Khor Virap, Echmiadzin Cathedral and Zvartnots Private Tour
Overview
Available languages
Mobile ticket
"Khor Virap Monastery offers the most breathtaking views of the Biblical Mt. Ararat. The monastery holds significant religious and historical importance - sight where Saint Gregory the Illuminator was imprisoned and Christianity took its start in Armenia. Echmiadzin Cathedral (literal translation: The descent of the Only Begotten) is the center of the Armenian Apostolic church originally built in the early 3rd century BC and a number of sources also state that Etchmiadzin is the oldest official Christian church in the entire world. This is your chance to visit and explore such a unique and one-of-a-kind place in the world! The church of St. Hripsime is dedicated to one of the 40 virgins who escaped from the Roman empire. Standing largely intact since its construction, the church has been widely admired for its architecture, considered a masterpiece of classical Armenian architecture, it has influenced many other Armenian churches.
Additional Info
Infants and small children can ride in a pram or stroller
Service animals allowed
Infants are required to sit on an adult’s lap
Suitable for all physical fitness levels
Children must be accompanied by an adult
Possible languages: English, Russian. In case the tour is organized in other language, changes of the prices are possible.
What To Expect
Khor Virap
The Khor Virap monastery is located about an hour’s drive away from the capital Yerevan, and offers an amazing view of Armenia’s defining symbol – the majestic Ararat. “Khor Virap” translates as “deep dungeon”, and was built of the place of the former royal prison, located on the historical site of Artashat. It was this very prison in which they kept Gregory the Illuminator, the first Armenian Catholicos, for a whole 13 years.
Saint Hripsime Church
You will visit the St. Hripsime church, which was built on the sepulcher of a Christian nun Hripsime who fled from the Roman Empire and was killed in Armenia. This amazing building has stood upright from the day of its construction since 618 A.D, making it one of the oldest standing churches in the world.
Options
Without guide
Without guide Pickup included
With guide
With guide Pickup included
What‘s Included
WiFi on board
Air-conditioned vehicle
Bottled water
Hotel Pick up and Drop off
Lunch (upon request)
Professional guide (upon request)
Entrance Tickets
Pickup points
Select a pickup point
Cancellation Policy
For a full refund, cancel at least 24 hours before the scheduled departure time.
Reviews
9 reviews
Total reviews and rating from Viator & Tripadvisor
Good timing, great...
Aykun B,Jan 2, 2026
- Review from Viator
5.00Good timing, great experience! We had great time with comfortable transfer amenities and good communication. Thank you!
Highly recommended
Martina D,Jun 6, 2025
- Review from Tripadvisor
4.00Interesting destinations, friendly driver, all as assured. If you are interested in churches and monasteries, highly recommended
Visit to historic sites with the support of a qualified professional.
sagitarr,Mar 17, 2025
- Review from Tripadvisor
5.00We made a private tour by: - Khor Virap Monastery – Echmiadzin Cathedral – St.Hripsime - St.Gayane Church – Zvartnots Temple Driver Harut went beyond expectations. In addition to being polite and attentive, he strived to count aspects of each stop, using Google Translator On Line, reducing language impact. We studied each stop before and can state that it passed important information from the historical sites. Congratulations to the company for having this professional on your team. In addition to visiting places we studied long before, we were happy with the guided support we had.
Armenia tour
76waleedi,Dec 30, 2024
- Review from Tripadvisor
5.00The tour was amazing & Mr.Harod was so great & helpful & we meet Anastasia as well but she was not scheduled to me but yet she helped as well & both took care & asking if i need anything Amazing team 🙏🏼
Great tour to the oldest Christian churches
Kudret S,Nov 19, 2022
- Review from Tripadvisor
5.00This tour was great! The tour guides of this company makes the visits interesting, engaging and enjoyable. Although there was a constant language switching by the tour guide from Russian to English and vice versa, which interrupted the immersion, still it was a very nice and valuable tour. I recommend them, especially if you book a tour in the Russian language, the experience will be much more unique. As a note to the operator, they should consider offering the same tours in Russian and in English as separate groups, this would keep the experience consistent in the preferred language. Other than that, everything was great
Everything was good.
SvetlanaP459,Jun 24, 2022
- Review from Tripadvisor
5.00Were on an individual field trip with guide Karen today. We really enjoyed it. The guide spoke very well about the history of Yerevan, about all the temples we visited, learned very much new and unknown about the formation of Christianity. I highly recommend it. We will be sure when we get back to you and it is Karen for tours!!! Thank you!!!
Very nice.
Ekaterina K 007,May 9, 2022
- Review from Tripadvisor
5.00Very much enjoyed the tour accompanied by Karen, learned many new facts, including about the history of Armenia, the adoption of Christianity and the architecture of Armenian churches👍 Also thank the guide for the zagolas, coffee and for agreeing on a tour of the room with the spear of Longin😃
Tours of Armenia
Julia1981spb,Feb 19, 2020
- Review from Tripadvisor
5.00They took 2 tours of Armenia. Well organized! Guides Armine and Anna are smart! You can see that the girls are very fond of their country and eager to talk about its attractions. Thank you!
Excellent half day trip
LondonE7,May 12, 2019
- Review from Tripadvisor
5.00On my final day I had this half day trip booked for after I checked out and had my bags. It was a private tour so I had the car to myself. The driver came to my apartment at 10am to pickup as arranged. It was an older guy who didnt speak much English but tried to help as best as could. We went first to Khor Virap then back to the churches around the city Echmiadzin, Hripsime, Gayane, and Zvarnots temple. I was dropped back at Republic Squre where I had requested. It was very convenient to have my own driver after two large bus tours on previous days and reasonably priced.
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