2 day tours from Yerevan/ Echmiadzin, Khor Virap, Dilijan Private guided tour

This tour will give you a chance to get acquainted with the peculiarities of Armenian Christianity, its rich history and heritage.
Day 1: The first destination of the tour will be St. Hripsime church, which was built on the grave of a Christian nun, who preached and spread Christianity in Armenia. The next spot is 7th century church of St Gayane.
Later you will visit the world’s first Christian Cathedral - Echmiadzin. The word “Echmiadzin” means a place where “the only begotten son of God descended”. According to a legend, Jesus Christ descended from heaven and indicated the spot for a church to be built. Echmiadzin is the residence of the Supreme Catholicos of all Armenians and the center of the Armenian Apostolic Church.

The last destination of our tour is one of the brightest landmarks of medieval Armenian architecture – the magnificent Zvartnots Temple constructed in the 7th century. All these churches and the temple are listed on the UNESCO World’s Cultural Heritage Sites.

Day 2: During this tour you will visit “The Jewel of Armenia” or the “Geghama Sea” - Lake Sevan, which is one of the largest high-mountainous freshwater lakes in the world. In the northwest part of Sevan Lake, on a narrow rocky peninsula, there stands one of the most prominent examples of medieval Armenian architecture – Sevanavank Monastery. It was founded in 874 AD by princess Mariam. The remnants of the monastery that was constructed in the 9th century include only two temples – Surb Arakelots and Surb Astvatsatsin, standing among numerous khachkars. The church buildings were constructed from black tuff, which probably gave the monastery its name Sevanavank - “the Black Monastery”.

The next destination of our tour is “Armenian Switzerland” - Dilijan. It is said that if there were forests, mountains and mineral springs in Paradise, the Paradise would be similar to Dilijan. In 13 km northeast of Dilijan in a cozy place one can find Monastery complex Haghartsin ('Dance of the Eagles’). It was built between the 10th and 13th centuries and has three churches: one named for Gregory the Illuminator; another for the Virgin Mary (Surp Astvatsatsin); and the third for St Stephen (Stepanos). There are stunning khachkars, a sundial on the wall of St Gregory, a ruined gavit and a refectory with stunning arched ceiling.

Our last stop will be the Monastery Goshavank which became one of the most famous religious and scholarly centers in medieval Armenia in the 12th-13th centuries, led by one of Armenia's most accomplished scholars, legal experts and scientists, Mkhitar Gosh (Mkhitar from Gosh, 1130–1213). The monastery was renamed Goshavank upon his death. The monastery was built between 1188 and the late 13th century.

To guarantee availability book as soon as possible. Early booking is worth consideration especially if you planning the trip during high season like public holidays or weekends.

Cancellation is not possible. If you cancel it anyway or not show up on the excursion you will still be charged the full price of the activity and the money you paid will not be refunded.