Private tour: St. Hripsime, St. Gayane, Etchmiadzin Cathedral and Museum, Zvartnots, Yerevan City Tour

Itinerary

St. Hripsime Church, St. Gayane Church, Etchmiadzin Mother Cathedral, Treasures of Etchmiadzin Museum, Zvartnots Temple, Yerevan (Main Sights)

1. St. Hripsime Church

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Before the gates of ancient Etchmiadzin, on a sunlit hill, rises the Church of Saint Hripsime – a stone testament to a love for God stronger than fear or death. Legend speaks of the beautiful Hripsime, whose heart belonged not to earthly passions but to her faith. King Tiridates III, captivated by her beauty, offered her his hand and throne. Hripsime refused, choosing instead the path of devotion to Christ. Enraged, the king ordered her to be tortured and executed and the ground that drank her blood became sacred.

2. St. Gayane Church

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Among the sacred landmarks of Etchmiadzin, the Church of Saint Gayane stands out as a quiet guardian of the memory of the first Christian martyrs. Rising just south of the Mother Cathedral, it marks the place where, according to tradition, the blood of Gayane, the mentor of Saint Hripsime, was shed in her ultimate testimony of faith.

3. Etchmiadzin Mother Cathedral

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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.

4. Treasures of Etchmiadzin Museum

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In the southeastern wing of the ancient Etchmiadzin Cathedral lies one of the most sacred places of Armenian spirituality – the "Treasures of Etchmiadzin" museum. It is more than a collection of relics; it is a sanctuary of memory where centuries-old faith and legend take on tangible form.

5. Zvartnots Temple

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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. Yerevan (Main Sights)

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Yerevan, the capital of Armenia and one of the oldest cities in the world, was founded in 782 BC, making it 29 years older than Rome. Its story begins with the fortress of Erebuni, built by King Argishti I and today the ancient ruins coexist in harmony with modern buildings and lively streets. The city is poetically called the "pink" capital, since most of its buildings are made of volcanic tuff in warm shades of pink that glow beautifully at sunset.

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

Karen Khachatryan

Karen Khachatryan

RU HY EN

Dear friends, my name is Karen, and I am your guide through the amazing Armenia. My many years of experience allow me to conduct fascinating tours to the most popular and interesting places in the country. I bring history to life, sing psalms in ancient churches, and tell captivating legends, making your journey unforgettable. With me, you can expect a safe, informative, and vibrant trip!

Khachatur Mirzoyan

Khachatur Mirzoyan

HY EN

My name is Khachatur, which is the Armenian variation of Chris (Christopher), and I'm comfortable with that as well. I have been working as a tour guide since 2012. I'm a sociable person, love interacting with people, and always do my best to make sure the tour lives up to our guests' expectations.

Marina Mirumyan

Marina Mirumyan

RU HY EN

Hi, my name is Marina Mirumyan, and I am a tour guide at "Hyur Service" company. Haven't traveled to Armenia yet? Then plan a visit and be our guest! Join my tours with "Hyur Service" to discover the endless hospitality of our people, the breathtaking views of our mountainous country, the ancient culture, traditions, delicious cuisine, and much more! Travel with "Hyur Service" to create lasting memories!

Tamara Arakelyan

Tamara Arakelyan

HY EN

I am Tamara. I live in Armenia and through Armenia. If you want to feel the taste, scent, and colors of Armenia and fall in love with our country, then let's go on a tour together. Just like all my guests, I'm sure you too will want to come back again.

Reviews

Маргарита

Russia

07.08.2022

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The tour to Echmiadzin and Zvartnots made a great impression on us. Many thanks to our guide, Mane, for her wonderful and engaging commentary! We learned a lot about Armenia’s holy sites and the ancient traditions of the Armenian people. Special thanks to our driver, Khachik, for his professionalism. We recommend your travel agency to everyone.

Надежда Симоненко

Armenia

08.06.2022

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We went on a sightseeing tour of Yerevan plus Etchmiadzin with our guide Mani and driver Karen, and we were soooo happy with it. Mani is very pleasant and positive, speaks beautifully, and knows a lot. Karen, for his part, impressed us with his calm and safe driving! Highly recommend!

Светлана Сидякинв

Russia

18.05.2022

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A wonderful tour. Guide Tigran presented the material in a very interesting way and speaks Russian beautifully; the tour flew by. First, we had a sightseeing tour of Yerevan, then a trip to Etchmiadzin. Driver Mais drives very carefully.