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Group tour: Saghmosavank, Hovhannavank, Armenian Gata Masterclass, Etchmiadzin, Zvartnots

Christmas Special

Itinerary

Saghmosavank Monastery, Hovhannavank Monastery, Lunch stop & Armenian Gata Masterclass, Etchmiadzin Mother Cathedral, Zvartnots Temple

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

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

2. Saghmosavank Monastery

30-40 min Details: Saghmosavank Monastery
Saghmosavank Monastery Saghmosavank Monastery Saghmosavank Monastery Saghmosavank Monastery Saghmosavank Monastery Saghmosavank Monastery Saghmosavank Monastery Saghmosavank Monastery Saghmosavank Monastery Saghmosavank Monastery Saghmosavank Monastery Saghmosavank Monastery Saghmosavank Monastery Saghmosavank Monastery Saghmosavank Monastery Saghmosavank Monastery Saghmosavank Monastery Saghmosavank Monastery
On the edge of the scenic Kasakh Gorge, just north of Mughni, rises Saghmosavank, the Monastery of Psalms, a name that itself sounds like a prayer. Founded in the 12th-13th centuries by the noble Vachutyan family, it became not only a spiritual haven but also a sanctuary where priceless manuscripts were copied and preserved. The complex is composed of four structures: the grand main Church of Saint Zion, a narthex, a spacious library and the modest Chapel of the Holy Mother of God. Perched above the abyss of the gorge, Saghmosavank's stone walls have witnessed the passage of centuries, holding within them the strength of countless prayers and the quiet rhythm of nature's voice.

3. Hovhannavank Monastery

30-40 min Details: Hovhannavank Monastery
Hovhannavank Monastery Hovhannavank Monastery Hovhannavank Monastery Hovhannavank Monastery Hovhannavank Monastery Hovhannavank Monastery Hovhannavank Monastery Hovhannavank Monastery Hovhannavank Monastery Hovhannavank Monastery Hovhannavank Monastery Hovhannavank Monastery Hovhannavank Monastery Hovhannavank Monastery Hovhannavank Monastery Hovhannavank Monastery Hovhannavank Monastery Hovhannavank Monastery
On the slopes of the picturesque Aragatsotn region, in the village of Ohanavan, Hovhannavank monastery rises – an ancient sanctuary whose story reaches deep into the past. According to tradition, the first structures appeared here as early as the 5th century, when the Christian faith in Armenia was only beginning to take shape in stone. Through the centuries, the monastery was rebuilt many times, preserving within its walls the memory of different eras and patrons.

Lunch stop & Armenian Gata Masterclass

80-90 min
Lunch stop & Armenian Gata Masterclass
Optional lunch in the local traditional restaurant on own expense. One may choose between 3 different options:
Option 1 (vegeterian) – 10.90 USD per person
Option 2 – 12.57 USD per person
Option 3 – 13.69 USD per person

4. Etchmiadzin Mother Cathedral

50-60 min Details: Etchmiadzin Mother Cathedral
Etchmiadzin Mother Cathedral Etchmiadzin Mother Cathedral Etchmiadzin Mother Cathedral Etchmiadzin Mother Cathedral Etchmiadzin Mother Cathedral Etchmiadzin Mother Cathedral Etchmiadzin Mother Cathedral Etchmiadzin Mother Cathedral Etchmiadzin Mother Cathedral Etchmiadzin Mother Cathedral Etchmiadzin Mother Cathedral Etchmiadzin Mother Cathedral Etchmiadzin Mother Cathedral Etchmiadzin Mother Cathedral Etchmiadzin Mother Cathedral Etchmiadzin Mother Cathedral Etchmiadzin Mother Cathedral Etchmiadzin Mother Cathedral Etchmiadzin Mother Cathedral Etchmiadzin Mother Cathedral Etchmiadzin Mother Cathedral Etchmiadzin Mother Cathedral Etchmiadzin Mother Cathedral Etchmiadzin Mother Cathedral Etchmiadzin Mother Cathedral
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.

5. Zvartnots Temple

30-40 min Details: Zvartnots Temple
Zvartnots Temple Zvartnots Temple Zvartnots Temple Zvartnots Temple Zvartnots Temple Zvartnots Temple Zvartnots Temple Zvartnots Temple Zvartnots Temple Zvartnots Temple Zvartnots Temple Zvartnots Temple Zvartnots Temple Zvartnots Temple Zvartnots Temple Zvartnots Temple Zvartnots Temple Zvartnots Temple Zvartnots Temple Zvartnots Temple Zvartnots Temple Zvartnots Temple Zvartnots Temple Zvartnots Temple Zvartnots Temple Zvartnots Temple Zvartnots Temple Zvartnots Temple
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: 17:30 – 18:30

Inclusions

  • Professional guide: ENG + RUS consecutively

  • Bottled water & pastries

  • Admission tickets

  • Wi-Fi in the vehicles

  • Vehicle & passengers insurance

  • Masterclass & tasting

Exclusions

  • Lunch cost (10.90 USD – 13.69 USD)

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

Highlights

  • Experience the dramatic setting of Saghmosavank and Hovhannavank, perched high above the Kasakh Gorge
  • Roll up your sleeves for an Armenian Gata Masterclass, make and taste your own gata, then enjoy lunch
  • Step into Armenia's spiritual heart at Etchmiadzin Mother Cathedral, where more than 17 centuries of Christian history unfold
  • Walk among the UNESCO-listed ruins of Zvartnots and imagine the scale and splendor of its 7th-century cathedral

Practical Info

What can I expect from the Holiday sweet master class?

Guests will take part in a hands-on baking experience and learn how to prepare gata, a beloved Armenian pastry. They'll discover how its rich khoriz filling is made from flour, butter and sugar, shape the pastry themselves and finish by tasting their freshly baked gata while it's still warm.

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?

You can, indeed, visit the "Treasures of Etchmiadzin" museum during your time at the Mother Cathedral, but, please, note that the entry ticket is not included in the price of our tour and is to 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

Gayane Mkrtchyan

Gayane Mkrtchyan

RU HY EN

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.

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!".

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