Private tour: Hin Areni wine factory, Shaki Waterfall, Tatev Monastery, Ropeway, Karahunj Observatory
Natural wonders
Hin Areni wine factory (tour and tasting), Shaki Waterfall, Tatev Monastery, Wings of Tatev Ropeway, Karahunj (Zorats Karer) Observatory
1. Hin Areni wine factory
30-40 min
Vayots Dzor is a land where sun and stone have guarded the secret of wine for centuries, and the village of Areni became the ancient key to that mystery. Deep within its caves, archaeologists uncovered the world's oldest winemaking complex proof that grape and man were bound together on this land thousands of years ago. Since then, every vine of Areni seems to carry the memory of the ages, offering berries filled with the fragrance of ancient Armenia.
The "Hin Areni" wine factory continues this legend, turning grapes into a living message from both past and future. Here, tradition meets innovation: in halls filled with the aroma of freshly pressed wine, historic grape varieties gain new life with the help of modern technology. Yet despite its impressive capacity of processing over 250 tons of grapes, what you taste in every glass is not scale, but soul.
This wine is more than a drink it is the voice of the land, touched by the sun and winds of Vayots Dzor. Each sip invites you to hear the whisper of ancient caves, to feel the breath of eternity, and to understand why Areni is called the cradle of Armenian winemaking.
The "Hin Areni" wine factory continues this legend, turning grapes into a living message from both past and future. Here, tradition meets innovation: in halls filled with the aroma of freshly pressed wine, historic grape varieties gain new life with the help of modern technology. Yet despite its impressive capacity of processing over 250 tons of grapes, what you taste in every glass is not scale, but soul.
This wine is more than a drink it is the voice of the land, touched by the sun and winds of Vayots Dzor. Each sip invites you to hear the whisper of ancient caves, to feel the breath of eternity, and to understand why Areni is called the cradle of Armenian winemaking.
2. Shaki Waterfall
30-40 min
In the southern reaches of Armenia, not far from Sisian, lies a hidden jewel of Syunik – the Shaki Waterfall, a natural wonder that captivates from the very first glance. Nestled among rocky cliffs and green slopes, beneath the shade of ancient trees, streams of silver cascade down, filling the air with a soft roar and a refreshing coolness. Here, the same melody plays each day – the gentle music of water falling from above, as if it remembers the ancient songs of these mountains. Legend speaks of a beautiful maiden named Shaki who, fleeing her pursuers, leapt from the cliff into the rushing waters, which embraced her and forever kept her name.
The surrounding panorama of mighty mountains frames the waterfall like a living painting created by nature itself. In summer, the sun's rays refract through the mist, painting a rainbow in the air, while in winter the cascade transforms into a crystal palace of ice. This is a place made for silence and contemplation, where time fades away and only the voice of falling water remains. Shaki is not merely a landmark – it is a living legend, where nature and history merge in a single flowing stream.
The surrounding panorama of mighty mountains frames the waterfall like a living painting created by nature itself. In summer, the sun's rays refract through the mist, painting a rainbow in the air, while in winter the cascade transforms into a crystal palace of ice. This is a place made for silence and contemplation, where time fades away and only the voice of falling water remains. Shaki is not merely a landmark – it is a living legend, where nature and history merge in a single flowing stream.
3. Tatev Monastery
50-60 min
Amid the rugged ridges of Zangezur, high above deep gorges and winding mountain roads, rises the Tatev Monastery – an unrivaled masterpiece of medieval Armenian architecture. Founded in the 9th century on the site of an ancient pagan sanctuary, it became both the spiritual and political heart of the Syunik principality. Perched on the very edge of a cliff, its stone walls merge seamlessly with the mountain massif, while its strategic position made it nearly unreachable for enemies.
In troubled times, the monastery transformed into a fortress, shielded by powerful defenses that guarded not only the lives of the monks but also the treasures of the land. Hidden chambers and underground passages linked the monastery to the outside world, allowing it to withstand sieges. Legends say these secret routes safeguarded relics and manuscripts whenever danger loomed.
Tatev was a place where the undying light of faith intertwined with wisdom and political influence, where its walls echoed both prayers and decisions that shaped the destiny of Syunik.
Outside the monastery complex, but within the rocky gorge of the Vorotan river, there are other monasteries and churches that were destroyed during the 1931 Zangezur earthquake. All of this is given a special charm by the Devil's miraculous bridge and the Grand Hermitage of Syunik, located deep in the canyon, at the very bottom of the gorge. The latter was connected to the Tatev Monastery by a more than half-kilometer-long underground railway, which was also damaged by the earthquake and fulfilled with stones.
