Private Garni Temple, Symphony of stones & Geghard Tour
Description
Explore the most amazing attractions of Armenia! First up visit Garni, the only pagan temple which exists in Armenia before moving onto Geghard monastery, a complex which is carved in a cave.
Tour Options
Itinerary
The monument "Arch of Charents" was created by architect Raphael Israelyan. One day on his way to Garni he stopped at this place and, noticing that a picturesque view opens from there to the Mount Ararat, he decided to build an arch as a "temple" to Ararat. The Arch was constructed in 1957, on occasion of the 60th anniversary of the great Armenian poet Yeghishe Charents. It is said, that the poet was also fond of walking around this place. It is like a picture frame, from where a mesmerizing view opens to the Ararat valley with Masis floating in distance. The following words completing Charents' famous poem are carved on the front aperture along the arch: "There is no summit as snow-white as that of lofty Ararat; Like an inaccessible path to glory, I love my Mount Masis!" You can make here stunning pictures against the backdrop of the Arch and Mountain Ararat, only the weather should be clear.
Garni temple, which towers over a triangular cape, is the unique survived example of heathen culture in Armenia. It is a blend of Greco-Roman and Armenian styles. King Trdat The First ordered building the temple in the first century AD and dedicated it to the God of Sun. After adopting Christianity in 301, the pagan temple lost its significance and the fortress of Garni became the summer residence of the kings. Nowadays the ruins of the royal palace and the bathroom with a stunning mosaic work can be found near the temple.
Discover the Symphony of Stones in Garni Canyon, one of Armenia’s most striking natural wonders. These majestic basalt columns, formed from ancient volcanic lava, rise in perfect vertical lines like a giant stone organ. Surrounded by the dramatic beauty of the gorge, this unique site reveals nature’s power, harmony and timeless artistry.
Geghard monastery is the unsurpassable masterpiece of the 13th century Armenian architecture. Some of the churches of the complex are masterfully hewn in a huge rock. From the outset the complex was called Ayrivank (cave monastery), later it was renamed Geghard (lance) as the lance, used by the roman soldier to sting Jesus Christ's side, had been kept in this monastery for many centuries. Due to its construction, Geghardavank serves the best place for singing spiritual songs. The complex is rich in subtle sculptural embellishments and many striking khachkars (cross-stones). The site is included in UNESCO World Cultural Heritage List.
Highlights
What's included
Pickup Locations & Times
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Traveller Ratings
Important Information
- Infants and small children can ride in a pram or stroller
- Public transportation options are available nearby
- Infants are required to sit on an adult’s lap
- Specialized infant seats are available
- Suitable for all physical fitness levels
Reviews(286)
Very comfortable bus with water and wi-fi. The best driver Khachatur. Guide Karen is an exceptional. We never had such wonderful tour. And we surely recommend this trip to Garni and Geghard.
We had a wonderful experience on our private trip to Garni and Geghard. We are hugely grateful to our guide, Karen, for a fascinating and informative tour; he truly touched our hearts at the end by singing a psalm in one of Armenia's holiest sites. All our future trips will be exclusively with Karen and Khachatur.
This was a private tour to Garni Gerhard and Symphony of Stones. The tour was organized very well from the beginning to end. The guide Karen was very clever and informative. He told us poems and tests and even sang a psalm. The driver Khachatur was very professional.
The tour guide was excellent! Everything was explained clearly and in an interesting way. The guide was very knowledgeable, friendly, and happy to answer all our questions. The tour was informative, engaging, and really enjoyable. Highly recommended!
Guide Meline was energetic, cheerful and enthusiastic! She talked about beautiful Armenia with genuine love, inspiring us to be swallowed by its hospitality! Our driver was always on time and was agile with road! Armenia is full of surprises one time it reminds Italy and another time you are like in Californian valleys or Chinese mountains! I am proud to travel here! Gehard acoustic in church amazed me and the symphony of stones truly reminds a Jurassic period! Visit it!!!
We had an amazing experience! Our tour guide Mel was incredibly friendly, knowledgeable, and made the whole tour interesting and enjoyable. The driver Taron was also excellent—professional, kind, and made us feel safe and comfortable throughout the trip. Everything was perfectly organized, and we would absolutely recommend this tour!
Guide: Meline Sahakyan Driver: Taron Herjyan Great experience, even as someone who grew up in Armenia I had a lot to learn and had a great time with Meline and Taron. Hope to see them again!
I spent a wonderful day with Hyur Service exploring Garni Temple, Geghard Monastery and the Symphony of Stones, and I can’t recommend them highly enough. My driver, Arthur, was punctual, professional and genuinely helpful throughout — he made the whole day effortless and comfortable, and I always felt in safe hands on the road. The real highlight, though, was my guide, Tamara. She was extraordinarily knowledgeable and brought every site to life — not just the history of the temple and the monastery, but the wider story of Armenian culture, faith and identity. She had a gift for explaining things clearly and answering all my questions, and I came away understanding so much more about Armenia than I expected. Her passion for her country was infectious. And the scenery speaks for itself — the Hellenistic temple perched above the Azat gorge, the rock-hewn chambers of Geghard, and the astonishing basalt columns of the Symphony of Stones made for unforgettable views. If you’re looking for a private tour around Yerevan, ask for Tamara and Arthur — you won’t be disappointed. Thank you both for such a memorable day.
We had such a great day with our driver, Arakel. He was incredibly friendly, kind and professional, and made the whole experience feel relaxed and easy from start to finish. We visited Garni Temple, the Symphony of Stones and Geghard Monastery, and never felt rushed at any point. Arakel was punctual, drove very safely and was always happy to help. He really added to our experience and made the day even more enjoyable. We would absolutely recommend him to anyone. Thank you, Arakel, for a wonderful day!
I had a great experience with this tour and Tamara was a great and friendly also the driver Marval was a professional and nice person.
