Full-day Private Tour to Garni Temple, Geghard, Lake Sevan and Tsaghkadzor in Yerevan, Armenia

Visit some of Armenia's highlights during this private tour, by visiting the only pagan temple Garni, the unique Gegard carved into a rock, the largest lake of the Caucasus - Sevan and the famous resort town Tsakhgadzor.

Highlights: 

• Visit the only standing pagan temple Garni

• Be amazed by the monastic complex Geghard

• Get refreshed by the fresh air visiting Sevan lake

• Visit the famous resort town Tsaghkadzor

Includes: 

• A guide

• Private transportation

• Entrance fees

• Pick-up/drop-off

You will start the tour by visiting Garni temple, which is the only standing Greco-Roman colonnaded building in Armenia and the best-known structure and symbol of pre-Christian Armenia. It was renewed in the 19th century leading to the excavations in the early and mid-20th century, and its eventual reconstruction between 1969 and 1975, using the anastylosis method. It is one of the main tourist attractions in Armenia and the central shrine of Armenian neopaganism. 

Next, you will head to Geghard monastery, which is only 30 minutes away from Garni. The main chapel was built in 1215, but the monastery complex was founded in the 4th century by Gregory the Illuminator at the site of a sacred spring inside a cave. The monastery was originally named Ayrivank, meaning "the Monastery of the Cave". The name commonly used for the monastery today, Geghard, or more fully Geghardavank, meaning "the Monastery of the Spear", originates from the spear which had wounded Jesus at the Crucifixion, allegedly brought to Armenia by Apostle Jude, called here Thaddeus, and stored amongst many other relics.

Then it's time to see the legendary Sevan lake, considered to be one of the three ancient and biggest lakes (together with Vana and Urmia) of the Armenian Kingdom. It was called the “blue eyes” of Armenia and is at an altitude of 1900 m above sea level. At the top of the penisula, you can visit Sevanavank monastery and admire the picturesque landscapes. It is a great view point to take nice pictures.

You will head back to Yerevan, but before reaching the capital, you will also visit Tsaghkadzor, the main ski resort town in the country. Here you will visit Kecharis monastery, which is one of the most important medieval attractions of Armenia, hidden in the high picturesque mountains.