Private Tour to Khor Virap, Noravank, Bird Cave and Jermuk Waterfall

This experience will show the whole beauty of the southern part of Armenia, during which you will visit the main pilgrimage site - Khor Virap, Noravank monastery, the ancient Bird cave and Jermuk waterfall. 

Highlights: 

• visit the main pilgrimage site of Armenia - Khor Virap

• explore the ancient cave where the world's oldest leather shoe was found

• find out why Noravank fascinates all the visitors

• admire the beauty of Jermuk waterfall located in Jermuk spa town

Includes: 

• a driver (guide)

• Yerevan pick-up and drop-off

• private minivan transportation

Not included: 

• entrance fees to attractions 
  

• Areni cave ticket (around $4)

• meals

• professional English-speaking guide ($65)

You will be picked up by your driver (guide) from Yerevan and head to see the southern part of Armenia, which has a lot to offer. Your first stop will be at Khor Virap monastery, which is about 40 minutes away from the capital. On the way you can see the monastery standing proudly on the hill with the giant Ararat mount in the background. It is the main pilgrimage site for Armenians, as it symbolizes the place from where Christianity started to spread. This is where Grigor Luisavorich (St. Gregory the Illuminator) was imprisoned for 13 years before curing King Trdat III of a disease, after which he adopted Christianity as a state religion of Armenia in the year 301. The name Khor Virap means “deep pit”, named after the prison where St. Gregory the Illuminator was held. If you wish, you can go down the pit, which is 6 m deep.

Then you will head towards the south of the country, which offers great landscapes. Passing a narrow road, surrounded by rocks of hundred caves, you will discover a scene of harmony of architecture with nature. Surrounded by red rocks, you will see Noravank monastery, which has one of the finest architectural solutions and luxurious embellishments and is one of the brightest examples of Armenian architecture of the 13th century.

In the main wine region of the country - Areni village, you will visit Bird Cave known as Areni 1, where during the excavations a 6100-year-old winery was found, as well as the world's oldest leather shoe (5500 years old) and is now kept in the History museum in Yerevan. You can also visit one of the wineries if you wish, or simply buy some homemade wine sold on the streets.