Armenia: One Day Trip (Garni Temple+Geghard Monastery+Lake Sevan)

Armenia's landscapes offer boundless beauty. In this One-Day Tour, you will visit 4 of the most breathtaking places in Armenia, rich with history, heritage and natural beauty.
Starting at Garni temple, we will then visit the mystical Geghard monastery, and finish our journey with the breathtaking Lake Sevan and the neighboring Sevanavank monastery.

Itinerary
This is a typical itinerary for this product

Stop At: Garni Temple, Geghard Monastery Road H3, Garni Armenia

Our driver will meet you at your hotel or address in Yerevan at 9 AM, and you will start your day trip around Armenia!

Our first destination is the Garni Temple.
The Garni Temple, standing on a triangular cape, is a unique surviving example of ancient Armenian pagan culture. Its architecture combines Greek-Roman style and Armenian style. King Tiridates I of Armenia ordered the construction of the temple in the first century and dedicated it to the sun god. After Christianity dominated the country around 301 AD, this pagan temple lost its meaning, and Garni Temple became the king's summer house. Today, the ruins of the Royal Palace and bathrooms with fine mosaic works can be found near the temples.

Duration: 2 hours

Stop At: The Monastery of Geghard, Near Goght Village, Geghard Armenia

We continue our journey toward Geghard Monastery.
Geghard Monastery is an insurmountable masterpiece of Armenian architecture in the 13th century. Some churches in the complex are cleverly chiseled on a huge rock. The complex was called Ayrivank (cave monastery) from the beginning and was later renamed Geghard (spear, or lance) because the Lance used by Roman soldiers to stab Jesus Christ has been preserved in the monastery for centuries. Due to its structure, the Monastry is the best place to sing spiritual songs. This complex has many exquisite sculptures and many striking cross stones.

Duration: 2 hours

Stop At: Lake Sevan, Lake Sevan, Gegharkunik Province

Afterward, we visit Lake Sevan.
Lake Sevan is the pearl of the Armenian mountains. It is one of the world's largest high-altitude freshwater lakes, with an altitude of about 1,900 meters. Lake Sevan originates from a volcano and is surrounded by mountains over 3,000 meters. With beautiful scenery and crystal clear lakes, it is also a good place to rest. Lake Sevan is also famous for its peninsula and medieval church complex built in 874.

There is an extraordinary landscape northwest of Lake Sevan, where a peninsula stands on the transparent surface of the lake. The Sevanavank monastery was built on the peninsula in 874 by the order of Princess Mariam, daughter of King Ashot Bagratuni. Against the backdrop of turquoise lake water and blue sky, the outline of the church will leave visitors with a beautiful impression beyond words.

Duration: 3 hours