Group Tour of Haghpat, Zarni-Parni Caves, Akhtala Monastery, Aramyants Castle, Sanahin Monastery
by Hyur Service
Choose from 1 available option
How do you want to book?
✓Confirmation before Wed, 9 Sept - card's only charged if it's a yes. If it's a no, still time to book on Viator.
Book on Viator Confirmed right away, but you pay full price.$102Overview
This full-day group tour lasts about 13 to 14 hours starting and ending at Hyur Service in Yerevan. The trip begins with a visit to the Haghpat Monastery, a 10th-century site near Sanahin known for its historical significance, belfry, and manuscript production. You will spend about an hour there. Next, the tour continues to the Zarni-Parni cave castle complex located in a forest canyon near the Kayan fortress. The complex includes two castles and a cave once inhabited by scholar Hovhannes Imastaser, now a museum with ancient tools and household items. There is a tavern and winery nearby where lunch can be purchased separately. After lunch, the group visits the Akhtala Monastery and fortress, positioned on a plateau surrounded by gorges. The fortress features large ramparts and two pyramid-shaped watchtowers, with three churches inside the monastery grounds. The visit here lasts about an hour. Following this is a stop at Aramyants Castle in the town of Akhtala, built 120 years ago by businessman Mikael Aramyants for his daughter. The castle is noted for its Swiss architectural style and historical importance, including hosting the declaration of the First Republic of Armenia. This stop lasts about 40 minutes. The final destination is the Sanahin Monastery on the right bank of the Debed River. This complex includes several churches, a seminary, and a book depository. The seminary building was designed to connect two churches and improve earthquake resistance. Sanahin, like Haghpat, is on the UNESCO World Cultural Heritage List. The visit here lasts about 45 minutes. Throughout the tour, transportation is provided in air-conditioned vehicles with WiFi, and bottled water and pastries are included. A professional guide offers consecutive interpretation in English and Russian. Admission tickets to all sites are covered, but lunch and hotel transfers are not included.
Highlights
What's included
What's not included
Itinerary
Hyur Service
This is the starting and ending point of the tour.
15 min
Haghpat Monastery
Haghpat Monastery, near Sanahin, dates back to the 10th century and was built during King Ashot Bagratuni's reign. It played a significant role in Armenia's cultural and historical life, producing many manuscripts and miniature paintings in its scriptorium over centuries. The Armenian bard Sayat-Nova lived and worked here in the 18th century. The monastery's belfry has a unique architectural style. This site is part of the UNESCO World Cultural Heritage List.
60 min
Zarni Parni
Zarni-Parni is a cave castle complex located in a forest canyon near the Kayan fortress in the Lori region. It includes the Zarni er and Parni er castles and the Tsak er cave. Scholar and philosopher Hovhannes Imastaser reportedly lived here. Now a historical museum displays rare ancient agricultural tools and household items. Close to the cave is a tavern and winery where visitors can try local Armenian dishes and drinks.
90 min
Akhtala Monastery
Akhtala Monastery and fortress are in Lori district on a plateau surrounded by deep gorges on three sides. Built in the 10th century, the fortress uses the natural terrain for defense, featuring large ramparts and two pyramid-shaped watchtowers at the entrance. The monastery complex includes three churches within the fortress area.
60 min
Aramyants Castle
Aramyants Castle in Akhtala town is known for its Swiss architectural style and 120-year history. Built by businessman Mikael Aramyants for his daughter, who had pneumonia, the castle is located in a region with a favorable climate. The castle hosted notable visitors such as opera singer Fiodor Shalyapin and poet Hovhannes Tumanyan. It is historically significant as the location where the declaration of the First Republic of Armenia was adopted.
40 min
Monastery of Sanahin
Sanahin Monastery sits on the right bank of the Debed River and consists of several churches, a seminary, and a book depository. The seminary building connects St. Astvatsatsin (Holy Mother of God) and Allsaviour churches and was designed to improve earthquake resistance. This monastery is also listed as a UNESCO World Cultural Heritage Site.
45 min
Meeting point
on the left hand, little bit down from Nalbandyan and Tumanyan corner
End point
on the left hand, little bit down from Nalbandyan and Tumanyan corner
Languages
Cancellation policy
- Cancel at least 24 hours before start for a full refund.
