Garni-Geghard & Sevanavank Day Sightseeing Tour
This one-day tour covers some of Armenia's most iconic landmarks – must-visit sites for every traveler exploring the country. The journey takes you from ancient pagan history to the dawn of Christianity and the 9th century, when the Sevanavank Monastery was founded.
We’ll visit the Garni Pagan Temple, the only surviving Greco-Roman colonnaded temple in the post-Soviet region, followed by the UNESCO-listed Geghard Monastery, famous for its rock-hewn churches and deep spiritual heritage. According to tradition, the Holy Lance – believed to have pierced Christ’s side during the crucifixion – was once kept here.
Finally, we’ll head to the Sevan Peninsula to explore the 9th-century Sevanavank Monastery and admire the sweeping views of Lake Sevan, one of the world’s largest high-altitude freshwater lakes.
Itinerary Highlights
1️⃣ Charents Arch
Also called the "Temple of Ararat," this monument, designed by architect Rafael Israelyan in 1957, perfectly frames Mount Ararat on a clear day. Built from basalt and lined with orange tuff, it stands at 1,500 meters above sea level, measuring 10 x 5.5 m and 5 m in height – a stunning natural frame for Armenia’s biblical mountain.
2️⃣ Garni Pagan Temple
Built in the 1st century AD under King Tiridates I, Garni is the only standing Greco-Roman pagan temple in the region. Dedicated to Mihr, the Armenian sun god, it survived centuries of history and Armenia’s Christian conversion in 301 AD. After being destroyed by an earthquake in 1679, it was carefully reconstructed in the 1970s, now serving as a rare glimpse into Armenia’s pre-Christian past.
3️⃣ Symphony of Stones
A breathtaking natural wonder featuring hexagonal basalt columns shaped by volcanic activity millions of years ago, resembling giant organ pipes. Similar formations exist worldwide, such as the Giant's Causeway in Northern Ireland or Fingal's Cave in Scotland. The murmur of the Azat River beneath the cliffs creates a magical, natural "symphony."
4️⃣ Geghard Monastery
Founded in the 4th century by St. Gregory the Illuminator, Geghard is partly carved into solid rock, making it a masterpiece of medieval Armenian architecture. Its name, meaning "Monastery of the Spear," refers to the Holy Lance once kept here, believed to have been brought to Armenia by Apostle Thaddeus. Today, the relic is housed in Etchmiadzin, the spiritual center of the Armenian Apostolic Church.
5️⃣ Sevanavank Monastery
Situated on the Sevan Peninsula at 1,900 meters above sea level, this 9th-century monastic complex offers breathtaking views of Lake Sevan. Once an island monastery, Sevanavank is among the most picturesque and historically significant sites in Armenia.
The tour is conducted in a Mitsubishi Pajero IV
Tour Details
Start: 8:00 AM, Yerevan
Finish: 5:00 PM, Yerevan
Distance: ~200 km
Price: 90,000 AMD (per group of 1–4 people)
Additional Costs: 1,800 AMD per person (entry to Garni Temple & Symphony of Stones)
Includes: Transportation and professional guide service
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