How long does this tour last?

The tour lasts about 4-5 hours, which is half a day. There is no overnight stay.

Does this tour run every day, or do I need to arrange a custom date?

This is a private tour and it runs on demand with a custom date. Please arrange the date with the operator.

What time does the tour start? Is it in the morning or later?

The exact start time is not specified. Please confirm it with the operator when booking.

Which places will we visit on this itinerary?

The itinerary includes the Mother See of Holy Etchmiadzin, St. Gayane Church, St. Hripsime Church, and the ruins of Zvartnots Cathedral. All these sites are protected as UNESCO World Heritage.

Will we definitely visit the Mother See of Holy Etchmiadzin?

Yes, the Mother See of Holy Etchmiadzin is the first stop on the route. It is one of the main spiritual and cultural highlights of the tour.

Are St. Gayane and St. Hripsime churches also included in the tour?

Yes, both churches are included in this tour. They are important medieval religious sites of Etchmiadzin.

Do we also go to Zvartnots, or only the churches in Etchmiadzin?

Yes, the final stop of the tour is the ruins of Zvartnots Cathedral. It is a 7th-century monument.

What kind of transport is used for this tour?

Tours run on a comfortable minivan or bus depending on group size. The vehicle is chosen based on the number of participants.

Is the transport heated in winter?

Yes, the transport is fully heated in winter. You can comfortably plan the tour in cold weather as well.

Is there Wi-Fi in the vehicle?

There is usually no Wi-Fi in the transport, but mobile internet works on most of the route. If you need connectivity, it is better to rely on your mobile data.

What languages does the guide speak?

Tours are conducted in Armenian, Russian and English. If there are non-local guests in the group, the guide can speak two languages.

Is the guide a local expert or just an escort?

Our guides are local experts familiar with the history, culture and the sites being visited. On this tour, they can also provide context on medieval architecture and religious history.

How much is this tour for one adult?

The price for one local/Armenian adult is 27077 AMD (Armenian dram). The foreign adult price is not specified, so please check with the operator.

Are there child discounts for this half-day tour?

Yes, for day tours children 0-3 are free, ages 3-6 get a 50% discount, and ages 7+ pay full price. Since this is not an overnight tour, the day-tour child policy applies.

If we come as a group of 5, is there a group discount?

Yes, groups of 5+ get 500 AMD off per person on day tours. This tour is half-day with no overnight stay, so the day-tour group discount applies.

How can I pay for this tour?

You can pay by card in the office, by bank transfer, or in cash at the office. Payment is made in advance to confirm the booking.

What information do you need for booking?

Booking requires your phone number and full names of all participants. Bookings are accepted until the day before, but it is best to reserve early.

If I can’t make it, how late can I cancel?

A day tour can be cancelled 1 day before the start. However, after mutual confirmation no refund is issued and the date cannot be changed.

Will the tour run if the weather is bad?

In case of severe weather or road closures the tour may be cancelled or rescheduled. In such situations, the operator will confirm the final decision.

Are meals included, or should I arrange food separately?

Meals are not included. You may bring your own food or pay on site.

Are entrance fees included in the price or paid separately?

Entrance fees are not included since some guests may prefer to skip specific sites. They are usually paid in cash on site.

If I don’t want to enter a paid site, can I just wait outside?

Yes, if you do not want to pay the entrance fee, you may skip that site and wait for the group outside. That is allowed.

Is this tour safe for tourists, and do I need insurance?

Armenia is a safe country for tourists, especially along tourist routes. Insurance is not mandatory, but you may purchase it optionally.

Echmiadzin (Catedral Madre, Santa Gayane, Santa Hripsime), Catedral de Zvartnots

Echmiadzin & Zvartnots

Pase un día inolvidable visitando Etchmiadzin, la Catedral Madre, Santa Gayane, Santa Hripsime y Zvartnots

medio día Armenio, Inglés, Ruso Pickup Free cancellation up to 24h before. 50% refund within 24h. No refund after tour starts.

Sobre este tour

Duración 4-5 horas.

En el marco de este tour cultural, visitaremos el centro espiritual de los armenios y la iglesia principal, la Santa Sede Madre de Echmiadzin, las iglesias de Santa Hripsime y Santa Gayane, y el templo del siglo VII de Zvartnots. Este tour interesará a los turistas más curiosos interesados en la arquitectura medieval, el arte, la religión y la historia. Todos los lugares incluidos en el programa del tour están protegidos por el Patrimonio Mundial de la UNESCO.

Itinerario

1 Parada 1 Catedral Madre de Etchmiadzin

"Según la tradición, la iglesia principal fue construida en el lugar donde descendió Miadzin, Etchmiadzin. En la visión de Gregorio, Cristo muestra el lugar del templo principal con un martillo de oro.
La catedral más antigua del mundo, fundada en 303, estaba destinada a convertirse en un importante testigo y participante en la historia del pueblo armenio. Siendo el centro más importante de la red mundial de la Iglesia Armenia, la Catedral de Etchmiadzin está representada hoy por una gran área, que incluye muchas iglesias antiguas y nuevas, estructuras seculares, bibliotecas, un seminario, etc."

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2 Parada 2 Santa Gayane

La serie de gloriosas iglesias del siglo VII continúa con Santa Gayane, que fue fundada solo 12 años después que Santa Hripsime. Esta iglesia, construida en 630, fue levantada sobre la tumba de una virgen cristiana que murió en Armenia a finales del siglo III y comienzos del siglo IV, aproximadamente 3 siglos después de su muerte. La iglesia fue restaurada en 1652. Hay muchos ataúdes en el patio, entre ellos los de famosas figuras militares y culturales del pueblo armenio.

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3 Parada 3 Santa Hripsime

Según los expertos, la arquitectura de Santa Hripsime se considera uno de los mejores ejemplos armenios. Aquí, por primera vez, se utilizaron nichos armenios que proporcionan resistencia sísmica. La construcción de la enorme iglesia se completó en 618, dejando un gran legado arquitectónico, cuyos detalles todavía se utilizan hoy en día.

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4 Parada 4 Catedral de Zvartnots

A pesar de haber sido destruido, Zvartnots sigue siendo único en cuanto a su significado espiritual, cultural y arquitectónico. Esta enorme iglesia, llamada así por los ángeles, fue construida durante 9 años y consagrada en 652. El maravilloso templo, con una altura de 46-49 metros, fue destruido, probablemente como resultado de un terremoto, después de lo cual ya no se construyeron iglesias de este tipo en Armenia. La verdadera apariencia de Zvartnots fue desconocida durante mucho tiempo hasta que el arquitecto T. Toramanian propuso la forma inicial real de la iglesia, lo que más tarde fue demostrado por otros hechos históricos.