Private Tour to Echmiadzin,St.Hripsime & Gayane Churches, Zvartnots Temple
Description
Visit churches of Echmiatsin and Zvartnots temple, which together make up a remarkable UNESCO World Heritage Site! During this 5-hour private tour you will see a series of landmarks, from Echmiadsin Cathedral to Saint Hripsime Church, Saint Gayane Church, and the 7th-century Zvartnots Cathedral. Choose one of the presented individual tours, customized it or create your private tour in Armenia with Jan Armenia Tours and Travel! Book with us & Let us show you the Land of old Legends, Biblical Stories and Ancient History!
Tour Options
Itinerary
The first Christian cathedral of Echmiadzin was founded in the IV century BC, whose name means “place of the descent of the Only Begotten.” A feature of the Cathedral is that in addition to the main altar in the eastern part, there is another altar in the middle, at the site of the descent of Christ. In the right-hand boundary of the Etchmiadzin Cathedral there is the Treasury Museum, where are kept relics, church clothes, embroidered with gold and pearls, catholicos’ staffs and crosses, numerous ritual objects made of gold, silver and ivory. On the territory of the monastery complex is also the residence of the Armenian patriarch – the Catholicos of all Armenians. Also here you will see many cross-stones, of which “Amenaprakich” (1279), and the cross-stone devoted to the victims of the 1915 genocide.
The Temple of Saint Hripsime was founded in the 7th century by Catholicos Komitas I Aghtsetsi in the place of a sepulcher of Saint Hripsime. Since 2000 Saint Hripsime Temple has been included in UNESCO World Heritage List. Two prominent Armenian Cathlicoses are buried in the court yard of Saint Hripsime Temple. They are Catholicos Astvatsatur (1715-1725) and Catholicos Garaped II Oolnetzi (1725-1729).
St. Gayane Temple was built in honor of St. Gayane in the VII century on the place of IV century chapel, which is one of the best monuments of Armenian architecture. The relics of Saint Gayane are kept in the southern wall of the temple, next to the altar niche. Above the western entrance, there was preserved the murals of the 17th century on the theme of the birth of Christ. Near the Saint Gayane Temple there is a special room where animals are sacrificed and stabbed from the time of St. Gregory the Illuminator. This rite is called – matah, which is customary to perform for any occasion: weddings, birth of a child, etc.
Тhe magnificent Zvartnots Temple, which mean “Temple of Vigil Forces”, was built in the VII century. The temple was built for 20 years. Unfortunately, Zvartnots was destroyed by a powerful earthquake in the XX century and only its ruins remained. But even the ruins of this temple give us an idea of its rare and majestic beauty. Today the Zvartnots Temple is an archaeological reserve and museum founded in 1937, where you can see model-versions of the reconstruction of the temple, numerous sculptural fragments, impressive in size. The ruins of Zvartnots Temple are included in UNESCO as World Heritage Site.
Highlights
What's included
Pickup Locations & Times
We will organize the pick-up from your hotel, hostel, apartment.
Traveller Ratings
Important Information
- Specialized infant seats are available
- Public transportation options are available nearby
- Suitable for all physical fitness levels
Reviews(18)
The driver was very kind and professional. The car was clean and new.
Thank you so much for your kind words! We're thrilled to hear that you had a positive experience with our driver and enjoyed the clean, new car. Your feedback means a lot to us, and we hope to serve you again soon!
I traveled through Armenia with Ara, the guide, and I was very pleased. He is attentive, caring and always tries to make the trip comfortable. He made me feel safe and secure. Excellent guide, I recommend!
Спасибо за ваш отзыв! Мы рады, что поездка по Армении оставила у вас положительные впечатления. Очень важно, чтобы вы чувствовали себя комфортно и в безопасности, и мы рады, что вам понравился тур. Надеемся, что в будущем у вас будет возможность снова путешествовать с нами!
The best and most kind driver I have ever had. Thank you to Ara. He was extremely knowledgeable and respectful to all of my questions and places I wanted to see. God bless you.
Thank you for your kind words! We're delighted to hear that your experience was enjoyable and that all your questions and requests were met with care and respect. We look forward to welcoming you again in the future!
Today, we enjoyed an unforgettable tour of Armenia, thanks to our amazing guide, Jasmina Barseghyan, and our skilled driver, Ara Melkonyan. Jasmina's vast knowledge and warm personality made each moment special, as she shared insights into Armenia's rich history while connecting with us personally. Her professionalism was evident as she expertly managed the itinerary, balancing highlights with our interests. From ancient monasteries to stunning landscapes, her enthusiasm was infectious. Ara provided smooth and safe driving through diverse terrains, always punctual and friendly, which added comfort to our journey. Together, they created a warm atmosphere, making us feel like we were exploring Armenia with friends. This experience perfectly blended professionalism and heartfelt hospitality, and I highly recommend it to anyone wanting to discover Armenia's beauty!
Thank you for sharing such a heartfelt review! We're so happy to hear that you had an unforgettable experience exploring Armenia, with a perfect balance of rich history, stunning landscapes, and personal connections. We're glad the journey was comfortable and enjoyable from start to finish.
A very nice tour to religious places. This one is a bit shorter so not very tiering. Some beautiful churches with interesting and long history. Great time with driver Garnik and marvelous and knowledgable guide Arev!
We're happy to hear you enjoyed the tour to the religious sites and appreciated the history and beauty of the churches. We look forward to welcoming you on future trips!
Great country with great people. Everywhere we are welcome, everywhere we wanted to help. The views are amazing. I think we'll get back here!
Everythihg was great! Our driver Davit drove very carefully. Everything was exactly as described. We recommend this company and this driver.
Highly recommended! Covered all UNESCO sites at once. Very informative and an excellent guide, Karen Zalyan. A must do
The three days in Armenia organized by Jan Armenia Tours were unforgettable. Our guide, Armine, was not only knowledgeable about history but also a brilliant storyteller. We immersed ourselves in both ancient and modern Armenia and got acquainted with Armenian culture. And all of it felt like it passed in one breath! Many thanks to the organizers!!!
Thank you so much for your kind words! We’re thrilled to hear you had an amazing experience. We hope to welcome you again soon!
Excellent service.Guide Arminet’s highly qualified, in-depth knowledge and personal charm, as well as David’s safe driving style made our day and left the best experience
Спасибо за ваш отзыв! Нам очень приятно, что вам понравилось путешествие. Мы всегда стараемся сделать каждую поездку незабываемой. Будем рады снова видеть вас среди наших гостей!
