Garni, Geghard & Sevan: Symphony of Stones & Scenic Views

Highlights

Inclusions

Itinerary

1. Garni Temple is situated in the village of Garni, in the heart of Armenia, and was constructed in the Ionic style. It is the most well-known building and representation of pre-Christian Armenia. The building was most likely constructed by king Tiridates I as a temple for the sun god Mihr in the first century AD. It was transformed into a royal summer residence of Khosrovidukht, the sister of Tiridates III, following Armenia's conversion to Christianity at the beginning of the fourth century. Some academics contend that it was a mausoleum rather than a temple, which is why it managed to withstand the destruction of pagan buildings.

   1 h

2. Geghard, which translates to "spear," is a medieval monastery in Armenian. It is a part of the UNESCO World Heritage Site. The spear that wounded Jesus at the Crucifixion was allegedly brought to Armenia by Apostle Jude, known here as Thaddeus, and kept among many other relics. It is now on exhibit in the Treasury of Echmiadzin.

   1 h

3. Lake Sevan is the largest body of water in both Armenia and the Caucasus region. It is one of the largest freshwater high-altitude (alpine) lakes in Eurasia. The lake is situated in Gegharkunik Province, at an altitude of 1,900.44 m above sea level. It is fed by 28 rivers and streams. The lake provides some 90% of the fish and 80% of the crayfish catch of Armenia. Sevan has significant economic, cultural, and recreational value. Its sole major island (now a peninsula) is home to a medieval monastery.

   30 min

4. Sevanavank is a monastic complex located on a peninsula at the northwestern shore of Lake Sevan in the Gegharkunik Province of Armenia, not far from the town of Sevan. Initially, the monastery was built at the southern shore of a small island. After the artificial draining of Lake Sevan, which started in the era of Joseph Stalin, the water level fell about 20 metres, and the island transformed into a peninsula. At the southern shore of this newly created peninsula, a guesthouse of the Armenian Writers' Union was built. The eastern shore is occupied by the Armenian president's summer residence, while the monastery's still active seminary moved to newly constructed buildings at the northern shore of the peninsula.

   40 min

5. Experience the breathtaking Symphony of Stones at Lake Sevan—nature’s incredible rock formations creating a unique, unforgettable landscape.

   30 min

Cancellation

Free cancellation up to 24 hours before the experience starts, for a full refund.

Reviews

Ratings come from 14 reviews collected by our booking partner. They are travellers' own words, in the order they were written — never reordered to flatter the experience.

Know before you go

How it compares in Yerevan

• Its from-price is close to the median of the 769 experiences we list in Yerevan.
• Its length is typical for the group.
• By number of reviews it ranks 126 of 769.
• The operator lists free cancellation on it.

About Yerevan

Yerevan is Armenia's pink-stoned capital, a city of wide squares, café terraces and museums, with Mount Ararat standing on its southern skyline.

The city grew around Erebuni, a fortress founded in 782 BC, though most of today's centre was built in the Soviet era from the soft pink and orange tuff that earned Yerevan its nickname, the Pink City. Republic Square is the hub, framed by government buildings and museums. The Cascade, a giant stairway of terraces and sculpture, climbs a hillside, and the Matenadaran holds a famous collection of medieval manuscripts.

Top-ranked sights in Yerevan: Republic Square, Tsaghkadzor Ropeway, Matenadaran (Mesrop Mashtots Institute of Ancient Manuscripts).

See all 769 experiences in Yerevan