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Khor Virap Monastery, Birds-Cave, Hin Areni Wine factory, Noravank Monastery

Group tour: Khor Virap Monastery, Birds-Cave, Hin Areni Wine factory, Noravank Monastery

Full-day

Duration: 9-10 hours

Start time: 10:00

Tour language: English, Russian

Start & end point: 96, Nalbandyan str.

573 reviews

98% recommended

The most fascinating attractions of Armenia are here to amaze you! Visit Khor Virap monastery, a great place for embracing picturesque views of the Holy Mount Ararat. Next, see the monastery complex Noravank, that is unique in its construction as the church of Holy Mother of God is 2-storied monastery. After that have wine tasting in "Hin Areni" wine factory, which is one of the oldest settlements in Armenia, famous for its wines. Finally, visit an ancient cave called "Birds-Cave" or Areni-1.

Deposit

To secure the booking, full payment is required.

Cancellation

In case of cancellation at least 24 hours before the start time, the paid amount is refunded. In case of later cancellation or no-show, no amount is refunded.

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Number of people

Adult (age 8+)
Child (age 3-8) 50% discount
Infant (age 0-3) free of charge

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Price per person

0 USD

31.80 USD

Total price

31.80 USD

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Same tour privately

Khor Virap Monastery, Areni-1 (Birds-Cave), Hin Areni Wine factory (tour and tasting, lunch stop), Noravank Monastery

1. Khor Virap Monastery

50-60 min

Attraction page

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.

2. Areni-1 (Birds-Cave)

30-40 min

Attraction page

The cave is situated 12 km from Yeghegnadzor, on the left bank of river Areni. It consists of 3 halls, has approximately 500 m² area, the large part of which still hasn’t been explored. As a result of studies, metal knives, fruit seeds, grain residues, rope, dishes, clothing, dried grapes and plums, dated to 4200-3500 BC, were found in the cave. The oldest leather shoe of the world was found right here. It is more than 5500 years old. Also, in the same area, there were found world’s oldest women’s skirt (3900 BC), as well as the first winery in the whole world. Nowadays the mentioned winery is considered to be the ancient one and it is referred to 4th millennium BC. No one has lived inside the cave, at the meantime, wine consumption was of ritual meaning for people.

3. Hin Areni wine factory

30-40 min

Attraction page

Vayots Dzor and Areni village in particular has been the cradle of Armenian winemaking for millennia. "Hin Areni" wine factory opens up the doors of this region to the world to showcase the historic and indigenous Armenian grape varietals. At the winery the historic traditions of winemaking are well combined with state-of-the-art modern equipment. "Hin Areni" wine factory has the capacity to process over 250 tonnes of grapes.

Lunch stop

50-60 min

Optional lunch in the local traditional restaurant on own expense. One may choose between 3 different options:
Option 1 (vegeterian) – 7.75 USD per person
Option 2 – 9.35 USD per person
Option 3 – 10.42 USD per person

4. Noravank Monastery

50-60 min

Attraction page

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.

Inclusions

Professional guide: ENG + RUS consecutively
Air-conditioned vehicles
Bottled water & pastries
Admission tickets
Wi-Fi in the vehicles
Vehicle & passengers insurance
Wine tasting

Exclusions

Lunch cost (10.42 USD – 13.09 USD)
Hotel drop-off (final stop: our office)

Highlights

Enjoy the architecture of 17th century pilgrimage site
Embrace the stunning views of Biblical Mount Ararat
Observe the magnificent 2-storied monastery in Armenia
Discover the unique taste of Armenian wine

Frequently Asked Questions

Is there any distance to be carried on foot?

Yes, it is needed to go up ~180 m (including climbing stairs) to reach Khor Virap Monastery. Also, be prepared for some stairs along the path to Birds-Cave. While they're not too difficult, they may be a bit challenging for some. However, the climb is definitely worth it, offering stunning views and a unique cave experience.

In case I do not drink wine, what should I do during the tasting time?

You're entirely free to skip the wine tasting if you prefer. Just keep in mind that this part of the tour includes an introduction to the Armenian winemaking tradition along with a tasting of several wine varieties.

Can I pay for the lunch in the restaurant by card?

Lunch venues may not always support card transactions, so we advise carrying Armenian Drams in cash.

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?

For your comfort on the tour, we suggest wearing sport walking shoes and bringing clothing suited to weather, including a jacket or coat. The regions are generally cooler than Yerevan. When visiting religious landmarks, women should wear modest attire and avoid revealing outfits out of respect.

Meet our Guides

Varduhi Gasparyan

Barev dzez or hello! I'm Varduhi, a tour guide in Armenia since 2022. In tourism, this is quite some time – it has given me an understanding of how to make every tour not just informative but truly engaging. With me, you won't just see the sights of my beautiful Armenia and learn its history – you'll feel the soul of the country, its traditions, and its atmosphere.

Meline Sahakyan

Hi everyone! I'm Meline, and I'm a certified tour guide. If you want to visit and explore our beautiful country, Armenia, with a knowledgeable and sociable guide, it would be an honor for me to be your guide. Welcome to Armenia – Հայաստան.

Anna Harutyunyan

I'm Anna. Since 2010, I have been helping tourists not only discover Armenia's amazing uniqueness, the depth of its history, and the phenomenon of its existence, but also enjoy inner peace and harmony together with them.

Gayane Mkrtchyan

I'm Gayane – a small part of Armenia. Do you want to breathe in the scent of this land, feel the taste of our dishes passed down through centuries, hear the roar of endless rivers and the whisper of towering mountains, and why not, listen to the stories of our stone-carved monuments? Let's discover this ancient land together.

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Group tour: Khor Virap Monastery, Birds-Cave, Hin Areni Wine factory, Noravank Monastery