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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 – photo 1 Saghmosavank Monastery – photo 2 Saghmosavank Monastery – photo 3 Saghmosavank Monastery – photo 4 Saghmosavank Monastery – photo 5 Saghmosavank Monastery – photo 6 Saghmosavank Monastery – photo 7 Saghmosavank Monastery – photo 8 Saghmosavank Monastery – photo 9 Saghmosavank Monastery – photo 10 Saghmosavank Monastery – photo 11 Saghmosavank Monastery – photo 12 Saghmosavank Monastery – photo 13 Saghmosavank Monastery – photo 14 Saghmosavank Monastery – photo 15 Saghmosavank Monastery – photo 16 Saghmosavank Monastery – photo 17 Saghmosavank Monastery – photo 18
    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 – photo 1 Hovhannavank Monastery – photo 2 Hovhannavank Monastery – photo 3 Hovhannavank Monastery – photo 4 Hovhannavank Monastery – photo 5 Hovhannavank Monastery – photo 6 Hovhannavank Monastery – photo 7 Hovhannavank Monastery – photo 8 Hovhannavank Monastery – photo 9 Hovhannavank Monastery – photo 10 Hovhannavank Monastery – photo 11 Hovhannavank Monastery – photo 12 Hovhannavank Monastery – photo 13 Hovhannavank Monastery – photo 14 Hovhannavank Monastery – photo 15 Hovhannavank Monastery – photo 16 Hovhannavank Monastery – photo 17 Hovhannavank Monastery – photo 18
    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) – 11 USD per person
    Option 2 – 13 USD per person
    Option 3 – 14 USD per person

    4. Etchmiadzin Mother Cathedral

    50-60 min Details: Etchmiadzin Mother Cathedral
    Etchmiadzin Mother Cathedral – photo 1 Etchmiadzin Mother Cathedral – photo 2 Etchmiadzin Mother Cathedral – photo 3 Etchmiadzin Mother Cathedral – photo 4 Etchmiadzin Mother Cathedral – photo 5 Etchmiadzin Mother Cathedral – photo 6 Etchmiadzin Mother Cathedral – photo 7 Etchmiadzin Mother Cathedral – photo 8 Etchmiadzin Mother Cathedral – photo 9 Etchmiadzin Mother Cathedral – photo 10 Etchmiadzin Mother Cathedral – photo 11 Etchmiadzin Mother Cathedral – photo 12 Etchmiadzin Mother Cathedral – photo 13 Etchmiadzin Mother Cathedral – photo 14 Etchmiadzin Mother Cathedral – photo 15 Etchmiadzin Mother Cathedral – photo 16 Etchmiadzin Mother Cathedral – photo 17 Etchmiadzin Mother Cathedral – photo 18 Etchmiadzin Mother Cathedral – photo 19 Etchmiadzin Mother Cathedral – photo 20 Etchmiadzin Mother Cathedral – photo 21 Etchmiadzin Mother Cathedral – photo 22 Etchmiadzin Mother Cathedral – photo 23 Etchmiadzin Mother Cathedral – photo 24 Etchmiadzin Mother Cathedral – photo 25
    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 – photo 1 Zvartnots Temple – photo 2 Zvartnots Temple – photo 3 Zvartnots Temple – photo 4 Zvartnots Temple – photo 5 Zvartnots Temple – photo 6 Zvartnots Temple – photo 7 Zvartnots Temple – photo 8 Zvartnots Temple – photo 9 Zvartnots Temple – photo 10 Zvartnots Temple – photo 11 Zvartnots Temple – photo 12 Zvartnots Temple – photo 13 Zvartnots Temple – photo 14 Zvartnots Temple – photo 15 Zvartnots Temple – photo 16 Zvartnots Temple – photo 17 Zvartnots Temple – photo 18 Zvartnots Temple – photo 19 Zvartnots Temple – photo 20 Zvartnots Temple – photo 21 Zvartnots Temple – photo 22 Zvartnots Temple – photo 23 Zvartnots Temple – photo 24 Zvartnots Temple – photo 25 Zvartnots Temple – photo 26 Zvartnots Temple – photo 27 Zvartnots Temple – photo 28
    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 (11 USD – 14 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 Armenian gata masterclass?

    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 the liturgy at Etchmiadzin Mother Cathedral?

    On Sunday departures, you will have the opportunity to attend the Divine Liturgy at Etchmiadzin Mother Cathedral.

    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 during the Divine Liturgy, when the museum is closed. 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 this tour usually has 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

    Syuzanna Poghosyan

    Syuzanna Poghosyan

    RU HY

    My name is Syuzanna, and since 2016 I have been introducing guests to the wonderful Armenia with great love. For me, every tour is not just a story about the country but an opportunity to show its soul, to help you feel its history, culture, and hospitality. I am sincerely happy when I see how Armenia captures hearts, and I will do everything to make your journey warm, heartfelt, and unforgettable.

    Varduhi Gasparyan

    Varduhi Gasparyan

    RU HY

    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

    Meline Sahakyan

    HY EN ZH

    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

    Anna Harutyunyan

    RU HY EN

    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.

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