Half-day Garni and Geghard Private Tour

Highlights: 

• Garni Temple

• Monastery of Geghard

Includes: 

• transportation

• a guide

• entrance fee to the Temple

• a bottle of water

• company presents  

Optional: 

• dinner at a local restaurant/tavern

• tasting traditional dishes in a traditional atmosphere 

• folk show

Please note: the departures are daily.

At 10:00, we will start exploring the top tourist attractions of Armenia: Garni Temple and the Monastery of Geghard (UNESCO). The Temple of Garni is the only pagan Temple in the Caucasus territory preserved from the Hellenic period. It is situated in the heart of Armenia — the village of Garni. It is the most well-known building representing pre-Christian Armenia and the main shrine of Hetanism (Armenian neopaganism). Most likely, it was built as a temple for the Sun God in the first century AD. When Armenia became Christian, it was turned into a summer royal residency. Some academics say it was a mausoleum instead of a temple, which is why it was still standing when other pagan buildings were destroyed. It collapsed in an earthquake in 1679 and was reconstructed in the 20th century. 

We will also visit the magnificent Monastery of Geghard (UNESCO). This monastery was first recorded in a 13th-century document. The significant relic at the Monastery of Geghard is the spear that wounded Christ on the Cross. It is thought that the Apostle Thaddeus brought it there. Here in Geghard, you can also watch the process of "lavash" making in the traditional underground oven "tonir." After a tour full of beauty and discoveries, we will safely drive you back to Yerevan.