Homepage Private Tours Khor Virap Monastery, Noravank, Jermuk, Areni Cave and Winery

Khor Virap Monastery, Noravank, Jermuk, Areni Cave and Winery

Duration 10-11 hours.

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 Jermuk's "Mermaid's Braids" waterfall, mineral water distillery, and Arch of Dreams. The tour will end with a tasting of delicious Armenian wines in the Areni winery.

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Transport

Tour

Program

1. Khor Virap

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.

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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.

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3. Areni

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.

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4. Jermuk

Arriving in Jermuk, we go to see the waterfall. The 68-70 meter high "Mermaid's Braids" waterfall tells us the legend of a forbidden love. According to this legend, a prince curses his daughter for meeting her lover, and then she turns into stone. Her hair still flows in the form of water, which is why the waterfall gets the name "Mermaid's Braids."

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