Most tours just stick to the churches, but we want you to see the full picture. This trip mixes the ancient frescoes of Akhtala with the gritty, industrial history of the Soviet era.
We visit Akhtala Fortress for its rare murals and the UNESCO World Heritage sites of Haghpat and Sanahin. But we also dive into the recent past in Alaverdi, a copper mining town that feels like a movie set. You will see the massive, abandoned Soviet factory and cable cars set against the green canyon walls, a view you won't find on standard postcards.
For lunch, we skip the tourist restaurants. We are hosted by the family that takes care of the Haghpat complex. You’ll eat in their home, where the caretaker's wife prepares a spread of honest, homemade Armenian dishes (BBQ, salads, dolma) just for our small group.
Tour Options
Small Group
Small Group Tour with lunch : Enjoy a trip to Armenia in a small group of like-minded travelers and have a delicious lunch together
Private Tour
Lunch and hotel pick up : Enjoy the comfort of a private tour to Armenia including hotel pick up and delicious lunch
Itinerary
10 min
Meet your guide at 8:45 at the Big Bicycle monument at Rose Revolution square
60 min
First stop is the fortified monastery of Akhtala with its incredible and unique frescoes and an interesting history of Georgian and Armenian influence.
Admission included60 min
The UNESCO world heritage site Haghpat is located deep in the rocky mountains of Lori province and holds many interesting relics and legends
30 min
The ancient bridge and the monastery of Sanahin set on top of a hill, offering stunning views and some old examples of Soviet architecture.
60 min
Visit a local family for authentic Armenian food prepared with love
Highlights
Experienced English speaking guide
Central meeting point and transfer in a comfortable car / van with a/c
Lunch in a local family
Key sights of Northern Armenia
What's included
Included
Experienced English speaking guide
Central meeting point and transfer in a comfortable car / van with a/c
Lunch in a local family
Key sights of Northern Armenia
Not included
Souvenirs
Gratuities
Traveller Ratings
4.9
72 reviews
5
68
4
4
3
0
2
0
1
0
Important Information
Public transportation options are available nearby
Infants are required to sit on an adult’s lap
Suitable for all physical fitness levels
Please check if you need a visa and if so, please apply for the e-visa if possible. Visa on arrival is available only for private tours, not for group tours.
Frequently asked questions
How long does this tour take?
Armenia: 1 Day Soviet gems, UNESCO + Family lunch (Small group) lasts about 9–11 hours. The itinerary has 5 stops.
How much does this tour cost?
Prices start at $95 per person for this Tbilisi experience, booked through Viator with the price shown before checkout. There are 2 booking options, so the final price depends on the option you choose.
Can I cancel this tour for free?
Yes. Cancel at least 1 day before the start for a full refund. Later cancellations are non-refundable.
Where does the tour start?
The meeting point is Big Bicycle monument on Rose Revolution square. Hotel pickup is not part of this experience.
What languages is this tour offered in?
The experience is available in EN.
Is this a private or a group tour?
It is a small-group experience with a maximum of 12 participants.
Is the tour suitable for children?
Infants are required to sit on an adult’s lap
Will my booking be confirmed immediately?
Yes, bookings are confirmed instantly.
Reviews(72)
L
Lisa_G
September 6, 2026
Awesome 1-day- Trip to armenia with temo
We were on the 1-day trip to Armenia from Tbilisi with Temo today. Everything was super organized, Temo really knew everything about the sights and all our other questions :-) also a really delicious vegetarian lunch. highly recommended, many thanks 💜
V
valda_s
August 30, 2026
Great trip and learned a...
Great trip and learned a lot about Armenia
The places visited were fascinating and our guide very knowledgeable
P
Peter_S
June 22, 2026
Wonderful day,...
Wonderful day, spectacular scenery, amazing Monastery! Yasha as guide and driver was a 10/10. Great tour! Perfect trip.
J
J5065SLelvirad
May 27, 2026
Astonishing peace and beauty
The tour was absolutely amazing. The beauty of the country, the amazingly old buildings and the delicious food was something I have never experienced in my life. I will never forget this experience - Thank you so much!
K
Kristen_T
October 21, 2025
It was a great day with a...
It was a great day with a very knowledgeable and funny guide. I enjoyed every minute. Thank you for a great day!
M
markkZ9053CX
June 25, 2025
An amazing trip to Armenia’s monasteries
Temo is a wonderful tour guide, a true professional, and an incredibly kind person. We were impressed by this young man’s vast erudition. He told us many fascinating things about the history of Armenia, about each monastery, and about the origins of Christianity in Armenia and Georgia. With him, we felt transported several centuries back in time. We wandered among the ruins of a medieval fortress, admired 15th–16th-century frescoes, and marveled at the architecture of Armenian monasteries while listening to sacred chants. We were deeply impressed by the skill of Armenian stone carvers who created stunningly beautiful khachkars (carved cross-stones).
Temo was able to answer all of our questions. We were also pleasantly surprised by the breadth of his interests.
Temo introduced us to his Armenian friends, and we got to taste delicious Armenian dishes.
He treated us to ice cream and gave us invaluable recommendations on where to find the best restaurants in Georgia.
I suppose I should also mention that Temo showed us places connected with the Soviet past — but we had lived through that era ourselves.
I also want to note that Temo started the tour in excellent English, but as soon as he found out that our native language was Russian, he immediately switched to fluent Russian.
Temo also gave us helpful advice for crossing the border between Georgia and Armenia. And he is a great driver, which is so important!
Thank you so much, Temo — it was an unforgettable day together.
H
Holly_P
June 12, 2025
Armenia
Giorgi was an amazing guide for our trip to Armenia! Very knowledgeable about all the sites we visited! Beautiful lunch setting with a local family was provided. It is a full day trip but with enough stops to make it not seem so long. Definitely recommend!
Operator response
Thank you very much for the 5-star review. We're delighted to hear you enjoyed the day with Giorgi and appreciated the stops along the way, especially the lunch with the local family. Your recommendation means a lot!
3
398angush
December 27, 2024
MUST GO.
The tour guide Irakli is very professional and knowledgeable to the tour spots. It was amazing. Trip was smooth, dinner was nice!
F
feathersandgoldbears
December 11, 2024
An amazing introduction to Armenia
Absolutely beautiful tour, very knowledgable guide and at the lunch everything except 2 dishes were vegan friendly. Would highly recommend!
G
Graham_L
November 12, 2024
Small group tour to Armenia from Tbilisi
We enjoyed the small group tour to Armenia there were only six guests on our trip and the vehicle was a Toyota Landcruiser vehicle which was perfect for the trip, we visited a couple of heritage sites, enjoyed a delicious village lunch and the tour guide was very knowledgeable and helpful !
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Armenia: 1 Day Soviet gems, UNESCO + Family lunch (Small group)