Private tour: Arch of Charents, Garni Temple, Geghard Monastery, Symphony of Stones

Itinerary

Arch of Charents, Garni Temple, Geghard Monastery, Symphony of Stones (Garni Canyon)

1. Arch of Charents

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The Arch of Charents is not just an architectural monument but a poetic tribute to Armenia and its sacred symbol – Mount Ararat. It was designed by architect Rafael Israelyan, who, while on his way to Garni, stopped at this very spot and was struck by the breathtaking view of the snow-capped Masis. That moment inspired him to create a kind of "temple" dedicated to Ararat – an arch framing the majestic mountain as if in a painting. It is said that the poet himself loved visiting these places, making this monument a living reminder of his legacy.

2. Garni Temple

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On the edge of a triangular cliff, high above the roaring waters of the Azat River, rises the pagan temple of Garni – the sole guardian of Armenia's classical heritage that has survived the centuries. Its elegant columns, turned toward the sun, seem to continue their silent homage to Mihr, the solar god to whom the temple was dedicated.

3. Geghard Monastery

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Amid the wild cliffs of Kotayk Gorge, where the wind carries the scent of stone and pine, the Monastery of Geghard appears as if the mountain itself had carved a sanctuary for eternity. Its walls, half fortress and half cave, rise from the rock like a prayer solidified in stone. Here, silence is alive, filled with the soft echo of centuries-old hymns.

4. Symphony of Stones (Garni Canyon)

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Deep within the Garni Canyon, nature has sculpted one of Armenia's most unusual wonders – the majestic polygonal basalt columns that seem to have stepped out of an ancient legend. Formed thousands of years ago from solidified volcanic lava, these towering blocks astonish with their precision and harmony. Rising skyward in strict vertical lines, they resemble the pipes of a colossal organ, which gave them the name "Basalt Organ" or "Symphony of Stones".

Inclusions

  • Professional drivers

  • Air-conditioned vehicles

  • Bottled water

  • Free pick-up & drop-off within Yerevan

  • Vehicle & passengers insurance

  • Extra stops on the route upon request

Exclusions

  • Significant deviations from the route

  • Alcoholic beverages if lunch option selected

  • Audio guides

  • Wi-Fi in the vehicles

Booking conditions

Cancellation & modification

Meet our Guides

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.

Melania Hakobyan

Melania Hakobyan

FR HY

I am Melania Hakobyan, a member of the Armenian Association of Professional Guides and the Armenian Tourism Federation. Since 2017, I have had the honor of accompanying tourists and official delegations, presenting not only Armenia's ancient history but also the warmth and legendary hospitality of my people. Guiding is not just a profession for me; it is a mission to represent my homeland with pride and love. If you wish to discover Armenia not through the eyes of a tourist but through the soul of an Armenian, it would be a great honor for me to accompany you.

Arevik Avetisyan

Arevik Avetisyan

HY DE

I'm Arevik Avetisyan, German-speaking tour guide. Why choose me? My deep knowledge of Armenia's heritage, combined with fluent German communication and sense of humour, ensures an engaging and fun experience for every guest. With me as your guide, the guests will discover Armenia not just through sights, but through authentic stories, local connections, and unforgettable moments.

Tigran Balyan

Tigran Balyan

RU HY EN

Hello, I am Tigran a guide in my wonderful and lovely Armenia ❤️ I am guiding in my country and with this passion I can share kindness, joy and smiles to my tourists. My experience is already 7 plus years and I enjoy architecture, wine and mountains in amazing Armenia.

Reviews

Сергей

Russia

06.10.2026

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Many thanks to our guide, Akob, for an informative private tour of Armenia for my wife and me.

Akob introduced us to the history of his country, which he loves dearly, as well as its culture and religious traditions. He was happy to answer our questions and point out architectural details and symbols we might otherwise have missed.

We visited the rock-hewn Geghard Monastery and learned about its construction and Armenian khachkars. In the gorge, we saw the “Symphony of Stones” and listened to an explanation of how the basalt columns formed. After lunch, we visited Garni, where we explored the pagan temple, ancient structures, and a stone bearing cuneiform inscriptions, and learned about the excavations and research. We ended the route at the Charents Arch. Ararat was veiled in haze, so we didn’t get to see it this time. (Though, as we learned, Nikolay I was also out of luck once 😊)

We especially appreciate Akob’s thoughtfulness: he adjusted to our pace and preferences, checked our lunch preferences in advance, helped us place our order at the restaurant, and found a phone charger for my wife. Thanks to him, the day passed without any rush or practical hassles.

Special thanks to our driver, Ovik, for his careful driving and friendliness. We recommend Akob to anyone interested in Armenia’s history and culture. Thank you for an informative day and for taking care of our comfort.

Вера

Russia

10.06.2026

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I’d like to share my impressions of our trip to Garni, Geghard, and the Symphony of Stones Gorge.

It was an incredibly action-packed and comfortable tour. We saw the majestic ancient Temple of Garni, the unique “Symphony of Stones” in the gorge, and the spiritual Geghard Monastery, carved into the rock.

Special thanks to our guide, David, for his fascinating commentary and personal approach, and to our driver, Ashot, for driving so safely.

I recommend this trip to anyone who wants to see the real Armenia in great company.

Elena Shak

United States of America

08.11.2025

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We were absolutely delighted with our private tour! Garni Temple, Geghard Monastery,
Garni Canyon Symphony of stones. Our driver, Grigor, was a true professional—he drove very carefully and confidently, and his stories were so interesting that time flew by.
He knows the history and culture of Armenia inside out and shared facts and legends so warmly, as if he were opening up the soul of his country to us.
We sincerely thank him for his care, attentiveness, and genuine kindness! You can feel his experience, intelligence, and sincere desire to make the trip unforgettable. Thank you so much!

Виген

Russia

15.07.2025

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A wonderful tour of Garni and Geghard with our guide David and driver Mark. This was my second time taking the same tour, but with a different group, so I wasn’t expecting anything particularly surprising. But the guide’s presentation, enthusiasm, and passion for his work and history exceeded all expectations. A huge thank-you to the service for making it possible to spend time this way in this wonderful country.

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