inclusions
- Professional guide service (English/Russian)
- Wine tasting
- Local sweets
- Bottled water
- Pick up from hotels located in city center (per request)
What to expect
This is a typical itinerary for this product
Stop At: Khor Virap, Highway 11 - Near the village of Pokr Vedi Artashat, Lusarat 0612 Armenia
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.
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 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!
Duration: 1 hour
Stop At: Areni, Areni, Vayots Dzor Province
The tour will take you to the Areni – 1 “Birds” Cave. In 2008, archeologists discovered several of the world’s oldest artifacts, including a leather shoe and a winery. The site, overlooking Arpa River near the town of Areni, is claimed to date mostly to the Early Bronze Age (around 5, 000-6, 000 years ago). It also contains evidence of elaborate burial rituals and agricultural practices.
Duration: 30 minutes
Stop At: Noravank Monastery, NoravankMonastery Road Amaghu Valley, Areni 3604 Armenia
Another place that can’t be missed is Noravank. It is one of the gems of medieval Armenian architecture, nestled high among the stunning brick-red cliffs in the end of the Gnishik Canyon. Here you will see the one and only depiction of God the Father in Armenia, which is just as astonishing as the face of Jesus Christ that appeared on the dome of the Church’s narthex. Built by Orbelian noblemen, it stands out among our churches as the sepulcher of this noble family, making it unique since it was absolutely prohibited to bury people inside a church since the 5th century.
Duration: 30 minutes
Stop At: Areni, Areni, Vayots Dzor Province
What concerns the “finishing touch” to this tour, you will be given a chance to taste and even purchase Armenia’s renowned Areni wine, made from the oldest grape variety in the whole world. The wine is available in several wineries in the actual town of Areni itself, which we will make a stop at before finishing the trip.
As part of the tour, guests will taste the most famous dishes of traditional Armenian cuisine. The dishes are unique with their taste and appetizing aroma, characteristic only for Armenian cuisine.
Duration: 30 minutes
Additional information
- Not wheelchair accessible
- For security reasons the trip might be modified or cancelled in case of bad weather conditions.
- Near public transportation
- Infants must sit on laps
- Most travelers can participate
- This tour/activity will have a maximum of 19 travelers
- Confirmation will be received at time of booking
Ticket delivery
Cancellation
Highly professional tour guide whose knowledge was extensive and her manner of conveying complex history and stories was excellent.
Highly professional tour guide whose knowledge was extensive and her manner of conveying complex history and stories was excellent.Amazing tour, A lot included. Lunch very tasty. Nice guide. Totally recommendable. Plenty of spots for nice pictures. Easy pick up and Drop of.
Amazing tour, A lot included. Lunch very tasty. Nice guide. Totally recommendable. Plenty of spots for nice pictures. Easy pick up and Drop of.It was a really nice experience. It wasnt my first time in Armenia, but I wanted to show around a bit for my Partner, who is a first time visitor. The tour was really successful in that, the guide was professional and the driver was really attentive and careful. :)
It was a really nice experience. It wasnt my first time in Armenia, but I wanted to show around a bit for my Partner, who is a first time visitor. The tour was really successful in that, the guide was professional and the driver was really attentive and careful. :)Excellent tour. Elina the tour guide and the driver gave us a very good service. Elina was very informative. Noravnak was so beatiful, I couldn't stop taking pictures. The cave was beautiful and interesting. The tour to the Winery ended with testing that we enjoyed so much. Lunch was good and ta...
Excellent tour. Elina the tour guide and the driver gave us a very good service. Elina was very informative. Noravnak was so beatiful, I couldn't stop taking pictures. The cave was beautiful and interesting. The tour to the Winery ended with testing that we enjoyed so much. Lunch was good and tasty and located in a beautiful place. I highly recommend this tour.My second trip booked through Yerani Travel was the 'All Historical Antiquities in One Day' trip. Once again, I booked this well in advance of my visit to Yerevan and communication was always supremely efficient. From the first moment of enquiry to the day of the trip, Monika was always quick to ...
My second trip booked through Yerani Travel was the 'All Historical Antiquities in One Day' trip. Once again, I booked this well in advance of my visit to Yerevan and communication was always supremely efficient. From the first moment of enquiry to the day of the trip, Monika was always quick to reply to any query. After a prompt start, we headed to Khor Virap, ably guided by the very professional Gayane (who was charming and informative throughout). After a short tour and free time at the monastery, we headed towards the Areni 'Bird Cave', where evidence has been found of wine production from over 6,000 years ago. The earliest known production in the World. Possibly the highlight of the day was the visit to the monastery at Noravank. A stunning building of such historical importance in the most beautiful of settings. We were again, given time to enjoy on our own after an introductory talk by Gayane. The lunch, which came included in the price, was taken in a pleasant riverside location. We were served three courses of delicious traditional Armenian cuisine. I have to applaud Yerani Travel for finding such gems of places to have lunch. Our return took in the Old Areni Winery...with a tour and wine tasting. Both of the trips that I booked through Yerani Travel were exceptional value for money, thoroughly professional in all aspects and most of all provided me with many memories to take away from my time in beautiful Armenia.Excellent for the price. We visited interesting places, saw incredible sceneries and had on-point explanations. Lunch was delicious. Kudos to Gaya for her guidance too.
Excellent for the price. We visited interesting places, saw incredible sceneries and had on-point explanations. Lunch was delicious. Kudos to Gaya for her guidance too.