from 8 reviews
9-10 hours
Daily Tour
Armenian, English, Russian
This Khor Virap Noravank Jermuk tour from Yerevan is a private day trip combining spirituality, breathtaking nature and relaxing thermal experiences.
It lasts around 9–10 hours. All three sites are located in the south of Armenia.
1. The first stop is in the Ararat region near the historical city of Artashat, founded by King Artashes in the 2nd century BC. Khor Virap, which translates as “deep pit,” is known as a prison from those ancient times. There used to be deep pits where prisoners were left to die. Khor Virap is also the closest stop to the biblical Mount Ararat, located just 8 kilometers from the Armenian-Turkish border.
2. The second stop is in the Vayots Dzor region at Noravank, a stunning medieval monastery surrounded by red volcanic cliffs and narrow canyons. Noravank is known for its distinctive architecture and once served as an important educational and religious center in medieval Armenia.
3. The final stop is at an altitude of 2,080 meters, in Jermuk. The city is a popular destination not only among tourists but also among locals, known for its healing spring waters and sanatoriums. Jermuk is also famous for its 72-meter waterfall, often called Mermaid’s Hair, as well as its cable car and scenic landscapes.
The center of the town is vibrant, with artificial lakes, chess tables, cafés, and a cable car for those who want to take in panoramic views of Jermuk.
All private tours can be changed upon request.
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FILE 1 — Haghpat, Zarni Parni, Aramyants, Sanahin:
htmlThis Haghpat Zarni Parni Cave Sanahin tour is a private day trip from Yerevan that takes you to historic monasteries, cliffside ruins and scenic heritage sites with a local guide and takes around 13–14 hours. All the sites are located in the north of Armenia, in the Lori region, about a 3-hour drive from Yerevan.
1. Our first destination is a 10th-century medieval monastery called Haghpat. The complex was founded by Queen Khosrovanush, the wife of King Ashot III, as a tribute to their sons. Haghpat was not only a religious site but also a significant educational and cultural hub in medieval Armenia.
2. The second stop is Zarni Parni Cave Castle — an unbelievably beautiful and seemingly unreachable cave fortress built in the 10th–11th centuries. The fortress consists of two parts: one named after Prince Zareh, and the other used as a storage area. Both sites played an important role in defending the country against enemy invasions.
3. Our third stop is Aramyants Castle. The territory originally belonged to a Georgian prince named Baratov, who was known for his gambling, which ultimately led him to lose the estate. Mikayel Aramyants, a well-known oil industrialist, bought the property and built the now-famous castle. As a unique and luxurious residence, it hosted the famous Armenian writer Hovhannes Tumanyan and even Catholicos Khrimyan Hayrik.
4. The last stop is another 10th-century monastery, Sanahin. Both Sanahin and Haghpat are recognized by UNESCO as World Heritage Sites. Sanahin is slightly older than Haghpat, which is how it got its name: Sa-na-hin, meaning “this one is older than the other one,” referring to its twin monastery, Haghpat.
The individual tour to Haghpat, Zarni Parni Cave Castle, Aramyants Castle, and Sanahin is definitely one of the favorites among our visitors, thanks to the sites’ rich architectural styles, deep history, and breathtaking scenery.
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 plain and deep into the Vayots Dzor mountain region - one of the most scenic drives in Armenia.
First stop at Armenia's most sacred pilgrimage site, 44 km from Yerevan. The monastery was built over the pit where Gregory the Illuminator was imprisoned for 13 years before converting King Trdat III to Christianity in 301 AD - making Armenia the first Christian nation in the world. Standing just 8 km from the Turkish border, Khor Virap gives the closest view of Mount Ararat from Armenian soil. On clear mornings the view is extraordinary.
Continue south into the dramatic canyon landscape of Vayots Dzor to Noravank - founded in 1205 and considered one of the most beautiful medieval monasteries in Armenia. Set inside a narrow gorge of sheer red volcanic cliffs, Noravank's two-storey Church of the Holy Mother of God with its narrow external facade staircase is unique in all of Armenian architecture. The canyon approach road is itself a highlight.
Optional lunch at a local restaurant in the Areni or Yeghegnadzor area. Can be added in Extras when booking.
Drive deeper into the Vayots Dzor mountains to Jermuk - Armenia's most beloved spa and mountain resort town, nestled at 2,080 meters above sea level. First stop is the famous Jermuk Waterfall - the Mermaid's Braids - a 72-metre cascade that plunges into the narrow Arpa River gorge below. The local legend tells of a prince who cursed his daughter for meeting her forbidden love, and whose flowing hair became the waterfall. Walk the gorge viewing path for different perspectives of the falls. Then visit the famous mineral water gallery - a covered promenade lined with pumping stations dispensing Jermuk mineral water at temperatures ranging from 30 to 50 degrees, with different springs known for different healing properties. Sample the water at various stops.
Jermuk