Private tour to Garni temple, Geghard Monastery, Symphony of Stones
Description
Discover two cultural highlights of Armenia during a half-day trip from Yerevan. This 5-hours tour in Armenia includes – Charents Arch, Garni – Greco-Roman pagan temple, UNESCO-listed medieval monastery of Geghard and masterclass of Armenian Lavash (bread) making.Choose this individual tour, book it with us and let us show you the Land of old Legends, Biblical Stories and Ancient History!
Tour Options
Itinerary
The pagan temple of Garni was built in the second half of the 1st century by King Trdat III. This is the only pagan temple, which has been preserved on the territory of Armenia. After the adoption of Christianity it became the summer residence of Khosrovadukht, sister of King Trdat III. It was destroyed in 1679 by an earthquake. Parts, fragments of graceful columns and wall stones were spread around the temple. It is supposed that the temple was dedicated to Mithra, the God of the Sun. The temple of Garni is included in UNESCO World Heritage List.
Charents Arch is located near Yerevan, between the pagan temple of Garni and Geghard Christian monastery complex in the village of Vokhchaberd. At first glance, the Arch seems to be the most ordinary and unremarkable, but coming closer, passing to the platform inside the arch and looking at the panorama, everything becomes clear – this is the best place to admire the great and sacred mountain of Ararat, to be in unity with it and enjoy the beautiful scenery.
Geghard Monastery is one of the greatest medieval architectural structures in Armenia. Geghard is completely hollowed out in a cave, it is also called a “cave monastery”. This monastery was founded in the 4th century AD. in place of the sacred spring, originating in the cave. The name of the monastery complex Geghard (spear) comes from the Langin’n spear, which pierced the body of Jesus Christ on the cross. At the moment this spear is kept in the museum of Etchmiadzin. The monastery complex Geghard is included in UNESCO World Heritage List.
In the province of Kotayk, not far from the village Garni is situated one of the most well-known and beautiful natural monuments of Armenia – Symphony of Stones. It is said that this natural monument is the result of the collapse of the volcanic rocks.The monument consists of huge paradoxically symmetric hexagon and pentagon basalt columns (nearly 50 meters high). These stones hanging against the gravity resemble an organ, which explains why it is also referred to as “Basalt Organ Pipes”. The river of Azat flows through the gorge, thus peppering the mesmerizing beauty of stones with burble. From the territory of the monument you can also enter to Khosrov Forest State Reserve and discover one of the specially protected areas of Armenia.
Highlights
What's included
Pickup Locations & Times
We will do the pick-up from your hotel, hostel, apartment in Yerevan!
Traveller Ratings
Important Information
- Infants are required to sit on an adult’s lap
- Specialized infant seats are available
- Not recommended for pregnant travelers
- Public transportation options are available nearby
- Travelers should have at least a moderate level of physical fitness
Reviews(59)
We had an amazing experience with Jan Armenia, and a big part of that was because of our guide and driver, Arshak. From day one, he was always before time, cheerful, polite, and incredibly helpful. As pure vegetarians, finding the right food was a challenge because of the language barrier, but he went out of his way to help us choose and order the right food everywhere we went. He even introduced us to local fruits and dishes we would have otherwise missed. What really stood out was how much he genuinely cared about making our trip special. He accompanied us to almost every place, climbed up to monasteries with us, explained the history, architecture, and significance of each place, and shared so many interesting stories about Armenia. He also took us to a few beautiful spots that weren't part of the itinerary but knew our son would absolutely love them. Those little surprises made our trip even more memorable. He also saved us from unnecessary haggling and places where tourists could easily be overcharged. Every stop was thoughtfully planned with clean washrooms, good coffee, and food options which made travelling with family so much easier. By the end of the trip, it genuinely felt like we were travelling with a local friend. His warmth, patience, knowledge, and hospitality made our Armenia trip unforgettable. A big thank you to the entire Jan Armenia team as well. Everything was managed smoothly from start to finish, and we couldn't have asked for a better experience. We would wholeheartedly recommend Jan Armenia to anyone planning a trip to Armenia.
