Private tour: Khor Virap Monastery, Noravank Monastery
Khor Virap Monastery, Noravank Monastery
1. Khor Virap Monastery
50-60 min
Today, visitors can descend into the same narrow cell, breathing the cool air that still carries the weight of unending prayers. From this hill, Mount Ararat rises so close it feels within reach – its slopes bathed in gold at dawn, then clothed in crimson fire as the sun sinks beyond the horizon. Khor Virap remains a place where time pauses, where the whisper of history lingers in the wind and where the sight of Ararat awakens something eternal within the soul.
There is a story that Noah landed his ark on the slopes of Masis and planted a grapevine there. In August, when the snow on Mount Sis melts, the grapes give their first harvest in honor of the victory of the patriarch Hayk, which begins the New Year of the Armenian pagan calendar and now it is celebrated as the grape blessing. In October, when the snow covers the slopes of Sis with its sheet, Armenians make a "machar" (young wine) to mark the time for making wine and thus begins the wine festival.
2. Noravank Monastery
50-60 min
The monastery took shape in the 13th century, with the Church of Saint Karapet (1216-1221) at its core, its stones breathing the centuries. To the north stands the Church of Saint Gregory (1275), while the masterpiece of the complex is the Church of the Holy Mother of God (1339), famed for its striking western façade. A narrow, pyramid-shaped stone staircase leading to the second floor has become Noravank's most iconic feature, admired by architects around the world. These steps, seemingly suspended in air, link earth to sky, turning each ascent into a journey of spiritual elevation.
Through the centuries, the monastery endured wars, earthquakes and abandonment, yet, like a phoenix, it always rose again. Today, Noravank is not only an architectural marvel but also a place of power, where the raw beauty of nature and the grandeur of design merge into a timeless harmony.
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
- Enjoy the architecture of 17th century pilgrimage site
- Embrace the stunning views of Biblical Mount Ararat
- Observe the magnificent 2-storied monastery in Armenia
Booking conditions
Cancellation & modification
Meet our Guides
Manya Gevorgyan
I have been a tour guide since 2015. To this day, every excursion is a great source of positive energy for me. During the tours, you will not only get acquainted with the sights, the country's history, and its architectural features, but also feel the full charm of the Armenian emotional mindset and lifestyle.
Anahit Aslanyan
Education – musical-pedagogical and cultural studies. I have worked in the fields of tourism, education, and culture in Russia and Armenia. Currently, I work as a guide at the Armenian Genocide Museum-Institute and in the company "Hyur Service". As a person with a humanities education and a cultural studies mindset, I strive to present my homeland as comprehensively as possible so that visitors gain a general impression of the history and art of the Armenian people. I pay special attention to mental and cultural characteristics to make every visitor's stay in Armenia comfortable and positive. I continue to study and share new knowledge.
Anahit Ghazaryan
My name is Anahit Ghazaryan, and since 2015 I have been in a state of love! I am in love with Armenia, and I always want to talk about it! Come visit! I guarantee it will be beautiful, easy, delicious, and fun! Let's discover Armenia together, enjoy it, and fall in love! I don't like legends and tell them only when absolutely necessary, and only those that feature real historical figures! Since I was born in the middle of the last century, I talk about some events not as a historian, but as a witness!
Armine Julhakyan
Hello! I'm Armine, your guide in Armenia. With me, you'll discover not only the famous landmarks but also the hidden gems of my country.
You might also like...
