0
  1. Home
  2. Tours
  3. Private Tours
  4. Echmiadzin Cathedral, St. Hripsime, St. Gayane, Gata making, Voskeni wine factory

Private tour: Echmiadzin Cathedral, St. Hripsime, St. Gayane, Gata making, Voskeni wine factory

Echmiadzin Mother Cathedral, St. Hripsime Church, St. Gayane Church, Gata making master class, Voskeni wine factory

1. Etchmiadzin Mother Cathedral

50-60 min
Attraction page
Etchmiadzin Mother Cathedral Etchmiadzin Mother Cathedral Etchmiadzin Mother Cathedral Etchmiadzin Mother Cathedral Etchmiadzin Mother Cathedral Etchmiadzin Mother Cathedral Etchmiadzin Mother Cathedral Etchmiadzin Mother Cathedral Etchmiadzin Mother Cathedral Etchmiadzin Mother Cathedral Etchmiadzin Mother Cathedral Etchmiadzin Mother Cathedral Etchmiadzin Mother Cathedral Etchmiadzin Mother Cathedral Etchmiadzin Mother Cathedral Etchmiadzin Mother Cathedral Etchmiadzin Mother Cathedral Etchmiadzin Mother Cathedral Etchmiadzin Mother Cathedral Etchmiadzin Mother Cathedral Etchmiadzin Mother Cathedral Etchmiadzin Mother Cathedral Etchmiadzin Mother Cathedral Etchmiadzin Mother Cathedral Etchmiadzin Mother Cathedral
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.

Erected in the 4th century, soon after Armenia became the first nation to adopt Christianity as its state religion, it has stood as a symbol of faith and everlasting hope. Its walls have witnessed coronations and mourning rites, heard the prayers of kings and humble pilgrims alike, and each stone carries the breath of centuries.

Surrounding the cathedral stand three churches Saint Hripsime, Saint Gayane, and Saint Shoghakat built in honor of martyred virgins whose sacrifice consecrated this land. Inside, the air is infused with the scent of incense, the gentle glow of oil lamps, and the murmurs of age-old prayers. Here, time loses its grip, and one feels part of a greater story, where faith, sacrifice, and love are bound together.

Today, included in the UNESCO World Heritage List, Etchmiadzin continues to shine as a spiritual beacon guiding countless hearts.

2. St. Hripsime Church

20-30 min
Attraction page
St. Hripsime Church St. Hripsime Church St. Hripsime Church St. Hripsime Church St. Hripsime Church St. Hripsime Church St. Hripsime Church St. Hripsime Church St. Hripsime Church St. Hripsime Church St. Hripsime Church St. Hripsime Church St. Hripsime Church St. Hripsime Church St. Hripsime Church St. Hripsime Church St. Hripsime Church St. Hripsime Church St. Hripsime Church St. Hripsime Church St. Hripsime Church
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.

In the 7th century, a church was built here to guard her memory and eternal rest. Its massive stone walls reflect the grandeur of cross-domed Armenian architecture, and its austere silhouette, visible from afar, seems to call travelers toward it. Inside, beneath the altar, rest the relics of the martyr, and all who kneel here in prayer feel the power of her spirit.

Whether pilgrim or wanderer, each person leaves with the sense of having touched something eternal. Today, listed as a UNESCO World Heritage Site, the Church of Saint Hripsime remains a beacon of faith and an enduring symbol of unwavering devotion to the ideals for which she gave her life.

3. St. Gayane Church

20-30 min
Attraction page
St. Gayane Church St. Gayane Church St. Gayane Church St. Gayane Church St. Gayane Church St. Gayane Church St. Gayane Church St. Gayane Church St. Gayane Church St. Gayane Church St. Gayane Church St. Gayane Church St. Gayane Church St. Gayane Church St. Gayane Church St. Gayane Church St. Gayane Church St. Gayane Church St. Gayane Church St. Gayane Church
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.

In 630 AD, Catholicos Ezr ordered the construction of this church to honor the steadfast woman whose courage became a symbol of early Christianity in Armenia. Its architecture is serene and harmonious – a domed basilica that has endured through centuries. In 1652, it underwent a careful restoration, retaining its noble simplicity, and later, a funerary gallery for high‑ranking clergy was added to the western façade, where every stone seems to breathe history.

Inside, the southern chapel near the altar enshrines the relics of Saint Gayane, and the profound silence of the church feels like a veil over her eternal rest. Sunlight streaming through narrow windows dances across the ancient walls, creating the sense that time has stopped within.

