Khor Virap, Noravank, Areni, Birds Cave
Explore historical landmarks: Khor Virap, Noravank Monastery, and the stunning Areni Cave.
About this tour
This familiarization tour is full of variety.
Our tour group will have the opportunity to get acquainted with the Khor Virap monastery, where the first Catholicos of the Armenians, Grigor Lusavorich, was imprisoned, and then to Noravank, a beautiful medieval monastery complex surrounded by high reddish rocks. In the second part of the excursion, we will visit the Birds cave in Areni and the tour will end with a tasting of delicious Armenian wines in the Areni winery.
Itinerary
1 Stop 1 Khor Virap Monastery
Many people know that Armenia is the first Christian country in the world. It was officially accepted in 301 when Grigor was released from the capital's prison, which was here before. He was imprisoned here for 13 years for his Christian faith. Being the last hope of the sick king, he cured him, after which the king accepted Christianity as the state religion. At the same time, the best view of Mount Ararat opens from here. Being very close to Ararat gives you the opportunity to see the entire structure of the mountain and admire its beauty.
2 Stop 2 Noravank
Medieval Armenian taste and architectural talent were interblended in Noravank, founded in the 9th century, this monastery developed in the 13th and 14th centuries. Surrounded by high red-coloured mountains and built from stones taken from those rocks, Noravank harmoniously complements the local landscape, remaining unique in its kind.
3 Stop 3 Birds Cave
The Birds' Cave (or Areni Cave) in Armenia, located near the village of Areni, is an important archaeological site where significant discoveries have been made, including the world's oldest known wine production evidence, dating back over 6,000 years. The cave also contains remains of birds and artifacts from the Bronze Age, highlighting the region’s early development in winemaking and culture. It is considered a key site for understanding the history of winemaking and ancient civilizations in the Caucasus.
4 Stop 4 Areni Winery
At the end of the tour, we visit the center of winemaking in the village of Areni, where we are hosted by the Areni Wine Factory. Our guests can taste different types of Armenian wines, including those made from Areni grapes. We will also see the cellar, where the wines are stored, and on the upper floor, there's a nice cafe.
What’s included
- Guide service (if there are foreign participants, the tour may be conducted in two languages)
- Transport
- Wine Tasting
- Bottled water
- Meal
- Birds Cave entrance fee - 1500 AMD
Pickup & Important information
FAQ
On which days does this tour run?
This group tour runs on Saturdays.
What time does the tour start and end?
The tour starts at 09:00 and ends at 17:00.
How long is this excursion?
This is a 1-day tour with no overnight stay.
How early should we arrive?
Please arrive 15 minutes before the start. Since seats are not pre-assigned, coming a bit early also helps you choose your spot.
What transport is used for the tour?
The tour runs on a comfortable minivan or bus depending on group size.
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.
Are seats assigned in advance?
No, seats are not pre-assigned. We recommend arriving a bit early.
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 local and does he or she explain the sites?
Our guides are local experts familiar with the history, culture and the sites being visited.
How much is this tour for one adult?
The price for one adult is 6,000 AMD with an Armenian-speaking guide and 10,000 AMD with a Russian- or English-speaking guide.
Is there a child discount for this tour?
Since this is a day tour, the policy is: 0-3 years free, 3-6 years 50% discount, 7+ full price.
If there are 5 of us, do we get a group discount?
Yes, groups of 5+ get 500 AMD off per person, since this is a day tour.
Have questions?