Yerevan Day Trip to Khor Virap, Noravank Monastery, Areni-1 Birds' Cave & Wine Tasting
by Yerani Travel LLC
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.€58Overview
The tour begins with a visit to Khor Virap Monastery, located about an hour’s drive from Yerevan. Visitors spend one hour at this historic site, which was built on the location of the royal prison where Gregory the Illuminator was held for 13 years. From here, there are clear views of Mount Ararat. Next, the tour continues to Areni-1 Cave, also known as Birds' Cave, near the town of Areni. This archaeological site dates back 5,000 to 6,000 years and includes the discovery of the world’s oldest known winery and a 5,500-year-old leather shoe. Visitors spend about 30 minutes exploring the cave area and learning about early Bronze Age artifacts, burial rituals, and ancient farming practices. After the cave, the group travels to Noravank Monastery, located at the end of Gnishik Canyon among red rock cliffs. Visitors spend around 30 minutes at this medieval monastery, which is notable for its architecture, including the only depiction of God the Father in Armenia, and as the burial place of the Orbelian noble family. The day ends in Areni village, the center of Armenian winemaking, where guests spend about 30 minutes tasting local wines made from the oldest grape variety in the world. Traditional Armenian dishes are also available for sampling. The tour lasts approximately eight to nine hours and includes an English- or Russian-speaking guide, entrance fees, bottled water, snacks, alcoholic beverages, on-board WiFi, and air conditioning. Lunch is not included. The itinerary and timing may be adjusted or cancelled for safety reasons due to weather conditions.
Highlights
What's included
What's not included
Itinerary
Khor Virap
Khor Virap Monastery is about an hour’s drive from Yerevan and offers views of Mount Ararat. The site is on the location of the former royal prison where Gregory the Illuminator was imprisoned for 13 years. The name means “deep dungeon” and it is one of Armenia’s most sacred places and the closest point to Mount Ararat from Armenia.
60 min
Noravank Monastery
Noravank Monastery is set among red cliffs at the end of the Gnishik Canyon. It is a medieval Armenian architectural site featuring the only depiction of God the Father in Armenia and a notable face of Jesus Christ on the church dome. Built by the Orbelian family, it is unique as their sepulcher, despite burials inside churches being forbidden since the 5th century.
30 min
Areni-1 Cave
The Areni-1 Cave site is near the Arpa River by Areni town. Archaeologists discovered the world’s oldest winery and a leather shoe here, dating back 5,000 to 6,000 years to the Early Bronze Age. The site also shows evidence of ancient burial rituals and agriculture.
30 min
Areni
The final stop is Areni village, the heart of Armenian winemaking. Visitors taste wines made from the oldest grape variety in the world and can purchase wines from local wineries. Traditional Armenian dishes are served, showcasing flavors unique to the region.
30 min
Meeting point
Cascade complex, in front of the Al.Tamanyan statue.
End point
Cascade complex, in front of the Al.Tamanyan statue.
Languages
Cancellation policy
- Cancel at least 24 hours before start for a full refund.
Additional info
Yerevan Day Trip to Khor Virap, Noravank Monastery, Areni-1 Birds' Cave & Wine Tasting
by Yerani Travel LLC
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.€58Overview
The tour begins with a visit to Khor Virap Monastery, located about an hour’s drive from Yerevan. Visitors spend one hour at this historic site, which was built on the location of the royal prison where Gregory the Illuminator was held for 13 years. From here, there are clear views of Mount Ararat. Next, the tour continues to Areni-1 Cave, also known as Birds' Cave, near the town of Areni. This archaeological site dates back 5,000 to 6,000 years and includes the discovery of the world’s oldest known winery and a 5,500-year-old leather shoe. Visitors spend about 30 minutes exploring the cave area and learning about early Bronze Age artifacts, burial rituals, and ancient farming practices. After the cave, the group travels to Noravank Monastery, located at the end of Gnishik Canyon among red rock cliffs. Visitors spend around 30 minutes at this medieval monastery, which is notable for its architecture, including the only depiction of God the Father in Armenia, and as the burial place of the Orbelian noble family. The day ends in Areni village, the center of Armenian winemaking, where guests spend about 30 minutes tasting local wines made from the oldest grape variety in the world. Traditional Armenian dishes are also available for sampling. The tour lasts approximately eight to nine hours and includes an English- or Russian-speaking guide, entrance fees, bottled water, snacks, alcoholic beverages, on-board WiFi, and air conditioning. Lunch is not included. The itinerary and timing may be adjusted or cancelled for safety reasons due to weather conditions.
Highlights
What's included
What's not included
Itinerary
Khor Virap
Khor Virap Monastery is about an hour’s drive from Yerevan and offers views of Mount Ararat. The site is on the location of the former royal prison where Gregory the Illuminator was imprisoned for 13 years. The name means “deep dungeon” and it is one of Armenia’s most sacred places and the closest point to Mount Ararat from Armenia.
60 min
Noravank Monastery
Noravank Monastery is set among red cliffs at the end of the Gnishik Canyon. It is a medieval Armenian architectural site featuring the only depiction of God the Father in Armenia and a notable face of Jesus Christ on the church dome. Built by the Orbelian family, it is unique as their sepulcher, despite burials inside churches being forbidden since the 5th century.
30 min
Areni-1 Cave
The Areni-1 Cave site is near the Arpa River by Areni town. Archaeologists discovered the world’s oldest winery and a leather shoe here, dating back 5,000 to 6,000 years to the Early Bronze Age. The site also shows evidence of ancient burial rituals and agriculture.
30 min
Areni
The final stop is Areni village, the heart of Armenian winemaking. Visitors taste wines made from the oldest grape variety in the world and can purchase wines from local wineries. Traditional Armenian dishes are served, showcasing flavors unique to the region.
30 min
Meeting point
Cascade complex, in front of the Al.Tamanyan statue.
End point
Cascade complex, in front of the Al.Tamanyan statue.
Languages
Cancellation policy
- Cancel at least 24 hours before start for a full refund.