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Group tour: Etchmiadzin Mother Cathedral, St. Hripsime & Gayane, Zvartnots Temple

Itinerary

Etchmiadzin Mother Cathedral, St. Hripsime Church, St. Gayane Church, Zvartnots Temple

1. Meeting point: Hyur Service (Head Office) – 96, Nalbandyan str., Yerevan

Departure time: 10:00
If hotel pick-up is not required, please let us know and be at the meeting point at least 30 min before departure.

2. Etchmiadzin Mother Cathedral

50-60 min Details: Etchmiadzin Mother Cathedral
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On the silent expanse of an ancient plain, beneath the watchful gaze of the mountains, rises the Mother See of Etchmiadzin a sanctuary where, legend says, heaven once touched the earth. According to tradition, Saint Gregory the Illuminator saw Christ in a vision, holding a golden hammer, striking the ground to reveal the place where a cathedral must be built. Thus was born Etchmiadzin "The Only Begotten Descended" destined to become the spiritual heart of Armenia.

3. St. Hripsime Church

20-30 min Details: St. Hripsime Church
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Before the gates of ancient Etchmiadzin, on a sunlit hill, rises the Church of Saint Hripsime – a stone testament to a love for God stronger than fear or death. Legend speaks of the beautiful Hripsime, whose heart belonged not to earthly passions but to her faith. King Tiridates III, captivated by her beauty, offered her his hand and throne. Hripsime refused, choosing instead the path of devotion to Christ. Enraged, the king ordered her to be tortured and executed and the ground that drank her blood became sacred.

4. St. Gayane Church

20-30 min Details: St. Gayane Church
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Among the sacred landmarks of Etchmiadzin, the Church of Saint Gayane stands out as a quiet guardian of the memory of the first Christian martyrs. Rising just south of the Mother Cathedral, it marks the place where, according to tradition, the blood of Gayane, the mentor of Saint Hripsime, was shed in her ultimate testimony of faith.

5. Zvartnots Temple

30-40 min Details: Zvartnots Temple
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Amid the plains of Armavir, with the majestic Mount Ararat rising in the distance, once stood Zvartnots – a 7th-century masterpiece that embodied the bold vision and brilliance of Armenian architects. Built upon towering columns, it astonished the world with its intricate design and grandeur that seemed centuries ahead of its time. For more than three hundred years, Zvartnots stood as a marvel, until an earthquake in the 10th century reduced it to silent ruins, leaving behind the enigma of a vanished wonder.

6. Arrival point: Hyur Service (Head Office)

Expected return: 14:00 – 15:00

Inclusions

  • Professional guide: ENG + RUS consecutively

  • Air-conditioned vehicles

  • Bottled water & pastries

  • Admission tickets

  • Wi-Fi in the vehicles

  • Vehicle & passengers insurance

Exclusions

  • Lunch stop

  • Hotel drop-off (final stop: our office)

Highlights

  • Explore incredible UNESCO World Cultural Heritage sites
  • See the very first Christian cathedral in the World
  • On Sundays there is a chance to participate in liturgy

Video Gallery

Practical Info

Will I have the chance to attend liturgy in the church of Etchmiadzin?

Please, note that the liturgy is held only on Sundays. Therefore, if you book this tour for that day, you will have the opportunity to attend the service.

Can I visit "Treasures of Etchmiadzin" museum during this tour?

Yes, you can usually visit the "Treasures of Etchmiadzin" museum during your time at the Mother Cathedral, except on Sundays, when the museum is closed during the Divine Liturgy. Please note that the entrance ticket is not included in the tour price and should be purchased on the spot.

What is the group size for this tour?

The group size varies, but typically ranges up to 48 participants.

Are there any clothing requirements or recommendations for this tour?

We recommend wearing comfortable sports shoes and dressing in weather-appropriate clothing for the tour; taking a jacket or coat is always a wise choice. Weather conditions in the regions can be significantly cooler than in Yerevan. Modest clothing is requested of women during visits to churches and monasteries.

Booking conditions

Cancellation & modification

Meet our Guides

Garnik Mirzoyan

Garnik Mirzoyan

RU

I'm Garnik, and I've been working as a tour guide in Armenia since 2016. If you're tired of far-fetched stories and have a good sense of humor, we'll get along perfectly. Discover Armenia from the inside – in very hospitable hands.

Gayane Movsisyan

Gayane Movsisyan

HY EN

Hi! I am Gayane Movsisyan, a tour guide since 2017. I work with great enthusiasm, eager to present my country in the best possible way and to create unforgettable moments for our guests.

Poghos Varzhapetyan

Poghos Varzhapetyan

RU HY

My name is Poghos Varzhapetyan. I've been working in tourism since 2016. I love traveling. As a tour guide, my goal is always to make guests fall in love with Armenia so much that at the end of the tour they don't say goodbye, but instead say, "See you again, Armenia!".

Arev Makhsudyan

Arev Makhsudyan

HY EN

My name is Arev (which means "Sun"). I am an English-speaking tour guide in Armenia, working since 2018. If you choose me as your guide, you will learn a lot about Armenian history, nature, culture, and traditions – and as a bonus, I'll perform Armenian traditional folk songs for you.

Reviews

Андрей

Moldova Moldova

20.03.2026

Тур произвел неизгладимое впечатление благодаря уникальным монастырям, невероятными по красоте природным достопримечательностям, а также отлично спланированной и великолепно проведенной экскурсии гидом Эдуардом и профессионалом в своей области водителем Аро. Спасибо вам за незабываемые впечатления о прекрасной Армении!

Светлана Манта

Portugal Portugal

03.11.2024

Были на трёх экскурсиях с тур агенством Hyur. Организация туров на высшем уровне, все по времени чётко, организобаны вкусные обеды в которые входят салаты, сыры, лепёшки, нарезанные овощи и фрукты, много зелени, очень вкусное второе, есть варианты для вегетарианцев, в автобусе есть вода и на первой остановке угощают Гатой. Отдельно хочу поблагодарить нашего гида, Арпи и водителя Спартака. Экскурсия в Эчмиадзин (Рипсиме, Гаяне, Кафедральный Собор снаружи, Музей Сокровища Эчмиадзина). Арпи просто восхитетльный гид. Чувствуется, что она обожает свою страну, гордится ею и болеет душой за неё. Арпи рассказывает очень интересно и воодушевлённо. Спасибо за подаренные эмоции.
Мы довольны работой туроператора и рекомендуем его всем, кто хочет получить незабываемые впечатления от путешествия по Армении!

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