Group Tour: Khor Virap, Noravank, Tatev monasteries (wayback on Ropeway)

Highlights

Inclusions

Itinerary

1. starting and returning point

   15 min

2. Khor Virap is the most famous pilgrimage site in Armenia, as it is directly connected with the adoption of Christianity. As a state religion, Christianity in Armenia was adopted in 301 due to endeavors of Saint Gregory The Illuminator, who, before converting King Trdat The 3rd to Christianity, was imprisoned in the dungeon, over which a church of Khor Virap monastery was built in the 17th century. From the monastery one can admire the stunning view of the Biblical Mount Ararat.

   50 min

3. Passing a narrow road, surrounded by rocks of hundred caves, one discovers a scene of harmony of architecture with nature. The monastery, enshrined with fine architectural solutions and luxurious embellishments, is one of the brightest examples of Armenian architecture of the 13th century. Noravank consists of St. Karapet, St. Gregory The Illuminator churches and St. Astvatsatsin (Holy Mother of God) two-storey church, which is notable for its ideal constructive and sculptural work.

   50 min

4. Church bells were ringing loud in Tatev on October 16 of 2010, heralding the launch of a program to revive a medieval monastic complex and the opening of "Wings of Tatev" Ropeway. The 5.7 km ropeway, built within 11 months, passes through a deep gorge of the River Vorotan and over hills, covered with lush forests. The tramway is supported by three towers between its two terminals. One terminal is on a hill, overlooking the village of Halidzor and the other is near Tatev Monastery, on the road to Tatev village. Two cabins operate at once, traveling in opposite directions. There are 6 cables altogether (3 for each cabin), each uniquely foreseen for the specifications of this project. Within about 11 minutes a tramway cabin takes passengers, 30 at a time, from the village of Halidzor to the magnificent complex of Tatev.

   15 minAdmission included

5. Among the architectural pillars of Zangezour, the monastery of Tatev does not have its "rivals". It used to be the wealthiest medieval monastery in Armenia. Besides being a religious center, Tatev was also the important strategical center of Syunik kingdom. Being situated on a naturally defended place, Tatev monastery has always been an impregnable fortress for alien. In non-stable political conditions several secret ways in the territory of the fortress led to the canyon and served as a link between the monastery and the external world.

   1.2 h

Cancellation

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

Reviews

Ratings come from 711 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 46% below the median of the 337 day trips we list in Yerevan.
• It is longer than most of them.
• By number of reviews it ranks 5 of 337.
• 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).

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