GARNI OR ECHMIADZIN

One of the most popular tours in Armenia is available to you FREE OF CHARGE.

Tour 1: From Paganism To Christianity: The arch of “Yeghishe Charents”, Garni temple, Geghard monastery, national bread “Lavash” baking and tasting

Are you planning to spend your holidays in Armenia? Then don’t miss your chance to take part in one of the famous excursions in Armenia. You will have the opportunity to enjoy the beautiful view of the Garni pagan temple, see the Geghard monastery, and then spend a wonderful leisure time around the tonir while cooking and tasting Armenian bread - lavash.

This fantastic tour will introduce you to the exotic Pagan history of Armenia, and show the later development and spread of Christianity in the country.

Stop 1: Charent’s arch

The first stop is near Charent’s arch which was names in honour of Armenian poet Eghishe Charents, who loved this place and used to visit it frequently. 

Stop 2: Geghard Monastery

The next stop will be is the Monastery complex of Geghard. St. Geghard symbolizes the lance with which the Roman centurion pierced Jesus after crucifixion. Later the lance had been brought to Armenia and kept in Geghard Monastery for 5 centuries. The complex presents Armenia of 13th century, which is considered to be the Golden Age of the country’s architecture. However, the most astonishing part of this complex is its architectural solution churches drilled into the solid rock that were constructed in accordance to the rules of Armenian architecture. Geghard Monastery is included in the UNESCO World Heritage List.

Stop 3: Garni Temple

Garni Temple (77 A.D.) is another historical site included to this tour. It is the only standing heathen temple in the whole post-Soviet area. The temple gracefully stands on a high plateau overlooking the Azat river gorge. The surrounding area itself is incredibly beautiful. The greek-roman bath house with the mosaic, made out of 30,000 pieces of natural stones, as well as the ruins of the royal palace, will take you to 3rd century A.D.

Stop 4: “Lavash” baking and tasting

Not far from the temple of Garni (about 10 minutes’ walk), there is a cozy local restaurant with an amazing view of the temple, where you can relax and take part in master-class of tasting of freshly baked lavash – traditional Armenian flatbread. 

Tour 2: Spiritual Rest In Holy Echmiadzin։ Echmiadzin (St. Hripsime, St. Gayane, Mother Cathedral, Treasury Museum), Zvartnots Temple, making and tasting of national dish “Dolma” in “Machanents” family restaurant

Whilst traveling to Armenia, you may just be interested in seeing the world’s first Christian Cathedral church. Echmiadzin is considered to be the spiritual center of all Armenians all over the world! The word itself means a place where “the only begotten son of the God descended”.

Stop 1: St Hripsimeh & Gayane church

St. Hripsime church was built on the sepulcher of a Christian nun Hripsime who fled from the Roman Empire and was killed in Armenia. This amazing building has stood upright from the day of its construction since 618 A.D, making it one of the oldest standing churches in the world. Then visit the eponymous church of St. Gayane, built on the burial site of another early Christian nun Gayane.

Stop 2: Dolma making master class

After this stop you will take part in local food making master class. Dolma is considered to be the second main dish in Armenian tables which is made with cabbage leaves, or grape leaves, rice, minced meat, and other species. 

Stop 3: Echmiadzin Mother Cathedral

You will be able to observe the first world’s first Christian Cathedral – the Holy Ejmiatsin, built in 301-304. According to the legend, Jesus Christ descended on the same spot where the Dissention Altar stands today, where Gregory the Illuminator ordered to build the church. Inside of the Cathedral, there is a small museum which is home to many of Christian relics, including pieces from the Holy Cross and Noah’s Ark, as well as the spear with which Jesus was wounded.

Stop 4: Zvartnots temple

After studying the history of Christianity you can also pay a visit to the Zvartnots temple/cathedral which is considered to be as a unique architectural structure and is involved in the world list of UNESCO heritage sites. Here the temple/fane of the pagan god Tir was situated. Then in the 7^th century the Zvartnots temple or Saint Gregory Cathedral was built. The floor, somewhere the lower wall constructions, capitals, anchors, the sculptured sun-clock and the remnants of fresco, mosaics, etc. are currently preserved here.

What's included
Guide Service: Russian or/and English
Entrance tickets
Comfortable vehicles
Free Wi-Fi
Bottled water