This church is not only a spiritual symbol but also a part of world heritage: it is inscribed on the UNESCO World Heritage List, and every visit here feels like a pilgrimage to the very roots of Armenian faith.

Gata making master class

20-30 min
Attraction page
Gata making master class Gata making master class Gata making master class Gata making master class Gata making master class Gata making master class Gata making master class Gata making master class Gata making master class Gata making master class Gata making master class Gata making master class Gata making master class Gata making master class Gata making master class
Gata is a very popular traditional Armenian pastry, baked in tonirs or else regular ovens. Having a pie shape, it differs from ordinary pies in its filling. The most common variety of filling is flour, butter, sugar and vanilla (all together those ingredients are called khoriz) and the ingredients of dough include flour, butter, soda and matzoon (Armenian yogurt). Other delectable version is gata with walnuts inside. In each region of Armenia gata is prepared in its own unique way, thus different in shape, taste, size and look.

During this "tasty" master class you will learn the hidden secrets of baking and decorating the pastry. Tasting is included in the price.

4. Voskeni wine factory

100-120 min
Attraction page
Voskeni wine factory Voskeni wine factory Voskeni wine factory Voskeni wine factory Voskeni wine factory Voskeni wine factory Voskeni wine factory Voskeni wine factory Voskeni wine factory Voskeni wine factory Voskeni wine factory Voskeni wine factory Voskeni wine factory Voskeni wine factory Voskeni wine factory Voskeni wine factory Voskeni wine factory Voskeni wine factory
In the early 1920s businessman Smbat Mateossian repatriated to Soviet Armenia from Boston, establishing a winery in Ararat valley, however, during that hard period Bolsheviks confiscated his vineyard. In 2008 Mateossian's heirs finally bought back the vineyard and founded a modern company, that produces high quality wines. Today you can visit this place to get enlightened to the family's story and also taste the sophisticated wines, made from autochtone varieties.

The following degustation options are available:

  • Option 1 – tasting of 2-3 types of wine with snacks at 28.36 USD p/p;
  • Option 2 – tasting of 2-3 types of wine with breakfast at 32.41 USD p/p;;
  • Option 3 – tasting of 3-4 types of wine with lunch at 45.91 USD p/p.

The reservations should be made in advance.

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

  • Master class & tasting

Exclusions

  • Significant deviations from the route

  • Audio guides

  • Wi-Fi in the vehicles

What to expect

  • Admission price is calculated for "Option 1" wine tasting package
  • Explore incredible UNESCO World Cultural Heritage sites
  • See the very first Christian cathedral in the World
  • Learn the "sweet" secrets of gata-making
  • Get the taste of amazing Armenian wine

Booking conditions

Cancellation & modification

Meet our Guides

Tigran Balyan

Tigran Balyan

RU HY EN

Hello, I am Tigran a guide in my wonderful and lovely Armenia ❤️ I am guiding in my country and with this passion I can share kindness, joy and smiles to my tourists. My experience is already 7 plus years and I enjoy architecture, wine and mountains in amazing Armenia.

Samvel Mkrtumyan

Samvel Mkrtumyan

RU HY EN

Hi, I'm Samvel. With degrees in international relations and history, and years of connecting people from all walks of life, I've turned my passion for stories into guiding. I love revealing Armenia's hidden gems, sharing its quirky legends, and showcasing its breathtaking sights. It's fun, pal. Let's enjoy it together!

Hasmik Manukyan

Hasmik Manukyan

RU DE

My name is Hasmik Manukyan. I have extensive experience and hold a tour guide license. I conduct excursions in two languages – Russian and German. I completed guide-interpreter courses in Yerevan, advanced training courses at the Institute for Continuing Education in Moscow and participated in an international training program, for which I hold certificates. I love my job and meeting new people. Every time, I’m delighted to introduce guests to the beauty and landmarks of my country, striving to ensure they leave satisfied, in love with Armenia and eager to return again.

Gayane Harutyunyan

Gayane Harutyunyan

HY EN IT

Armenia should be visited with an open heart. As your guide, I don’t just offer tours – I create meaningful experiences that connect you deeply with Armenia’s history, culture, and people. With genuine love for my country, passion for its stories, and local insight, I make every journey personal, engaging and unforgettable – turning every place into a living memory you’ll carry with you.

You might also like...

map

Contact us

We use "Cookies" to enhance your browsing experience and improve website performance. Find out more about "Cookies" in "Privacy Policy" section. By using this website, you accept our use of "Cookies".