In troubled times, the monastery transformed into a fortress, shielded by powerful defenses that guarded not only the lives of the monks but also the treasures of the land. Hidden chambers and underground passages linked the monastery to the outside world, allowing it to withstand sieges. Legends say these secret routes safeguarded relics and manuscripts whenever danger loomed.
Tatev was a place where the undying light of faith intertwined with wisdom and political influence, where its walls echoed both prayers and decisions that shaped the destiny of Syunik.
Outside the monastery complex, but within the rocky gorge of the Vorotan river, there are other monasteries and churches that were destroyed during the 1931 Zangezur earthquake. All of this is given a special charm by the Devil's miraculous bridge and the Grand Hermitage of Syunik, located deep in the canyon, at the very bottom of the gorge. The latter was connected to the Tatev Monastery by a more than half-kilometer-long underground railway, which was also damaged by the earthquake and fulfilled with stones.
4. Wings of Tatev Ropeway
10-15 min
On October 16, 2010, the solemn toll of bells echoed across the Tatev Valley, announcing not only the revival of the medieval monastery complex but also the inauguration of an extraordinary feat of engineering – the "Wings of Tatev" cableway. Stretching 5.7 km, this aerial link connects the village of Halidzor with the ancient monastery and holds the Guinness World Record as the longest reversible cableway on the planet.
Built in just 11 months, it astonished even the most seasoned travelers: cabins glide effortlessly over the deep Vorotan River Gorge, above hills and forests fading into infinity. Three towering pylons, like stone sentinels, support the cables along which cabins travel simultaneously in opposite directions.
In an 11-minute flight, soaring more than 300 meters above the ground, passengers not only reach the Tatev Monastery but also witness breathtaking panoramas. Each cabin accommodates up to 30 people, while six specially engineered cables ensure a smooth and safe journey.
The "Wings of Tatev" is not merely transportation – it is a gateway to the past, where approaching the monastery feels like time and space weaving into a single tapestry. Here, the flight itself becomes part of the legend leading to the heart of Syunik.
Built in just 11 months, it astonished even the most seasoned travelers: cabins glide effortlessly over the deep Vorotan River Gorge, above hills and forests fading into infinity. Three towering pylons, like stone sentinels, support the cables along which cabins travel simultaneously in opposite directions.
In an 11-minute flight, soaring more than 300 meters above the ground, passengers not only reach the Tatev Monastery but also witness breathtaking panoramas. Each cabin accommodates up to 30 people, while six specially engineered cables ensure a smooth and safe journey.
The "Wings of Tatev" is not merely transportation – it is a gateway to the past, where approaching the monastery feels like time and space weaving into a single tapestry. Here, the flight itself becomes part of the legend leading to the heart of Syunik.
5. Karahunj (Zorats Karer) Observatory
20-30 min
On the windswept plains of Syunik, where rolling hills fade into open steppe, lies the enigmatic Karahunj a place where earth and sky seem to share an endless, silent conversation. This prehistoric historical and cultural reserve is also known as the "Zorats Karer", which translates as "firmly standing stones". Archaeologists date this ancient structure to the 6th-5th millennia BC, and although the Armenian government recognized this megalithic structure as an observatory in 2004, other researchers claim it is a burial site.
Massive stones, set with astonishing precision, form a mysterious circle, and some bear perfectly carved openings. Through these, ancient priests and sky-watchers may have tracked the stars, marked the seasons, and perhaps drawn the first celestial maps. Nearby petroglyphs reveal that the people of this land possessed remarkable astronomical knowledge long before writing was born.
At dusk, as the sun sinks behind the ridges and the heavens above Karahunj burst into a blaze of stars, one can almost hear the whispers of those who once searched the cosmos for answers.
Local lore says the stones hold the power of the universe itself, revealing it only to those who arrive with a pure heart. Today, Karahunj is more than an archaeological treasure it is a sacred point where history and the infinite sky merge into a single mystery.
Massive stones, set with astonishing precision, form a mysterious circle, and some bear perfectly carved openings. Through these, ancient priests and sky-watchers may have tracked the stars, marked the seasons, and perhaps drawn the first celestial maps. Nearby petroglyphs reveal that the people of this land possessed remarkable astronomical knowledge long before writing was born.
At dusk, as the sun sinks behind the ridges and the heavens above Karahunj burst into a blaze of stars, one can almost hear the whispers of those who once searched the cosmos for answers.
Local lore says the stones hold the power of the universe itself, revealing it only to those who arrive with a pure heart. Today, Karahunj is more than an archaeological treasure it is a sacred point where history and the infinite sky merge into a single mystery.
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
- Discover the unique taste of Armenian wine
- Enjoy the inspiring melody of nature
- Take the longest reversible cableway in the World, recorded in the Guinness Book of Records
- Immerse yourself in the secrets of one of the oldest observatories in the World
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...
