Khor Virap, Noravank, Goris (overnight), Tatev, Karahunj – Syunik Province, Armenia

EXPERIENCE

Day 1: The first destination of our trip is one of the must see places in Armenia – Khor Virap. It is where Grigor Luisavorich (St. Gregory the Illuminator) was imprisoned for 13 years before curing King Trdat III of a disease. This caused the adoption of Christianity in Armenia in the year 301. In fact, the name Khor Virap means “deep pit”, named after the prison where St. Gregory the Illuminator was held.

The next stop will be Monastery Noravank, which dates back to XIII—XIV centuries. The complex includes the 1339 St. Astvatsatsin (“Burtelashen”) sepulchre-church, St. Stepanos Nakhavka and gavit, the St. Grigor Church and Stepanos Orbelian Sepulchre, the remains of medieval chapels and residential quarters and a modern office and hall. After visiting these two monasteries we will leave for Goris for overnight.

Day 2: After the breakfast we will visit Karahunj Observatory, also known as Zorats Karer or Zorats Kar is a megalithic composition of Bronze Age tombs (cists, dolmens or tumuli) and over 220 standing stones (menhirs).

The next destination is another famous monument of medieval Armenian architecture – Tatev Monastery, which was built in the 9th-13th centuries. In translation from the old Armenian (grabar) “tatev” means “give wings”. Indeed, located at a great height, it seems that Tatev stretches upward to the sky. The walls seem to be a natural extension of the rock that raises it so high. Thanks to the construction of the Wings of Tatev, the longest cable car in the world (5.7 km), the complex has become one of the most visited places in Armenia.

On our way back to Yerevan we will have a short stop in Areni winery, where you have an opportunity to taste armenian wine and get acquainted with the history of wine making in Armenia.

HIGHLIGHTS

Taste Armenian wine
Take awesome pictures with mount Ararat in the background
Explore armenian Stonehenge – Zorats Karer or Karahunj

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