Armenia One-Day Cultural In-Depth Tour: Saghmosavank, Hovhannavank, Echmiadzin Monastery, and Zvartnots Cathedral
Itinerary Overview
Departure time: 10:30 AM (Please arrive 10 minutes in advance at the meeting point)
Itinerary duration: approximately 7–8 hr
Language services: English/Russian guide (alternating)
Recommended for visitors interested in history, religion and traditional cuisine
Detailed itinerary
10:30 AM – 11:15 AM | Visit Saghmosavank
Departing from Yerevan, a 40-min drive will take you to the Saghmosavank Monastery perched on the edge of the Kasakh River Gorge. Built in the 13th century by the Vachutyan princely family, this monastery is renowned for its breathtaking gorge views and well-preserved medieval scriptorium. Explore the main church and the ancient scriptorium where manuscripts were once copied, immersing yourself in a millennium of spiritual heritage.
11:15 AM – 12:00 PM | Visit Hovhannavank Monastery
Walk or take a short drive (approx. 5 km) to Hovhannavank Monastery, whose name means "Monastery of John the Baptist." The site dates back to a single-nave church from the 5th century, later expanded in the 13th century to its current scale. Be sure to admire the exquisite Gospel story reliefs on the main church porch, showcasing the charm of medieval Caucasian stone carving art.
12:00 PM – 1:30 PM | Armenian festival dessert-making experience + lunch (at your own expense)
On your way back, join a heartwarming "Festive Dessert Masterclass" where you'll learn to make traditional Gata pastry—a sweet, buttery treat made with sugar and flour. Under the guidance of a local chef, knead the dough, shape it, and savor the freshly baked results.
You can then choose to have lunch at a local traditional restaurant (at your own expense, with three options: 3,900/4,500/4,900 AMD, approx. $10.4–13.1).
1:35 PM – 2:45 PM | Visit Echmiadzin Monastery (Mother See of Holy Etchmiadzin)
Drive approx. 45 min to reach Vagharshapat, the spiritual center of the Armenian Apostolic Church. This cathedral, originally built in the early 4th century, is listed as a UNESCO World Heritage Site. According to legend, Saint Gregory the Illuminator had a vision of Christ here, who indicated the site for building the church. Explore the church interior featuring frescoes painted by the Hovnatanian family, the Patriarchal Residence, and the seminary. If interested, you may visit the "Vagharshapat Treasury Museum" at your own expense (admission ticket available for purchase on-site).
Note: If your visit falls on a Sunday, you may have the opportunity to observe Sunday worship services.
2:50 PM – 3:30 PM | Visit the ruins of Zvartnots Temple
Finally, visit the architectural marvel of the 7th century—the ruins of Zvartnots Cathedral. This magnificent church, which stood for three centuries, astonished later generations with its unique multi-column structure. After archaeological excavations in the early 20th century, architect Toros Toramanian's reconstructed model faced skepticism until a relief in Paris's Sainte-Chapelle depicting the temple alongside Noah's Ark validated its design. Today, the remaining ruins still speak to the extraordinary craftsmanship of ancient Armenian artisans.
3:30 – 4:10 PM | Return trip
Conclude your enriching cultural journey with a return trip to Yerevan city center (final stop at the travel agency office, hotel drop-off service not included).
inclusions
- Professional guide services in Chinese, English, and Russian
- Attraction admission ticket
- In-car Wi-Fi and passenger insurance
- Bottled water and snacks
- Dessert making experience and tasting
Exclusions
- Lunch (optional, approx. $10.4–13.1)
- Vagharshapat Treasury Museum Admission Ticket
- Hotel pick-up & drop-off (final destination: office)
Friendly reminder
- We recommend wearing comfortable sports shoes. As mountain areas are cooler than the city, please bring a jacket.
- When entering churches and monasteries, women should avoid sleeveless tops or short skirts and are advised to carry a scarf as backup.
- The group size is usually limited to 48 people to ensure a quality touring experience.
Traverse canyons, ancient temples, and kitchen aromas to experience the beauty of Armenian faith, art, and daily life in a single day.
