Excursion to Tatev monastery and Khndzoresk cave town

Tatev Monastery
260km from Yerevan:
Approximate duration: 2 days
Destination: Khor Virap, Noravank, Tatever Ropeway, Tatev Monastery,  Khnzdoresk cave town, Shaki Waterfall, Karahunj

Number of
persons

Price
1-2 220€
3-6 340€
7-12 400€
13-16 465€

Price includes transportation from Yerevan and the services of a guide.

Does not include: ropeway tickets 5000AMD (~10€ per person), accommodation in Goris and food.

Tatever Ropeway

It is:

  • The longest reversible cableway in the world (5752 m), recorded in the Guinness Book of Records.
  • Twelve minutes of unforgettable flight above the ravine of the fierce Vorotan River;
  • Celestial highway at the altitude of 320 m

Tatev Monastery

Tatev monastery was founded in 4c. on the place where Eustatius, the disciple of Thaddeus the Apostle died. The name is also after Eustatius (Tateus). The main church of St. Paul and Peter was built in 9c.. In 14-15cc. Tatev was also a university, one of the oldest in the world. It was a famous educational and scientific center of the region. During the ages, Syunik province was often attacked by enemies and Tatev fortress was one of the important strategic centers of the region. The monastery housed the relics of St. John the Baptist, St. Stephen, eleven Apostles, St. Hripsimeh, St. Gregory the Illuminator, the hair of the Holy Virgin and other relics.

Karahunj (Zorats Karer)

Zorats Karer is an ancient monument the main purpose of which is still unknown. It is stones situated in the area of 7 ha (14 football field). The main feature distinguishing it from other megalithic monuments of the World is the holes on the top of some stones which puzzle researchers. Despite many disagreements between researchers, all of them agree that the age of that place is many thousands of years.

Noravank Monastery

Noravank monastery was founded in 13-14cc. Many consider it to be the most beautiful monastery of Armenia. It is known not only for his main architecture but also for cross-stones and bas-reliefs. The most famous one has the world’s first realistic image of God the Father.

Khor Virap Monastery

Khor Virap means “deep dungeon”. It was a prison for the most important political prisoners and enemies of the state since the 2c. BC. It is the historical place where at the end of 3c. Gregory the Illuminator, the first patriarch of Armenia was held captive for 13 years. By mysterious circumstances, he was released in 301y. and Christianity was adopted as a state religion, the first time in the world’s history. There you can visit the dungeon. Also, it is the closest place to Ararat mountain, where you will enjoy an awesome view of the mountain.

Khndzoresk Cave Town

Khndzoresk is a cave town with more than 3000 caves. It was one of the biggest villages in Armenia with a population of 15.000 people. People lived there from prehistoric ages until the 1990s. Continued invasions during the whole history of Syunik region made them build such safe dwellings. In spite of difficult living conditions, the village had a rich cultural life. There were 3 churches and 3 schools, there are many famous cultural figures from that village. In 2009 a swinging bridge with 163m length and 65m height was built between two slopes of the canyon.

Shaki Waterfall