from 3 reviews
6 hours
Daily Tour
Armenian, English, Russian
Private Tour to Ohanavank, Saghmosavank, Alphabet Park and Amberd lasts about 6 hours. All these historical sites are situated in the Aragatsotn region, around the highest mountain of Armenia — Aragats. This Ohanavank Saghmosavank Amberd tour from Yerevan takes you to four of Armenia’s most fascinating historic sites — the Ohanavank and Saghmosavank monasteries, Alphabet Park and the Amberd Fortress.
1.The first stop is Hovhannavank, a medieval monastery known for its beautiful carvings and engravings. It is one of the most impressive examples of medieval Armenian architecture. This peaceful site is a highlight of many day trips from Yerevan and a must-see for travelers interested in Armenia’s spiritual and cultural heritage.
2.The second stop is its “twin-monastery,” Saghmosavank. Both are perched atop Kasagh Canyon, from where one can enjoy breathtaking views of the gorge, along with panoramic scenes of three mountains: Ararat, Ara, and Aragats.
3.On the way to Amberd, the “fortress in the clouds,” there is another stop at the Armenian Alphabet Monument. The park was built in 2005 to mark the 1600th anniversary of the creation of the Armenian alphabet by the notable linguist and theologian Mesrop Mashtots. The monument includes 39 Armenian letters, each about two meters high, and sculptures of cultural figures who made significant contributions to Armenia’s heritage.
4.The last and final stop is at 2,300 meters above sea level, on one of the slopes of Mount Aragats, to visit the 7th-century fortress of Amberd. The fortress stands proudly atop deep canyons with its 8-meter-thick basalt walls, and in the medieval period, it served as an important military and strategic site for Armenia. Unfortunately, it was abandoned after the Mongol invasion in the 13th century and now stands as a powerful reminder and a silent witness of its once-glorious past.
All the landmarks on this tour offer breathtaking views of Mount Ararat and the surrounding natural beauty.
All private tours can be changed upon request.
Your private driver and guide meet you at your hotel in Yerevan. The route heads northwest into the Aragatsotn region - through apricot orchards, open volcanic plains and the foothills of Mount Aragats, Armenia's highest peak at 4,091 meters.
First stop at Ohanavank - a medieval monastery complex on the right bank of the Kasakh River canyon, dedicated to John the Baptist. The monastery was founded in the 5th century and significantly expanded in the 13th century by the Zakarian noble family. It once held sacred relics including what was believed to be a piece of the Shroud of Christ. The setting above the Kasakh gorge is dramatic, with the canyon walls dropping sharply below the monastery walls.
A short drive to Saghmosavank (the Monastery of Psalms) perched on the opposite edge of the Kasakh gorge. The name comes from the legend that Gregory the Illuminator's psalm singing could be heard for miles across the canyon. Built in the 13th century by Vakhtang Zakarian, the monastery includes a celebrated scriptorium where manuscripts were produced for centuries. Many of those manuscripts are now in the Matenadaran in Yerevan. The gorge views from the monastery walls are extraordinary.
Drive to the Alphabet Park at the foot of Mount Aragats - a remarkable open-air monument erected in 2005 for the 1,600th anniversary of the Armenian alphabet. Thirty-nine giant stone letters of the Armenian script, each standing several meters tall, are arranged across the hillside alongside statues of important figures in Armenian cultural history. A unique and photogenic stop that celebrates one of the world's most beautiful writing systems still in daily use.
Optional lunch at a local restaurant in the area. Can be added in Extras when booking.
The highlight of the day is Amberd, a 7th to 13th-century fortress built at 2,300 meters above sea level on a rocky promontory on the southern slopes of Mount Aragats. The name means Fortress in the Clouds in Armenian, and on clear days the view justifies it completely. The fortress is surrounded on two sides by the Arkashen and Amberd rivers, giving it natural defenses on three sides. Next to the fortress stands the Church of Vahram Pahlavuni, built in 1026. In spring the surrounding slopes are still snow-covered - a remarkable landscape for a day trip from the capital.
Absolutely amazing