Private Half-Day Echmiadzin Cathedral, Hripsime & Zvartnots Temple Tour from Yerevan
About this activity
Highlights
- Visit UNESCO-listed Echmiadzin Cathedral
- Explore Hripsime Church's ancient architecture
- Discover the ruins of Zvartnots Temple
- Enjoy private transportation from Yerevan
- Learn about Armenia's rich history and culture
Full description
Included / Excluded
- Private transportation from Yerevan
- Guided tours of Echmiadzin Cathedral, Hripsime Church, and Zvartnots Temple
- Hotel pickup and drop-off
- Meals and beverages
Itinerary
Mother Cathedral of Armenia, the 1st Christian church in the World. UNESCO heritage site Due to reconstruction works, Mother Cathedral is only possible to see from outside
St. Hripsime church is one of the famous ecclesiastical buildings in the city of Echmiadzin. This is the developed and perfect example of cross-cupola churches in Armenia. The church is notable with its architectural simplicity and loftiness. The tomb of the Christian martyr Virgin Hripsime is in the sacristy of the church. The site is included in UNESCO World Cultural Heritage List.
Not far from the Echmiadzin Cathedral, against the background of white peaks of Ararat, one can see the silhouette of the cupola of St. Gayane church. It was built in the 7th century and belongs to the domed-basilica style. According to the legend, this church was constructed over the tomb of Virgin Gayane, who had been martyred for preaching Christianity. The site is included in UNESCO World Cultural Heritage List.
This marvelous temple is a result of skillfulness and brave creativity of Armenian architects of the 7th century. Having been built on several columns, it was able to survive only till the 10th century. When in the beginning of the 20th century this site was being excavated, many specialists could hardly accept its reconstruction model, designed by famous Armenian architect Toros Toramanyan, as it was difficult to believe, that such a huge and complicated construction could have been built those days, and amazingly at that time one of the bas-relieves of St. Chapelle church in Paris came to prove Toramanyan's version; the bas-relief depicts Zvartnots temple with Noah's Ark and it looks like the model, represented by the architect. The site is included in UNESCO Cultural World Heritage List.
Important information
Know before you book
- Please provide your hotel name and address for pickup arrangements.
- The tour operates in all weather conditions; dress appropriately.
- A valid ID is required for security checks at the sites.
Know before you go
- Wear comfortable walking shoes suitable for uneven terrain.
- Bring a refillable water bottle to stay hydrated.
- Ensure your camera or smartphone is fully charged for photos.
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
Great guiding experience
I spend a beautiful and enjoyable day with our guide, Karen, and driver, Levon. Karen had a lot of knowledge and humor and was a pleasure to be around as he did a great job in guiding in English and Russian.
Great tour!
We had a wonderful experience on our tour today with Raffi as our guide and Sasha as our driver. Both were incredibly friendly, professional, and made the entire day enjoyable from start to finish. Raffi was very knowledgeable and shared fascinating historical information at every stop, which really brought each site to life. He also went above and beyond by taking numerous photos of our family throughout the day, helping us capture some wonderful memories. The lunch stop was excellent, with delicious food that added to the overall experience. We thoroughly enjoyed the tour and appreciated the care and attention provided by both Raffi and Sasha. We highly recommend this tour to anyone looking for a memorable and well-organized experience!
Excellent day seeing Zvarnots and Cathedrals
Half-day experience was perfect for exploring the cathedrals and zvarnots ruins. Meline was very informative and gave us enough time to explore each of the locations at our own pace. Nothing was rushed.
Fantastic time
We had a fantastic time. Our driver Harut picked us up on time. He was great. Cold A/C. Our toor guide Marine was also great. Very polite lovely lady. All my expectations were met from start to finish. I highly recommend.
Hayastan ❤️
Very good experience, viva Armenia 🇦🇲🇦🇲❤️