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Haghpat and Sanahin Monasteries, Akhtala Fortress

Private tour: Haghpat and Sanahin Monasteries, Akhtala Fortress

Full-day

Historical & Heritage

Full-day

Duration: 11-12 hours

Mileage: 390 km

During this long and engaging private tour through Lori, the first visit is to Haghpat Monastery, a majestic 10th-century monument included in the UNESCO World Heritage List, where the famous ashugh Sayat-Nova lived and worked at the end of the 18th century. The next stop is Sanahin Monastery, another UNESCO-listed gem of Lori. Here you can admire the skill of 10th-century masters, whose thoughtful architectural solutions helped protect the complex from possible earthquakes. The final visit is to Akhtala Fortress, where a remarkable monastery complex with three churches stands within the fortress walls, surrounded by the landscapes of northern Armenia. This route is long, but rich in history, architecture and the calm beauty of Lori, leaving a strong and lasting impression.

Deposit

To secure the booking, you can pay just 15% of the tour price.

Cancellation

In case of cancellation or no-show, 15% of the tour price is not refunded.

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Number of people

Please, include also children and infants

This tour can be realized for maximum 50 people in one group, if guide service is required.

Guide

Vehicle – Photos

Start date & time

Select

Admissions to attractions:

Free

(18.04 USD per person)

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Total price

pers.
Start date:
Admissions included
Lunch included

0 USD

177 USD

(until 28th July)

pers.

To secure the booking you can pay just 15% deposit:

26.60 USD

Added to cart

Itinerary

Haghpat Monastery, Sanahin Monastery, Akhtala Fortress

1. Haghpat Monastery

50-60 min Details: Haghpat Monastery

To the northeast of Sanahin, cradled by the lofty peaks of Lori, stretches the monastery of Haghpat – a masterpiece of Armenian medieval art, where stone speaks the language of centuries. Founded in the 10th century under King Ashot III of the Bagratuni dynasty, it rose at a time when Armenia blossomed in culture and spirit. The weathered walls of Haghpat still carry the resonance of that golden age, bearing silent witness to the passage of time.

2. Sanahin Monastery

40-50 min Details: Sanahin Monastery

Not far from Haghpat, in the heart of the Lori region, rises Sanahin Monastery – a true marvel of Armenia's medieval architecture. Its construction began in the second half of the 10th century, during the reign of King Ashot III and from the very beginning the complex was conceived as both a spiritual and educational center.

3. Akhtala Fortress

40-50 min Details: Akhtala Fortress

Akhtala Fortress, like a timeless stone sentinel, rises proudly on a high plateau in the picturesque Lori region, resembling a peninsula embraced on three sides by deep gorges. As early as the 10th century, builders fused nature's raw power with human craft: sheer cliffs were reinforced with tall defensive walls and the entrances were guarded by imposing three-tiered towers. For centuries, these walls withstood invasions and preserved within their silence the breath of history.

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

What to expect

Travel through Lori on a long journey filled with history and mountain scenery
Visit Haghpat and Sanahin, two of Armenia's greatest monastic treasures
Admire the thoughtful beauty of 10th-century Armenian architecture
Explore Akhtala Fortress, where medieval walls, churches and northern landscapes meet

Meet our Guides

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.

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.

Anush Malyans

FR FA

I am Anush Malyants, and since 2008 I have been working at "Hyur Service" company as a tour guide in French and Persian. I will be happy to welcome you to Armenia and help you discover this wonderful country. I will also tell you why I have been living here with my family since 2001.

Hilda Mansourian

HY AR

My name is Hilda Mansourian. I was born in Aleppo. Since 2000, I have been volunteering at AGBU (Armenian Relief Society). I work in Armenian embroidery and as a tour guide. Why choose me? I want my group to return impressed by the beauty of my homeland's history and, above all, by the hospitality reflected in my smile.

Reviews

Ася Шахинян

Bulgaria

25.09.2025

Лори - место, которое заставит вас "затаить дыхание".
Это очень познавательная поездка. Прекрасный гид Эдуард ,который сделал все, чтобы это путешествие стало незабываемым. Он рассказал нам всё об истории и культуре северного региона Армении. И долгий, но очень насыщенный день пролетел незаметно. Огромное спасибо водителю Айку, который безопасно провёл нас по всем горным дорогам. Настоятельно рекомендую этот тур и этот экип.

Сергей Возный

Russia

11.08.2022

Спасибо за прекрасно организованную экскурсию в монастыри Ахпат, Санаин и крепость Ахтала. Отдельное спасибо экскурсоводу Сюзанне.

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Private tour: Haghpat and Sanahin Monasteries, Akhtala Fortress

Itinerary