Khor Virap, Echmiadzin Cathedral and Zvartnots Private Tour
Description
"Khor Virap Monastery offers the most breathtaking views of the Biblical Mt. Ararat. The monastery holds significant religious and historical importance - sight where Saint Gregory the Illuminator was imprisoned and Christianity took its start in Armenia. Echmiadzin Cathedral (literal translation: The descent of the Only Begotten) is the center of the Armenian Apostolic church originally built in the early 3rd century BC and a number of sources also state that Etchmiadzin is the oldest official Christian church in the entire world. This is your chance to visit and explore such a unique and one-of-a-kind place in the world! The church of St. Hripsime is dedicated to one of the 40 virgins who escaped from the Roman empire. Standing largely intact since its construction, the church has been widely admired for its architecture, considered a masterpiece of classical Armenian architecture, it has influenced many other Armenian churches.
Tour Options
Itinerary
The Khor Virap monastery is located about an hour’s drive away from the capital Yerevan, and offers an amazing view of Armenia’s defining symbol – the majestic Ararat. “Khor Virap” translates as “deep dungeon”, and was built of the place of the former royal prison, located on the historical site of Artashat. It was this very prison in which they kept Gregory the Illuminator, the first Armenian Catholicos, for a whole 13 years.
You will visit the St. Hripsime church, which 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.
Five minutes drive away will be our next spot: the 7th century church of St. Gayane. Gayane was the nanny of Hripsime, and shared Hripsime’s tragic fate.
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. The cathedral is a symbol of Armenian national identity and heritage, reflecting the country's deep-rooted Christian tradition.
Zvartnots Cathedral, now in ruins, is a 7th-century centrally planned aisled tetraconch type Armenian cathedral built by the order of Catholicos Nerses the Builder from 643-652. According to legend, the name "Zvartnots" means "celestial angels," inspired by the belief that angels once watched over the temple. It is included in the UNESCO heritage list. In fact, all of the churches included in the tour, are listed on the UNESCO World’s Cultural Heritage Sites.
Highlights
What's included
Traveller Ratings
Important Information
- Infants and small children can ride in a pram or stroller
- Service animals allowed
- Infants are required to sit on an adult’s lap
- Suitable for all physical fitness levels
- Children must be accompanied by an adult
- Possible languages: English, Russian. In case the tour is organized in other language, changes of the prices are possible.
Reviews(9)
Good timing, great experience! We had great time with comfortable transfer amenities and good communication. Thank you!
Thank you very much for your kind feedback! We are delighted to hear that you had a great experience and enjoyed the comfortable transfer and good communication. We truly appreciate your review and hope to welcome you again on another memorable journey.
Interesting destinations, friendly driver, all as assured. If you are interested in churches and monasteries, highly recommended
Dear Guest, Thank you for your feedback! We're glad you enjoyed the tour and appreciated the well-organized itinerary and friendly service. We’d be happy to welcome you again on another trip!
We made a private tour by: - Khor Virap Monastery – Echmiadzin Cathedral – St.Hripsime - St.Gayane Church – Zvartnots Temple Driver Harut went beyond expectations. In addition to being polite and attentive, he strived to count aspects of each stop, using Google Translator On Line, reducing language impact. We studied each stop before and can state that it passed important information from the historical sites. Congratulations to the company for having this professional on your team. In addition to visiting places we studied long before, we were happy with the guided support we had.
Dear Guest, Thank you for your wonderful review! We’re so glad you enjoyed your private tour with our company. Your feedback means a lot to us. We hope to welcome you on another tour in the future! Best Regards, "Yerani Travel" team
The tour was amazing & Mr.Harod was so great & helpful & we meet Anastasia as well but she was not scheduled to me but yet she helped as well & both took care & asking if i need anything Amazing team 🙏🏼
Dear Guest, Thank you for your feedback. We look forward to the opportunity of welcoming you on another tour in the future. Best Regards, Yerani Travel team
This tour was great! The tour guides of this company makes the visits interesting, engaging and enjoyable. Although there was a constant language switching by the tour guide from Russian to English and vice versa, which interrupted the immersion, still it was a very nice and valuable tour. I recommend them, especially if you book a tour in the Russian language, the experience will be much more unique. As a note to the operator, they should consider offering the same tours in Russian and in English as separate groups, this would keep the experience consistent in the preferred language. Other than that, everything was great
Dear Kudret, Thank you for sharing such a wonderful feedback. It's our pleasure to read your kind words about our staff and services. Your compliments will certainly serve as a wonderful motivator for all of us to continue striving for service excellence. Once again thank you for having taken the time to share this lovely review! We will be looking forward to welcome you again in Armenia! With best wishes, ''Yerani Travel'' team
Were on an individual field trip with guide Karen today. We really enjoyed it. The guide spoke very well about the history of Yerevan, about all the temples we visited, learned very much new and unknown about the formation of Christianity. I highly recommend it. We will be sure when we get back to you and it is Karen for tours!!! Thank you!!!
Уважаемая Светлана, Благодарим за Ваш прекрасный отзыв! Довольные и благодарные Гости - лучшая оценка работы нашего коллектива! Надеемся увидеть Вас вновь во время Вашего следующего визита в Армению! С наилучшими пожеланиями, Команда "Ерани Травел"
Very much enjoyed the tour accompanied by Karen, learned many new facts, including about the history of Armenia, the adoption of Christianity and the architecture of Armenian churches👍 Also thank the guide for the zagolas, coffee and for agreeing on a tour of the room with the spear of Longin😃
Уважаемая Екатерина, Благодарим за высокую оценку и за то, что нашли время поделиться Вашими комментариями! Мы искренне рады, что у Вас сложились только положительные впечатления от нас. Будем ждать новых встреч! С наилучшими пожеланиями, Команда "Ерани Травел"
They took 2 tours of Armenia. Well organized! Guides Armine and Anna are smart! You can see that the girls are very fond of their country and eager to talk about its attractions. Thank you!
Уважаемая Юлия, Благодарим за положительный отзыв и за тёплые слова. Мы очень рады,что Вам понравились наши улсуги. Обязательно передадим Ваши слова нашим сотрудникам Армине и Анне. Будем ждать новых встреч с Вами. С наилучшими пожеланиями, Команда "Ерани Травел"
On my final day I had this half day trip booked for after I checked out and had my bags. It was a private tour so I had the car to myself. The driver came to my apartment at 10am to pickup as arranged. It was an older guy who didnt speak much English but tried to help as best as could. We went first to Khor Virap then back to the churches around the city Echmiadzin, Hripsime, Gayane, and Zvarnots temple. I was dropped back at Republic Squre where I had requested. It was very convenient to have my own driver after two large bus tours on previous days and reasonably priced.
Dear Guest, Thank you for being so kind to share your experience with us. We are delighted to learn that you fully enjoyed the tours. It will be our pleasure to welcome you back to Armenia in the future! With best wishes, "Yerani Travel" Team
