Tour To Khor Virap & Noravank Monastey

Day 1: Yerevan, Armenia to Noravank Monastery, Armenia

A day dedicated to exploration of Southern Armenia combining the magic of Armenia's finest medieval architecture with stunning landscapes. The first stop of our trip is Khor Virap, the most sacred pilgrimage destination in Armenia not only because it’s the only place in Armenia where you’ll get the best view of the biblical Mount Ararat within Armenian borders, but this is where St. Gregory the Illuminator was imprisoned for 13 years by the King Tiridates III for preaching Christianity. Guided by the remote majesty of the biblical Mount Ararat, where the Noah’s ark had landed, we explore the site, its underground chambers, elegant chapels and are captivated by the ascetic atmosphere of the site. We continue to the south driving through the agricultural heart of Armenia, Ararat Plain offering a fantastic scenery of fruit orchards, endless vineyards at the foothills of Ararat Mountain. As soon as the we pass the Ararat Plain we can experience the untamed beauty of Southern Armenia - surreal red rocks providing an eerie echo, honey-colored villages sandwiched between them. Our next stop is the Monastery of Noravank, an architectural gemstone nestled among brick-red cliffs, just above a deep gorge. It’s only here where you can see a bas-relief with the representation of Father God with almond-shaped eyes which look far ahead. We’ll drive to Areni village, the cradle of viticulture! This is where world’s oldest winery has been found (6100years old)! Winery tour and wine tasting (about 11 sorts of wine including pomegranate, apricot and cherry wines). Drive back to Yerevan. Duration of the tour: 7-8 hours