Armenian Cultural Exploration Tour
About this activity
Highlights
- Majestic Shaki Waterfall
- Historic Tatev Monastery
- Scenic Ropeway Ride
- Traditional Wine Tasting
- Breathtaking Vayots Dzor Views
Full description
Included / Excluded
- Guided visit to Shaki Waterfall
- Tour of Tatev Monastery and Ropeway
- Wine tasting at Hin Areni Winery
- Meals and personal expenses
Itinerary
starting and ending point
Vayots Dzor and Areni village in particular has been the cradle of Armenian winemaking for millennia. "Hin Areni" wine factory opens up the doors of this region to the world to showcase the historic and indigenous Armenian grape varietals. At the winery the historic traditions of winemaking are well combined with state-of-the-art modern equipment. "Hin Areni" wine factory has the capacity to process over 250 tonnes of grapes.
Shaki waterfall is in the southern part of Armenia, close to Sisian. The fall, being located in one of the coziest and nicest corners of Syunik, gloriously opens its striking beauty to all admirers. The air here is full of inspiring melody of water and scent of mountains, loading all their wafts.
Church bells were ringing loud in Tatev on October 16 of 2010, heralding the launch of a program to revive a medieval monastic complex and the opening of "Wings of Tatev" Ropeway. The 5.7 km ropeway, built within 11 months, passes through a deep gorge of the River Vorotan and over hills, covered with lush forests. The tramway is supported by three towers between its two terminals. One terminal is on a hill, overlooking the village of Halidzor and the other is near Tatev Monastery, on the road to Tatev village. Two cabins operate at once, traveling in opposite directions. There are 6 cables altogether (3 for each cabin), each uniquely foreseen for the specifications of this project. Within about 11 minutes a tramway cabin takes passengers, 30 at a time, from the village of Halidzor to the magnificent complex of Tatev. "Wings of Tatev" is the world's longest reversible aerial tramway, officially recognized by the Guinness World Records.
Among the architectural pillars of Zangezour, the monastery of Tatev does not have its "rivals". It used to be the wealthiest medieval monastery in Armenia. Besides being a religious center, Tatev was also the important strategical center of Syunik kingdom. Being situated on a naturally defended place, Tatev monastery has always been an impregnable fortress for alien. In non-stable political conditions several secret ways in the territory of the fortress led to the canyon and served as a link between the monastery and the external world.
Meeting point
Start Location
Hyur Service, 96 Nalbandyan poxoc, Yerevan 0010, Armenia
Important information
Know before you book
- The tour operates in all weather conditions; dress appropriately for the climate.
- Please be on time to ensure timely entry to all attractions.
- A valid ID is necessary for security checks at the sites.
Know before you go
- Wear comfortable walking shoes suitable for uneven terrain.
- Bring a camera to capture the picturesque landscapes and historic sites.
- Carry a light jacket, as temperatures can vary throughout the day.
Cancellation policy
For a full refund, cancel at least 24 hours before the scheduled departure time.
Accessibility
- Infants Required On Laps
- Stroller Accessible
- Easy Public Transport
Good to know
- Children must be accompanied by an adult
- Operates in all weather conditions, please dress appropriately
- The duration is approximate
- Seats will not be known in advance
Traveler reviews
Tatev Tour
HyurService is a very professional tour operator. Everything goes seamlessly according to the program. Although the Tatev Monastery/Areni Wine/ Shaki Waterfall tour takes around 14 hours but our friendly guide Karen filled it with extensive explanations. He even chanted an Armenian psalm at Tatev which was highly appreciated. The only setback of the tour was the bumpy roads but the driver (another Karen) did his best to evade the potholes.
Very cool tour!
Very interesting tour! Time has flown by unnoticed! Thank you very much to our guide Eduard for the interesting presentation of information and to the bus driver Ovsep, who led the bus erratically on mountain roads!
Where History, Faith, and Nature Meet
I had an excellent experience with Hyur Service. The entire tour was very well organized from start to finish, which made everything smooth and enjoyable. The driver was extremely punctual, he actually arrived even earlier than the scheduled pickup time, which was really appreciated. It set a great tone for the day and showed their professionalism. Our guide, Ashod, was outstanding. He stayed with us the whole time and provided detailed explanations at every stop. What impressed us most was that he didn’t limit his insights to just the scheduled destinations. He also shared interesting information about places we passed along the way, making the journey itself just as engaging as the stops. The driver was also highly experienced. On the way back, we encountered heavy fog, but he handled the situation with confidence and skill, making us feel completely safe throughout. Overall, I highly recommend Hyur Service for anyone looking for a well-organized and informative tour experience.
Super
Very good! Guide Edward and driver Sasha are great!
I liked it! I recommend seeing these beautiful places
I enjoyed the tour and would like to see this beauty again in the summer. Chic views, also interesting to learn about making wine. Our tour guide Eduard talked interestingly all the way about Armenia and did not let us get bored, answered all our questions. Special thanks to our driver Ashot for his comfortable driving on the serpentine and in different weather conditions. We also want to celebrate our delicious and varied lunch in the restaurant with panoramic views of the gorge. Overall a rich and educational tour. Thanks for the day! But be prepared for the changing weather in the mountains.