From Yerevan: Pagan temple Garni, Unesco Heritage Geghard

Garni temple, one of the most famous historical and architectural monuments among tourists, is located in Kotayk province. It is the only structure preserved in Armenia from the pagan period, dedicated to the god Mihr.

Before reaching the temple, we will have a stop on the way to Charents Arch, from where a wonderful view of Mount Ararat opens.

Then we will visit Geghard Monastery (Ayrivank), where according to the legend, from the XIII century the spear with which Christ was pierced was kept here.

As a part of the tour, we will visit the Azat River gorge, where we will see the “Symphony of Stones՛”, a miracle of nature. The natural monument, also known as the ՛՛Basalt Organ՛՛, is famous for its magnificent, seemingly artificial rocks.

While passing through the village of Voghjaberd, the architect Rafael Israelyan often noticed that a wonderful view of Mount Ararat opens from the nearby hill. And here, in 1957, Israelyan completed the structure he designed, which is called the Mount Ararat Temple. The last line of Yeghishe Charents’s poem is engraved in visible large letters on the front entrance. “Go to the world; there is no white peak like Ararat, like the path of unripe glory; I love my Masis mountain.” Very soon the place got its new, popular and more widespread name – The Arch of Charents. We start the tour with the viewpoint of Mount Ararat, the symbol of Armenia.

Geghard Monastery is a medieval monastery in the Kotayk province, being partially carved out of the adjacent mountain, surrounded by cliffs. The name commonly used for the monastery today, Geghard, or more fully Geghardavank, meaning “the Monastery of the Spear”, originates from the spear which had wounded Jesus at the Crucifixion. It is believed, that the spear was brought to Armenia by Apostle Jude, called here Thaddeus, and stored amongst many other relics. Now it is displayed in the Echmiadzin treasury. The monastery complex is listed as a UNESCO World Heritage Site with enhanced protection status.

The next stop is the basalt organ, the Symphony of Stones. The accumulation of naturally cut stones with wonderful symmetry is a true natural wonder and also part of the UNESCO World Heritage. The hexagonal stones, stretched one after the other across the canyon, look like an organ, hence the name.

The temple, built in the first century and had been around for centuries, was destroyed and stood up again. It tells about pre-Christian Armenia and the Armenian people. The temple dedicated to Mithra, the God of the Sun, is the only preserved pagan temple both in Armenia and in the territory of the former USSR. The temple was destroyed by a devastating earthquake in 1679 and was restored for about 8 years, 1968-75.

The familiarization tour ends with a lavash master class, where you will see how the famous Armenian bread, lavash, is baked.

• Public transportation options are available nearby
• Infants are required to sit on an adult’s lap
• Suitable for all physical fitness levels

• From Yerevan: Pagan temple Garni, Unesco Heritage Geghard
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• 1. guide service 2. transportation

• Entrance fee for Garni is 750 AMD for residents of RA and 1.500 AMD for foreigners.
• Entrance fee of Symphony of Stones – 300 AMD

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• This Tour is Provided by ONE WAY TOUR.
• Tour Timezone & Starts at Asia/Yerevan.
• Mobile or paper ticket accepted.
• For a full refund, cancel at least 24 hours before the scheduled departure time.
• This Tour is Rated 4.5 Stars based on 420 valid reviews on VIATOR.
• Minimum 1 Travelers is required to book.
• Maximum 15 Travelers is accepted for booking.