Private tour: Haghpat Monastery, Sanahin Monastery, main sights of Tbilisi
Haghpat Monastery, Sanahin Monastery, main sights of Tbilisi
1. Haghpat Monastery
50-60 min
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.
Within its sacred grounds stand the Church of the Holy Mother of God, erected in 1025, the Church of Surb Nshan, the library and many other edifices that together shape the monastery into a miniature city of faith. In the late 18th century, the great troubadour Sayat-Nova lived and created here, weaving verses and songs that captured the soul of the Caucasus. Even now, one feels his echo within these walls, as if the strings of his instrument still tremble in the air.
But Haghpat was never just a monastery. It was a haven of thought and learning: manuscripts were penned, books safeguarded and ideas exchanged that nourished both faith and intellect. Today, inscribed on the UNESCO World Heritage List, Haghpat continues to remind the world of Armenia's golden spiritual era.
Standing at the foot of its ancient walls, one senses how time folds upon itself – the silence of the monastery filled with an eternal chant, where prayer and song weave into a single, timeless harmony.
Within its sacred grounds stand the Church of the Holy Mother of God, erected in 1025, the Church of Surb Nshan, the library and many other edifices that together shape the monastery into a miniature city of faith. In the late 18th century, the great troubadour Sayat-Nova lived and created here, weaving verses and songs that captured the soul of the Caucasus. Even now, one feels his echo within these walls, as if the strings of his instrument still tremble in the air.
But Haghpat was never just a monastery. It was a haven of thought and learning: manuscripts were penned, books safeguarded and ideas exchanged that nourished both faith and intellect. Today, inscribed on the UNESCO World Heritage List, Haghpat continues to remind the world of Armenia's golden spiritual era.
Standing at the foot of its ancient walls, one senses how time folds upon itself – the silence of the monastery filled with an eternal chant, where prayer and song weave into a single, timeless harmony.
2. Sanahin Monastery
40-50 min
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.
The first structures built here were the Church of the Holy Mother of God and the Church of Amenaprkich (All-Savior), around which other chapels and utility buildings gradually appeared. Between the two churches, architects originally left a narrow passage, but soon realized the risk: in the event of an earthquake, both might collapse. The solution turned out to be not only practical but ingeniously creative – the passage was filled with a new building, the Academy, which not only strengthened the seismic stability of the complex but also transformed Sanahin into a flourishing hub of science and enlightenment.
Here, prominent scholars worked, manuscripts were copied and created and traditions of Armenian intellectual thought were shaped. The stone vaults and austere architectural lines still impress with their harmony and grandeur, preserving the breath of centuries.
Today, included on the UNESCO World Heritage List, Sanahin stands not only as a monument of architecture but also as a living symbol of the power of knowledge, faith and art that defined medieval Armenia.
The first structures built here were the Church of the Holy Mother of God and the Church of Amenaprkich (All-Savior), around which other chapels and utility buildings gradually appeared. Between the two churches, architects originally left a narrow passage, but soon realized the risk: in the event of an earthquake, both might collapse. The solution turned out to be not only practical but ingeniously creative – the passage was filled with a new building, the Academy, which not only strengthened the seismic stability of the complex but also transformed Sanahin into a flourishing hub of science and enlightenment.
Here, prominent scholars worked, manuscripts were copied and created and traditions of Armenian intellectual thought were shaped. The stone vaults and austere architectural lines still impress with their harmony and grandeur, preserving the breath of centuries.
Today, included on the UNESCO World Heritage List, Sanahin stands not only as a monument of architecture but also as a living symbol of the power of knowledge, faith and art that defined medieval Armenia.
3. Tbilisi
140-150 min
280 kilometers north of Yerevan stretches Tbilisi, the capital of Georgia – a city where the past and the present beat in the same vibrant rhythm. At its heart runs the Kura River, an artery that unites centuries, mirroring in its waters church domes, bridges and the sparkling lights of the metropolis. In its narrow alleys whispers of history can still be heard, while the wide avenues breathe with the pulse of a modern city.
Tbilisi keeps treasures of time: old quarters, majestic cathedrals and half-ruined fortresses, where centuries seem to pause, standing beside shining business centers and bold contemporary architecture. The Narikala district, with its winding medieval streets leading to the ancient fortress overlooking the city, adds a special charm. Meanwhile, Rustaveli Avenue astonishes with its grandeur – a cultural stage lined with theaters, museums and palaces, embodying Georgia's artistic spirit.
The city is a living contrast: ornate balconies and courtyards of the past neighbor with Soviet-era monuments and glass-and-steel towers of today. From the cable car, Tbilisi unfolds like an open palm – a breathtaking panorama where history and modernity merge into one harmonious pattern.
Tbilisi is more than a capital; it is the soul of Georgia, a city where everyone discovers a reflection of their own story and carries away its living breath.
Tbilisi keeps treasures of time: old quarters, majestic cathedrals and half-ruined fortresses, where centuries seem to pause, standing beside shining business centers and bold contemporary architecture. The Narikala district, with its winding medieval streets leading to the ancient fortress overlooking the city, adds a special charm. Meanwhile, Rustaveli Avenue astonishes with its grandeur – a cultural stage lined with theaters, museums and palaces, embodying Georgia's artistic spirit.
The city is a living contrast: ornate balconies and courtyards of the past neighbor with Soviet-era monuments and glass-and-steel towers of today. From the cable car, Tbilisi unfolds like an open palm – a breathtaking panorama where history and modernity merge into one harmonious pattern.
Tbilisi is more than a capital; it is the soul of Georgia, a city where everyone discovers a reflection of their own story and carries away its living breath.
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
- See the beauties of Armenia on a long and exciting journey
- Visit monastic complexes included in the UNESCO World Cultural Heritage List
- Experience the art of 10th century architecture
- See the most popular sites of the capital of Georgia
- Stroll along the cozy streets of the old town
- Feel the incomparable Georgian flavor
*Residents of some countries (please, check the details at the office) may need to apply for the visa in advance to enter Georgia or/and to obtain one more entry visa to come back to Armenia
*Entry visa to Georgia or/and entry visa to come back to Armenia is NOT included
*Kindly have your Valid Passport with you for crossing the border & hotel check-in
Booking conditions
Cancellation & modification
Meet our Guides
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
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.
You might also like...
