Private tour: Saghmosavank Monastery, Alphabet Alley, Amberd Fortress, Oshakan, Karmravor Church

Saghmosavank Monastery, Armenian Alphabet Alley, Amberd Fortress, Oshakan, Karmravor Church

1. Saghmosavank Monastery

30-40 min
Attraction page
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5 km far from Hovhanavank monastery, on the edge of Kasakh river canyon, in the 13th century Vachutian dukes built Saghmosavank monastery. The main church is adjacent to the scriptorium, where many manuscripts have been produced during centuries. Saghmosavank underwent the devastating influence of the earthquake in 1988. The reconstruction, completed in 2000, returned the church its beauty and glory.

2. Armenian Alphabet Alley

15-20 min
Attraction page
Armenian Alphabet Alley Armenian Alphabet Alley Armenian Alphabet Alley Armenian Alphabet Alley Armenian Alphabet Alley Armenian Alphabet Alley Armenian Alphabet Alley Armenian Alphabet Alley Armenian Alphabet Alley Armenian Alphabet Alley Armenian Alphabet Alley Armenian Alphabet Alley Armenian Alphabet Alley Armenian Alphabet Alley Armenian Alphabet Alley Armenian Alphabet Alley Armenian Alphabet Alley Armenian Alphabet Alley Armenian Alphabet Alley Armenian Alphabet Alley Armenian Alphabet Alley
Armenian Alphabet Monument is located in the village of Artashavan, at the east side bottom of Mount Aragats. It was erected in 2005 to the 1600th anniversary of creation of the Armenian alphabet by the design of the famous Armenian architect Jim Torosyan. The monument is an interesting demonstration of the stone carvings of 39 Armenian letters. The Armenian alphabet has been used to write the Armenian language since the year 405 or 406 and is still used to present Armenian language in written form. It was devised by Saint Mesrop Mashtots, an Armenian linguist and ecclesiastical leader, in order to make the Bible accessible to Armenians and spread Christianity. Originally it contained 36 letters and had been completed in the Middle Ages.

3. Amberd Fortress

50-60 min
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The principal architectural features of medieval fortress-building have found their reflection in this fortress. Having been built on a naturally well-defended cape, Amberd has for long time served as an important military fort. Next to this secular edifice there is a church, built in 1026 by the duke Vahram Pahlavuni.

4. Oshakan St. Mesrop Mashtots Church

30-40 min
Attraction page
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Oshakan village has been a holy place since the 5th century, when in 440, due to the duke Vahan Amatuni's efforts, the creator of Armenian alphabet Mesrop Mashtots was buried there and a small church was built over his tomb. In the 19th century a bigger church, bearing the name of St. Mesrop Mashtots, was constructed in the place of the old one. Every year many first class schoolchildren learn the first letter of the alphabet in this church after an oath at the tomb of St. Mashtots.

5. Karmravor Church

20-30 min
Attraction page
Karmravor Church Karmravor Church Karmravor Church Karmravor Church Karmravor Church Karmravor Church Karmravor Church Karmravor Church Karmravor Church Karmravor Church Karmravor Church Karmravor Church Karmravor Church Karmravor Church
This exquisite church is considered to be the jewel of Ashtarak, resembling a monolith pillar due to its small sizes and architectural solutions. It was built in the 7th century and has come to our days almost intact. The church of Karmravor has a cross-shaped ground plan both from inside and outside.

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

Manya Gevorgyan

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

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

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

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.

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