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Key points
Duration: 8 Hours
No group size limit.
Best from spring to autumn.
Only private tours.
Editing on request.
Free cancellation up to 7 days.
Bestseller
All year round.
Best price guarantee.
Overview

If you find yourself with just two days to explore Armenia and have already dedicated the first day to discovering Yerevan, then the “Garni and Geghard” excursion tour is the perfect choice for your second day. This tour is a tried-and-true favorite among travelers for good reason. Garni and Geghard, located just 30 km from Yerevan, offer a captivating journey through architectural masterpieces, a glimpse of Armenia’s breathtaking natural beauty, and the opportunity to savor delicious cuisine while engaging with the charming locals.

In essence, the Garni pagan temple and the Geghard cave monastery share no temporal or conceptual connections with each other. Their only shared trait is their close geographical proximity and their roles in the cultural heritage of the Armenian people.

This tour is thoughtfully designed to cater to tourists of all ages and preferences. With prior arrangement, you can customize your experience to emphasize either active exploration or a focus on gastronomy and ethnography. As an added service, you can enjoy the uplifting melodies of Armenian spiritual and folk songs performed by a choir within the cavernous temple of Geghard or partake in a demonstration and lesson on Armenian folk dances in the vicinity of the Garni temple.

Moreover, your visit to Garni and Geghard can also be seamlessly combined with an excursion to the enchanting Lake Sevan, enhancing your Armenian adventure even further.

Itinerry
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  • Departure from Yerevan
  • Return to Yerevan
  • Travel time: 7 hours / 90 km
Photo stop in the village of Voghchaberd next to the Charents arch monument. In good weather, there is an incredible view of Mount Ararat from here.
  • Departure from Yerevan
  • Travel time: 25 min. / 15 km
Visit to the pagan temple of Garni. This is the only completely restored architectural monument of the pagan and Hellenistic period in Armenia. The temple was erected in honor of the sun god Mithra. It was built in the second half of the 2nd century AD. (77) by King Trdat and served as the summer residence of the Armenian kings. Near the temple there are ruins of an ancient fortress, royal chambers, and a bathhouse built in the 3rd century. From here you can see a picturesque view of the Azat River and the Garni Gorge.
  • Departure from the Arch of Charents
  • Travel time: 20 min. / 15 km
A short hike to the Garni Gorge, where we can see a real natural miracle - the “Symphony of Stones” or the “Basalt Organ”. “Symphony of Stones” are hexagonal pillars of extinct lava hanging from a cliff. Natural symmetry fascinates and attracts the eye. If you wish, you can also order an SUV to go down into the gorge.
  • Departure from Garni
  • Travel time: 5 min. / 2 km
* Lunch in Garni, which, subject to favorable weather conditions, will be served in the fresh air - in an apple orchard. Traditional Armenian khorovats (kebab) - meat and vegetables baked in a tandoor, local apricot and mulberry vodka, wine tasting, and all this accompanied by duduk or other national musical instruments (if ordered separately). We will also be able to take part in baking lavash in the tandoor. * By reservation only.
  • Departure from Symphony of Stones
  • Travel time: 10 min. / 3 km
Arrival at the Geghard temple complex (Spear Monastery). Right at the entrance, Garni grandmothers sell sweets made from dried apricots and their “branded” gata: definitely worth a try. According to legend, the monastery was founded in the early years of the adoption of Christianity as the official religion (at the beginning of the 4th century). The Geghard or Geghardavank complex is a two-story temple carved into monolithic stone and an adjacent church. Geghard got its name from the spear of Longinus, which was used to pierce the body of Christ, which is kept in Etchmiadzin and presented to visitors. Geghardavank is a UNESCO World Heritage Site and is one of the most visited places in Armenia.
  • Departure from Garni
  • Travel time: 20 min. / 12 km
  • Departure from Geghard
  • Travel time: 50 min. / 40 km
Price and Availability
Private tours upon request
2-3 pax
63 €
4-6 pax
42 €
7-12 pax
27 €
There are special discounts for private groups of 13 or more persons.
Book tour
What's included
  • Comfortable transportation services
  • The services of a English-speaking tour guide
  • Admission tickets to attractions
  • A detailed tour itinerary and a tourist map of Armenia
  • Complimentary spring water in the tour vehicles
  • 24/7 tourist support via phone
  • All applicable taxes
  1. Lunch during the tour, available for an additional fee of $15 per person
  2. Alcoholic beverages
  3. Medical insurance (recommended)
  4. Tips
Additional info
  • Upon your specific request, we can customize the tour route, adjust the list of included services, and provide you with a revised cost tailored to your preferences.
  • Our individual tours conveniently commence and conclude in Yerevan, starting from a location that suits you best.
  • Please note that most museums are closed on Mondays.
  • For families traveling with young children:
    -Children under the age of 5 can join the tour package for free.
    -Children aged 6 to 11 are eligible for a 50% discount on the tour package.
  • We kindly remind you that the content on this page is the intellectual property of Barev Armenia. Any unauthorized full or partial copying of this content will be considered a copyright violation.

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