Private Half-Day Garni Temple and Geghard Monastery Tour from Yerevan
by Hyur Service
Choose from 4 available options
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.$106Overview
This private half-day tour from Yerevan visits two key Armenian sites: Garni Temple and Geghard Monastery. The trip lasts about 4 to 5 hours and uses an air-conditioned vehicle with a professional driver. Optional stops along the route can be arranged upon request. The tour starts with a short visit to Charent's Arch, a monument built in 1957 that frames views of Mount Ararat and features an inscription from the poet Yeghishe Charents. Next, the tour reaches Garni Temple, an ancient pagan temple from the first century AD that combines Greco-Roman and Armenian architectural styles. This temple was dedicated to the Sun god and later became part of a royal summer residence. Nearby ruins include a royal palace and a bath with mosaic decorations. After exploring Garni, the tour continues to the nearby Symphony of Stones, a natural formation of vertical basalt columns in Garni Canyon. The final stop is Geghard Monastery, a 13th-century Armenian complex partly carved out of rock. Known originally as Ayrivank or cave monastery, it was renamed Geghard after the lance associated with the crucifixion of Jesus was kept here. The monastery is noted for its carved churches, detailed stone carvings, and khachkars (cross-stones). It is renowned for its acoustics, which suit spiritual singing. The tour includes bottled water and a master class with tasting. Pickup and drop-off within Yerevan are provided, and a professional English or Russian-speaking guide is available if the guide option is selected. Entrance fees and lunch are not included.
Highlights
What's included
What's not included
Itinerary
Charent's Arch
Charent's Arch was designed by Raphael Israelyan and built in 1957 to honor the Armenian poet Yeghishe Charents. It frames views of Mount Ararat and the Ararat valley. An inscription from Charents’ poem is carved on the arch. The site offers photo opportunities when the weather is clear.
15 min
Garni Temple
Garni Temple sits on a triangular cape and is the only surviving pagan temple in Armenia. Built in the first century AD by King Trdat The First, it combines Greco-Roman and Armenian styles and was dedicated to the Sun god. After Armenia adopted Christianity, the temple lost religious importance and the nearby fortress served as a royal summer residence. Ruins of the palace and a bath with mosaic floors are located close to the temple.
60 min
Symphony of Stones
The Symphony of Stones is a natural formation of vertical basalt columns in Garni Canyon. These columns were formed from ancient volcanic lava and rise in straight lines, resembling a giant stone organ. The site is surrounded by steep canyon walls.
30 min
The Monastery of Geghard
Geghard Monastery dates to the 13th century and includes churches carved directly into rock. Originally called Ayrivank (cave monastery), it was later named Geghard after the lance linked to Jesus’ crucifixion that was kept there. The complex features detailed stone carvings and many khachkars (cross-stones). It is known for its acoustics suited to spiritual singing and is part of the UNESCO World Cultural Heritage List.
60 min
Languages
Cancellation policy
- Cancel at least 24 hours before start for a full refund.
Additional info
Private Half-Day Garni Temple and Geghard Monastery Tour from Yerevan
by Hyur Service
Choose from 4 available options
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.$106Overview
This private half-day tour from Yerevan visits two key Armenian sites: Garni Temple and Geghard Monastery. The trip lasts about 4 to 5 hours and uses an air-conditioned vehicle with a professional driver. Optional stops along the route can be arranged upon request. The tour starts with a short visit to Charent's Arch, a monument built in 1957 that frames views of Mount Ararat and features an inscription from the poet Yeghishe Charents. Next, the tour reaches Garni Temple, an ancient pagan temple from the first century AD that combines Greco-Roman and Armenian architectural styles. This temple was dedicated to the Sun god and later became part of a royal summer residence. Nearby ruins include a royal palace and a bath with mosaic decorations. After exploring Garni, the tour continues to the nearby Symphony of Stones, a natural formation of vertical basalt columns in Garni Canyon. The final stop is Geghard Monastery, a 13th-century Armenian complex partly carved out of rock. Known originally as Ayrivank or cave monastery, it was renamed Geghard after the lance associated with the crucifixion of Jesus was kept here. The monastery is noted for its carved churches, detailed stone carvings, and khachkars (cross-stones). It is renowned for its acoustics, which suit spiritual singing. The tour includes bottled water and a master class with tasting. Pickup and drop-off within Yerevan are provided, and a professional English or Russian-speaking guide is available if the guide option is selected. Entrance fees and lunch are not included.
Highlights
What's included
What's not included
Itinerary
Charent's Arch
Charent's Arch was designed by Raphael Israelyan and built in 1957 to honor the Armenian poet Yeghishe Charents. It frames views of Mount Ararat and the Ararat valley. An inscription from Charents’ poem is carved on the arch. The site offers photo opportunities when the weather is clear.
15 min
Garni Temple
Garni Temple sits on a triangular cape and is the only surviving pagan temple in Armenia. Built in the first century AD by King Trdat The First, it combines Greco-Roman and Armenian styles and was dedicated to the Sun god. After Armenia adopted Christianity, the temple lost religious importance and the nearby fortress served as a royal summer residence. Ruins of the palace and a bath with mosaic floors are located close to the temple.
60 min
Symphony of Stones
The Symphony of Stones is a natural formation of vertical basalt columns in Garni Canyon. These columns were formed from ancient volcanic lava and rise in straight lines, resembling a giant stone organ. The site is surrounded by steep canyon walls.
30 min
The Monastery of Geghard
Geghard Monastery dates to the 13th century and includes churches carved directly into rock. Originally called Ayrivank (cave monastery), it was later named Geghard after the lance linked to Jesus’ crucifixion that was kept there. The complex features detailed stone carvings and many khachkars (cross-stones). It is known for its acoustics suited to spiritual singing and is part of the UNESCO World Cultural Heritage List.
60 min
Languages
Cancellation policy
- Cancel at least 24 hours before start for a full refund.