Armenian Heritage and Wine Tour
About this activity
Highlights
- Explore Khor Virap Monastery with panoramic views of Mount Ararat
- Discover the ancient Noravank Monastery nestled in a red canyon
- Visit the prehistoric Birds Cave, home to ancient artifacts
- Experience traditional wine-making at Hin Areni Wine Factory
- Enjoy a scenic drive through Armenia's picturesque landscapes
Full description
Included / Excluded
- Private transportation from Yerevan
- Guided tours of Khor Virap Monastery, Noravank Monastery, and Birds Cave
- Wine tasting at Hin Areni Wine Factory
- Meals and personal expenses
Itinerary
Khor Virap is the most famous pilgrimage site in Armenia, as it is directly connected with the adoption of Christianity. As a state religion, Christianity in Armenia was adopted in 301 due to endeavors of Saint Gregory The Illuminator, who, before converting King Trdat The 3rd to Christianity, was imprisoned in the dungeon, over which a church of Khor Virap monastery was built in the 17th century. From the monastery one can admire the stunning view of the Biblical Mount Ararat.
Passing a narrow road, surrounded by rocks of hundred caves, one discovers a scene of harmony of architecture with nature. The monastery, enshrined with fine architectural solutions and luxurious embellishments, is one of the brightest examples of Armenian architecture of the 13th century. Noravank consists of St. Karapet, St. Gregory The Illuminator churches and St. Astvatsatsin (Holy Mother of God) two-storey church, which is notable for its ideal constructive and sculptural work.
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.
The cave is situated 12 km from Yeghegnadzor, on the left bank of river Areni. It consists of 3 halls, has approximately 500 m² area, the large part of which still hasn’t been explored. As a result of studies, metal knives, fruit seeds, grain residues, rope, dishes, clothing, dried grapes and plums, dated to 4200-3500 BC, were found in the cave. The oldest leather shoe of the world was found right here. It is more than 5500 years old. Also, in the same area, there were found world’s oldest women’s skirt (3900 BC), as well as the first winery in the whole world. Nowadays the mentioned winery is considered to be the ancient one and it is referred to 4th millennium BC. No one has lived inside the cave, at the meantime, wine consumption was of ritual meaning for people.
Important information
Know before you book
- The tour is conducted in English; ensure you understand the language.
- Confirm your hotel pickup location and time at least 24 hours in advance.
- Be prepared for a full day of activities; plan accordingly for meals and personal needs.
Know before you go
- Wear comfortable walking shoes suitable for uneven terrain.
- Bring a hat and sunscreen to protect against sun exposure.
- Carry a refillable water bottle to stay hydrated throughout the day.
Cancellation policy
For a full refund, cancel at least 24 hours before the scheduled departure time.
Accessibility
- Stroller Accessible
- Easy Public Transport
- Infants Required On Laps
- Infant Seats Available
Traveler reviews
Beautiful excursion
I recommend this excursion even if challenging. You cross breathtaking views the sites are very beautiful. Excellent guide Edward. The lunch stop was up to the task, a family restaurant on a nice patio and great food.
Was ok
It was a nice tour overall, and both the driver and our tour guide were kind and professional. However, I would like to share some feedback. Most people in our group joined the tour to enjoy the sights, experience a new place, and try local food. While we understand that history is important, there was a strong focus throughout the tour on the Armenian genocide and wartime losses. The topic is deeply significant, but it felt overwhelming for a leisure tour and affected the overall atmosphere of the day. Many of us come from countries with similarly difficult histories, and while we respect and acknowledge this past, we would prefer to learn about it in a more appropriate setting, such as a museum or dedicated historical tour. We kindly suggest balancing historical information with lighter, cultural, and enjoyable aspects of the destination, so guests can fully enjoy their experience. Thank you for your understanding.
Thank you very much Hyur Service!
Wonderful guide Hakob and driver Ike, who made their time on the tour memorable. The tour is organized perfectly, despite the fact that there is a bias against excursions/tours, we all enjoyed it very much!
An unforgettable journey
We traveled with Hyur for a week in virtually all of Armenia. Everything was perfect, especially our guides Anush and Taguhi and Harut our driver.
Great Easter trip!
We were on a 2Tg tour “Southern wonders of Armenia” and can highly recommend the varied program, a great mix of culture and nature. Our driver Arakel was a safe driver over the long distance, absolutely reliable and very patient with our many photo stop wishes! Thank you for that!