2-day tour to Tatev Monastery2 Days | Khor Virap Monastery, Areni Village, Khndzoresk Village, Goris, Tatev Monastery, Noravank Monastery

Meet your guide and driver at your hotel in Yerevan and head to Khor Virap Monastery (“deep pit”). According to the legend, St. Gregory the Illuminator, the patron saint of Armenia, was kept there in the basement for 13 years for the disseminating of Christianity until King Tiridates decided to adopt new religion. The monastery's location allows you to enjoy the best views of the Mount Ararat. Continue to Areni, a city known for producing famous Armenian wine from pomegranate and apricot. Have tasting of various fruit and berry wines and oghi, Armenian traditional spirit. Drive to Khndzoresk village. There is a cave city spread on the slope of the gorge, Old Khndzoresk that used to be one of the most populated villages in Syunik region. The caves were used not only as dwellings but also as refuge. Dwellers used rope to get up to their caves located 20 m above the ground. The caves were arranged as terraces where roof of a cave was a garden to a higher level cave. People populated the area till the middle of the 20th century. Reach Goris for overnight.

In the morning, drive to Tatev Monastery (9-13th centuries). Approaching the jewel of medieval Armenian architecture on the longest aerial tramway in the world you will see the monastery, the powerful impregnable stronghold towering on a rock. The remote location of the monastery was strategically favorable as it played the role of religious and political centre of the region. Standing on the edge of the rock, the monastery takes your breath away. Drive back to Yerevan. On the way, visit the famous Noravank Monastery (12th century), situated on the ledge of a deep winding gorge of the Arpa River. Drop off at your hotel in Yerevan.