Davit, our guide, was special. He told us about the places and much more, he took us for a few hours inside the Armenian culture. Also kindness that he showed will definitely make us choose them for the next tour! Thank you.
Thank you so much for your kind words! It’s wonderful to hear that the experience went beyond just visiting places and offered a deeper connection with Armenian culture. Creating meaningful and memorable moments is always the goal. Your appreciation means a lot, and it would be a pleasure to welcome you again on a future tour!
Excellent! The driver, Davit, drove very well. He is polite, knowledgeable, arrived on time and even helped as a guide, even if not supposed to be. Highly recommended.
Thank you for your kind words! We're thrilled to hear that you had such a positive experience. Your recommendation truly means a lot, and we hope to serve you again in the future!
Awesome tour. My friends and I booked the 6 person private tour and it was worth every dollar. Great tour guide that was super knowledgeable. We learned a lot about Armenia, the Armenian Apostolic church and much more. Thanks guys!
Thank you for the great review! We're so glad to hear you had such a great experience and enjoyed learning about Armenia’s rich history. We appreciate your feedback and look forward to welcoming you on another tour soon!
Perfect plan amazing guide. Everything was planned good. People and the place is very beautiful z everyone friendly..
Thank you for your lovely feedback! We’re so happy to hear you enjoyed the plan and that everything went smoothly. It’s wonderful to know you appreciated the beauty of the places and the friendly atmosphere. We hope to welcome you again in Armenia in the future! 😊
The experience was amazing thanks to the exceptional guide, Nina Manukyan and driver, Sergey Poghosyan. Their dedication and knowledge made our trip to Armenia unforgettable. I highly recommend Jan Armenia Tours for their quality service and attention to detail!
Thank you so much for your wonderful feedback! We’re truly delighted to hear that you had such an amazing experience in Armenia. Providing high-quality service and creating unforgettable journeys is always our top priority, and your kind words mean a lot to our entire team. We sincerely appreciate your recommendation and hope to welcome you again for another memorable adventure!
A place of inspiration and admiration. Beautiful views of the mountains and surroundings. Polite staff. Great guide and driver.
Благодарим за отзыв! Приятно знать, что место оставило яркие впечатления и понравились виды на горы и окрестности. Рады, что экскурсия прошла комфортно, и будем рады видеть вас снова на других турах!
First time with my family and my kids love it. A short but enjoyable tour experience thank you Jan Armenia Travel and Tours for accommodating us
Thank you for choosing this experience for your family! We’re delighted to know it was enjoyable, especially for the kids, and that it made for a pleasant introduction to Armenia. It’s always wonderful to be part of special family moments. We truly appreciate your feedback!
This was one of the best excursions in our Armenia trip. We believe that the Geghard Monastery is the most beautiful monastery from the inside. We were picked up on time, everything worked out super well, friendly driver, we felt very comfortable, the Garni Temple is absolutely a must! Thank you for this tour!
Thank you so much for your wonderful feedback! We are very happy to hear that this was one of the best excursions of your trip to Armenia. We truly appreciate your kind words and are glad you had such a memorable experience!
We took a 5-person tour, our guide was Hakob Ezikyan and the driver Rudolf Pogosyan, it's over. It's great. Loved the picturesque places, the trip was comfortable and delicious. A sea of emotions and vivid experiences were remembered, in addition to the gorgeous memorable photos taken by the Guide. We learned a lot, the guide always kept the conversation going, it was very nice and interesting. We would love to repeat the tour and unequivocally recommend friends and loved ones.
Большое спасибо за ваш тёплый отзыв! Нам очень приятно узнать, что поездка оставила у вас столько ярких впечатлений и положительных эмоций. Благодарим за рекомендацию, будем рады вновь приветствовать вас в одном из наших туров!
