Ararat Valley: Khor Virap, Noravank and delicious hospitality

Today you will find a fascinating journey to the origins of Christianity in Armenia — Khor Virap Monastery. From the walls of the monastery there is the best view of Mount Ararat. Then we will go along the mountain serpentine, along the Martian landscapes, to an ancient cave, and we will tell you about the traditions of winemaking in Armenia. You will find a monastery lost among the high rocks and learn the secrets of the stone bas-reliefs. Finally, enjoy a delicious home-cooked meal and a selection of house wines while visiting a local winemaker.

What to expect:

Khor Virap

Do you dream of seeing Mount Ararat up close and personal, the same one where Noah’s Ark stopped? We will help you make this dream come true. Trip to Khor Virap monastery — that's what you need. The best view of the sacred mountain in Armenia opens from the fortress walls of the monastery. We will drive through the Ararat Valley and show you those gardens in which the most delicious apricots grow and where grapes grow, according to legend, planted by Noah himself. We will tell you about the history of the adoption of Christianity in Armenia. You will be able to descend into a deep pit, in which, according to historical sources, Gregory the Illuminator, who later became the first Armenian Catholicos, languished in captivity for 13 years.

Cave complex

Do you want to know about the ancient traditions of winemaking in Armenia? Wonderful! Then we are going with to Areni-1 cave.

We will continue our fascinating journey and head to the village of Areni, where scientists found the oldest (about 6 thousand years old) winery and the oldest leather shoe (about 5500 years old). True, you won’t be able to try on the shoe, because it is kept in the Museum of the History of Armenia. But you will see many ancient jugs in which wine was stored several thousand years ago. Who knows, maybe there’s something left at the bottom?

Norvank Monastery Complex

Are you interested in architecture and stone carving? Do sheer cliffs drive you crazy? We are ready to show you a place where wild rocks and delicate stone carvings merge into a single whole. Let's go to Noravank!

Driving through a picturesque gorge, we will approach the medieval monastery of Noravank. The temple is not easy to notice among the picturesque rocks, it fits so organically into the natural landscape. Here you will see unique bas-reliefs, and we will tell you the secrets that are hidden under the stone “laces”. this thread. You will also find out who in Medieval Armenia received the honor of being buried under a tombstone depicting a sleeping lion.

Homemade wine tasting

Have you heard about traditional Armenian hospitality? We will help you make sure that these are not empty words. A delicious lunch andtasting of homemade wines, fascinating stories from the winemaker and a warm welcome from his family await you.

And finally, you will have the opportunity to experience Armenian hospitality. We will have a delicious, hearty lunch and tasting of different varieties of homemade wines made from local grape varieties. The hospitable hosts will tell you about the secrets of making their own wine and dried fruits. Time spent in a cozy home environment will leave you with the warmest memories.

• Russian

Excursion from Yerevan to Artashat, Areni

The price includes:

• Guide services
• transport provision;

Not included in the price:

• Tour of the cave complex: 3000 drams per person;
• Lunch and tasting with local winemakers: 10,000 drams per person.

Order cancellation conditions:

If a tourist cancels an excursion in less than 3 days, the penalty is 100%. 

Important:

• The company is not responsible for lost items.
• Responsibility for having an individual insurance policy falls on the tourist.
• Visiting holy places is permitted only in modest clothing.

We recommend: 

Bring drinking water, a hat, sunglasses with you on the excursion