from 4 reviews
7-8 hours
Daily Tour
Armenian, English, Russian
Private Khor Virap, Noravank & Bird’s Cave Tour from Yerevan is one of the most beloved destinations in Armenia. The duration of the tour is around 7.5 to 8 hours.
1.Khor Virap is situated on a small hill and is one of the closest landmarks to the biblical Mount Ararat. When you stand there, it almost feels as if you could reach out and touch the mountain.
The monastery holds deep historical and spiritual significance for Armenians, as it marks the beginning of Christianity in Armenia. According to tradition, this is where Gregory the Illuminator, the first Catholicos of All Armenians, was imprisoned for 13 years.
Today, visitors can see the pit where he was kept, above which now stands a small and beautiful chapel.
2.The next stop takes you to another region Vayots Dzor, known for its gorgeous canyons and red volcanic cliffs.
Tucked high among these cliffs stands Noravank, a medieval monastery that has been beautifully preserved. It was built with the contributions of Momik, one of the most important architects of the time. Noravank is especially unique for its rich stone decorations, its two-story Surb Astvatsatsin Church, and the numerous khachkars (cross-stones) surrounding the complex, each with its own intricate detail and symbolism.
3.The tour also includes a stop at Bird’s Cave, a simple cave carved into the rock.
Birds’ Cave, also known as Areni-1, is an important archaeological site where researchers uncovered the oldest known leather shoe in the world, dating back over 5,500 years, as well as evidence of one of the earliest winemaking facilities ever discovered.
It’s hard to imagine that such a small, quiet place could hold so much history, but that’s exactly what makes it so special.
This Khor Virap Noravank tour from Yerevan is a private day trip that takes you to Armenia’s most iconic historic and natural attractions, including the stunning Bird’s Cave.
All private tours can be changed upon request.
Your private driver and guide meet you at your hotel in Yerevan. The route heads south through the Ararat Valley, no fixed pace, no other travelers.
First stop at Armenia's most famous pilgrimage site, just 44 km from Yerevan. Built over the pit where Gregory the Illuminator was imprisoned for 13 years before converting King Trdat III to Christianity in 301 AD, Khor Virap sits just 8 km from the Turkish border giving the closest view of Mount Ararat from Armenian soil. On clear mornings the snow-capped peak is breathtaking.
Continue south into Vayots Dzor and the canyon road to Noravank - one of Armenia's most photographed sites. The 13th-century monastery sits inside a narrow gorge of sheer red volcanic cliffs. Its two-storey Church of the Holy Mother of God with a narrow external staircase on the facade is unique in all of Armenian architecture.
Optional lunch at a local restaurant in the Areni area. Can be added in Extras when booking.
Visit the extraordinary Areni-1 cave where excavations since 2007 have uncovered the world's oldest known winery dating back 6,000 years. The same cave also yielded the world's oldest leather shoe - 5,500 years old. Three halls contain ancient fermentation vats, storage jars, grape seeds and pressing equipment that rewrote the history of winemaking.
Wine tasting at Hin Areni Winery - one of the leading producers of native Areni Noir, grown in the same valley where wine was first made millennia ago.
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