Additional info
Group Tour of Haghpat, Zarni-Parni Caves, Akhtala Monastery, Aramyants Castle, Sanahin Monastery
by Hyur Service
Choose from 1 available option
How do you want to book?
✓Confirmation before Wed, 9 Sept - card's only charged if it's a yes. If it's a no, still time to book on Viator.
Book on Viator Confirmed right away, but you pay full price.$102Overview
This full-day group tour lasts about 13 to 14 hours starting and ending at Hyur Service in Yerevan. The trip begins with a visit to the Haghpat Monastery, a 10th-century site near Sanahin known for its historical significance, belfry, and manuscript production. You will spend about an hour there. Next, the tour continues to the Zarni-Parni cave castle complex located in a forest canyon near the Kayan fortress. The complex includes two castles and a cave once inhabited by scholar Hovhannes Imastaser, now a museum with ancient tools and household items. There is a tavern and winery nearby where lunch can be purchased separately. After lunch, the group visits the Akhtala Monastery and fortress, positioned on a plateau surrounded by gorges. The fortress features large ramparts and two pyramid-shaped watchtowers, with three churches inside the monastery grounds. The visit here lasts about an hour. Following this is a stop at Aramyants Castle in the town of Akhtala, built 120 years ago by businessman Mikael Aramyants for his daughter. The castle is noted for its Swiss architectural style and historical importance, including hosting the declaration of the First Republic of Armenia. This stop lasts about 40 minutes. The final destination is the Sanahin Monastery on the right bank of the Debed River. This complex includes several churches, a seminary, and a book depository. The seminary building was designed to connect two churches and improve earthquake resistance. Sanahin, like Haghpat, is on the UNESCO World Cultural Heritage List. The visit here lasts about 45 minutes. Throughout the tour, transportation is provided in air-conditioned vehicles with WiFi, and bottled water and pastries are included. A professional guide offers consecutive interpretation in English and Russian. Admission tickets to all sites are covered, but lunch and hotel transfers are not included.
Highlights
What's included
What's not included
Itinerary
Hyur Service
This is the starting and ending point of the tour.
15 min
Haghpat Monastery
Haghpat Monastery, near Sanahin, dates back to the 10th century and was built during King Ashot Bagratuni's reign. It played a significant role in Armenia's cultural and historical life, producing many manuscripts and miniature paintings in its scriptorium over centuries. The Armenian bard Sayat-Nova lived and worked here in the 18th century. The monastery's belfry has a unique architectural style. This site is part of the UNESCO World Cultural Heritage List.
60 min
Zarni Parni
Zarni-Parni is a cave castle complex located in a forest canyon near the Kayan fortress in the Lori region. It includes the Zarni er and Parni er castles and the Tsak er cave. Scholar and philosopher Hovhannes Imastaser reportedly lived here. Now a historical museum displays rare ancient agricultural tools and household items. Close to the cave is a tavern and winery where visitors can try local Armenian dishes and drinks.
90 min
Akhtala Monastery
Akhtala Monastery and fortress are in Lori district on a plateau surrounded by deep gorges on three sides. Built in the 10th century, the fortress uses the natural terrain for defense, featuring large ramparts and two pyramid-shaped watchtowers at the entrance. The monastery complex includes three churches within the fortress area.
60 min
Aramyants Castle
Aramyants Castle in Akhtala town is known for its Swiss architectural style and 120-year history. Built by businessman Mikael Aramyants for his daughter, who had pneumonia, the castle is located in a region with a favorable climate. The castle hosted notable visitors such as opera singer Fiodor Shalyapin and poet Hovhannes Tumanyan. It is historically significant as the location where the declaration of the First Republic of Armenia was adopted.
40 min
Monastery of Sanahin
Sanahin Monastery sits on the right bank of the Debed River and consists of several churches, a seminary, and a book depository. The seminary building connects St. Astvatsatsin (Holy Mother of God) and Allsaviour churches and was designed to improve earthquake resistance. This monastery is also listed as a UNESCO World Cultural Heritage Site.
45 min
Meeting point
on the left hand, little bit down from Nalbandyan and Tumanyan corner
End point
on the left hand, little bit down from Nalbandyan and Tumanyan corner
Languages
Cancellation policy
- Cancel at least 24 hours before start for a full refund.