Private Tour to Zarni-Parni Caves, Odzun, Sanahin and Haghpat in Yerevan, Armenia

Zarni-Parni is a cave-fortress complex in the Lori region. It is located in a forest canyon with a magnificent view of the fortress of Kayan, near the village of Haghpat, known for its monastery of the same name. The complex consists of the castles "Zarni er" and "Parni er", as well as the cave "Tsak er". According to some historical records, a famous scientist and philosopher Hovhannes Imastaser (sensible) once lived and worked in this cave. Currently, the area has been transformed into a historical museum, which displays a number of rare ancient agricultural implements and household items.

Highlights:

• The real Armenian flavor

• The impenetrable and neglected Zarni and Parni caves 

• Odzun Monastery of the VI Century

• Sanahin Monastery Complex

• A village in the Lori Province of Armenia: Haghpat
  

Includes:

• A driver (guide)

• Pick-up and drop-off 

• Transportation by a/c vehicle

• Refreshments

• Wi-Fi
  

Odzun is one of the oldest settlements of Tashir, which, according to the "Armenian Geography", in the early Middle Ages was the capital of Tashir. In the early chronicles, Odzun was mentioned primarily as the birthplace of Catholicos Hovhannes III Imastasser. Vardan Areveltsi mentions Odzun as a settlement in the 13th century.

Manuscript diaries have been found in the surrounding caves, indicating that the village was a major cultural center. The exact date of the foundation of the monastery is unknown. Its origin, according to legends, dates back to the IV century. However, the oldest building preserved to this day, the church of Astvatsatsin (Church of Our Lady), was built in 951. The rest of the monastery buildings date from the X-XIII centuries. In the second half of the X century its enlarged copy - the Church of Amenaprkich (the Church of the Savior) was built next to the Church of St. Astvatsatsatsin. The buildings were connected by the ceiling and the gallery was formed, which was named after the famous scholar Grigor Magistros, who taught philosophy, rhetoric and mathematics in Sanahin.

UNESCO World Heritage Site Haghpat Monastery is located in the southeastern part of Haghpat village: on a high plateau. It was founded in 976 during the reign of Ashot Bagratuni. Haghpat was one of the important spiritual and cultural centers.