from 12 reviews
12-13 hours
Daily Tour
Armenian, English, Russian
This individual tour Khor Virap Noravank Tatev Tatever offers a private day trip from Yerevan to some of Southern Armenia’s most memorable historical and scenic sites. It lasts approximately 12-13 hours and includes visits to three southern regions of Armenia: Ararat, Vayots Dzor, and Syunik.
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. Tatev Monastery is the final stop on our tour. Tatev was once a renowned medieval university that played a major role in the cultural and academic life of the region.
To reach Tatev, visitors can take the Tatever ropeway (wings of Tatev)-the world’s longest reversible aerial tramway. Spanning 5.7 km, the ride lasts about 12 minutes and offers panoramic views of deep gorges, the Devil’s Bridge, lush forests, and most importantly, Tatev Monastery, which is perched on a high plateau. It is undoubtedly one of the most unreachable and awe-inspiring architectural structures of medieval Armenia.
All private tours can be changed upon request.
During the tour to Tatev you have space for reflection, for photos without crowds, and for conversations with your guide. These are the kind of sights that stay with you: monastery walls warmed by sunlight, dramatic cliffs, and a sense of history woven into the landscape of Southern Armenia.
Your private driver and guide meet you at your hotel in Yerevan. This is the most complete south Armenia route - covering three different regions in one long but extraordinary day. No waiting for a group, no fixed stops. The day is entirely yours.
First stop in the Ararat region at the most important pilgrimage site in Armenia. Khor Virap - meaning Deep Pit - was once a royal prison where Gregory the Illuminator was held for 13 years by the pagan king Trdat III before converting him to Christianity in 301 AD, making Armenia the world's first Christian nation. The monastery stands just 8 km from the Armenian-Turkish border, giving the closest view of Mount Ararat from Armenian soil. On clear mornings the snow-capped peak rises above the Ararat plain in breathtaking detail.
Continue south into the Vayots Dzor region and the narrow canyon road leading to Noravank - one of Armenia's most visually extraordinary sites. The monastery, founded in 1205, sits inside a gorge of sheer red volcanic cliffs. Its signature two-storey Church of the Holy Mother of God, with a narrow external staircase rising up the facade, is unique in all of Armenian architecture. The drive through the canyon approach alone is unforgettable.
The longest stretch of the day - through the wine villages of Areni and into the Syunik Mountains. Your guide will point out the landscape changes and stories along the route.
Optional lunch at a local restaurant in the Goris area. Can be added in Extras when booking.
Board the Wings of Tatev - the world's longest reversible aerial tramway at 5.7 km - for a 12-minute flight above deep forested gorges, mountain ridges and the Vorotan River below. One of the most thrilling and beautiful rides in the entire Caucasus.
Arrive at Tatev Monastery, set on a high basalt plateau at the edge of a dramatic gorge. Founded in the 9th century, Tatev was one of medieval Armenia's greatest centers of learning - a university, scriptorium and cultural powerhouse that flourished for centuries. The monastery complex includes the main Cathedral of Saints Paul and Peter, the Avazan chapel, the oil press and the remarkable Gavazan column - a swinging monolith designed to warn monks of approaching earthquakes. The views over the Vorotan Gorge from the monastery walls are among the most spectacular in Armenia.
i prefer short trips